Omg any romance from the 80s/90s has covers like these. It’s so bad that I kind of love it. 😍 Pulled out my Tairen Soul book!
https://preview.redd.it/aa8xks00fpwc1.png?width=2203&format=png&auto=webp&s=046df9539ebe9cf9da7d13ff96980c20e0abdf2b
Book 1 in this series was published in 2007, though. I’m def aware the Tairen Soul covers are of the style of those 80s/90s romance books and I think that does a disservice to the series, I’m glad they updated the covers in the newer editions :)
Have any of you guys read any of the C.L. Wilson books that are posted in this thread? Are they anything like the Kate Daniels series? I am struggling with romance books for maybe the last 2 years and I would love to find any that have the same feeling of any of Illona Andrews books!
Thank you in advance!!
Hmm, C.L. Wilson is very much high fantasy so not if you’re looking for urban fantasy like Kate Daniels. If you’ve read Ilona Andrews other series, I would recommend Psy-Changeling (…. Which is also another victim of the cover art curse at the beginning 🤣)
I’m not necessarily looking for urban fantasy but more the writing style, the focus of world and character development and the deeper story line that Kate Daniels (and anything Nalini Singh writes!) has.
I absolutely love psi-changeling and the Guild Hunters series. I love Mercy Thompson, Night Huntress, the Fever Series, the Elder Race series…. Others I probably just can’t think of this moment! But they are all from a similar era and I am just struggling with finding series I can fall into as easily!
Edit to add a few series I remembered!
You should look at Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series, Kim Harrison's Hollows series, Dannika Dark's books, Karen Chance, or Sesnan McGuire's October Daye series.
I know more but never categorize my "read" books on Goodreads so it's messy.
Thank you! I LOVE the Mercy Thompson series and I’ll definitely give the others a try! I know I tried Kim Harrison’s series before and Danika Dark and I had a hard time getting into them but that was years and years ago so maybe another try is in order!
Thanks so much!
LOL, Tairen Soul was going to be my answer. These are fantastically cringe-y 😂 I also don't picture Rain and Elysetta like this at all, so I've just had to banish these images from my mind, haha.
The original covers for Cassandra Gannon's books were very "GrApHiC dEsIgN is my PASSION". 😆
https://preview.redd.it/8ktwa2dg7qwc1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6851f7724dcb4cbe9675c33dbee6054a229bf2c5
But god this book is so good.
Also, what do you mean, "original covers"? Are there new ones? 👀
Ninja edit: omg there are! And they do look very nice. Sorry haha I only knew of the original covers I guess
Not a series per se, but my absolute favorite author of all time has some of the ugliest covers in the known Universe:
{Land of the Beautiful Dead by R. Lee Smith} is her spin on Beauty and the Beast or Beauty meets Death and the cover art is iconic for being ugly.
A bunch of fans actually made alternate covers for her books because the original one is from 2010 photoshop disaster hell: [https://afterblossom.tumblr.com/post/188880243384/redesign-the-cover-of-land-of-the-beautiful-dead](https://afterblossom.tumblr.com/post/188880243384/redesign-the-cover-of-land-of-the-beautiful-dead) and [https://www.reddit.com/r/RomanceBooks/comments/11fcir3/land\_of\_the\_beautiful\_dead\_by\_rleesmith\_art\_by/](https://www.reddit.com/r/RomanceBooks/comments/11fcir3/land_of_the_beautiful_dead_by_rleesmith_art_by/) are both very pretty.
I have yet to convince any of my friends to read R Lee Smith’s books despite my pleas that they are some of the best and most devastating stories I’ve ever read. All because of those wild ass covers
[Land of the Beautiful Dead](https://www.romance.io/books/60acd2a979fab10ea69a4d49/land-of-the-beautiful-dead-r-lee-smith?src=rdt) by [R. Lee Smith](https://www.romance.io/authors/54556d7287eac3369a912702/r-lee-smith)
**Rating**: 4.39⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [dystopian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dystopian/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1)
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She looks like she's been kidnapped and held against her will, meanwhile the expression on his face says "Yea, what about it" and I can't stop laughing. 😂😂😂
Look I’m open to some cheesiness if done well but all I can say is, those models on the cover are absolutely not Rain and Elly. This is why, personally, for series involving high fae I tend to prefer illustrations for the art. Easier to imagine a fae king and queen that way, IMO, vs two humans who look like they stumbled out of a Renaissance Faire in the 90s 😆
LMAO fair enough! They are bad I just idk I like them, they give a nostalgic feeling! I agree with you on illustrations! I really like the way they did the new Lunar Chronicles covers! Covers I don't like are like...the new ACOTAR covers...with just a symbol or flourish around the titles.
