Cover-Judging! And Why I’m Not Sorry For My Superficiality | Becca’s Bookish Discussion

  

  • Covers often represent their genre. If I’m in the mood for fantasy as I wander into my local nefarious bookshop, I will likely pick up a book with castles or dragons on the cover rather than one with two fatuous teenagers sitting on a fence as they watch the sunset. This saves a busy bee like me from going and reading the summary of every book in the store.
  • Covers are their own bookish art form. Someone actually put a lot of time and energy into creating covers to appease shallow readers everywhere. All the glorious creativity in a book cover should be acknowledged! 
  • Publishers should not be lazy twats. Excuse me! Don’t settle for terrible cover art because it’s too hard to find someone to design it better. And certainly don’t give me that well they shouldn’t judge a book by its cover anyway nonsense. I demand perfection! (Calm down. That was a joke.)
  • Because I’m superficial and I like pretty things. Yeah, I want a book that will like nice on my shelves. You call it superficiality, I call it appreciation of the arts! (Okay, yes, it’s a little superficial)  
  • Sometimes covers misrepresent the book. Maybe this amazing fantasy book looks more like a Nicholas Sparks novel on the outside but I’d never know its true inner beauty because I’m a superficial vermin.
  • It’s what’s on the inside that counts! So what if a book cover is horrendous? (Inner artist claws off skin) So what if it misrepresents the book? The words inside are what matter.
  • I’m waaaay too picky to cover judge. There are, like, four covers I consider worthy of my shelf. I can’t help it, really. A queen must have noble tastes.  

  
Cover judge/appreciate-the-art-form away—but with caution. 

Or do whatever. I don’t own your life.

Are you a cover-judger? Are you ashamed of this label or do you proudly wear it?

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          Heir of Fire | Review + Discussion

          Title: Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3)

          Author: Sarah J. Maas

          Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

          Rating: 5/5 STARS!!!!!

          Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien’s only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan’s Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King’s Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan’s biggest threat – and his own toughest enemy. 
          While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love? 

          Story Arc/Plot

          Ooh, the best one yet! We primarily follow the perspectives of Celaena, Chaol, and a brand new protagonist, Manon! Each perspective has its own little plot, but all these little plots tie together in the end in one epic explosion.

          The story arc is really strong, and flowed from each challenge to the next, all worse than before and all directly related. Though the main plot of the story was wrapped up in the end, we get left with a cliffhanger that has me counting down until the release of Queen of Shadows!

          There was a lot of mystery woven into the story, though it doesn’t really seem like a big deal until the end when everything clicks together. It was a really nice touch!

          World Building

          Though this is the third book in the series, we get a lot more world building since Celaena has traveled to Wendlyn. It’s vivid and flows right through the intrigue and action of the story. We learn a lot about the Fae, and all the information is distributed effortlessly, just like the style in the first book.

          Characters 

          MY FAVORITE PART! 

          One new character is Manon. Manon is a witch, and a very disturbing one at that. She seems to be a very heartless, simply evil witch, but you soon learn that she’s a lot more complex than that.

          Sorscha is a healer who always stays in the shadows. She begins a friendship with Dorian, and very soon, more than that. She aslso uses her ability to remain unnoticed to help Dorian and Chaol.

          Rowan is possibly my favorite character in the entire book. He’s a Fae warrior, and seems like a huge jerk, but again, you learn he’s more complex.

          All the characters are so distinct and not what they seem which only adds to an already fabulous story!

          Overall, it was a great book, even better than the first two, which only leaves me wanting more!

          SPOILER FULL DISCUSSION:

          DO NOT CONTINUE UNLESS YOU HAVE READ THE BOOK. SERIOUSLY.

          Let’s start with Manon, shall we. We start out totally creeped out by her, I mean she’s wiping a human’s blood off her face. I have a right to be disgusted by that, okay.

           
          But then Abraxos starts humanizing her and she realizes she was born with a heart, and ugh, so sweet.

          Okay, Team Rowan. I know, I know. Not really a contender. Yeah, well I don’t really care. I SHIP IT SO MUCH.

