“Kenji snorts.“That’s because you’re not fragile,” Kenji says. “If anything, everyone needs to protect themselves from you. You’re like a freaking beast,” he says. Then adds, “I mean, you know—like, a cute beast. A little beast that tears shit up and breaks the earth and sucks the life out of people.”

Iranian-American author based in Santa Monica, California

Tahereh Mafi is an Iranian-American author based in Santa Monica, California. She writes young adult fiction and is known for works in that genre. Her books have made her a familiar name in contemporary YA writing, with a style and audience centered on young adult storytelling. On this site, 93 quotes are attributed to her.