"Once upon a time we had a love affair with fire." (p. 5). The President of the USA opens the novel with this line, contemplating the decisions he must soon make.

"And deep inside him, in the pit where no light had shone for a very long time, the Shadow Soldier cried out with joy." (p. 74). Colonel Macklin is reacting to the nuclear fallout, and the Shadow Soldier is ready for action.

"The entire ring of glass glowed like a multicolored circle of fire, yet there was no heat under Sister Creep's fingers. It was pulsating rapidly now, as was her heartbeat, and the vibrant, stunning colors grew still brighter." (p.146). Sister's discovery of the magical glass ring, shortly after meeting Artie.

"Josh thought she looked like the little queen of a realm that had been stolen from her, a tragic and determined figure." (p. 250). Josh and Swan have...