This dazzling, unput-downable debut novel proves beyond a doubt that Dan Wells has the gift. His teenage protagonist is as chilling as he is endearing. More John Wayne Cleaver, please.

Reality is what trips you up when you walk around with your eyes closed.

Jesus paid for our sins, so let's get our money's worth.

Your believing or not believing in karma has no effect on its existence, nor on its consequences to you. Just as a refusal to believe in the ocean would not prevent you from drowning.

War, hate, jealousy, racism - what are they but manifestations of fear?

Writing is solitary, so I love going out once in a while and meeting my readers. I'll often hang with them after a signing for some beers. They're invariably bright!

If all the diplomats were kicked out, the UN could be turned into the finest bordello in the world and do just as much, if not more, for international harmony.

If you come to a fight thinking it will be a fair one, you didn't come prepared.

No one you'd really like to see in public office has the bad taste to run.

All men of honor are alone.

I survived a number of garage bands during my teens and early twenties, both as drummer and guitarist. It's nigh impossible for me to listen to music without parsing it.

We are not often against the evils, only because our enemies are against them.

We climb to heaven most often on the ruins of our cherished plans, finding our failures were successes.

A storyteller is basically what actors and writers are.

Every night I go over what I did in the day, in ethical or moral terms. Have I treated people properly? Did I tell the truth?

The simpler the message, the broader the meaning, in many respects.

I wanted Raging Bull. I wanted Casino. I got Rocky and Bullwinkle. But that's OK, because I still get to tell people I've worked with Robert DeNiro.

It's always the same - all men and women want to be sexy.

Everybody loves you because you are brilliantly awkward.

I think who you are in school really sticks with you.