--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What is it?' Stephanie whispered. 'That…" description: "\"What is it?' Stephanie whispered. 'That, my dear Valkyrie, is what we call a monster.' She looked at Skulduggery. 'You don't know what it is, do you?' ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/766/derek-landy-826_dear_what-is-it-stephanie-whispered-that-my-d_392173.jpg" --- # What is it?' Stephanie whispered. 'That, my dear Valkyrie… ![“What is it?' Stephanie whispered. 'That, my dear Valkyrie, is what we call a monster.' She looked at Skulduggery. 'You don't know what it is, do you?' 'I told you what it is, it's a horrible monster. Now shut up before it comes over here and eats us.” quote by Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/766/derek-landy-826_dear_what-is-it-stephanie-whispered-that-my-d_392173.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/766/derek-landy-826_dear_what-is-it-stephanie-whispered-that-my-d_392173.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/766/derek-landy-826_dear_what-is-it-stephanie-whispered-that-my-d_392173.jpg) > “What is it?' Stephanie whispered. 'That, my dear Valkyrie, is what we call a monster.' She looked at Skulduggery. 'You don't know what it is, do you?' 'I told you what it is, it's a horrible monster. Now shut up before it comes over here and eats us.” [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A monster is defined by fear and misunderstanding rather than its nature. **In simple terms:** Monsters are often fear‑based labels. Key Takeaway Question assumptions about the unknown. Themes fear misunderstanding identity Mood curious reflective Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - childhood fears - social stigma - personal growth Key Concepts psychology mythology Questions to Reflect On - What “monsters” do you label in others? - How can you confront fear without judgment? A Different Perspective The “monster” may be a metaphor for internal struggles, not external threats. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Monsters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monsters/) [Valkyrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/valkyrie/) ## Related quotes > [I have learned from experience that, in the bluff and counterbluff of world politics, to draw a hostile war lord as a horrible monster…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-have-learned-from-experience-that-in-the-bluff-and-counterbluff-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It is a condition of monsters that they do not perceive themselves as such. The dragon, you know, hunkered in the village devouring maidens,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/it-is-a-condition-of-monsters-that-they-do-not-perceive-themselves-as/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [We punch people, Valkyrie. That’s who we are. Embrace your inner lunatic. Fun times guaranteed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/we-punch-people-valkyrie-that-s-who-we-are-embrace-your-inner-lunatic/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“Skulduggery was right by Valkyrie’s elbow, but remained quiet. She appreciated that. Any other man would have leaped in to defend her honour. Valkyrie…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/skulduggery-was-right-by-valkyrie-s-elbow-but-remained-quiet-she/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“There’s nothing I would change about the last few years. Valkyrie has proven herself to be an astonishing individual and one I would gladly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/there-s-nothing-i-would-change-about-the-last-few-years-valkyrie-has/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“Donegan Bane and Gracious O'Callahan - the Monster Hunters. Adventurers, inventors, authors of Monster Hunting for Beginners and it's sequels, Monster Hunting for Beginners…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/donegan-bane-and-gracious-o-callahan-the-monster-hunters-adventurers/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“And what, if you don’t mind me asking, is really important?” Valkyrie holds her hand palm upwards, and it starts to glow from within.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/and-what-if-you-don-t-mind-me-asking-is-really-important-valkyrie/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“What do we do now?” “Well, we escape. I’m not sure how yet, but—” “No,” said Valkyrie. “What do we do now? We’re partners.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/what-do-we-do-now-well-we-escape-i-m-not-sure-how-yet-but-no-said/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“Aurora sagged. 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You’re supposed to be finding out who you are as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/you-re-seventeen-you-re-supposed-to-be-dealing-with-school-and/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [Valkyrie: “You are such a moron.” Skulduggery: “Don't be jealous of my genius.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/valkyrie-you-are-such-a-moron-skulduggery-don-t-be-jealous-of-my/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [I understand perfectly. Darquesse isn't a separate entity. She isn't another person. She's you. If you make the wrong choices, if you stop loving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/i-understand-perfectly-darquesse-isn-t-a-separate-entity-she-isn-t/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“He took her hand in his and knelt before her. Valkyrie looked at him. He was serious. (...)'Dude, I'm sixteen.' 'I love you.' 