JudgeABook: Pretty Monsters - Stories by Kelly Link

Even as I look at this now, I can see why I picked it for a JudgeABook post, but I still fail to see what I'm going to write for the section where I make up a synopsis from the cover alone.

It is a striking cover, hinting at things dark, strange and beautiful. And I would be excited to read get a copy and read it, but it doesn't give away much as far as possible narrative is concerned. Which can actually be rather lovely from time to time. I hate when too much is given away...

Anyhow, I like the look of this cover. What do you think of it?

Let's see how I go writing a blurb for it, knowing so little:

She stood on her balcony looking out towards the distant town. It had been months since the last suitor had come knocking. She smiled at the memory of the taste of him on her lips. 

There was a scratching at her chamber door that distracted her from her thoughts. She sighed and went to open it for the beast. She may have been sent here by her cowardly father, trying to escape his death, but a moon had barely waxed and waned before he had this creature on a leash. A sniveling, mangy pet. 

The Castle was hers. 

Tales of her beauty and dominion spread. The suitors came.

It had been months since her last meal.

 

4.5 Silver Stars

Find it on Goodreads

Other JudgeABook Posts

JudgeABook: Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

I've been seeing this book's cover on the blog circuit for a while now. I can't say I've stopped to read any of the reviews, but I have noticed how engaging the image and title are. I love the simplicity of it. I love the fact that it's called Of Poseidon, not just Poseidon or something else.

I'm a little worried that mermaids are the new vampires. Which doesn't mean there won't be any good books out there, but too much of anything isn't particularly wonderful.

I'm not really sure what I'm going to write about this one (I keep doing this! picking book jackets for JudgeABook that are really sparse. They make great jackets, but then leave me with nothing to make up the story from). Let me see how I go.

She had heard enough. 

Being her father's daughter was difficult. Sure, in some ways she was spoiled, but too often she was burdened with expectations and limitations for fear of what rivals might do. The trouble was, she knew her father was crooked, and the way her mother was happy being a trophy wife, swanning around like some sort of underworld queen. 

She swam away. Fear, anger, hatred spilling from her eyes and mixing immediately with the water. 

She's heard him. That nasty one, Frank, was that his name? He's said he had to take a hit out on Toby. She knew their relationship would find it's way back to her father.

"The Don wants that Toby kid taken care of..."

 

4 Silver Stars

Find it on Goodreads

Other JudgeABook Posts

JudgeABook: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

I really like the look of this book. I know it's been floating around for a while now, but I'm just now getting to writing about it. I haven't read it, but it's sitting on my shelf waiting to be read. Now, I love me some fairy tale adaptations, and even though I'm not a huge fan of the Cinderella story itself, how could I not be drawn to Cinderella-as-a-Cyborg? Admittedly, I know more than I should for a JudgeABook post, as the cover doesn't really say anything about cyborgs, only suggests a metal bone structure. But, let's go with it. It's a striking cover nonetheless.

Cinder slipped her foot into the ruby shoe. It was the perfect addition to her outfit. She smiled, thinking that the fragility of the glass pump belied her next-to-indestructible nature.

Standing, she looked at herself in the mirror. Thank goodness for the titanium reinforcement in the sole, imperceptible when she was standing. While her manufacturers had made her figure to perfection, they didn't really get her weight to what a girl would call acceptable. But, with a steel skeleton, there's only so much she could expect. She smoothed her dress. 

She was dressed to kill.

 

4.5 Silver Stars

Find it on Goodreads

Other JudgeABook Posts

JudgeABook: After The Snow by S.D. Crockett

I don't know why, but crows and ravens have always fascinated me. And not in a 'harbinger-of-death' kind of way. They seem so astute, so thoughtful. And the shiny blue-black of their feathers is mesmerizing. Have you guessed why this cover jumped out at me yet?

The title I also found engaging. 'After' automatically conjures events and consequences and following-ons that seem to disappear into the white unknown that the future is, even as the elusive snow melts before us.

It is clear how strong I think this cover is? I hope so.

The 3rd step will be interesting. What can I come up with from 'raven' + 'After' + 'Snow' ?

Who would have thought that the midnight bird would find a place to hide in the fallen snow. Surely the contrast would be too great. 

I had not considered the still-smoking remains of my family's home. I had not considered it because until I had emerged from the trees I had expected to find the familiar building intact. 

Tracks in the snow told me they were alive. I had to believe that these markings were their fleeing steps and not the bearers of corpses.

A harsh cry split the air.

