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?

The Rules:

• 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:

“Two strangers arrived on a mid-autumn morning, as if swept in by the cold wind rustling the drooping branches of the elm trees. Peering through a crack in the folding screen, Jun couldn’t see his mother’s face as she opened the door, but he noticed how her back and shoulders stiffened. She stepped aside and bowed low, speaking in a soft and respectful voice.”

Although there isn’t a lot of information presented in these first lines, it has me ready to learn more about this story.

Do you recognize the lines?

Here’s a hint:

This is an upcoming fantasy series starter.

Still not sure? Here’s another hint:

It’s written by Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee (no relation).

The First Lines Friday book is:

Breath of the Dragon.

About the Book:

• Title: Breath of the Dragon
• Author: Fonda Lee & Shannon Lee
• Series:  Breathmarked #1
• Page Length: 352 pages
• Publication Date: January 7, 2025
• Publisher: Wednesday Books

Synopsis:

The first novel in a sweeping YA fantasy duology based on characters and teachings created by Bruce Lee!

Sixteen-year-old Jun dreams of proving his worth as a warrior in the elite Guardian’s Tournament, held every six years to entrust the magical Scroll of Earth to a new protector. Eager to prove his skills, Jun hopes that a win will restore his father’s honor—righting a horrible mistake that caused their banishment from his home, mother, and twin brother.

But Jun’s father strictly forbids him from participating. There is no future in honing his skills as a warrior, especially considering Jun is not breathmarked, born with a patch of dragon scales and blessed with special abilities like his twin. Determined to be the next Guardian, Jun stows away in the wagon of Chang and his daughter, Ren, performers on their way to the capital where the tournament will take place.

As Jun competes, he quickly realizes he may be fighting for not just a better life, but the fate of the country itself.

Links: Goodreads     

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