In A Game of Thrones, the first book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, readers are introduced to the brutal and complex political landscape of Westeros, where noble families vie for power, the Iron Throne, and survival. The novel follows multiple point-of-view characters, primarily from the Stark, Lannister, and Targaryen families, as they navigate shifting alliances, betrayals, and the looming threat of supernatural forces beyond the Wall.

Set during the tumultuous years of the French Revolution, A Tale of Two Cities explores the lives of several characters living in London and Paris. The novel centers on the unjust imprisonment of Dr. Manette, his daughter Lucie, and the noble Charles Darnay, a French aristocrat who rejects his family's cruel legacy. As revolution ignites in France, these characters are drawn into a whirlwind of love, sacrifice, and redemption. The novel's themes of resurrection and the destructive nature of revenge are deeply intertwined in a story of historical upheaval and personal transformation.

In Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, young Harry discovers on his 11th birthday that he’s a wizard and is invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. With the help of new friends Ron and Hermione, Harry navigates his first year at the magical school, uncovering secrets about his past, his connection to the Dark Lord Voldemort, and the mysterious Philosopher's Stone.

Red Rising, the first book in Pierce Brown’s dystopian sci-fi series, follows Darrow, a lowly "Red" miner who works beneath the surface of Mars. The Reds are the lowest caste in a color-based hierarchy, believing they toil to terraform Mars for future inhabitants. When Darrow discovers that Mars is already habitable and ruled by the elite Golds, he joins a rebellion. To infiltrate the ruling class and bring down the system from within, Darrow undergoes a brutal transformation, posing as a Gold to compete in their deadly training institute.

The Blade Itself is the first book in Joe Abercrombie’s The First Law trilogy, introducing a grim and gritty world filled with morally complex characters and brutal politics. The story revolves around three central characters: Logen Ninefingers, a notorious barbarian trying to leave his violent past behind; Jezal dan Luthar, an arrogant nobleman more interested in fame than duty; and Inquisitor Glokta, a crippled former soldier now turned torturer, haunted by his past. As their paths cross in a world on the brink of war, they become entangled in a larger, deadly plot that threatens to consume them all.

The Eye of the World is the first book in Robert Jordan's epic The Wheel of Time series. It introduces readers to a richly detailed world full of diverse characters, magic and dark forces.

The Way of Kings, the first book in Brandon Sanderson’s The Stormlight Archive, introduces readers to the shattered world of Roshar. With intense storms shaping both the landscape and society, Roshar is home to multiple kingdoms, each grappling with internal and external conflicts. The story primarily follows Kaladin, a fallen soldier turned slave; Shallan, a young scholar with hidden motives; and Dalinar, a nobleman haunted by mysterious visions. As war looms and ancient secrets resurface, the characters’ paths converge in unexpected ways, setting the stage for a grand epic filled with mystery, magic, and destiny.