Our Dragon doesn't eat the girls he takes, no matter what stories they tell outside our valley.
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
(A truly magical read; just check out Melody's review if you don't believe me.)
There were plenty of good ways to die.
Cold Copper by Devon Monk
(This is the third book in Monk's Age of Steam series were steampunk fantasy meets the American Wild West. Cedar Hunt, the main character, and Will, his brother, are great!)
By the time Gib Cameron found us, my sister and I were failed southern belles who could no longer count on the kindness of strangers.
When Venus Fell by Deborah Smith
(An enchanting Southern blend of romance and mystery.)
The grave stones were black.
Legend in Green Velvet by Elizabeth Peters
(One of my favorite Peters' mystery; plus, it's set in Scotland!)
The winter rain slashes at my face like icy razor blades, but I don't care.
Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd by Alan Bradley
(The fabulous and funny Flavia de Luce is back!)
Happy Reading!
The importance of first lines should never be underestimated!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree! :)
DeleteI love the first sentence of a book. It's so telling and sets the mood. These are some great ones.
ReplyDeleteA great first line will make me check out a book every time!
DeleteI need to keep track of really great first lines. Fun post. I have actually read "Legend in Green Velvet," and it is a very enjoyable read.
ReplyDeleteI like it, too. :)
DeleteI enjoyed Uprooted, and yes, the first line is wonderful! I'm looking forward to reading Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd but I still have the previous Flavia book to read first before I can start that one.
ReplyDeleteIt's always nice to have good books waiting in the wings and Alan Bradley's are always good. :)
DeleteSo many books, so little time! You have reminded me again that I need to continue reading the Flavia de Luce series (I have read only the first 5 thus far).
ReplyDeleteHere is one of my favorite first lines that I noted in my goodreads review of The Passenger by Lisa Lutz: "When I found my husband at the bottom of the stairs, I tried to resuscitate him before I ever considered disposing of the body”
That IS a great first line! I'd definitely want to read more. ... And I know what you mean about keeping up with a series; I feel like I'm always running a book or two behind. :)
DeleteOh wow these sounds great! I especially like the sound of the one set in Scotland.
ReplyDeleteIt's a very fun read! (And it's Scotland!) :D
DeleteAll of those are great first lines. I love the one from Uprooted, which is a beautifully written book from start to finish.
ReplyDeleteI'm also very fond of “I was fifteen when I first met Sherlock Holmes, fifteen years old with my nose in a book as I walked the Sussex Downs, and nearly stepped on him.” (The Beekeeper's Apprentice, Laurie R. King)
I love that first line, too. And the book! I need to read more of that series. :)
DeleteFirst lines are important to me especially if they are new-to-me authors. And you've some great first lines here! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! Someday I'll have to do all the first lines that kept me from reading a particular book because the author's first line repelled me rather than drew me in. ;)
DeleteThese are all great! I haven't read any of these, so thanks for the great recs. The Monk series sounds great. I've read some of Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody mysteries, but I haven't heard of Legend in Green. Is it a standalone?
ReplyDeleteIt is a standalone. She wrote several romantic suspense mysteries under the name Elizabeth Peters that are standalones...and they are some of my favorite books. :)
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