They say not to judge a book but its cover...
...but let's be perfectly honest we totally do! Or at least I do pretty covers are like 99.9% of the reason my wallet magically empties itself every time I enter a bookstore.
So I decided to try a fun experiment - I chose a bunch of ARCs based on their covers only. I didn't read the blurb, or look up any reviews other bookworms have posted. I decided to base my choices on looks alone.
And boy did I find some amazing titles!
Not only are these books the perfect addition to any shelf due to their gorgeous outsides, but I discovered that they also had insides to match. I was blown away by the stories I uncovered and delved into and I can't wait to share my top five picks today.
Love pretty books? Love good books? Why not have both?!
Title: Three Dark Crowns (Untitled #1)
Author: Kendare Blake
For more info on this book click here
My rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
My thoughts on the book:
Can I get a round of applause for female power?!
Honestly I half expected this book to be written by Beyoncé because if there is one line that sums up this book it's "Who runs the world? GIRLS!"
Kendare Blake doesn't give you one badass female leader, she gives you three. They compliment one another so well - the elemental with power at her fingertips, the poisoner with immunity, and the naturalist whose touch brings calm and life.
You'd think these girls would be the ultimate #squadgoals, right? Well there's a little catch...they're essentially fighting one another to the death to become Queen. It's the deadly and most girl-boss of all Hunger Games!
Who will survive? Who will win? Who will be the queen to trump all queens? Read this gem and find out.
Author: Kendare Blake
For more info on this book click here
My rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
My thoughts on the book:
Can I get a round of applause for female power?!
Honestly I half expected this book to be written by Beyoncé because if there is one line that sums up this book it's "Who runs the world? GIRLS!"
Kendare Blake doesn't give you one badass female leader, she gives you three. They compliment one another so well - the elemental with power at her fingertips, the poisoner with immunity, and the naturalist whose touch brings calm and life.
You'd think these girls would be the ultimate #squadgoals, right? Well there's a little catch...they're essentially fighting one another to the death to become Queen. It's the deadly and most girl-boss of all Hunger Games!
Who will survive? Who will win? Who will be the queen to trump all queens? Read this gem and find out.
Title: Bright Smoke, Cold Fire (Untitled #1)
Author: Rosamund Hodge
For more info on this book click here
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars
My thoughts on the book:
First off...just let me gaze in slack-jawed awe at this cover for a few more seconds *swoons* It's just...I mean...how does one even begin to describe the level of awesomeness that is this cover?
The mysterious hooded and cloaked ladies in white, the to die for font and title, the intriguing lady in red, the detailing on that floor, and that open drop looking down into a pool of interweaving shades of blue...how could you not want this on your bookshelf to fangirl over on a daily basis?!
And that's my level of fangirling before I opened the book!
This story is the ultimate Romeo & Juliet tale - rich in world-building, culture, and character depth. You feel a deep connection with each of the characters in the story. Unlike in Shakespeare where characters are either bad/good/side characters whom you should just forget about, each character in Bright Smoke, Cold Fire has an integral part to play as well as dreams, fears, and burdens to carry.
An addictive tale with high stakes and hidden dangers, this book will disarm you with its storytelling magic.
Author: Rosamund Hodge
For more info on this book click here
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars
My thoughts on the book:
First off...just let me gaze in slack-jawed awe at this cover for a few more seconds *swoons* It's just...I mean...how does one even begin to describe the level of awesomeness that is this cover?
The mysterious hooded and cloaked ladies in white, the to die for font and title, the intriguing lady in red, the detailing on that floor, and that open drop looking down into a pool of interweaving shades of blue...how could you not want this on your bookshelf to fangirl over on a daily basis?!
And that's my level of fangirling before I opened the book!
This story is the ultimate Romeo & Juliet tale - rich in world-building, culture, and character depth. You feel a deep connection with each of the characters in the story. Unlike in Shakespeare where characters are either bad/good/side characters whom you should just forget about, each character in Bright Smoke, Cold Fire has an integral part to play as well as dreams, fears, and burdens to carry.
An addictive tale with high stakes and hidden dangers, this book will disarm you with its storytelling magic.
Title: The Syndicate (Timewaves #1)
Author: Sophie Davis
For more info on this book click here
My rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars
My thoughts on the book:
Sci-fi and dystopia are two genres which tend to recycle ideas and concepts. I've often read books in both genres and thought: "Umm...I'm pretty sure I've read this storyline before!" It takes a real literary wizard to come up with a storyline that embraces the genre(s) and has a unique spin of its own.
