Back from a short break for the holidays, I’m starting January 2026 with a First Lines post. This is a series of blog articles posted on or around the first of the month. 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 beholder’s eye.
I started this series after a friend’s suggestion that I write a post on how to write the first line of your story. 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.
This month I’m featuring books from the top 100 free dystopian books on Amazon. Why? Forgive me, I have to take this opportunity to do a little self-promo. Tomorrow I will launch the third and final ebook in my Fellowship Dystopia series, And When I Wake. I’m celebrating that by making the first book in that series, My Soul to Keep, free for a limited time. And that’s where I’ll start this month’s first lines. Enjoy!
The giant bronze angel of death loomed over Miranda Clarke’s shoulder. The statue, Shield of Mercy, Hand of Justice, stood at the grand entrance of the Fellowship Center as it had for all of Miranda’s life. With Uncle Sam sheltered in her great black wings, the angel hovered over the fallen body of President-elect Franklin Delano Roosevelt and pointed to the pile of ash where the assassin had stood. Was it in the statue or was it the tiny flare of rebellion inside her that made Miranda hesitate?
Tom, her bodyguard, closed the space between them, stood too close. “Is something wrong?”
Nothing. And everything. She hid her fears behind an angelic daughter-of-the-councilor smile. “I need to powder my nose.”
“They’ll be seating your family in five minutes. Tell me what you need, I’ll have someone fetch it.”
I need to not be the councilor’s daughter. Gazing across the foyer, Miranda’s pulse cranked up a notch.”
My Soul to Keep, The Fellowship Dystopia Book One, Lynette M. Burrows
I’m weightless. Floating in the cold emptiness of space. I try to scream, to cry out, but no sound escapes my throat.
Silence.
I slip farther and farther away from the ship—my ship.
Around me, hibernation pods lie scattered. Some hang open, their occupants unnervingly peaceful, drifting lifelessly with limbs outstretched toward black infinity.
My lungs burn for air that isn’t there, yet death doesn’t claim me. Panic seizes me. I struggle to grasp at anything—a railing, a door, the ship—but my hands close on nothing.
I am powerless, unable to save myself, the vessel, or the colonists I am sworn to protect.”
HomeAdrift, Soheil Mirchi
The village of Ransac was, on the surface, quite unremarkable. Located on the banks of a river, which was a natural demarcation between a vast forest and a sweeping meadow, it provided plenty of fresh water for drinking and growing crops, and the current was swift enough to drive a small electrical generator. The forest was home to an abundance of wildlife, trees and medicinal herbs. The surrounding soil was fertile, which generally led to bountiful harvests every year. There was even a small grain mill at one end of the village, powered by a steam engine to produce wheat flour and ground oats for baking and cooking. Life was simple here and never changed.
For 18-year-old Luna, the village felt more like a cage than a comforting home.”
Luna’s Destiny, Paul Penrose
Jake Pool darted down the marble avenues of the artificial city inside of Mylligan’s Rock. The meeting was supposed to be in an hour, but he was delayed. Someone was behind him, following his footsteps.
The shadow had been there for the last half hour, writing down every place he sat, watching every little purchase at the stalls, notiing every street he navigated.
The guy was good enough to have remained undetected for a while, but he was just one sentient doing a six-man tailing job. Bound to be caught. Jake led him down some unfriendly backstreets, searching for the right spot to strike.”
The Asteroid Heist, Rex Hurst
Date: August 14, 2092
Location: The North Pacific Gyre, Research Vessel Althea
Event: Collapse of the “Blue Ocean” Initiative
The Pacific Ocean had lost its rhythm.
For millions of years, the Gyre had been a place of chaotic, churning violence—a convergence of deep currents and trade winds that whipped the water into whitecaps and swells. It was the lungs of the planet, inhaling storms and exhaling weather.
But today, the ocean was terrifyingly smooth. It undulated with a heavy, sluggish viscosity, like a lung that had forgotten how to exhale.
It was no longer blue. It was the color of crushed jade—a bright, opaque, sickening green that seemed to glow from within, masking the depth and the darkness below. It didn’t look like water; it looked like a bruise on the skin of the world.”
The Somatic Bridge, Tom Draycott
Much had changed since Hope was born, and Sanctuary was coming to life. Emily stood at the top of the wall, looking out over the town with Hope on her back. The sun was barely up, but movement was happening everywhere. Emily knew Jacob was working hard on the farm, and Terra was trying to finish her morning chores before school. Emily went to the farm some mornings to help and was amazed at their accomplishments over the past four months. The animals were healthy, and half of the cows were pregnant. Jacob had cleared the dead crops from the fields, and a sea of green now stood in each.
Even high up on the wall, Emily could smell that Julia was already baking the bread for the day. Julia made a fresh loaf of bread for each household every day.”
Rebuilding: The Dead Flash Series, J.D. Crist
Clarification
There are no affiliate links in this post. I don’t make a cent off of the books listed on this page. Not even my own book today. 😀
Do You Want to Read More?
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. Remember, all of these were listed as FREE when I pulled these quotes. Download which ever one(s) that appeal to you.
Reviews Aren’t Difficult
No matter what book you’re reading, leave a a few words on the site where you bought it, a readers site, or the author’s site. Just say the kind of thing you would tell a friend about it. Reviews are always appreciated by writer and readers alike.
Like this post? Check out previous First Lines posts.