Begin with an interesting character in a difficult situation. Say, a young wizard who wakes up one day to find his magic has vanished and he's in a land full of dark forces that he can no longer defend himself against. This hooks the reader as they want to know how the character will get out of the situation.
A great start for a fantasy novel could be a sudden and unexpected event. Picture a city that is suddenly attacked by a horde of magical creatures no one has ever seen before. This kind of action - packed opening hooks the reader right away. You can then gradually introduce the world, the characters, and the rules of the fantasy realm as the story unfolds. Starting with a bang like this can make your novel very engaging from the very first page.
A sudden and unexpected event can be a great start. For instance, a huge explosion rocks a peaceful village in a magical realm, and the main character is right in the middle of it. This shocks the reader and makes them curious about what led to this and what will happen next.
Definitely 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' by J.K. Rowling. It's a modern classic that has captured the hearts of millions. It has a wonderful magical world full of interesting characters like Harry, Hermione, and Ron. The story gradually unfolds the magic system and the plot is full of mystery and adventure, which is very appealing for those new to fantasy novels.
'The Lightning Thief' by Rick Riordan is also great for starting in fantasy. It combines Greek mythology with modern - day settings. Percy Jackson, a young boy, discovers he is a demigod and has to go on a quest. It's a fun and easy - to - follow story that will introduce you to the world of fantasy with a unique twist.
Starting with a sense of foreboding works well. You can write something like, 'The wind carried a chill that had nothing to do with the season. In the distance, the mountains seemed to brood, as if they held a dark secret waiting to be unleashed.' This sets a mood of mystery and danger, which is often appealing in a fantasy story.
You can start with a bang by showing a big battle or conflict. Describe the chaos, the clashing of swords, the magic spells flying everywhere. 'The armies of light and dark clashed on the plains. Fire rained down from the sky as the dark mages hurled their most powerful spells, and the knights of light fought valiantly, their shields gleaming.' It grabs the reader's attention immediately.
A good start could be a prophecy. 'In a time long forgotten, a prophecy was spoken. A child born under a blood - red moon would be the one to either save or destroy the kingdom of Eldor.' This kind of opening sets up a big mystery and a sense of destiny that can drive the story forward.
Start with an action scene. Maybe a young knight is in the middle of a battle, his sword flashing in the sunlight as he fends off a horde of orcs. 'Sir Gareth swung his blade with all his might, sweat pouring down his face as the snarling orcs closed in. The clash of steel on steel rang out across the blood - soaked field.' It grabs the reader's attention right away.
Begin with a vivid description of an otherworldly setting. For example, 'In a land where the sky was a perpetual swirl of purple and gold, and the trees were as tall as mountains, there lived a young adventurer.' This immediately draws the reader into the fantastical world.