I read a great post recently written by Cathy from Between the Lines book blog. Cathy shared some of the opening lines from books she’s read over the past twelve months that drew her in. It was a wonderful collection. You can read it HERE.
With the release of my new young adult urban fantasy book, Oath Breaker on the horizon (8th June 2017 with BHC Press) I thought I’d do a twist on Cathy’s post and share some of my favourite opening lines from YA fantasy books.
Paper and Fire by Rachel Caine
Every day, Jess Brightwell passed the Spartan warrior statue on his way to and from his quarters. It was a beautifully made automaton, fluid and deadly, with a skin of burnished copper. It stood in a dynamic pose on its pedestal with a spear ready to thrust, and was both a decoration and a protection against intruders.
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
There will be no awakening.
The sleeping woman will feel nothing the next morning, only a vague sense of unease and the unshakable feeling that someone is watching her. Her anxiety will fade in less than a day and will soon be forgotten.
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
After a year of slavery in the Salt Mines of Endovier, Celaena Sardothien was accustomed to being escorted everywhere in shackles and at sword-point. Most of the thousands of slaves in Endovier received similar treatment – though an extra half-dozen guards always walked Celaena to and from the mines. That was expected by Adarlan’s most notorious assassin. What she did not usually expect, however, was a hooded man in black at her side – as there was now.
Witch Hunter by Virginia Boecker
I stand at the edge of the crowded square, watching the executioners light the pyres. The two men, dressed for work in red cloaks and charred leather gloves, circle the narrow wooden platforms, their lit torches held high. At the top of each pyre, four witches and three wizards stand chained to a stake, bundles of wood heaped around their feet. They stare into the crowd, determined looks on their faces.
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
London, April 1878.
The demon exploded in a shower of ichor and guts.
Mythology by Helen Boswell
We all have secrets. Skeletons that insist on hanging around no matter how hard we try to banish them. We hope they won’t rise up and clatter their bones at the wrong times or in front of the wrong people. Of course, there are the good kind of secrets too – the ones we eventually tell the people we care about. But most of the secrets out there are the real kind, the deep and dark kind. I would know. I can see them.
One Way Fare (Null City Book 1) by Barb Taub
1972, Seattle
Gaby’s new employee handbook was clear: missing a client appointment was an excellent way to get fired. But it didn’t say a thing about breaking and entering. She’d checked. Over the past hour, she’d knocked, called, tried the house phone, paced and automatically straightened the paintings lining the elegant hallway of Seattle’s Olympic Hotel. Despite the muted voices from within the suite, the brass-bound double doors to the Presidential Suite remained closed.
Awake at Dawn (A Shadow Falls Novel) by C.C.Hunter
“You have to stop it, Kylie. You have to. Or this will happen to someone you love.”
The spirit’s ominous words flowed from behind Kylie Galen and mingled with the crackle and pop of the huge bonfire about fifty feet to her right. The frigid pocket of air announced the spirit’s presence loud and clear, even if the words were only for Kylie’s ears and not for the other Shadow Falls campers standing in the ceremonial circle.
Guardians of the Lost Lands (The Guardian Series Book 3) by Shelley Wilson
Claws scratched at the cold rock just inches from his bare feet. The twisted limbs of these tormented creatures snaked through the bars of his cell as they tried to reach him. Starved and beaten, the monsters craved his blood.
I hope you enjoyed reading this post. Feel free to add your favourite opening line in the comments below; it doesn’t have to be YA or fantasy.
Exciting news! I’ve been nominated for the Most Inspirational Blogger Award 2017 at the Bloggers Bash.
The criteria is: Who consistently inspires you? Is there a blogger that’s thought provoking and inquisitive? Or perhaps they have become a muse to you with constant provision of inspirational content or imagery? Who’s the one blogger that’s touched your heart? This is the nomination for them.
I would be eternally grateful if you could throw a vote my way – link HERE