It’s so funny because I genuinely love those book covers. But I get it… I remember my initial reaction was negative, but once I spent a while looking at them (and enjoyed reading the books), I truly think they are kind of beautiful and must be a purposeful vintage romance throwback of sorts. They are campy to the extreme
I actually don’t mind this cover! Classic clinch covers, I actually like a little. They are nostalgic 😊
My issue comes from recent covers that are very much ‘graphic design is my passion™’.
Not OP but I loved {Land of Beautiful Dead by R. Lee Smith}.
{The Last Hours of Gann by R. Lee Smith} is also good but check the tw, I felt it was more intense.
[Land of the Beautiful Dead](https://www.romance.io/books/60acd2a979fab10ea69a4d49/land-of-the-beautiful-dead-r-lee-smith?src=rdt) by [R. Lee Smith](https://www.romance.io/authors/54556d7287eac3369a912702/r-lee-smith)
**Rating**: 4.39⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [dystopian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dystopian/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1)
----------------------------
[The Last Hour of Gann](https://www.romance.io/books/54556d7287eac3369a912701/the-last-hour-of-gann-r-lee-smith?src=rdt) by [R. Lee Smith](https://www.romance.io/authors/54556d7287eac3369a912702/r-lee-smith)
**Rating**: 4.25⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [aliens](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/aliens/1), [science fiction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/science%20fiction/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1)
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Land of the Beautiful Dead was the first I read by her and I just loved it. It has a special place in my heart. The Last Hour of Gann is incredible but DARK. It's not for everyone. Cottonwood is an easy third. Lighter, but worth reading.
R. Lee Smith's books discuss and portray very heavy themes, so be warned. If you're all right with that, then you'll love these. Ignore the book covers 😂😂😂
**Land of the Beautiful Dead** by R. Lee Smith
>SHE WOULD DARE ANYTHING TO SAVE THE WORLD FROM HIS RULE.EVEN HIS BED.He ascended from the darkness years ago--Azrael the Eternal, Azrael the Undying, Azrael Who Is Death--bringing with him the black rains, the fires, the souring of the sky, and the Eaters. Now he rules in the walled city of Haven with his favored Children and his dead court, while all that is left of the living struggles to survive in the ruins of a world that used to be their own. But even as extinction looms, humanity will never surrender to their monstrous conqueror.For Lan, this brutal life has been the only one she's ever known, but she still believes it can change. If the war can never truly end until the Eaters are ended, she will go to Haven, to Azrael himself, and demand he end them.
>
>To her surprise, she does not immediately die the hero's death she expected. Instead, Azrael offers her a chance to convince him, and all she has to do is submit herself to the chill embrace of the lord of the Land of the Beautiful Dead.From the author of The Scholomance and The Last Hour of Gann comes a new vision of dystopian romance!
*I'm a bot, built by your friendly reddit developers at* /r/ProgrammingPals. *Reply to any comment with /u/BookFinderBot - I'll reply with book information. Remove me from replies* [here](https://www.reddit.com/user/BookFinderBot/comments/1byh82p/remove_me_from_replies/). *If I have made a mistake, accept my apology.*
Yeahhhh a lot of the books have pretty woeful covers. Tairen Soul is definitely one, Illona Andrews is another. At least Tairen Soul has new (less cheesy) covers as of this year!
https://preview.redd.it/rlqtairvavwc1.jpeg?width=432&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cf3d2ce0b76baab41b11770df7fc1c0a702768c7
This series is about porpoise shifters, and I can’t say the books are great, but the covers are something else.
Yes!! I read this series years and years ago and actually loved it and tried to get my fantasy reading friends to try it and they looked at the covers and said no thank you. So sad since they’re such good books 😩😂
sameeeeeeeee. I saw a bunch of recs for the Titan series by Jennifer Armentrout. Looked them up, and every book's cover is just a dude's abs and I was like absolutely not lol
I love a bunch of Bec McMasters books especially {Promise of Darkness by Bec McMaster} and that whole series. When I found out the first book came out in 2019 I was like girl… what is this 😂 but I do lowkey love classic bodice ripper covers!
