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 
Hahaha I loved this! Such a great post idea! I am excited that you loved Heartless because I’ve been avoiding it for the same reasons but I still want to read it!
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Oh, thank you so much!.. Yeah, Heartless was a pretty divided book when it first came out but I really did enjoy it. It definitely had that touch of whimsy that I always associate with Alice in Wonderland. I hope you enjoy it, too!
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This is a really unique post idea and I loved seeing your commentary. I just read The Female of the Species this month (so it’s fresh in my brain) lol and was wondering what parts you felt were trying too hard to be edgy. I am not disagreeing, just wanted to discuss it since it’s fresh in my mind! Again, super cool post!
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Thank you so much!! I wouldn’t say any particular part of The Female of the Species was trying too hard, I meant more as in the overall writing style. It didn’t really mesh with me very well and I think took away from the actual story itself. I’ve heard McGinnis’ writing tends to be that way in all of her books, and with this being the only book I’ve read by her yet, that may be why it stood out to me more. I also listened to the audiobook version of it too and that might have affected my overall opinion of it too.
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I loved Truthwitch! I haven’t read Furyborn yet but I also heard a lot of mixed reviews about it. I’m glad you loved it! 😊
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Yes! I didn’t enjoy Windwitch quite as much as the first book, but I have really high hopes for Bloodwitch!.. I totally recommend Furyborn. Some people don’t seem to like the way the chapters are set up, but I thought it really worked well with the story. I hope you enjoy it!
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Great Post!! 🙂 I almost didn’t pick up Truthwitch as well, because I wasn’t sure about it, but then I heard some good Reviews from people I trusted and picked the book up. Best decision ever. I cannot believe I almost didn’t read this amazing book 😱
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Right?! I absolutely loved that book and cannot wait for Bloodwitch to come out next year!
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I was the same way with Furyborn and Truthwitch!
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Right?! I’ve decided not to go so much by what others think, and just read the book if it sounds good to me. I always end up loving them!
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Same!
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I love how everyone experiences books in different ways. Personally, of this list, I’m definitely looking forwards to Furyborn.
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Me too!! I really hope you enjoy Furyborn as much as I did. It was definitely one of my most surprising reads this year!
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Oh no! I’m so sad you didn’t love Furthermore or The Female of the Species! I enjoyed Furthermore and The Female of the Species is one of my favorites! BUT YES FINALLY! Someone who talks about The Zodiac books! They are my absolute favorite! Have you read Thirteen Rising? Also I haven’t read the rest but it just shows that to not pre judge a book because it might surprise you (or disappoint you. Don’t overhype). But I love this post! You should do more!
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Thank you so much! 🙂 I haven’t read Thirteen Rising yet! I plan to read it before the end of the year though, for sure! I’m super excited to see how the story ends… I really wish I had enjoyed The Female of the Species more. I think it was just overhyped for me and the audiobook version didn’t really do anything for me.
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Oh tell me what you think! I actually want to reread the whole series because I had a weird reading experience with it (it was just the timing not the book) and I feel like I didn’t process the end! But I still love the series. Yea I read The Female of the Species like right when I joined the community so I barely got the hype but I loved it. I guess the synopsis does make it seem like for a different book but when you look at it as a dark contemporary that deals with rape culture rather than a dark contemporary that deals about the mind of a female killer (that’s what the synopsis gives off) then it’s really good. But I understand not everyone likes the same books.
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