How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Her brother nodded slowly, a mischievous expression crossing his face. "Aye, maybe you're a crack hand with sextants and aerology. And maybe you can draw any airbeast in the fleet. But there's one test I haven't mentioned. It's not about book learning—more what they call 'air sense.'" (3.10)
Yeah, it's always great to hear about something we didn't know was going to be on the test. Makes us feel really confident going in. Thanks, Jaspert.
Quote #2
She knew more about aeronautics than Da had ever crammed into Jaspert's attic. On top of which, she had a better head for heights than her brother. (3.32)
And she's very modest about it, too. Seriously though, we give Deryn major credit for knowing her stuff and going after her dreams.
Quote #3
As she climbed, Deryn heard a hoarse cheer from below.
The ground men raised their arms in triumph. Jaspert was beaming, cupping both hands to his face and shouting something that sounded congratulatory, as if to say she'd done exactly what he'd told her!
"It was my barking idea, Jaspert Sharp," she muttered, sucking her rope-burned fingers. (7.46-48)
Older brothers, right? Always trying to take the credit when we do something awesome. We don't know a whole lot about their relationship, but we can tell that Jaspert is really proud of Deryn here.
Quote #4
"But I almost fell!"
"Of course you did!" Klopp laughed. "Everyone falls the first time they try to run."
"Everyone what?"
"Everyone falls. But you did the right thing and let me take the controls in time." (10.31-34)
There's a lot to be said for knowing the limits of your skill and not overdoing it just to look like you don't need any help. As we always say, the first part of learning is knowing that you need to.
Quote #5
"Well, everyone also falls the second time they run, young master!" Klopp's laughter turned into coughing, then he spat and cleared his throat. "Except for you, it seems. Lucky for us you're such a Mozart with the saunters." (14.116)
If you compare this to the quote right before it in this section, you can see that Alek's skill has come a long way. Soon, he'll be composing fugues… or night-walking. Same difference.
Quote #6
"I shall be reviewing your signals and navigation scores," the captain was saying. "Mr. Rigby will weigh in on which of you are paying the most attention in lectures. And, of course, any missteps during this landing will be frowned upon. Good day, gentlemen." (15.36)
No matter how good we think we are at something, these sorts of speeches always make us nervous because we know we're totally going to be put on the spot. How do you think Deryn is feeling right about now?
Quote #7
Klopp shrugged. "Too risky. In the Balkan Wars all the walker battles were in broad daylight."
"Exactly," Alek said. "But we've crossed the length of Austria in darkness. We've mastered a skill that no one even dares to practice." (17.23-24)
It's always an advantage when you can take everyone by surprise. We give a little cheer for humanity whenever someone does something that's said to be impossible—heck, we might even tear up a little.
Quote #8
No stumbles now, no mistakes or they'd all be caught.
The moon had cleared the trees, the water shimmering in their path. A smile grew on Alek's face as he brought the Stormwalker into a run. Let the frigate try and catch them now.
No one could night-walk like him. (17.87-89)
We feel Alek really comes into his own as a walker pilot in this scene, which is pretty cool because it's been important to him from the beginning. He's confident, and he knows he can run and not fall at night, which is kind of a big deal.
Quote #9
Half a kilometer out onto the snows Alek realized that he had finally snuck past his old fencing master. (22.48)
As much as Volger annoys Alek sometimes, we know this has to be a bittersweet moment for Alek. It can be an uncomfortable feeling to know that your skill has surpassed that of the guy who's taught you everything you know.
Quote #10
Alek was either barking brilliant at the controls, or he was completely mad. They were headed straight for the anti-walker gun, lurching back and forth across its sights while the crew desperately reloaded. (32.36)
It's pretty cool to see Deryn realize how talented Alek is. This, unlike being a prince, is a really solid, useful skill that Deryn Sharp can respect.