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:
“It was not my intention to cause mischief immediately upon arriving back at Fount, despite what anyone else may tell you.”
Do you recognize the lines?
Here’s a hint:
It’s a recently released fantasy!
Still not sure? Here’s another hint:
It’s written by Maiga Doocy.
The First Lines Friday book is:
Sorcery and Small Magics
Title: Sorcery and Small Magics
Author: Maiga Doocy
Series: The Wildersong Trilogy #1
Page Length: 416
Pub. Date: Oct. 15, 2024
Publisher: Orbit
Synopsis: Desperate to undo the curse binding them to each other, an impulsive sorcerer and his curmudgeonly rival venture deep into a magical forest in search of a counterspell—only to discover that magic might not be the only thing pulling them together.
Leovander Loveage is a master of small magics.
He can summon butterflies with a song, or turn someone’s hair pink by snapping his fingers. Such minor charms don’t earn him much admiration from other sorcerers (or his father), but anything more elaborate always blows up in his face. Which is why Leo vowed years ago to never again write powerful magic.
That is, until a mix-up involving a forbidden spell binds Leo to obey the commands of his longtime nemesis, Sebastian Grimm. Grimm is Leo’s complete opposite—respected, exceptionally talented, and an absolutely insufferable curmudgeon. The only thing they agree on is that getting caught using forbidden magic would mean the end of their careers. They need a counterspell, and fast. But Grimm casts spells, he doesn’t undo them, and Leo doesn’t mess with powerful magic.
Chasing rumors of a powerful sorcerer with a knack for undoing curses, Leo and Grimm enter the Unquiet Wood, a forest infested with murderous monsters and dangerous outlaws alike. To dissolve the curse, they’ll have to uncover the true depths of Leo’s magic, set aside their long-standing rivalry, and—much to their horror—work together.
Even as an odd spark of attraction flares between them.
LINKS: GOODREADS | AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE
Have you read Sorcery and Small Magics? What do you think of the first lines? Comment below!
ooh, i’ve not heard of this one before but it sounds so good! i’ll have to check it out 👀 have you read it yet?