Quotessence
Home / Authors / Michael J. Sullivan
Michael J. Sullivan

Michael J. Sullivan Quotes

Author

Filter quotes by topic

AllHadrianIfsSaidThinkingKnowsLooksTwoPeopleSidesWantFantasyMenThievesWellsDoeFirstsGuyMomentsRiyriaWhole

Famous Michael J. Sullivan Quotes

“Will nodded toward Hadrian. “Look at the swords he’s carrying. A man wearing one—maybe he knows how to use it, maybe not. A man carries two—he probably don’t know nothing about swords, but he wants you to think he does. But a man carrying three swords—that’s a lot of weight. No one’s gonna haul that much steel around unless he makes a living using them.”

ThinkingKnowsMenWantLooksDoeTwoUseThreeKnow HowWeightCarrieSteelHaulHadrian
Book:Hollow World
Create image

“Hadrian shook his head and sighed. “Why do you have to make everything so difficult? They’re probably not bad people—just poor. You know, taking what they need to buy a loaf of bread to feed their family. Can you begrudge them that? Winter is coming and times are hard.” He nodded his head in the direction of the thieves. “Right?” “I ain’t got no family,” flat-nose replied. “I spend most of my coin on drink.” “You’re not helping,” Hadrian said.”

PeopleKnowsNeedsSaidHardHelpingDifficultPoorDrinkWinterBreadNosesFlatsThievesCoinsBad PeopleHadrianWinter Is Coming
Book:Hollow World
Create image

“Royce turned to Hadrian. “It’s supposed to make them look tough, but all it really does is make it easy to identify them as thieves for the rest of their lives. Painting a red hand on everyone is pretty stupid when you think about it.” “That tattoo is supposed to be a hand?” Hadrian asked. “I thought it was a little red chicken. But now that you mention it, a hand does make more sense.” Royce looked back at Will and tilted his head to one side. “Does kinda look like a chicken.”

ThinkingLooksLittlesDoeHandsEasySidesStupidPaintingToughRedSupposed To BeChickensThievesTattooHadrian
Author:Michael J. Sullivan
Create image

“You’re too visible, Albert,” Hadrian explained. “Can’t afford to have our favorite noble hauled to some dungeon where they cut off your eyelids or pull off your fingernails until you tell them what we’re up to.” “But if they torture me, and I don’t know the plan, how will I save myself?” “I’m sure they’ll believe you after the fourth nail or so,” Royce said with a wicked grin.”

IfsKnowsBelieveSaidCuttingPlansNobleTortureVisibleWickedFourthNailsDungeonsEyelidsFingernailsHadrian
Book:The Crown Conspiracy
Create image

“So,” Royce said, “you want us to escape from this prison, kidnap the king, cross the countryside with him in tow while dodging soldiers who I assume might not accept our side of the story, and go to another secret prison so that he can visit an inmate?” Arista did not appear amused. “Either that, or you can be tortured to death in four hours.” “Sounds like a really good plan to me,” Hadrian declared.“Royce?” “I like any plan where I don’t die a horrible death.”

WantSaidStoriesMightDiesSoundSidesHoursSecretAcceptingFourPlansKingsCrossesPrisonAssumingSoldierHorribleCountrysideAmusedInmatesTowHadrian
Book:The Crown Conspiracy
Create image

“You think he’s still alive?” Royce asked, nodding his head toward Alric. “Sure,” Hadrian replied without bothering to look. “He’s probably sleeping. Why do you ask?” “I was just pondering something. Do you think a person could smother in a wet potato bag?” Hadrian lifted his head and looked over at the motionless prince. “I really hadn’t thought about it until now.”

ThinkingLooksPersonsStillsAsksSleepAliveBotherBagsWetPotatoesPonderingNoddingHadrian
Book:The Crown Conspiracy
Create image

“There you are!” he shouted at them. “Father has half the castle turned out looking for you.” “Us?” Hadrian asked. “Yes.” Fanen nodded. “He wants to see the two thieves in his chambers right away.” “You didn’t steal the silver or anything, did you, Royce?” Hadrian asked. “I would bet it has more to do with your flirting with Lenare this afternoon and threatening Mauvin just to show off,” Royce retorted. “That was your fault,” Hadrian said, jabbing his finger at him.”

