How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Rosa grabbed the cleaver in her right hand before he could. His jaw went slack as she took the carving knife into her left and held the two of them like a pro as she faced their intruders. (7.2)
Is everyone in this book a trained assassin? Nick is shocked to see Rosa, the housekeeper, wield a pair of sharp knives like a pro. She's handy for food prep and for slicing and dicing bad guys.
Quote #8
They'd barely moved before Madaug fired at the zombies outside. The rocket exploded in the door, sending glass and zombie parts everywhere. Green and red ooze streaked through the night. (14.53)
Every action story needs a gratuitous rocket launcher blast. This one is overkill, and it ends up putting the team at a disadvantage. If you're barricading yourself inside a building, it helps if the building has a front to it.
Quote #9
"That's exactly what I'm talking about. That's the evil that's seducing you. […] You have to let that anger go before it's too late. Vengeance always turns inward and it will consume you until nothing's left by an empty hole that nothing can fill." (16.40)
A key conflict in the book is one that Nick isn't entirely aware of. It seems that if he lets his anger and vengeance control him, then he will become a Malachai, which is this book's equivalent of going to the Dark Side with Darth Vader. Ambrose, who is Nick from the future, is trying to guide Nick away from this violent path.