How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
When the queen at last set down the parchment and met her daughter's eyes, Ani was expecting an accusing stare and was surprised by the sorrow that weighed down her features. She could not tell if the sorrow was for her father or for her. A thought buzzed in Ani's head: I do not know this woman at all. Her stomach turned uneasily. (2.83)
Yikes—imagine feeling this way about your own mother. Ani's reaction to her mom shows us just how much the queen controls behind everyone's backs; she's impossible to read and knows how to twist words to get what she wants.
Quote #2
Her mother's magic with words was worming into Ani's mind. Already she was thinking, Yes, fine, whatever you did is fine. She pricked herself again and warned herself not to fall into the role of complacent listener. (2.88)
That sounds like one smooth talker to us—the queen knows how to control everyone around her simply by opening her mouth. It's important for us to think about this not just as the gift of people-speaking, but as something darker too.
Quote #3
Ani felt the crowd shudder at the power in the queen's voice. Would that her voice accompanied me, thought Ani, and not a stained handkerchief. The thing felt thin and warm in her hand. She squeezed it and wished it were more than a token, wished it really could somehow carry safety and home and the love of a mother. (3.34)
Is this all just an act? If we really stop and think about it, the queen is playing puppet master to everyone in her kingdom. She's so good at pulling strings that we're not sure where the truth ends and the manipulation begins… and neither is Ani.