How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"I really could read better once," he said, sniffing. "But this constant fear…" (42.23)
Poor Darius—his reading power has been affected by living in fear under Capricorn's watch. It's easy to think of situations where being under intense pressure might throw someone off their game, but it seems like Darius has a particularly bad case of anxiety. And why wouldn't he? His life hangs in the balance, as Capricorn has complete control over whether Darius eats, sleeps, and lives or dies. That's a scary amount of power to have to live under.
Quote #8
"I, Fenoglio, master of words, enchanter of ink, sorcerer on paper. I made Capricorn and I shall destroy him as if he'd never existed—which I have to admit would have been better!" (46.24)
Fenoglio is beginning to sound like he thinks of himself as an all-powerful creator figure. And while sure, as an author he is the creator of his own characters and worlds, it takes the enchanted voice of a reader to bring his creations to life. Maybe it's a chicken-and-egg question as to who's more powerful, but either way you slice it, Fenoglio's starting to sound a little conceited here.
Quote #9
At that moment Meggie's mother raised her hand. The stone hit Basta on the head. Astonished, he spun around, looked at her as if trying to remember who she was, and put his hand to his bleeding face. (49.57)
Go, Resa. Basta lets his guard down around her because he is focusing on trying to cut up Dustfinger, and besides, she's only a woman, right? Wrong. Resa is able to take charge of the situation and strike out at Basta, in large part because it is so unexpected. Now that's real power: being able to take down someone bigger and badder than you, simply because you weren't on their radar to begin with.