First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?
- Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
- Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
- Finally… reveal the book!
First Lines:
Calliope Rosewood was looking fate dead in the eye.
Her opponent unfurled a devilish grin as he sifted through the black deck of cards he had been shuffling for the past few minutes. “Your move, Calla.”
Do you recognize the lines?
Here’s a hint:
It’s a new (and amazing) YA fantasy.
Still not sure? Here’s another hint:
It’s written by Kaylie Smith.
The First Lines Friday book is:
A Ruinous Fate
About the Book:
Title: A Ruinous Fate
Author: Kaylie Smith
Series: Heartless Fates #1
Page Length:432
Publication Date: Jan 3, 2023
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Synopsis: Fate does not choose the weak. Fate chooses the ready.
Calliope Rosewood is a witch with a long streak of bad luck. Like all witches in Illustros, her fate is directly tied to Witch’s Dice—powerful artifacts that have blessed her kind with limitless magic but also set them on a path toward destruction. Cursed with unspeakable powers that terrify even the most dangerous witches and fae, Calla deserted her coven four years ago and has been in hiding with her two best friends since. But Calla is also hiding a grave secret: She is only three Rolls away from becoming the last Blood Warrior and starting the Final War that will decimate her people and eradicate their magic.
After a betrayal from her ex leads her one step closer to fulfilling that age-old prophecy, Calla is desperate to do whatever it takes to reset her fate . . . even if that means journeying into the deadly Neverending Forest with said ex and his enticing, yet enigmatic older brother to find the one being who can help her forge her own path. As Calla ventures farther into the enchanted woods, she finds her heart torn between her past desires and the alluring new possibilities of her future and learns that choosing your own destiny may come with deadly consequences.
Featuring a charming and chaotic ensemble cast of characters, this first book in a planned series by debut author Kaylie Smith will sweep readers away with its utterly immersive world building, swoon-worthy romance, and action-packed storytelling.
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Review
Have you read A Ruinous Fate? What do you think of the first lines? Comment below!
I’m really looking forward to picking this one up!!
I think you’ll really like it, Ali!
I want to read this one!
It’s sooooo good!!!
Ooh, I WANT IT! 😱
You need it!!!!! lol