 

 

4.5 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads

Other JudgeABook Posts

JudgeABook: Ship Kings Bk 1: The Coming of the Whirlpool by Andrew McGhan

I should be upfront with this JudgeABook post, I know I advocate knowing as little as possible about a book so you can purely judge it by its cover, and I do, in fact know practically nothing about the story of this book. But, I have been told by a number of people who's opinion I trust that this is an excellent book. Some even say it's one of their favourite recent reads. So that might be colouring the way I look at this cover, but I still think it's a pretty cool cover. Even more so when you see the finished book: it's a neat little hardback.

Doesn't it look just like a brilliant nautical fantasy? I'm looking forward to when I get the chance to read it!

Step three might be a little difficult because there really isn't a huge amount to decipher plot from. But here we go:

Suddenly, the deck sloped sharply to the left. The Captain rose from his table as his dinner fell to the floor. He had given no instructions to make any deviations from their course, and land, or obstacles of any kind would be another day's sailing away yet.

He emerged from cabin ready to punish the helmsman severely. That's when he saw what was casing the tilt. An enormous whirlpool was forming only a cannon's shot from the port side. Had the gods pulled the plug in their ocean basin? And how, by the gods, would they survive its pull?

That's when the shouting began.

 

 

4 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads

Other JudgeABook Posts

The JudgeABook How To...

JudgeABook: Starters by Lissa Price

There's one bookshop that I've visited a few times in the last few weeks and each time I walk past their YA section, I see this face staring out at me. I think partly what grabs my attention, other than the fact that it's a face that's staring at you, is that it's white, or close enough, and so many books go for dark covers that this one is rather arresting. The different colour eyes, the blue text, it all works to get my attention. I can't say it's the type of book that makes me want to read it, but I must confess I cannot stop looking at it when I see it in shops. Perfect for a JudgeABook post

Sarah had decided she wanted a change. 

Internally, she logged off that part of herself that was Sarah, and ejected the data card that contained her personality. She could see in the reflection of the screen in front of her that her skin was already blanching, losing it's colour, her hair turning white as the tinting follicles waited for their new instructions. She reached for the card labeled 'Kate' and a mechanical smile tugged at her face. Blue eyed Kate was such fun.

 

3 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads 

 

Other JudgeABook Posts

 

JudgeABook: Red Glove by Holly Black

I understand that Red Glove is the second book in the Curse Workers series... but I love this cover so much I wanted to talk about it and the cover differences I've seen in this series. I should clarify, as is the point behind a JudgeABook post, I haven't read these books. In fact, other than the Spiderwick Chronicles, I've not read any of Holly Black's Books. I've always meant to... but time, time, time and other pressing matters etc. As is always the case.

But one thing that these books that I've noticed is the different covers. There is the one at the top... then these two:

Now the one on the right is ok, but nothing compared to the top one which begs me to read it. then there is the one on the left, which would make me ignore the series completely in a store. I just can't get over the differences in style for the one book and especially for a book that was originally published about a year ago. What do you think?

For the last part of this JudgeABook post I'll work off the top cover, and ignore the others in much the same way I would in a shop.

Gently, she felt the fabric of this world with her fingertips. Finding what she was looking for, a little blemish, seemingly in mid-air. She scratched at it, loosing the threads of reality. When the hole was large enough, she slipped her finger in and pulled it firmly down. When she could, she slip her whole hand through into someplace else. Taking it out, she saw her hand was covered in a viscous red, a glove dripping slowly from her fingertips. With a little more work, she would be ready to pass through.

4 Gold Stars

(for the top cover)

Find it on Goodreads

More JudgeABook posts.

JudgeABook: Twilight Robbery by Frances Hardinge

This cover just popped out at me when I was scrolling through my blog subscriptions. Yes!, I thought, I'd pick that up were it on the shelf in front of me. Doesn't it look like the perfect mix of intrigue, hijinks and dastardly deeds? Time-pieces, chases, and cramped city streets. It looks Fun!

I kind of feel like I've just written part three... but here it goes:

The girl was running from time. Or running out of time. But she also ran from the caped villain. And surely that horse and cart was even more bad news? Although she wasn’t aware of it quite yet. Where was a Bobby when you needed one? And would they believe her, or clap her in chains to send her to the colonies? Some mornings you should get out of bed. But that’s the whole point, the clock that wasn’t hers would not stop chiming, and as we’ve establish: she was running out of time.

4 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads

Other JudgeABook Posts

JudgeABook Revisited: Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan

Guess what, I've read it! After nearly two years of its beauty staring at me from the bookshelf, I've read it! and Oh, how I loved it!.

As this is a revisited post, you can all refresh your memories on this book, and my relationship with it's cover in the original JudgeABook post: HERE.

