Ptolemus might have killed my brother, but I was the one to put Shade in his path. Because I was selfish, thinking myself some kind of savior. Because, once again, I put my trust in someone I shouldn’t have and traded lives as a gambler does playing cards. But you liberated a prison. You freed so many people—and you saved Julian.
-- Mare (chapter 2)

Importance: This quote introduces Mare’s conflict between guilt and pride into the novel. She feels an immense sense of responsibility for her brother’s death, blaming her own mistakes and misplaced trust instead of Ptolemus. However, her actions were also responsible for freeing hundreds of prisoners, including Julian. Her conflicting feelings are a major source of distress for her character.

It feels terrible to be feared. And worst of all, I can’t blame anyone for it. We are different and strange, with powers not even Silvers...
-- Cameron (chapter 4)