--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was the clouds I saw first. Enormous…" description: "\"“It was the clouds I saw first. Enormous clouds drifting in the cobalt sky, soft and magnanimous, still tinged by the rose remnants of sunrise, their r..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/88e/sarah-j-maas-58_a-court-of-wings-and_it-was-the-clouds-i-saw-first-enormous-c_1390831.png" --- # It was the clouds I saw first. Enormous clouds drifting in… ![“It was the clouds I saw first. Enormous clouds drifting in the cobalt sky, soft and magnanimous, still tinged by the rose remnants of sunrise, their round edges gilded with the golden light. The dewy freshness of morning lingered in the balmy air as we peered up at the mountain-palace spiralling…” quote by Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/88e/sarah-j-maas-58_a-court-of-wings-and_it-was-the-clouds-i-saw-first-enormous-c_1390831.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/88e/sarah-j-maas-58_a-court-of-wings-and_it-was-the-clouds-i-saw-first-enormous-c_1390831.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/88e/sarah-j-maas-58_a-court-of-wings-and_it-was-the-clouds-i-saw-first-enormous-c_1390831.png) > ““It was the clouds I saw first. Enormous clouds drifting in the cobalt sky, soft and magnanimous, still tinged by the rose remnants of sunrise, their round edges gilded with the golden light. The dewy freshness of morning lingered in the balmy air as we peered up at the mountain-palace spiralling into the heavens above. If the palace above the Court of Nightmares had been crafted of moonstone, this was made from... sunstone. I didn't have a word for the near-opalescent golden stone that seemed to hold the gleaming of a thousand sunrises within it. Steps and balconies and archways and verandas and bridges linked the towers and gilded domes of the palace, periwinkle morning glories climbing the pillars and neatly cut blocks of stone to drink in the gilded mists wafting by. Wafting by, because the mountain on which the palace stood... There was a reason I beheld the clouds first.”” [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The narrator is awed by a majestic, sun‑lit palace that feels otherworldly, emphasizing the power of first impressions and beauty. **In simple terms:** The palace looks magical and awe‑inspiring. Key Takeaway Notice and cherish the first striking details you encounter. Themes wonder beauty first impressions imagination nature Mood awe inspired reflective Type descriptive poetic inspirational When to use this quote - travel writing - fantasy world‑building - descriptive prose - visual storytelling - inspirational reflection Key Concepts aesthetic awe transcendence environmental symbolism Questions to Reflect On - What first visual detail has shaped your perception of a place? - How does awe influence your creativity? A Different Perspective The description may idealize reality, making real‑world experiences seem less vivid. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [A-court-of-wings-and-ruin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/a-court-of-wings-and-ruin/) [Feyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feyre/) [Feyre-archeron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feyre-archeron/) [Golden light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/golden-light/) [Sarah-j-maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sarah-j-maas/) [Sunrise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sunrise/) ## Related quotes > [“We ascended the spiral stairs, the drop off the too-near edge falling away into warm-coloured rock peppered with clusters of pale roses and fluffy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/we-ascended-the-spiral-stairs-the-drop-off-the-too-near-edge-falling/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“His eyes slid to mine, amused and questioning. He said down the bond, And do you think I need to redecorate our home? We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/his-eyes-slid-to-mine-amused-and-questioning-he-said-down-the-bond/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“That was awe on my sister's face. Utter awe at the castle in the clouds, at the verdant countryside rippling away far below, speckled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/that-was-awe-on-my-sister-s-face-utter-awe-at-the-castle-in-the/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) ## More by Sarah J. Maas > [“Light it up, bitch.' 'Light it up, asshole,' ...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/light-it-up-bitch-light-it-up-asshole/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“What does he look like? The question was soft- tentative. I knew who he meant. I interlaced my fingers through Rhysand's and squeezed tightly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/what-does-he-look-like-the-question-was-soft-tentative-i-knew-who-he/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Lysandra chuckled, a surprisingly deep, wicked sound—probably a laugh she never let Arobynn or her clients hear. “Some night soon, I’ll sneak back in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/lysandra-chuckled-a-surprisingly-deep-wicked-sound-probably-a-laugh/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I love you. I am in love with you, Rowan. I have been for a while. And I know there are limits to what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-love-you-i-am-in-love-with-you-rowan-i-have-been-for-a-while-and-i/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Perhaps Nesta will take up the blood-drinking habit, too. I certainly believe her threat to rip out my throat. Maybe she'll enjoy the taste.