So this has been a long time coming, and while I would say it's worth the wait, it's only worth the wait if it is forced upon you. As in, if it hadn't been published and you knew it was coming... Sadly, I must hang my head in shame; I owned it for so long and have nothing but a dusty pile of excuses to cling to.

I can strongly recommend this beautiful book! it is heart wrenching, and honest. Uncomfortable in places and so homely in others. I just melted in its magic.

I would have to say that the opening is difficult. Difficult and harrowing. But it makes sense eventually. And you must get past that point where you feel like saying 'I'm only 20 pages in and it's already like this, I'm just going to stop there.' because in another 20 pages you'll have broken through to the beauty that was born of such ugliness.

I always wondered why I thought so much about this book, sitting on my shelf, when I knew little of the author and nothing other than the cover. I don't think I even read the blurb on the back in all those years. But now its as if my subconscious is saying, see, I knew it would be important.

And it is important. To me as a reader, to me as a writer. It has shown me something that is too easily left out of young adult books, and handled in entirely different ways by 'grown-up' fiction. It is the cross over that belongs in both sections and definitely has found a home on my shelf.

If you read my review of Sea Hearts, you'll know that I was somewhat critical of the spineless, powerless, crewel males of that book. I have since come to terms with them as a whole in the context of the story after a fantastic Book Club meeting where Margo was present and all perspectives were discussed. However, 20 pages into Tender Morsels, at that point of 'Do I go on?' I found myself wondering will there be any redeemable male in this book. I am please to tell you yes. YES! Davit Ramstrong is the best of men. I was so strongly moved by him (of course among others - there were many equally moving females) I think I fell in love a little.

Now I have so many short stories to look forward to (I've only read a handful of one of her 4 or 5 collections) and I'm looking forward to being inspired and challenged; as a reader, and as a writer.

5 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads

Other JudgeABook posts

JudgeABook Revisited: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Earlier this year, I talked about the cover of Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver in one of my JudgeABook posts. Basically, I really like the cover and the whole production of these books. (the blue text inside is also a nice touch). But, despite having owned it for a year or two, I had never read it. Well, I used my last trip to Canberra (long road trip for work) as an opportunity to listen to the audio book.So now, I come back and see if the book lived up to it's cover...

I need to be honest from the outset. I know I would have like this book A LOT more if I had just read it for myself. It was the most annoying audio book I've ever listened to. Talking about just the audio part of it for a minute, I think I preferred the one where the narrator didn't pause for breath in the right spots and it kept changing sound quality over this one.

Firstly, it was almost painfully American. I'm talking about the accents. So clearly American listeners wouldn't have the same reaction as I did, but I'm entitled to it. Secondly, the chapters alternate between the main girl character and the main boy character, each being narrated by someone of that gender. In theory, this was a good idea. In reality, getting used to different voiced for the same characters (as each character speaks in both types of narrated chapters) was annoying. Particularly because the male reader doing female voices sounded exactly like a man in drag from a show I watch. Thirdly, both narrators kept putting the most bizarre inflections into the words that seemed like they were very confused or a little slow. All in all, it was the most grating audio book I've ever listened to.

But that aside, what did I think of the book beneath the speakers? It was ok. If you like paranormal romance, then chances are you'll like this one too. I've seen blogs where people list these books as their "all time favourites". I didn't dislike it, and even though I know I would have liked it a lot more if I'd read it myself, I'm not entirely convinced I would have afforded it the time of sitting and reading. Reading time is precious, and I have too much gold sitting round my house un-read to worry too much about everything that comes around. I was drawn to these by their jackets (and their market penetration), but while they're perfect for their market, they're not at all what gets me excited. I'm not paranormal romance's biggest fan.

Where does this leave this revisited post? I congratulate the design team for a brilliant job on books that I know many will love, but I didn't, but didn't had. I'm just right down the middle with them.

2.5 Silver Stars

Find it on Goodreads

8/40

JudgeABook: Silvermay by James Moloney

This cover has been jumping out at me since it was released last June. Partly because it's by James Moloney and I really enjoyed The Book of Lies, but not entirely. Because for some reason, this cover doesn't make me think of that series at all, so for a long time, I was forcing myself to remember that they were by the same people.If you read my JudgeABook post on Shiver, you're probably starting to think that I must really like the whole silhouette-fading-into-the-background type thing. And I guess I do. In all honesty, this cover isn't making me feel like I-must-read-it-at-first-possible-opportunity. But I like how it looks and know that James Moloney is good, so it is on my to read list, but when I have time.

