Let’s be honest – we all prejudge books before we ever read them. Whether we are judging them based on their covers (don’t lie, we know you do it…), the hype surrounding them, the author’s previous work, etc., we are constantly forming opinions as soon as we learn about a book. But hey, we’re all human and this is just normal behavior!
I will openly admit that I am AWFUL about judging books before I ever pick them up. I immediately rate a book, usually judging it by the synopsis or the surrounding hype. I’m not one to usually jump on the immediate bandwagons for most new releases, unless it’s for a series that I’m already invested in. Also, I’ve recently gotten really critical of synopses lately. I used to not be this way but I’ve noticed over the past year or so that if a book sounds a lot like something I’ve previously read, I pretty much just write it off as #notinterested. Unless it’s some sort of retelling, because I’m totally trash for those! And then there are the books that you think you will love and then they end up crashing all of your hopes against a rock. How rude!
However, I have to say that there have been a few books that bucked the trend for me and I wanted to highlight a few of those in this post. I mean, we’re all bound to get it wrong sometimes, right?!
Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi
I went into this book so excited because the synopsis sounded like such a whimsical middle grade novel full of adventure… But what I got was actually a really boring story with a lackluster ending.
Furyborn (Empirium, #1) by Claire Legrand
I got an ARC of this book in a FairyLoot box last fall and just was not sold on that synopsis. Then when everyone started giving it mixed reviews, I was really put off. However, I finally picked it up around its release date and WOW!!! This book was just sooo good and now I’m desperately awaiting for the sequel!
Scarlet (Scarlet, #1) by A.C. Gaughen
What I thought I was getting – a badass feminist version of Robin Hood, where the girl is the one taking care of business. What I actually got – the sappiest freaking love story I’ve ever read, that only got worse with each book.
Truthwitch (The Witchlands, #1) by Susan Dennard
When this book first came out, it was getting some very mixed reviews. The majority seemed to not really like it, saying that the world-building was confusing. So I ended up putting off reading it for over a year and I immediately regretted it. I loved this book so much!!!
The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis
This book seemed to be really groundbreaking for a lot of people. However, it just felt really jumbled to me. It was kind of all over the place and tried a little too hard to be edgy and different in regards to the writing style, which really detracted from the actual plot. I wasn’t the biggest fan.
Zodiac (Zodiac, #1) by Romina Russell
So no one ever talks about this series, EVER. So I was first attracted to the cover and synopsis (yes, I like astrology for fun!), but figured it would be just mediocre at best. Y’all, I was totally wrong. The world-building, plot, and characters are totally complex. I can’t recommend it enough!
Forest of a Thousand Lanterns (Rise of the Empress, #1) by Julie C. Dao
I love a good antihero story just as much as the next person, but that wasn’t what I got with this book. Xifeng has zero redeeming qualities and her reasoning for everything she does lacks any depth. I kept rooting for someone to just kill her.
The Dark Days Club (Lady Helen, #1) by Alison Goodman
Another series that no one ever mentions and so even though I was intrigued by the synopsis, I put it off. But oh my gosh, this story is everything I want and more!!! Regency England, paranormal creatures, and a secret society… Perfection.
The Disappearances by Emily Bain Murphy
I had seen so many people raving about this mysterious story… All I got was a total yawn fest. It was extremely slow and lacked any sort of conflict to grab my attention. My expectations were definitely shattered with this one.
Heartless by Marissa Meyer
This book got a lot of hate when it was first released, which put me off from picking it up for a long time. However, when I finally read it, I loved it! It was definitely a unique twist on the origins of the Queen of Hearts. I won’t lie, my mouth was constantly watering from all of the yummy food descriptions too. Ha!
What are some books that ended up shattering your first impressions? Do you share the same opinion as me on any of the books on my list? Do you usually prejudge books before you read them based on covers, synopsis, or the opinions of others?
Wonderfilled Reads 