It’s a general fear of the unknown that plagues the entire society of the Ooni Kingdom, a discomfort with things that may have been forgotten. And maybe my hair gives people a glimpse of memories they can’t quite remember.
-- Zahrah (Prologue: My World)

Importance: This quote establishes how disconnected the people of the Ooni Kingdom are from their past. Even though no one knows whether this happened intentionally or the people’s memories simply eroded over time is not clear. Still, Zarah’s existence as a dada is a representation of the potential of those lost memories. She symbolizes something that nobody truly understands, and her people’s willingness to pursue the unknown will make things more difficult as Zahrah struggles to find herself.

Mark my words: there’s nothing wrong with being different.
-- Papa Grip (Chapter 1: Papa Grip)

Importance: This quote establishes one of the main themes of the novel, or how important it is to embrace one...