In the vast landscape of fantasy literature, a great opening line can make all the difference. It sets the tone, hooks the reader, and promises an unforgettable journey. Over the past ten years, no fantasy book has delivered a more memorable first sentence than Mark Lawrence's 2017 novel Red Sister, the first entry in his Book of the Ancestor trilogy.
"It is important, when killing a nun, to ensure that you bring an army of sufficient size." With those 19 words, Lawrence instantly establishes a world where nuns are formidable warriors, where danger lurks in every shadow, and where dark humor coexists with brutal reality. The line is economical, witty, and ominous—a masterclass in storytelling economy that sets up everything to come.
What Is 'Red Sister' About?
Red Sister takes place on the frozen planet Abeth, where a dying red sun leaves most of the world encased in ice. Only the Corridor—a narrow band of habitable land kept warm by a man-made moon—supports life. Here, four distinct bloodlines exist: hunska (superspeed), gerant (superstrength), marjal (elemental magic), and quantal (powerful magic). The story follows Nona Grey, a peasant girl with hunska blood who is sold into slavery after attacking a nobleman. Saved from execution by Abbess Glass of the Sweet Mercy Convent, Nona becomes a novice and trains alongside other young women, uncovering a conspiracy to steal a powerful artifact while the nobleman's family plots revenge.
Lawrence, known for his influential fantasy works, subverts traditional tropes with a story that defies the "Chosen One" narrative. Instead, Red Sister thrives on deception, unreliable narration, and characters driven by self-interest. Prophecies, magic, and political intrigue all play a role, but the real engine is misdirection and perpetual danger.
The Opening Line That Hooks You Instantly
The opening line does more than grab attention—it establishes the stakes. The very next sentence introduces Sister Thorn and her antagonist, Lano Tacsis, who brings two hundred men to kill her. In just two sentences, Lawrence gives us a protagonist, an antagonist, and a sense of impending conflict without any exposition. The book then jumps between timelines, using flashforwards and flashbacks to build suspense while keeping the narrative momentum alive.
This approach is reminiscent of other stories that nail it from the opening frame, but Lawrence's execution is uniquely effective. The line's dark humor—"it is important, when killing a nun"—immediately signals that this world is both dangerous and irreverent, a tone that carries through the entire trilogy.
A Terrific Start to a Great Trilogy
Red Sister is a grimdark fantasy with a heart of hope, driven by an all-female cast and themes of corruption, self-discovery, and fate. Lawrence's writing is ambitious, planting seeds in this first book that only bloom in the third, Holy Sister. It rewards patient readers with a rich, layered narrative that feels both fresh and timeless. For fans of inventive magic systems and complex worldbuilding, this trilogy is a must-read.
Despite its brilliance, Red Sister remains underappreciated. But as more readers discover that killer opening line, it's only a matter of time before this dark fantasy gem gets the recognition it deserves.