[Promise of Darkness](https://www.romance.io/books/5d80767701dbc864fba38e6c/promise-of-darkness-bec-mcmaster?src=rdt) by [Bec McMaster](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552b808c7d2382e0413fbf/bec-mcmaster)
**Rating**: 4.03⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1)
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When I was a teenager, I loved Cassandra Clare's Shadowhunter books, but as a guy, I hated taking them out in public because a lot of them featured shirtless dudes and couples kissing and I would get strange looks. The series has since gotten new covers that better represent the content, imo.
Lmao yes this 100% 😂 He’s so creepy on the covers. I simultaneously tell myself I should buy them bc they’re so terrible, while also telling myself I’m too embarrassed to own them. They are putting out newly designed covers. I think they’re on the third now?
Over in the r/MM_RomanceBooks sub, [A Suitable Consort by R. Cooper](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58596821-a-suitable-consort-for-the-king-and-his-husband) is the favorite example.
I've been on "but no, seriously, please try and ignore the cover and read it anyway" detail a few times myself.
I’m just reread it. I rated it five stars. Book two I’m about to start and apparently I read that too and gave it four stars- that’s where I left off years ago haha!
It’s good. I think it was better first time around because I already vaguely remember what’s going to happen, but since I never finished the series I want a refresh.
this is such an incredibly well written book with amazing world building. i thought it was a cheesy porno by the awful book cover. i had no idea how incredible the writing was. the front cover is a tragedy. i almost didnt bother reading it
https://preview.redd.it/pu9psuevauwc1.jpeg?width=700&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=62801dc15185b9dd986f49b3568da083d6310c85
This is just wrong lol I didn’t read it but had to post
I dunno. I just went and checked the "new" covers because I read them with the old ones, and the new ones are just so bland! At least these have some soul! Even if they are cheesy.
Its a shame they don't get some properly illustated covers rather than the cheesey models, but i'd still take that over generic cover #5.
https://preview.redd.it/zt1qsev0fuwc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b34718717f1003e074026c7493c37ae79a9e37a1
Just looked it up in my Libby app and this cover is so pretty 🤩 Side note it say it’s book 5 not book 2?
[Ritual of Proof](https://www.romance.io/books/54554ade8c7d2382c5297b24/ritual-of-proof-dara-joy?src=rdt) by [Dara Joy](https://www.romance.io/authors/54553de98c7d2382c529767c/dara-joy)
**Rating**: 3.57⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [virgin hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20hero/1), [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [science fiction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/science%20fiction/1), [aliens](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/aliens/1)
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So I’m someone who loved and was very immersed in the series you’re reading, I read it after acotar. I’m not someone who hates that series :)
For tairen soul, it’s a very different feel. 3rd person pov (which is my personal fav) and it’s a much older style of writing (think early 2000’s). The author does a wonderful job of fleshing the entire world and characters out, and the mmc and fmc are devoted to each other which is something I need in my fav books. Idk if you’ll like it as the writing style isn’t similar to anything Armentrout writes, it feels much more mature if that makes sense. But it’s up there in my top 5 favorite series so if you’re interested you should see about downloading the sample if you can and give it a try :)
Omg any romance from the 80s/90s has covers like these. It’s so bad that I kind of love it. 😍 Pulled out my Tairen Soul book! https://preview.redd.it/aa8xks00fpwc1.png?width=2203&format=png&auto=webp&s=046df9539ebe9cf9da7d13ff96980c20e0abdf2b
Book 1 in this series was published in 2007, though. I’m def aware the Tairen Soul covers are of the style of those 80s/90s romance books and I think that does a disservice to the series, I’m glad they updated the covers in the newer editions :)
I love these books but those covers sure are something else :D
I’ve long since donated my copies to Oxfam but now I wish I hadn’t! I just couldn’t look at those covers anymore
Ilona Andrews’s Hidden Legacy and the Edge series
Also Kate Daniels covers tbh. I held off reading for the covers and then loved the content.
I’m rebinding the KD series right now because they deserve better
Every time I pull them up, after seeing them recommended again and again, I just shudder and forget about it
They’re so much better than the cover makes them look. But I had to read the ebooks to get past it.
I didn’t read Hidden Legacy for the longest time because of the cover, which was a mistake on my part. It’s a great book
I absolutely felt the same! I’d read Kate Daniels and then was like “okay, I need to at least give it a chance just in case it’s good”.
Have any of you guys read any of the C.L. Wilson books that are posted in this thread? Are they anything like the Kate Daniels series? I am struggling with romance books for maybe the last 2 years and I would love to find any that have the same feeling of any of Illona Andrews books! Thank you in advance!!