          I was originally Team Chaol, but whenever his chapters cut into an epic Celaena chapter, I would get so frusturated with him. Which probably isn’t very fair, but whatever.

          I wanted to shake Celaena so many times and say GET A GRIP OF YOURSELF. STOP MAKING EVERYONE WANT TO HATE YOU.

          When Emrys was giving Rowan that pep talk, UGH THAT WAS SO GOOD! I was cheering him on so much.

          I really, really, Sorshca. Which is why I wasn’t really surprised when her head what cut off of her body. I mean, of course. Of course. We have to keep that Dorian-Celaena -Chaol love triangle up, don’t we. 

          The epic battle at the end had me chewing off my fingernails. It was so creepy when Celaena had to go through the memories. And so, so sad when you learned about how Lady Marion sacrificed herself.

          Tell me about your favorite parts in the comments! Though, spoiler alerts, please!



          The Glass Arrow | Review

          Title: The Glass Arrow

          Author: Kristen Simmons

          Genre: Young Adult, Dysopian

          Rating: 4.5/5 stars

          Synopsis:

          The Handmaid’s Tale meets Blood Red Road in Glass Arrow, the story of Aya, who lives with a small group of women on the run from the men who hunt them, men who want to auction off breeding rights to the highest bidder.

          In a world where females are scarce and are hunted, then bought and sold at market for their breeding rights, 15-year old Aya has learned how to hide. With a ragtag bunch of other women and girls, she has successfully avoided capture and eked out a nomadic but free existence in the mountains. But when Aya’s luck runs out and she’s caught by a group of businessmen on a hunting expedition, fighting to survive takes on a whole new meaning. 

          Review:

          A big thanks to Tor Teen Publishing for sending me this book! This in no way affects my review.

          The Glass Arrow is one big ride of intense adrenaline and emotions. I loved it!

          The world-building flowed really well, but there were points in the beginning where I was still intrigued, but it was a little slow. Though it is a dystopian setting, a lot of things felt more like fantasy, which I LOVED.

          Okay, Kristen Simmons’ writing style is amazing! It’s simple, but packs in all those metaphors and details. I could see every scene perfectly in my head.

          The second half of the book was full of even more cliffhangers than the first, leaving me at the end of every chapter like this:

           
          I am so SO happy that Kristen Simmons avoided a chliche romance that would have been so easy in this setting. Instead, she opted for a sweeter, more unexpected one.

          The way everything was wrapped up in the last 10 pages was BRILLIANT. I had no idea how it was going to happen, but it worked out perfectly!

          Overall, this was an amazing book with heart stopping moments, emotional roller coasters, and intriguing world-building, and an addicting writing style. Though I am disappointed there’s only one book…

           

              

          Top Ten Prettiest Book Covers

          Welcome to the post where we judge books by their covers. 


          The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski 

          Pretty dress. ‘Nuff said.

          These Broken Stars by Amid Kaufman and Meghan Spooner

          The colors, and the dress, and the stars…IT’S SO PRETTY. 

          The Shatter Me Trilogy by Tahereh Mafi

          All of the covers in this trilogy are perfect. The eyes, and just, everything. Perfect.

          Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson

          Welcome to the most tumblr book cover ever. I LOVE IT.


          Mosquito land by David Arnold

          I LOVE THIS. I really love the fun colors and quirky artwork. ❤️


          A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray

          “I don’t care what this book is about, I need to own it. Now.” Said every book lover ever.


          To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

          Pastel colors. Adorable room. Tumblr scheme. I NEED IT.

          Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

          THIS COVER. Not only is it gorgeous, it gives you a pretty good idea of what the book is about.


          Anna and the French Kiss﻿ by Stephanie Perkins

          The old covers were horrendous, but now the covers are BEAUTIFUL. Because Paris. It’s Paris.

          And yes, I’m the only person in the world who hasn’t read this book yet.


          All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

          The happy title and adorable colors almost convince you that this might be an uplifting book. Almost.

          There ya go! Did I miss any? Tell me down below! Also let me know if you’ve read any of these books so we can fangirl!!!

          Mwah!😘
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