I support indie authors as much as I can, but it’s impossible to do so by reading all of their books. There are many other ways to support them though, and I’ve decided to judge their books by their covers and share my thoughts on my blog. As the saying goes; every bit helps.

Most of us agree that the book cover is very important. I usually judge a book firstly by its cover, secondly the title, and then I’ll read the blurb.

We are all attracted to different book covers and what might grab my attention, might not grab yours and vice versa.

I asked indie authors on Threads, to show me their book covers and I got a whooping 152 responses. That’s a lot of book covers to look over. I’m pleased to say that none of them are awful. Hooray!

Today I’ll show you three covers that grabbed my attention (not in order of preference) and I’ll tell you the reason why. I’ll guess genre judging by the cover, and then I’ll check out the blurb. Hopefully the cover and the blurb portray the same genre.

Number 1

I’m certainly intrigued by this book cover and I straight away want to know more.

It’s colourful without being too busy. It’s definitely historical. The two men seem very close so I’m wondering is this an LGBT romance. Sweet? Cage speaks trapped or imprisoned to me. Nightingales are songbirds. The bird in this image looks powerful and looks like it wants to be free. But doesn’t every caged bird want to be free?

Here’s the blurb.

In a highly-structured eighteenth-century society, the city state of Angelio is known for two things: its music, and its guardian, the Archangel Michael.

At Angelio’s music school—nicknamed the Cage of Nightingales—castrato singer Carlo is headed for fame at the opera … at the price of personal freedom. Charity pupil Tammo hates the school and everyone in it, and wants to live in the woods, charming birds with his flute.

When Tammo meets Carlo, their lives change forever. With the help of the Archangel, they can grant to each other whatever their hearts desire. But staying true isn’t easy, and their choices will affect not just their futures, but that of Celestina—a young aristocrat destined to be the third person in their relationship.

This book cover certainly sends the right message. Historical, price of personal freedom, gay romance. The only thing I wasn’t expecting was the mention of an Archangel. But that’s perfectly fine. A book cover can’t tell us everything. This one certainly gives a good jist of what inside the pages.

Here’s an example of an Amazon review

Ultraviolet

5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisitely crafted, inclusive fantasy tale

The historical fantasy world of this novel is brought to life with impeccable skill, making it vividly imaginable through the story itself as though reading within it rather than reading about it. Disability is portrayed in a way which is in keeping with the society of the time whilst still positive and nuanced. The intense feelings of the young characters as they grow and process various significant traumas are depicted with authenticity and never sensationalised. The socially and educationally pressured environment of a music scholarship life is beautifully balanced by the magical elements of the story which are woven seamlessly into very real-world hardship. I enjoyed the unique twin journey of Tammo and Carlo and was wishing for them to be loved and protected; the introduction of Celestina brought a wonderful added dimension of colour and glamour, and I love the equally important character of Coronis the highly intelligent pet crow. The religious aspects of the narrative are treated with class and respect. A truly fascinating, often suspenseful and rewardingly complex story.

Number 2

This is an easy one. Folklore, mythology, legends; although it does say ‘modern’ fables. Intriguing! This cover stood out for me because it’s clean and simple. And if I’m honest, I think I saw the title before I saw the wolf, which is not a bad thing. An easy little read I’d imagine. This is a book I’d buy to have on hand when I’d fancy something short and interesting.

Here’s the blurb.

Wandering Spirits is a collection of whimsical tales that feed the soul, tug the heart, and spark the mind.

Inspired by classic books like The Little Prince, these delightful fables follow a variety of charming animal characters as they embark on fantastical yet profoundly relatable quests. In this book, you’ll meet

• a fox who wakes up to find he has many talking tails
• a wolf who tries to fit in with a pack of dogs
• a frog who searches for the secret to a better life
• a turtle captain who leads his ship through tumultuous seas
• and many more!

Great for children and adults alike, these stories will both entertain and offer helpful perspectives on how to view the world and navigate its many winding paths.

Exactly what the cover tells me. I prefer short story books in paperback form, however this one is priced at €17.62. My first thought being; that is very expensive for a book that only has 112 pages. Then I realised from the reviews that each story has illustrations. That explains the price. (Illustrated books are more expensive to print.)

Here’s an example of an Amazon review

Soheb D.

5.0 out of 5 stars Visual and Literary treat!

Salman has masterfully crafted stories that resonate on multiple levels. “Wandering Spirits” has the ability to speak to both adults and children, transcending age barriers with its universal themes and timeless wisdom. While children will delight in the colorful characters and whimsical adventures, adults will find themselves drawn to the deeper layers of meaning embedded within each story. I personally loved the heartfelt messages and I am certain it’ll become a classic in times to come.

Wandering Spirits might just end up on my TBR list!

Number 3

If I was in the mood for something dark and scary, I would pick this up. I’m imaging a stalker maybe, or a killer on the loose. How close am I?

Here’s the blurb.

Enter into the minds of the most dangerous gangs in the city. Razor, the gang’s leader, is known for his brutal, cut-throat methods, and cold eyes. His arrogance, getting to the better of him, prevents him from noticing some of his member’s evil intentions. Every man in the gang has their role, and it’s up to you to determine who is genuinely Razor’s right-hand man.

I was a little off track with this one, although Razor Blades probably is a killer. If you’re into reading stories about gangs you might enjoy this.

Here’s an example of an Amazon review

P wilby

5.0 out of 5 stars True Grit

I absolutely loved this gritty, dirty, savage underground tale of gangland life.

This novel rattles along at breakneck pace, revolving around the underhand, illegal workings of a gang, lead with a bloody, iron fist by the titular Razor. This makes for many compelling situations – how far are they all prepared to go as they attempt to one up each other to stay in Razor’s favour or avoid his wrath?

As others have touched upon, I feel like the multiple POV’s we get to see as individual gang members get to take the narrative wheel is the novel’s real strong point. This style gives us a real sense of how each individual got where they are, what their damage is and what their intentions may be, under the surface narrative. As things heat up and begin to unravel, this gives the sense of watching a car crash through your fingers as you read, knowing everything is set on a collision course, but unable to do anything about it. This really helps to ramp up the tension.

In some ways, this book reminds me a lot of early Tarantino, especially something like Reservoir Dogs. I think this would make a great movie, and is an excellent read.

Razor Blades is book one in a series. I looked up book two and it’s cover is equally intriguing. I’ll just sneak it in here too.

I will return next Tuesday with some more intriguing book covers.

Which one today did you feel attracted to? Please let me know in the comments.

Thanks for visiting today! Before you go…

Would you like a peek inside the pages of my fictional novel? It might just be your cup of tea!

Set in a gossipy small town in Ireland at a time when marriage is for keeps and sexuality is repressed, Secrets in the Babby House is a family saga over three decades that starts in 1956. It is a story of love, deception, and stolen diaries filled with sins and secrets.