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Post by Sundrinker on Jun 19, 2022 20:02:43 GMT -6
With the Hook 'Em Up contest under way, a question popped into my mind: what are some of the most memorable hooks you’ve come across?
I'm not an avid novel reader but there's this one I picked up thinking it was a manga.
Story/book title: My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, As I Expected (Vol.1)
I'd post the hook too but it's a full page long and I can't find it except on Google Books and even then that part is unreadable because it's in an a low res image before the first chapter.
What did like about the hook? There was something just so striking about the cynicism and antisocial behavior of the protagonist. "Youth is lies. Youth is evil." and how he just rips on "normies" for enjoying their time in high school, falling in love and the follies of youth. I could definitely relate to that when I was that age lol.
Did it properly set the tone for the book? Yeah, absolutely and the ending of the first volume also fit the cynical view point of the protagonist. It was well done.
Did you finish the book or did you drop it? I dropped the series around the 5th volume. I wanted to like the series as a whole but... I just felt it got weaker every volume. After the hook in volume one, it was hard getting into the story but it picked up about halfway through. In the subsequent volumes, the plot points became less engaging. It was more and more of a chore to read and didn't get much satisfaction at the end of each volume. Too bad.
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Post by havekrillwhaletravel on Jun 20, 2022 5:00:28 GMT -6
I don't fish, but my friend does. Once, he showed me this hook with an in-built device that supposedly emits pheromones to attract fish. This pheromone thingy basically means you don't need any bait. So my friend threw the hook into the water and we spent almost *reads OP* Oh, okay. That makes more sense  is a light novel title if there ever was one.  I've Always Wanted to Read a Light Novel Series, But The Sheer Number of Sequels Scares Me Off! Story/book title: If on a winter's night a traveller by Italo Calvino This is one of my favourite books ever. The first chapter is glorious and it begins: What did you like about the hook?
I love hooks that are: (a) short first sentences; (b) weird (like "...the clocks were striking thirteen" in 1984); (c) is an instruction or addresses the reader in some way (like "Call me Ishmael" or The Catcher in the Rye's opening). I think this hook combines all three of those things. Did it properly set the tone for the book? Yes. The opening chapter is playful, kind of ridiculous and revolves around books/reading. All three elements are basically the entire book. |
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Post by Caulder Melhaire on Jun 20, 2022 15:40:55 GMT -6
It occurs to me now that as much as I love a strong opening, I often let it drag me into the story and then forget the specifics of it among the wonder and amazement to follow  Maybe that's why I struggle with writing them so much. My most recent read, House of Leaves starts with a brief interlude before the introduction, telling the reader, "This is not for you." Sets the tone quite nicely, but the arguable hook of the story is much more boring lol. I think one of my favorite hooks of all time comes from: Story/book title: The Fifth Season, N. K. Jemisin “Let's start with the end of the world, why don't we? Get it over with and move on to more interesting things.”
What did like about the hook? The opening line is so cocky and arrogant-sounding, like it came from the mouth of any generic urban fantasy lead. But then the hook continues down the page, dropping a shocking revelation and a confirmation of what it said before. It really feels like it spoils the brunt of what drives the story, and you think "These are the juiciest bits of the story, it's going to be rough to keep the tale going after spoiling all of this." And you will soon find that you are wrong.  Did it properly set the tone for the book? Absolutely. Not only does it fit quite well with the narrative trickery that follows, but also sets up a plot reveal much farther down the road. And the dry, cynical nature of that line stops feeling so cheesy and instead becomes incredibly apt given all that is to come. Did you finish the book or did you drop it? Oh, I devoured the book, and the two that follow. Fantastic series. |
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Post by Alatariel on Jun 20, 2022 17:50:33 GMT -6
Story/Book Title: Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
This is a romance novel and it's so well written and engaging. They are one of my favorite authors because their characters are flawed, interesting, quirky, and real. The prologue (really, the first page) hooked me instantly and I knew I was going to love this book. And I did.
What Did You Like About the Hook:
It hit me right in the heart and described things that are both familiar and visceral in a way that made me instantly relate to it. It ripped out my heart and made me wish for more. I'm gonna post the first page, which is only half a page.
Did it properly set the tone for the book? Oh yes, it's about love and letting it both consume you and allow you to grow/change/evolve. It's a beautiful exploration of friendship and family and, of course, love. Even when it hurts. What makes it worth the pain and possible heartbreak. It has a happy ending, so that helps.
Did you finish the book? In like a day. I couldn't put it down.
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Post by RAVENEYE on Jun 24, 2022 14:10:48 GMT -6
Ooo, good questions! A few memorable hooks come to mind. Two have been mentioned already: Moby Dick and The Fifth Season. Here's another:
Story/book title: The Color Purple by Alice Walker
What did you like about the hook?
It's a humdinger. Hits really hard. Kinda makes my eyes go big:
Did it properly set the tone for the book?
Whew, yes. The story is told completely in letters, not just to God, but between sisters, and covers different kinds of abuse and liberation from it.
Did you finish the book or did you drop it?
Devoured it. It's one I'll read again.
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Post by pelwrath on Jul 10, 2022 11:12:12 GMT -6
From Moby Dick.
“Call me Ishmael. Some years ago—never mind how long precisely—having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world.”
A great opening sentence, after that it’s all down hill, more of an entry in a diary.
I finished the book, good descriptions and descent characters. Several here IMHO have written better. It’s not a bad story nor a great one. If there’s something I’m missing, let me know.
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Post by alliecartman248 on Sept 16, 2022 18:35:01 GMT -6
I really like the intro of the Book Thief. Can't post the whole thing, but here's a representative sample:
"It suffices to say that at some point in time, I [Death] will be standing over you, as genially as possible. Your soul will be in my arms. A color will be perched on my shoulder. I will carry you gently away. . .
The question is, what color will everything be at that moment when I come for you? What will the sky be saying?
Personally, I like a chocolate-colorerd sky. Dark, dark chocolate. People say it suits me."
Story/book title: Book Thief, by Mark Zusak.
What did like about the hook? The blend of poetic images and dark humor.
Did it properly set the tone for the book? Yes, the blend of poetics, dark humor, and the unique pov were representative of the book as a whole
Did you finish the book or did you drop it? Finished it! And even though it's a middle-grade book, it's still one of my favorites.
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I've Always Wanted to Read a Light Novel Series, But The Sheer Number of Sequels Scares Me Off! 
Maybe that's why I struggle with writing them so much. 
You add them to your profile as you do them around the forum.