Do! Judge A Book By Its Cover–Issue Forty: Fantasy (Part 3)

“Do! Judge A Book By Its Cover” is a regular feature on Pop! Goes The Reader in which I pay tribute to some of the best and brightest the publishing world has to offer in the way of book cover design. This feature is inspired by Katie’s feature Cover Love on her blog One Page At A Time. The idea is being used with her gracious permission.

I think we’re all familiar with the age-old adage “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. And you know what I have to say about that? Rubbish! Covers are an invaluable part of a book’s package. A truly great cover can tell you a lot about the novel contained within its pages. Book covers can also catch your attention and attract you to a novel you might otherwise ignore. So go ahead, judge a book by its cover – We all do it!

Fantasy novels have always been a bit of a non-starter for me. It seems silly to be intimidated by an entire genre, but I am. Heartily. While I can’t put my finger on exactly why this is, there’s something about the maps, the elaborate world-building and the complicated, other-worldly customs that have me putting these books back on the shelf before you could shout “Frodo Baggins!” Fantasy novels are so far removed from what I typically read – Contemporary fiction – that the sheer enormity of choice and possibility overwhelms me. One thing I do love about fantasy novels, however, are the covers. The rich, vibrant colours. The swirled, sweeping typography. And the illustrations. Oh, the illustrations. Some of my favourite covers this week include Talon by Julie Kagawa, A Darker Shade Of Magic by V.E. Schwab, The Magician King by Lev Grossman, The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma, Bone Jack by Sara Crowe, The Crane Wife by Patrick Ness, Alias Hook by Lisa Jensen, Nimona by Noelle Stevenson, Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge and The Kiss Of Deception by Mary E. Pearson.

Talon by Julie Kagawa ● A Darker Shade Of Magic by V.E. Schwab ● A Darker Shade Of Magic by V.E. Schwab

Half Bad by Sally Green ● The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg ● The Magician King by Lev Grossman

Lion Heart by A.C. Gaughen ● Stitching Snow by R.C. Lewis ● Chantress Fury by Amy Butler Greenfield

The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma ● Bone Jack by Sara Crowe ● The Angel Of Losses by Stephanie Feldman

The Crane Wife by Patrick Ness ● Rooms by Lauren Oliver ● Magnolia by Maria Dahvana Headley

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard ● Alias Hook by Lisa Jensen ● Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge ● Strange Sweet Song by Adi Rule ● The Kiss Of Deception by Mary E. Pearson

Now it’s your turn! What are some of your favourite fantasy covers? Did I list one of your favourites here or is there one I forgot that just has to be included? Let me know in the comments!