“Civilization did not come with fire. It came with the discovery of how to use fire to heat water.”

“Manhattan in the morning is a living stream of Purpose; everyone's got a place to be and a problem on their mind. That doesn't mean it's and unfriendly place -- just busy and preoccupied. Personally, I love it. I'm a social creature but there are times and places you just don't want to do more than grunt at your fellow human being.”

“I am a trained professional liar. Do not read me as a textbook.”

“I'm not so arrogant to think I'm the only guide someone needs ... but I might be the guide that someone needs.”

“Clever's not enough to hold me - I want characters who are more than devices to be moved about for Effect.”

“Tita knew through her own flesh how fire transforms the elements, how a lump of corn flour is changed into a tortilla, how a soul that hasn't been warmed by the fire of love is lifeless, like a useless ball of corn flour.”

“A growing heat, like a million blazing suns all focused on me, lit my insides. It felt like I was being cooked in the Gabriella Roast Cooker, me spinning around-and-around to heat my flesh evenly. For some reason I was having trouble comprehending the sudden change in my revolving world as I swelled with a horrible, billowing fire.”