'That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/he-took-her-hand-in-his-and-knelt-before-her-valkyrie-looked-at-him/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) ## More by Derek Landy > [Stephanie could see the greed seep into the watery eyes of her father’s other brother, a horrible little man called Fergus, as he nodded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/stephanie-could-see-the-greed-seep-into-the-watery-eyes-of-her-father/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“strike from the shadows, disapear into darkness”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/strike-from-the-shadows-disapear-into-darkness/) [derek landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“But if you can confront your inner demons—" "I did confront my inner demon. I punched him in the face and he exploded." Valkyrie…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/but-if-you-can-confront-your-inner-demons-i-did-confront-my-inner/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“What does a clue look like?" Tanith whispered. Stephanie fought the giggle down and whispered back. "I'm looking for a footprint or something." "Have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/what-does-a-clue-look-like-tanith-whispered-stephanie-fought-the/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“He took her hand in his and knelt before her. Valkyrie looked at him. He was serious. (...)'Dude, I'm sixteen.' 'I love you.' 'That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/he-took-her-hand-in-his-and-knelt-before-her-valkyrie-looked-at-him/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [I find it rude to laugh at a man with a sword.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/i-find-it-rude-to-laugh-at-a-man-with-a-sword/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [What?" she asked again. He pointed ahead of them. "See that?" "What, the snow?" "Beyond that." "More snow?" "Stop looking at the snow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/what-she-asked-again-he-pointed-ahead-of-them-see-that-what-the-snow/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [The Baron, unfortunately, turns it all the way up to eleven." "Seriously? Because, you know, that's one more evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/the-baron-unfortunately-turns-it-all-the-way-up-to-eleven-seriously/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“Valkyrie walked over to her. Since she had met her, all she'd wanted to do was punch her face in. But that was when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/valkyrie-walked-over-to-her-since-she-had-met-her-all-she-d-wanted-to/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“I've always been a monster,' Scapegrace told her, 'but now, finally, my physical for reflects my inner darkness.' 'You smell terrible.' 'That's the smell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/i-ve-always-been-a-monster-scapegrace-told-her-but-now-finally-my/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [The rain battered the cottage. Valkyrie risked a look up at Skulduggery. “What is it?” she whispered. “It’s a box,” he whispered back. “What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/the-rain-battered-the-cottage-valkyrie-risked-a-look-up-at/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [There’s no such thing as winning or losing. There is won and there is lost, there is victory and defeat. There are absolutes. Everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/there-s-no-such-thing-as-winning-or-losing-there-is-won-and-there-is/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“He liked murder. Murder and long walks had been two of his favorite things when he was younger.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/he-liked-murder-murder-and-long-walks-had-been-two-of-his-favorite/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [Of course I want to kill you," said Skulduggery. "I want to kill most people. But then where would I be? In a field…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/of-course-i-want-to-kill-you-said-skulduggery-i-want-to-kill-most/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [We don’t need a cure,” the other zombie said. “That’s right,” Scapegrace nodded. “We’re happy the way we are.” “Happy with the power,” Scapegrace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/we-don-t-need-a-cure-the-other-zombie-said-that-s-right-scapegrace/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) [Explore all 355 Derek Landy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) ## More Dear quotes > [I gave my archive to Emory University because there's a really dear friend who teaches there, Rudolph Byrd, and he's the editor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-walker/i-gave-my-archive-to-emory-university-because-there-s-a-really-dear/) [Alice Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-walker/) > [O lands! O all so dear to me - what you are, I become part of that, whatever it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-whitman/o-lands-o-all-so-dear-to-me-what-you-are-i-become-part-of-that/) [Walt Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-whitman/) > [Dear God, I trust that no matter what happens in my life, it is for my highest good. And no matter what happens in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/dear-god-i-trust-that-no-matter-what-happens-in-my-life-it-is-for-my/) [Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/) > [Most beautiful is the sight of those near and dear to us when our original kinship makes us of one mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epicurus/most-beautiful-is-the-sight-of-those-near-and-dear-to-us-when-our/) [Epicurus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epicurus/) > [Oh, dear Hazel.” Aphrodite folded her fan. “Such optimism, yet you have heartrending days ahead of you. Of course war is coming. Love and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/oh-dear-hazel-aphrodite-folded-her-fan-such-optimism-yet-you-have/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [You may be sure, dear Crito, that inaccurate language is not only in itself a mistake: it implants evil in men's souls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/you-may-be-sure-dear-crito-that-inaccurate-language-is-not-only-in/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [You're thinking about something, my dear, and that makes you forget to talk. I can't tell you just now what the moral of that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/you-re-thinking-about-something-my-dear-and-that-makes-you-forget-to/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [My favorite performance would definitely be "Toxic," which was my blind audition song. 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