Part three of this post (where I make up a story based entirely on the cover) might be hard cause all we've got is girl, boy on horse and grass/trees/plants. and a single bird. But, I'll see what I can do.

She ran, was all he could think.

He was left sitting on his horse, holding the herb he knew she was looking for, thinking: she ran.

It was true they had never met, but that hardly mattered. Did it? She was ill, and she needed the wilting green thing in his hand, but she had found the strength to run.

He would have to think this through. Gently, he urged the horse forward.

Let me know what you think of these posts. :) 

3.5 Silver Stars

Find it on Goodreads

Other JudgeABook Posts

JudgeABook: Midwinderblood by Marcus Sedgwick

So, for a JudgeABook post, you're supposed to pick a cover of a book you haven't read but that has caught your eye and discuss it. I was in a bookshop yesterday and this caught my eye. Specifically, the green 'heart on his sleeve' is what I was drawn to. I mean, the knife practically points at it, it's effectively the only thing that isn't re or black on the cover, and it's not exactly clear what it is, why it's there, or how it will affect the story. I like these puzzling aspects. 

When it comes down to it, all we've got to go on is (quite literally) 'cloak and dagger', and then a blood moon as well. These elements simply combined with the presence of the words 'blood' and 'sacrifice' suggest all sorts of dark goings on. 

The third part on this post will be interesting for me to attempt because of that. (For those who haven't read one of my JudgeABook posts before, this is where I try and write a paragraph from the book, or a synopsis simply from the cover image alone in 150 words or less.)

It was the full, ripe, harvest moon of the seventh cycle of seventy seven years. It was time. Head bent, he emerged from the fields of wheat that had hidden him as he approached the village. Careful to conceal the moonstone dagger, he drew near the third house from the left. Glancing through silent tears across at the house opposite that might have once been his, he had to trust what he was doing was right. Life was hard in this part of the world, he thought as he eased the door open, it might be said that his target wouldn’t make it through the approaching winter anyhow.

He knew what part of himself he would be killing tonight also.

3.5 Silver Stars

Find it on Goodreads

Other JudgeABook Posts

JudgeABook: Wonder by R J Palacio

I'll start this JudgeABook post by disclaiming that I had heard people talk about it long before I saw it. So technically, I had some expectations before I saw the cover. That said, I think the cover is pretty cool anyway. I'll leave what people were saying about it out of this (as it's supposed to be a conversation purely about the jacket) but I'll put all of that into my review of the actual book when I get around to reading it. And read it I will because of what people are saying. 

On 'face value' (my wit astounds me) this cover is is bold and intriguing. But I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that. 

When I do the third part (where I write a paragraph inspired by the cover alone) I'll try and put aside what I've heard of the actual story line. 

How closely do we really look? Do we really pay attention? I’ve got half the organs to see with as most people, but I see a lot more than they do. They’re too busy talking, and thinking about themselves to really notice the things that go on around us.

It’s amazing how many secrets and stories and revelations pass through a crowd unnoticed.

That’s how I discovered her secret, and saved her life.

(Not my best, but with a minimalist cover, there's only so much to work with.)

4.5 Silver Stars

Find it on Goodreads

Other JudgeABook Posts

JudgeABook: The Apothecary by Maile Meloy

To pick this week's contestant for my JudgeABook post, I was browsing through an old catalogue only looking at the covers and seeing if any jumped out at me. This one did. I didn't stop to read the blurb next to the image, just chose it to be scrutinized. 

I really like the composition of this cover. The title, tied in with the glass stoppered-bottle, works well to suggest times long gone. On top of that birds clearly play a role and it's set in London. I think the buildings at the bottom are the only element I don't like about this cover. It detracts from the feeling of possibility in what the apothecary could be concocting. What? have they extracted essence-of-London-Bridge? I think it would have been slightly better to have those buildings behind the bottle as a skyline across the bottom. But that's just my thoughts. 

Now onto section three. (If you've not read one of these posts before, this is me, writing a paragraph/synopsis/blurb for the book based entirely on the cover image.)

He knew that the right combination of ingredients could issue any result under the sun. And he must find the right combination to save her. He’d tired feathers of pigeons, larks, sparrows; and still nothing. Slowly he stirred the solution in front of him: reduced from moss from The Tower and rain caught from The Bridge under a full moon. But what was missing?

Just then, a robin perched on his window sill. This was more than a sign. This was destiny. He knew what to do.

He would save Robyn before the night was over.

Well, let me know what you think. I'd like to know if you think these JudgeABook Posts are working, or if anything should change?

3.5 Silver Stars

Find it on Goodreads

Other JudgeABook posts