“Do! Judge A Book By Its Cover” is a semi-regular feature on Pop! Goes The Reader 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!
For the third instalment of Do! Judge A Book By Its Cover, I’ve decided to take a look at the covers of the paranormal genre, which I actually found a little difficult as I’m less familiar with this particular genre and there seems to be quite a lot of crossover between the paranormal/fantasy/science fiction genres. Please forgive me if you feel I’ve mis-catagorized a book as paranormal!
Now it’s your turn! What are some of your favourite paranormal 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!
21 Responses
I would say that I’ve been waiting for this post, but I don’t want it to go to your head. But really, I love this feature, if only because I add books to my TBR list because the covers are just THAT pretty.
Frasier recently posted…The Shadow Society by Marie Rutkoski
You’re the best, you know that? I’ve felt absolutely rotten all day because of this silly cold but your comment really made me smile š
Given the rather precarious and insurmountable nature of my own TBR pile, I don’t know whether to feel proud or guilty for having added to yours š
Jen @ Pop! Goes The Reader recently posted…Do! Judge A Book By Its Cover ā Issue Three: Paranormal
We’re close enough friends I can say this to you with a straight face: you feel no guilt. But if you REALLY do, fine I’ll give you a hug. š
Frasier recently posted…Adaptation by Malinda Lo
I love features that showcase covers! I love the gothic-looking ones. It makes me giddy for some reason. (Maybe because it’s scary but intriguing? IDK.)
Cee recently posted…THE THREE CāS: CANDID CONVERSATIONS WITH CEE | Happy Friendship Day!
I agree, Cee! I’m a ardent fan of Gothic fiction and their covers are often the most intricate and beautiful. There’s just something intriguing about how disquieting and yet aesthetically pleasing they can be!
Jen @ Pop! Goes The Reader recently posted…Do! Judge A Book By Its Cover ā Issue Three: Paranormal
I’m seriously falling in love with this feature, Jen! I love paranormal covers, but I think this particular genre is the one at fault for the “girls in pretty dresses” deal. However, I see that you’ve got some totally different but jaw-dropping covers at the same time! I love The House of Ivy and Sorrow, and Sisters Red. Lovely post, Jen!! <3
Jen recently posted…My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick | Review
I’m so glad you’re enjoying it, Jen! I really love putting this feature together each week š
I completely agree with you! Apart from historical fiction, paranormal is definitely the genre most plagued by the ‘girl in pretty dress’ cover style, which I absolutely hate. I tried to be as creative with my choices as possible this week š
Jen @ Pop! Goes The Reader recently posted…Do! Judge A Book By Its Cover ā Issue Three: Paranormal
SO MANY good covers! I still haven’t done a paranormal cover-love post because there’s just too many books to choose from. lol But you definitely highlighted some of the best ones. I’m IN LOVE with all the Mara Dyer covers, especially the first one, and I’m always partial to underwater covers, so mermaid book covers always seem to strike my fancy. š
Katie recently posted…Review: Shadow Kiss, by Richelle Mead
This was by far the most difficult edition of Do! Judge A Book By Its Cover to put together! There were just so many choices and it was really hard differentiating from the paranormal/fantasy, etc. genres.
The funny thing is: For the most part I absolutely hate books about mermaids and sirens, and yet they’re almost always my favourite covers. I love covers that are set underwater, particularly Imaginary Girls. It looks so delicate and is absolutely stunning.
Jen @ Pop! Goes The Reader recently posted…Do! Judge A Book By Its Cover ā Issue Three: Paranormal
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. I cannot wait to see this cover in the flesh. Yes, I said flesh.
Christine @ Oh, Chrys! recently posted…Is that Negative Review Bullying?: An Attempt at an Infographic
I’m right there with you! The typography is out of this world and I can only imagine how lovely it’ll look in person š
Jen @ Pop! Goes The Reader recently posted…Do! Judge A Book By Its Cover ā Issue Three: Paranormal
GAH! I love the cover for the new Natalie Whipple novel but I hated Transparent so damn much that I just don’t think I can do it. Maybe if good reviews start rolling in for it I’ll grab it. Also, the cover for Dance of Shadows is gorgeous, but once again such terrible reviews!
