One great first line is from 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens: 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.' This line immediately sets a tone of contrast and complexity, making the reader curious about what the story will entail.
A classic example is 'Call me Ishmael.' from Herman Melville's 'Moby - Dick'. It's simple yet so effective. It makes the reader wonder who Ishmael is, and it gives an air of a personal account about to be shared. Just these three words are enough to start the reader on a journey into the story.
They often create mystery. Like 'The door was locked, but I knew what was inside.' It makes you wonder what's behind the door. Simple as that. It gives you a question that needs answering, so you keep reading.
The first lines are very important. They are like a hook that grabs the reader's attention. If the first line is boring, the reader might not continue. For example, if the first line is just 'I got up in the morning', it doesn't really make the reader curious.
One of the best first lines could be 'There is one mirror in my house. It is behind a sliding panel in the hallway upstairs.' This immediately creates a sense of mystery. It makes the reader wonder why there's only one mirror and why it's hidden. It hooks the reader right from the start, making them want to find out more about the house and the character's situation.
One interesting first line could be 'It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single girl in possession of a great Instagram following must be in want of a boyfriend.' This sets a modern, humorous tone and gives a hint about the YA world's focus on social media and relationships.
In 'Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief', the line 'Look, I didn't want to be a half - blood.' is a great opener. It's very direct and makes the reader curious about what a half - blood is. It also gives a bit of Percy's attitude, as if he's reluctant to be whatever this half - blood thing is, which makes us want to find out more.
A great first line is 'In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.' from 'The Hobbit'. For a YA novel, it's very engaging as it creates immediate mystery. Who is this hobbit? Why is he in a hole? It makes the reader want to find out more about this strange little creature and the world he inhabits.
The first lines of great novels often serve as a hook to draw readers in. For example, 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times' from 'A Tale of Two Cities' immediately sets a complex and engaging tone. It makes you wonder about the contrast and what kind of story will unfold.
Often, the first lines of great novels are like a key to the whole story. For instance, in 'The Great Gatsby', 'In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since.' This line gives a sense of the narrator reflecting on his past, which is central to the story as it's a story full of memories, dreams, and illusions.