Red Rising Saga Quotes

"I marvel at the boldness of Darrow’s charade, even at the shrewdness of his cruelty. In the last moment of his victory, he saw an opportunity to win a war against the Rim that had not even begun, and he took it with as bold a maneuver as I’ve ever seen. But it is certainty I feel, not respect or horror. This is the man I once idolized. An unpredictable gambler of savage intellect with a limitless capacity for violence. I respect his capabilities, but I do not respect the man. And here, in the wake of his destruction, I understand beyond a shadow of a doubt that to protect mankind, the Reaper must die."

"Alis aquilae. The words of your house. ‘On eagle’s wings.’"

"You look a lamb, but perhaps a wolf lies under the wool?"

"Mercy emboldens evil men."

"Dead kids are the loose change of war. Don’t come whining to me because the man and woman who started this don’t want to pay out of their own pocket like the rest of us."

"I ride to war. To glory. I ride for the head of the Ash Lord.” He lunges forward and lifts his razor. “I would not ride alone. So I say to you, my darkest devils, awake, arise, and reclaim your glory!"

"How do you prepare for a kick in the balls? You don’t. You suck it up."

"My girls will have a da. If that’s selfish, I don’t give a shit. Let someone else be Ares."

"Into this wild Abyss the warie fiend stood on the brink of Hell and look’d a while, pondering his voyage; for no narrow frith he had to cross!"

"What’s the quickest way to a Peerless Scarred’s heart?” Pebble asks. “Ragnar’s fist."

"Unlike mortal men, Ragnar didn’t sleep. He merely waited."

"A divine spectacle, Darrow.” He looks at my men with a smile. “A more glorious band of devils there is none. What a path you cut, like fallen seraphs amongst mortal men."

"I sung of Chaos and Eternal Night Taught by the heav’nly Muse to venture down The dark descent, and up to reascend!"

"That is life, neh? Play with blades you get pricked."

"Young death is divine. It freezes the flower in time. A gift in a way, to remember her as that instead of watching age ravage and devour…"

"Stupid boy. Do you know how many proud humans I’ve seen die for honor? Melted onto the floors of landing craft? Crying on the battlefield for their mothers as they try to push their guts back into their bodies? Honor.” She sips her tea. “Romulus knows the cost. A leader may not always be logical and honorable. At times, he must choose. I’m surprised, of all people, your grandmother did not teach you that. Or are you trying to be Lorn?"

"not all who live fear death."

"Lorn au Arcos once said it is the duty of every man to listen to his enemies. When you spoke I listened. Your war is just. Cassius did not believe that, but he is gone. And to honor the dead at the cost of the living is a vanity none of us can afford."

"Point is, Ephraim wants to die, but he can’t. That’s his curse."

"it ends as it should, with wolves."

"The destroyer of a civilization too often resembles its founders."

"Ah, I see the Ash Lord has become most literal indeed."

"I suppose that is what every man must tell himself in war.” His voice rasps and he sucks again on the water tube. “That there will be an end, and when it is done, enough of himself will remain. Enough to be a father. A brother. A lover. But we know it isn’t true. Don’t we, Darrow? War eats the victors last."

"Rhea was a rational transaction. Sixty million lives to keep order for eighteen billion."

"I urge you to feel my death. To let it be the last casualty, and not the first of this war that claimed my father, my daughter, my son, and now me."