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:

“It felt wrong to be sneaking out in the bright light of afternoon.”

Just this one line has me ready to read more of this book I wasn’t planning to start yet, but might just have to. Who is sneaking out? Where are they sneaking out to? Where are they sneaking out of? My curiosity is piqued.

Do you recognize the lines?

Here’s a hint:

This is an upcoming fantasy novel.

Still not sure? Here’s another hint:

It’s written by Annabel Campbell.

The First Lines Friday book is:

The Outcast Mage.

About the Book:

• Title: The Outcast Mage
• Author: Annabel Campbell
• Series: The Shattered Lands #1
• Page Length: 453 pages
• Publication Date: January 28, 2025
• Publisher: Orbit

Synopsis:

A mage bereft of her powers must find out if she is destined to save the world or destroy it in this glittering debut fantasy perfect for fans of Andrea Stewart, James Islington, and Samantha Shannon. In the glass city of Amoria, magic is everything. And Naila, student at the city’s legendary academy, is running out of time to prove she can control hers. If she fails, she’ll be forced into exile, relegated to a life of persecution with the other magicless hollows. Or worse, be consumed by her own power. 

When a tragic incident further threatens her place at the Academy, Naila is saved by Haelius Akana, the most powerful living mage. Finding Naila a kindred spirit, Haelius stakes his position at the Academy on teaching her to harness her abilities. But Haelius has many enemies, and they would love nothing more than to see Naila fail. Trapped in the deadly schemes of Amoria’s elite, Naila must dig deep to discover the truth of her powers or watch the city she loves descend into civil war.

For there is violence brewing on the wind, and greater powers at work. Ones who could use her powers for good… or destroy everything she’s ever known.

Links: Goodreads     

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