is not a big, solid, serious book.

Bod was obedient but curious.

Loki was trying to look serious, but even so, he was smiling at the corners of his mouth. It was not a reassuring smile.

Books were safer than other people anyway.

It's like the people who believe they'll be happy if they go and live somewhere else, but who learn it doesn't work that way. Wherever you go, you take yourself with you. If you see what I mean.

Someone killed my Mother and my Father and my Sister?"
"Yes, someone did."
"A Man?"
"A Man."
"Which means," said Bod, "you're asking the wrong question."
Silas raised an eyebrow. "How so?"
"Well," said Bod. "If I go outside in the world, the question isn't who will keep me safe from him?"
"No?"
"No. It's who will keep him safe from me?