As writers, we’re often told that the first line of a story must hook the reader (particularly if that reader is an editor.) Implied is that the editor will not buy the book if the first line isn’t great. But the hooky-ness of a first line is in the eyes of the beholder. The books below are modern takes on the classic science fiction tropes of space ships and aliens. I hope you find a new title or two to add to your TBR list, or read today.
Petty officer Ryan Ledbetter stepped through the rising waters outside the secure perimeter of the NAVSECGRU detachment headquarters on Fort Madison. Rain pummeled him and ran off his raincoat in sheets. His watch cap was soaked through.
“This is bullshit. We should be following evacuation procedures.” He shone his flashlight through the murky dark, and it bounced off the chain link fence which surrounded the compound. “There’s nothing out here. Rounds are done.” He aimed his flashlight ahead and headed for the gates. He’d be damned if he’d wade through rounds the rest of his twelve hour shift. The commander should’ve let them leave hours ago.“
Inception, The Genesis Machine Book 1 K. J. Gillenwater
I watched the two men strolling through the market from under my hood. Hands resting on my lap, feet propped on the stool, I looked like a bored vendor having a slow morning, though I was anything but. If the client didn’t show up soon, I’d have to pack up and leave.
My stand offered a few secondhand items, things only the desperate and the broke would consider buying: ship components, used gadgets, some debris whose origins eluded me yet occasionally fetched a handsome price. There was even the holographic projection of a whole piece, since it was bigger than my four-by-four stand.”
Splendor’s Orbit (The MacLee Chronicles Book 1) Jina S. Bazzar
Meeks was definitely dead.
Even taking into account, his propensity for elaborate practical jokes, there was no denying the evidence. If he were on Earth, maybe he could’ve found the materials to simulate a gaping wound in his forehead, but the cost of shipping something like that all the way to Mars was more than a little prohibitive.
Nope. He’d definitely taken a small-caliber round the back of the head. That was certainly more than the mining-team leader was willing to go through for one of his trademark jokes…
Probably…“
The Black Ships, A.G. Claymore
The air in the closed compartment was breathable only due to filters hidden under the veil. Not to say any of the individuals inside this environment were incapable of breathing oxygen. The problem was simple: most enjoyed a custom that had once become forbidden and even taboo on Earth.
None of them seemed to mind. They smoked their cigarettes, puffing out smoke regardless of the bounty hunter’s opinion, or much of the human species’, for that matter.
“We need the target intact,” said one of the individuals behind the table, the one wearing a military uniform. His face was partially hidden in the room’s smoke and dim light. “We need his confession.”
Veil of Truth, Veiled Space, J.M. Beraldo, Santiago Santos (Translator)
His body was tingling – sharp prickles all over, like being wrapped in a cocoon of needles. As he came to, Sam realized he was lying on the ground. There were no needles. He was covered in the dust of the chat piles. It made his nose and throat tickle, and he sneezed. He sat up. He was surrounded by tiny flickering lights, which dissipated quickly. The tingling was disappearing more slowly. His ears were buzzing; he was dizzy and shaky. Oh no, he thought. Please don’t let them be back, not after three whole years.”
The Night People, Sam and Jade’s Alien Adventures Book 1, C. S. Hand
Once in an age, the forces of darkness aligned to bend the arc of history…” – From The Diary of Neuchar de Merlner, Europa, 2121
In 2177, that alignment broke the Princess.
***
“Hurry, Littlebit,” Meriel said to her younger sister, Elizabeth, as they rushed to their ship. They had missed the boarding siren and cut across the docks, dodging grav-sleds and puddles to make up time. She lurched to a stop and yanked her sister behind her to avoid the massive treads of a cargo loader. Hoisting a crate into the hole, it dripped oily dirt on their best fatigues.“
Home: Interstellar, Hope’s War, Ray Strong
Clarification
There are no affiliate links in this post. I don’t make a cent off of the books listed on this page. Usually I pull these titles at random. They are from Amazon, my personal library, my area public library, or other online booksellers.
Do You Want to Read More?
First Lines is a series of blog articles posted on around the first of the month. Inspired by a friend’s suggestion that I write a post on how to write the first line of your story, I started this series. My idea was to inspire my writing with these examples. I also hoped to inspire other writers and point readers to books they might enjoy.
Do these first lines hook you? Do you want to read more? They are here for your enjoyment. And to entice you to buy more books.
And remember, your honest reviews are part of the “circle of life” for books and authors. Your review doesn’t have to be long or full of literary references. A simple “I liked it” or even a reason why you didn’t like it, will not only help other readers decide if they want to read the book, it will help the author, too.
If you enjoyed this list of first lines, check out previous First Lines posts.