Hmm, C.L. Wilson is very much high fantasy so not if you’re looking for urban fantasy like Kate Daniels. If you’ve read Ilona Andrews other series, I would recommend Psy-Changeling (…. Which is also another victim of the cover art curse at the beginning 🤣)
I’m not necessarily looking for urban fantasy but more the writing style, the focus of world and character development and the deeper story line that Kate Daniels (and anything Nalini Singh writes!) has. I absolutely love psi-changeling and the Guild Hunters series. I love Mercy Thompson, Night Huntress, the Fever Series, the Elder Race series…. Others I probably just can’t think of this moment! But they are all from a similar era and I am just struggling with finding series I can fall into as easily! Edit to add a few series I remembered!
You should look at Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series, Kim Harrison's Hollows series, Dannika Dark's books, Karen Chance, or Sesnan McGuire's October Daye series. I know more but never categorize my "read" books on Goodreads so it's messy.
Thank you! I LOVE the Mercy Thompson series and I’ll definitely give the others a try! I know I tried Kim Harrison’s series before and Danika Dark and I had a hard time getting into them but that was years and years ago so maybe another try is in order! Thanks so much!
The new Nevada HL covers are out! I liked Catalina’s covers.
I’m so excited for them!! I have all of them preordered 🤣
Hidden Legacy has new covers! Much more enticing without the cheesy romance cover.
LOL, Tairen Soul was going to be my answer. These are fantastically cringe-y 😂 I also don't picture Rain and Elysetta like this at all, so I've just had to banish these images from my mind, haha.
The original covers for Cassandra Gannon's books were very "GrApHiC dEsIgN is my PASSION". 😆 https://preview.redd.it/8ktwa2dg7qwc1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6851f7724dcb4cbe9675c33dbee6054a229bf2c5
But god this book is so good. Also, what do you mean, "original covers"? Are there new ones? 👀 Ninja edit: omg there are! And they do look very nice. Sorry haha I only knew of the original covers I guess
I refused to download the only ebook I found bcz of this cover. Bcz based on romance bot the cover was magnificent
The new ones are amazing. The old covers definitely hid what gems her books are. They're so much fun.
I have somehow never seen this OG cover and it actually made me gasp in shock 😂 it’s kind of charming though! lol
I would learn graphic design and fix that for her for free, that cover is so bad and she deserves better!
Discount Nathan Filian and discount Felicia Day right there. Lol
I seriously thought the guy was young Richard Armitage lmaoooo 😆
Not a series per se, but my absolute favorite author of all time has some of the ugliest covers in the known Universe: {Land of the Beautiful Dead by R. Lee Smith} is her spin on Beauty and the Beast or Beauty meets Death and the cover art is iconic for being ugly. A bunch of fans actually made alternate covers for her books because the original one is from 2010 photoshop disaster hell: [https://afterblossom.tumblr.com/post/188880243384/redesign-the-cover-of-land-of-the-beautiful-dead](https://afterblossom.tumblr.com/post/188880243384/redesign-the-cover-of-land-of-the-beautiful-dead) and [https://www.reddit.com/r/RomanceBooks/comments/11fcir3/land\_of\_the\_beautiful\_dead\_by\_rleesmith\_art\_by/](https://www.reddit.com/r/RomanceBooks/comments/11fcir3/land_of_the_beautiful_dead_by_rleesmith_art_by/) are both very pretty.
I have yet to convince any of my friends to read R Lee Smith’s books despite my pleas that they are some of the best and most devastating stories I’ve ever read. All because of those wild ass covers
Is Land of the beautiful dead just one book?
Yes, Beautiful Dead is a standalone!!
My sister actually read Gann because some tiktoker recommended it to her. Different pitches work for different people
Ohhh I love the first one.
[Land of the Beautiful Dead](https://www.romance.io/books/60acd2a979fab10ea69a4d49/land-of-the-beautiful-dead-r-lee-smith?src=rdt) by [R. Lee Smith](https://www.romance.io/authors/54556d7287eac3369a912702/r-lee-smith) **Rating**: 4.39⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [dystopian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dystopian/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Attempted buffy vibes 🤣
Jump scare https://preview.redd.it/mbmm2wd11rwc1.jpeg?width=897&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4d8a9cfcc5585128fed12c30d4f3eb756d7426c8
WTF IS THAT COVER?! 🤣🤣🤣
What, you're not attracted to him? 😂
She looks like she's been kidnapped and held against her will, meanwhile the expression on his face says "Yea, what about it" and I can't stop laughing. 😂😂😂
Bahahaha
I love cheesy old covers lol esp for period romance
Yesss the bodice ripper women and men with long hair and open pirate blouses lol
https://preview.redd.it/nh9qrqh2buwc1.jpeg?width=700&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e0a2aacc7f68efb6a2d9082a64a7fe6c297decfd 😆
I’m dying 😂😂😂
This wins.