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/perhaps-nesta-will-take-up-the-blood-drinking-habit-too-i-certainly/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“To being the most fearsome and imposing girls the world has ever seen.” Celaena raised her goblet high before she drank. As she swallowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/to-being-the-most-fearsome-and-imposing-girls-the-world-has-ever-seen/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“have no interest in prisoners or battling today,” Manon said. The Queen of Terrasen gave her a grin. “Good.” Manon turned away, barking at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/have-no-interest-in-prisoners-or-battling-today-manon-said-the-queen/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Well, I'm late for something incredibly important," Lucien said, and before I could call him on his outright lie or beg him to stay,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/well-i-m-late-for-something-incredibly-important-lucien-said-and/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Holy gods. He'd frozen the whole damn lake. He was THAT powerful?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/holy-gods-he-d-frozen-the-whole-damn-lake-he-was-that-powerful/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“She bellowed the last word with such soul-deep hatred that he felt it like a punch to the gut.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/she-bellowed-the-last-word-with-such-soul-deep-hatred-that-he-felt-it/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Afraid she and I had a summer romance?" That insufferable grin was still there. "I hope you did. I certainly enjoyed myself this summer."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/afraid-she-and-i-had-a-summer-romance-that-insufferable-grin-was/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“There are different kinds of darkness,” Rhys said. I kept my eyes shut. “There is the darkness that frightens, the darkness that soothes, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/there-are-different-kinds-of-darkness-rhys-said-i-kept-my-eyes-shut/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“So you’re going to ask Ress and Brullo to just leave a back door open so you can sneak in?” “Don’t be so simpleminded.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/so-you-re-going-to-ask-ress-and-brullo-to-just-leave-a-back-door-open/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Gently, he pulled my hands away from my face. Gently, he took my cheeks in his hands and brushed away my tears. 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And there is not one part that I do not love with everything I am.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-see-all-of-you-rhys-and-there-is-not-one-part-that-i-do-not-love/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I caught a bob of Rhys's throat as we cleared the final steps to the open doorway. ... And though his face was calm,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-caught-a-bob-of-rhys-s-throat-as-we-cleared-the-final-steps-to-the/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Amren,' Varian said, and sank onto his knees. 'I am begging you-' ... She looked to Varian, a wry smile on her red mouth.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/amren-varian-said-and-sank-onto-his-knees-i-am-begging-you-she-looked/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Helion threw himself onto the couch across from Cassian and Mor. 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It'd be boring otherwise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/it-will-be-very-dangerous-a-half-smile-curved-lucien-s-mouth-good-it/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“If you hadn't stolen my bride away in the night, Rhysand, I would not have been forced to take such drastic measures to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/if-you-hadn-t-stolen-my-bride-away-in-the-night-rhysand-i-would-not/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I'm not in the business of discussing our plans with enemies.' Helion, across the reflection pool, grinned like a lion. 'No,' Tamlin said with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-m-not-in-the-business-of-discussing-our-plans-with-enemies-helion/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“You're still lovely," Mor said a bit gently. Elain offered a half smile. "I suppose that war makes wanting things like that unimportant." Mor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/you-re-still-lovely-mor-said-a-bit-gently-elain-offered-a-half-smile/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“No going back now,' Cassian said to Rhys, gesturing to his wings. Rhys slid his hands into his pockets. 'I figure it's time for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/no-going-back-now-cassian-said-to-rhys-gesturing-to-his-wings-rhys/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“What do you want?' I hissed. 'An apology? For me to crawl back into your bed and play nice, little wife?' 'Why should I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/what-do-you-want-i-hissed-an-apology-for-me-to-crawl-back-into-your/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Lucien. It was Lucien. Lucien, haggard and bloody, panting for breath. As if he'd run from the shore. 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