WantSaidTwoShowsFatherHalfFaultsFingersStealingSilverAfternoonThievesThreateningFlirtingCastlesChamberShowing OffHadrian
Author:Michael J. Sullivan
Create image

“Another last-minute, good-deed job,” Royce grumbled as he stuffed supplies into his saddlebag. “True,” Hadrian said, slinging his sword belt over his shoulder, “but this is at least a paying job.” “You should have told him the real reason we saved him from Trumbul— because we wouldn’t see the hundred tenents otherwise.” “That was your reason. Besides, how often do we get to do royal contracts? If word gets around, we’ll be able to command top salaries.” “If word gets around, we’ll be hanged.”

IfsShouldSaidRealReasonAbleJobsLastsMinutesHundredShould HaveDeedsSavedShouldersCommandContractsRoyalGood DeedsBeltsSalarySuppliesLast MinuteHadrian
Book:Theft Of Swords: The Riyria Revelations
Create image

“And you? Did you find the doorknob?” Hadrian picked up a jug and downed several swallows, drinking so quickly some of the water dripped down his chin. He poured some in his palm and rinsed his face, running his fingers through his hair. “I didn’t even get close enough to see a door.” “Well, look on the bright side”—Hadrian smiled—“at least you weren’t captured and condemned to death this time.” “That’s the bright side?” “What can I say? I’m a glass-half-full kinda guy.”

WellsLooksEnoughRunningFacesGuySidesWaterHalfDoorsHairDrinkingFingersGlassesPalmsCapturedChinsBright SideHalf FullJugsGlass Half FullHadrian
Author:Michael J. Sullivan
Create image

“What’s going on?” Royce asked as throngs of people suddenly moved toward him from the field and the castle interior. “I mentioned that you saw the thing and now they want to know what it looks like,” Hadrian explained. “What did you think? They were coming to lynch you?” He shrugged. “What can I say? I’m a glass-half-empty kinda guy.” “Half empty?” Hadrian chuckled. “Was there ever any drink in that glass?”

PeopleThinkingKnowsWantLooksGuyHalfSawsFieldsDrinkEmptyMovedGlassesInteriorsCastlesHalf EmptyHadrian
Author:Michael J. Sullivan
Create image

“There are still eight of us,” Guy pointed out. “Not exactly an even fight.” “I was thinking the same thing,” Mauvin said. “Sadly, there’s no one else here we can ask to join your side.” Guy looked at Mauvin, then Hadrian, for a long moment as the men glared across the ash at each other. Then he nodded and lowered his blade. “Well, I can see I’ll have to report your misconduct to the archbishop.” “Go ahead,” Hadrian said. “His body is buried with the rest of them just down the hillside.”

ThinkingMenWellsLongSaidStillsI CanMomentsBodyGuyFightingAsksSidesEightReportsBuriedAshesBladesYour SideMisconductHadrianThinking The Same
Author:Michael J. Sullivan
Create image

“Have you ever been in love, Hadrian?” “I’m not sure. How do you tell?” “Love? Why, it’s like coming home.” Hadrian considered the comment. “What are you thinking?” Bulard asked. Hadrian shook his head. “Nothing.” “Yes, you were. What? You can tell me. I’m an excellent repository for secrets. I’ll likely forget, but if I don’t, well, I’m an old man in a remote jungle. I’m sure to die before I can repeat anything.” Hadrian smiled, then shrugged. “I was just thinking about the rain.”

IfsThinkingMenWellsI CanHomeDiesForgetSecretRainExcellentNot SureRepeatsComing HomeOld ManCommentJungleBeen In LoveHadrian
Author:Michael J. Sullivan
Create image

“I need your help.” Royce looked up as if his head weighed a hundred pounds, his eyes red, his face ashen. He waited. “One last job,” Hadrian told him, then added, “I promise.” “Is it dangerous?” “Very.” “Is there a good chance I’ll get killed?” “Odds are definitely in favor of that.” Royce nodded, looked down at the scarf in his lap, and replied, “Okay.”

IfsNeedsHelpingEyeJobsLastsFacesChanceDangerousPromiseHundredRedOkayFavorsHis EyesPoundsOddsLapI PromiseGood ChanceScarvesHadrian
Author:Michael J. Sullivan
Create image