Try a Chapter Tag

The Try a Chapter is a tag where you read the first chapter of books you’re interesting in reading in the hopes of deciding which one to actually read first. Or, at least that’s my interpretation of this tag.

Tag creator – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv0Hx2hq_UQ&t=0s

Note that I will be spoiling the first chapter of each book to some extent, but not revealing anything about the plot beyond that. Since I’ve been in a big fantasy mood recently, I’ve picked the first book in 3 fantasy series.

The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin – the prologue is 20 pages long and the last part of: ‘oh shit…something’s wrong’ is quite a hook.

After such a start, who wouldn’t want to keep reading?

We’re thrown into a New York City that lives and breathes. I for one, have not thought of a city like that in a very long time, but that’s another story.

One of the city’s main artery, the FDR is full of stuck cars and drivers and no one can quite tell what’s going on, but the tension in the air is rising.

There’s talk of an enemy to the city, an enemy that’s near, perhaps even there already.

Will other cities come help?

Half a King by Joe Abercrombie – the first chapter is only 7 pages long. I have a new-found appreciation for books with short chapters! Also, each chapter has a title rather than a number.

A promising start, albeit a bit rushed. We meet a boy learning his herbs and lore and hinting at a big exam he’s due to take before he can become a minister. He’s incredibly excited about the prospect and I wanted to cheer him on.

Naturally, things don’t go as planned. A man rushes in greeting said boy as ‘My king’. The chapter ends with: And Yarvi knew his father and brother were dead.

All of a sudden, he’s king. Well, half a king like the title proclaims and the person training him explains that Yarvi misses a hand.

One can’t help but feel sorry for him, all his dreams crushed and family members lost in a heartbeat.

Master of Sorrows by Justin Call – the first part was technically the prologue, but I also read the Interlude after part 1 for a total of 20 pages.

The scene opens with a woman giving labor and the reader can immediately tell something is wrong with the baby, the midwives are also very concerned. The local priest is trying to find out what’s happened with the baby and assist it’s parents. One can tell evil things are afoot, but can’t describe what that is.

If that’s not an intriguing start, I don’t know what is.

An additional air of mystery is added with an excerpt from a book, talking about the Gods from this world and some history of what’s happened after a certain event involving said Gods.

Overall, not very impressed with the writing but definitely intrigued enough by the story to keep reading.

Which one of these would you like to see a full review on?