"And when, three minutes later, a pink balloon plunged from above to land squarely on Kazimir's head, he owed Mik a debt of gratitude, because it was not "bladder tea" that burst all over him. It was perfume, several bottles' worth, mixed with baking soda to turn it into a nice clinging paste." chap. 1, p. 10

"Damn, now I've gone and done it. I've made hello go all abstract and weird. It looks like an alien rune now, something an astronaut would find engraved on a moon rock and go, A strange moon word! I must bring this back to Earth as a gift for my dead son!" chap. 5, p. 25

"The Chimaera's eyes, though Bethena, would be accustomed to the dark; light would dazzle them. Get it over with, she thought, and gave her signal." chap. 10, p. 37

"She was Madrigal of Kirin. She was in love. She was in...