Luckily for us Sophie Davis is a literary wizard (or witch in this case!). Time travel being outlawed is one of my fave dystopian set-ups for this year. It's so unique, so full of possibility! The gritty black market, the allure of centuries past, the delicate balance between the past and the present...all of this makes for a book you just can't put down.
I've always adored Sophie Davis' story writing and that hasn't changed. Be prepared to be swept away as you join a high-stakes journey through time.
Author: Sophie Davis
For more info on this book click here
My rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars
My thoughts on the book:
Sci-fi and dystopia are two genres which tend to recycle ideas and concepts. I've often read books in both genres and thought: "Umm...I'm pretty sure I've read this storyline before!" It takes a real literary wizard to come up with a storyline that embraces the genre(s) and has a unique spin of its own.
Luckily for us Sophie Davis is a literary wizard (or witch in this case!). Time travel being outlawed is one of my fave dystopian set-ups for this year. It's so unique, so full of possibility! The gritty black market, the allure of centuries past, the delicate balance between the past and the present...all of this makes for a book you just can't put down.
I've always adored Sophie Davis' story writing and that hasn't changed. Be prepared to be swept away as you join a high-stakes journey through time.
Title: Replica (Replica #1)
Author: Lauren Oliver
For more info on this book click here
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars
My thoughts on the book:
I am in love with the whole idea of a double-sided book in every sense of the word.
As it says on the title Replica is all about "Two girls. Two stories. One epic novel." And it delivers! The parallel and yet undeniably entwined lives of Lyra and Gemma are both brilliantly pieced together stories in their own right. And together they make for a tale that has such depth to it - layer upon layer of complexity.
This book wows me not only because of its entertainment value, but creatively. I cannot imagine the amount of imagination, work, late nights, coffee cups, and editing that went into creating this book. It's no easy feat to create two stories that are so very different and yet so very much the same - that come together like puzzle pieces to reveal a much bigger picture. I raise a metaphorical glass to Ms. Oliver and her literary skills!
Author: Lauren Oliver
For more info on this book click here
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars
My thoughts on the book:
I am in love with the whole idea of a double-sided book in every sense of the word.
As it says on the title Replica is all about "Two girls. Two stories. One epic novel." And it delivers! The parallel and yet undeniably entwined lives of Lyra and Gemma are both brilliantly pieced together stories in their own right. And together they make for a tale that has such depth to it - layer upon layer of complexity.
This book wows me not only because of its entertainment value, but creatively. I cannot imagine the amount of imagination, work, late nights, coffee cups, and editing that went into creating this book. It's no easy feat to create two stories that are so very different and yet so very much the same - that come together like puzzle pieces to reveal a much bigger picture. I raise a metaphorical glass to Ms. Oliver and her literary skills!
Title: Firstlife (Everlife #1)
Author: Gena Showalter
For more info on this book click here
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars
My thoughts on the book:
If Etsy was selling this hourglass I would totally buy in bulk - look at the details!!
*clears throat* Aaaaaand now that myinability to log onto Etsy without buying everything in sight love of knickknacks has been made known to the world, onto the story itself...
I've grown up with my mother saying: "This isn't a test run - this is the real deal. You only have one life." And we all know about that delightful YOLO catchphrase that plagued social media awhile back. But neither of these sayings/phrases is valid in Firstlife. Because in Firstlife, your life is a test run - a dress rehearsal. Death is the start of your real life.
With a unique concept as its base Firstlife builds up a fantastic contrast between two opposing realms - each willing to do almost anything to lure the protagonist Tenley to their side. Life is full of choices but with two lives in the balance, will Tenley make the right ones?
Author: Gena Showalter
For more info on this book click here
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars
My thoughts on the book:
If Etsy was selling this hourglass I would totally buy in bulk - look at the details!!
*clears throat* Aaaaaand now that my
I've grown up with my mother saying: "This isn't a test run - this is the real deal. You only have one life." And we all know about that delightful YOLO catchphrase that plagued social media awhile back. But neither of these sayings/phrases is valid in Firstlife. Because in Firstlife, your life is a test run - a dress rehearsal. Death is the start of your real life.
With a unique concept as its base Firstlife builds up a fantastic contrast between two opposing realms - each willing to do almost anything to lure the protagonist Tenley to their side. Life is full of choices but with two lives in the balance, will Tenley make the right ones?
What was your favourite out of my top five? What is your favourite book cover of 2016?
Let me know in the comments below!
Although I was provided with a review copy by the author and/or publisher, all opinions expressed in the this post are purely my own. To find out more, please visit my disclaimer page.
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