Jenni @ Alluring Reads recently posted…Book Girls Don’t Cry – Top 10(ish) Books I Should Have Read by Now
Isn’t the cover for House of Ivy and Sorrow gorgeous? I have no experience with Whipple’s writing but am sorely tempted to read it based on the cover art alone!
Unfortunately, I purchased Dance of Shadows before all the poor reviews began poring in. *Sigh* I’ve put off reading it ever since.
Jen @ Pop! Goes The Reader recently posted…Do! Judge A Book By Its Cover ā Issue Three: Paranormal
Mmmmm…. So many delicious covers!! And I love how you arranged them in a rainbow. š
Kelley (Another Novel Read) recently posted…Flinging Books Across the Room
Thanks, Kelley! š
Jen @ Pop! Goes The Reader recently posted…Do! Judge A Book By Its Cover ā Issue Three: Paranormal
I love, love, love all these covers. Especially Splintered, Paper Valentine (An Awesome Book!), Dance of Shadows (yay Ballet!) and Halo.
I agree what covers are part of the whole package. I always love a book that has a great cover, and I’m more likely to pick it up. So yay covers. I do try not to be turned off books with bad covers, though.
Quinn @ Quinn’s Book Nook recently posted…Review: A Kiss in Time by Alex Flinn
Those were some of my favourite covers, too! š Particularly Paper Valentine – It’s so intricate and beautiful.
Jen @ Pop! Goes The Reader recently posted…Do! Judge A Book By Its Cover ā Issue Three: Paranormal
Ahh yay! I love reading these features they make my week, you clearly work so hard on the features as they’re absolutely beautiful!
Now, I am one who loves a bit of paranormal and i do own or have a lot of these on my TBR list but there are some that I haven’t heard of so i’ll be scoping them out as soon a possible…
Only thing though, Night School is not a paranormal, sci-fi or fantasy :(. The American cover is a lot different from the UK and i suppose it actually makes it look like it belongs to the category.
Saying that, you should definitely read it if you haven’t already it’s actually one of my favourite series. Oh and it’s kind of like a murder mystery which involves a secret political group… and yes it all takes place in a British boarding school š
Georgina Robinson recently posted…REVIEW: DATE WITH THE DEAD
Oh, I feel so silly for mis-categorizing Night School! I was constantly worried about that sort of thing as I put this week’s post together as many of the synopsis were rather vague and I have read very few books in this genre. Putting that aside, it does sound like a fascinating premise!
Jen @ Pop! Goes The Reader recently posted…Waiting On…Frozen by Melissa de la Cruz & Michael Johnston
Anyone who says they never judge a book by it’s cover is probably lying lol! A cover is a books first impression so of course it’s important!
I love the cover of Paper Valentine! I read The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer just because of the cover. The Evolution cover is ok, but I love The Retribution cover.
I haven’t read the first book in the series yet but I love the cover of Of Triton. Sooooo pretty!
Kimberly @ On The Wings of Books recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Needed Sequels
I’m not big on silhouette covers, but I loooove me some pretty illustrations (a la Sisters Red & Paper Valentine). Font is also HUGE for me and definitely a big factor when it comes to picking up a new book.
Off the top of my head I, Lucifer came to mind. The cover is SUPER simple, but the shadow is what makes it fantastic.
Yesterday I finished The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Real Magic and while it’s more fantasy than paranormal, the cover is gorgeous. The title is nice and bold and the background has wonderful details like the dragon’s claw & the Alice-in-Wonderland-esque dress (absolutely perfect since the main character finds herself in a strange land).
Leah @ The Pretty Good Gatsby recently posted…WoW: Bellman & Black and Lost Lake