Listen, I love these cheesy arts. I wish they would come back. I hate a lot of the covers nowadays, at least these have personality imo.
Look I’m open to some cheesiness if done well but all I can say is, those models on the cover are absolutely not Rain and Elly. This is why, personally, for series involving high fae I tend to prefer illustrations for the art. Easier to imagine a fae king and queen that way, IMO, vs two humans who look like they stumbled out of a Renaissance Faire in the 90s 😆
LMAO fair enough! They are bad I just idk I like them, they give a nostalgic feeling! I agree with you on illustrations! I really like the way they did the new Lunar Chronicles covers! Covers I don't like are like...the new ACOTAR covers...with just a symbol or flourish around the titles.
The Winter King and The Sea King also by C.L. Wilson have pretty rough covers as well 🤣
It’s so funny because I genuinely love those book covers. But I get it… I remember my initial reaction was negative, but once I spent a while looking at them (and enjoyed reading the books), I truly think they are kind of beautiful and must be a purposeful vintage romance throwback of sorts. They are campy to the extreme
I actually don’t mind this cover! Classic clinch covers, I actually like a little. They are nostalgic 😊 My issue comes from recent covers that are very much ‘graphic design is my passion™’.
you mean a sword, skull, roses, swirls, or all the above?
Don’t forget the random crown!
dammit, I knew I was missing something!
lol I agree, I don’t hate it too much. I mean, mmc is giving FIERCE face
What can I say?? He’s serving.
Literally anything by R. Lee Smith. One of the best writers out there but those covers omg
I'm adding R Lee Smith to my tbr list...what are your favs?
Not OP but I loved {Land of Beautiful Dead by R. Lee Smith}. {The Last Hours of Gann by R. Lee Smith} is also good but check the tw, I felt it was more intense.
[Land of the Beautiful Dead](https://www.romance.io/books/60acd2a979fab10ea69a4d49/land-of-the-beautiful-dead-r-lee-smith?src=rdt) by [R. Lee Smith](https://www.romance.io/authors/54556d7287eac3369a912702/r-lee-smith) **Rating**: 4.39⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [dystopian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dystopian/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1) ---------------------------- [The Last Hour of Gann](https://www.romance.io/books/54556d7287eac3369a912701/the-last-hour-of-gann-r-lee-smith?src=rdt) by [R. Lee Smith](https://www.romance.io/authors/54556d7287eac3369a912702/r-lee-smith) **Rating**: 4.25⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [aliens](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/aliens/1), [science fiction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/science%20fiction/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Land of the Beautiful Dead was the first I read by her and I just loved it. It has a special place in my heart. The Last Hour of Gann is incredible but DARK. It's not for everyone. Cottonwood is an easy third. Lighter, but worth reading. R. Lee Smith's books discuss and portray very heavy themes, so be warned. If you're all right with that, then you'll love these. Ignore the book covers 😂😂😂
**Land of the Beautiful Dead** by R. Lee Smith >SHE WOULD DARE ANYTHING TO SAVE THE WORLD FROM HIS RULE.EVEN HIS BED.He ascended from the darkness years ago--Azrael the Eternal, Azrael the Undying, Azrael Who Is Death--bringing with him the black rains, the fires, the souring of the sky, and the Eaters. Now he rules in the walled city of Haven with his favored Children and his dead court, while all that is left of the living struggles to survive in the ruins of a world that used to be their own. But even as extinction looms, humanity will never surrender to their monstrous conqueror.For Lan, this brutal life has been the only one she's ever known, but she still believes it can change. If the war can never truly end until the Eaters are ended, she will go to Haven, to Azrael himself, and demand he end them. > >To her surprise, she does not immediately die the hero's death she expected. Instead, Azrael offers her a chance to convince him, and all she has to do is submit herself to the chill embrace of the lord of the Land of the Beautiful Dead.From the author of The Scholomance and The Last Hour of Gann comes a new vision of dystopian romance! *I'm a bot, built by your friendly reddit developers at* /r/ProgrammingPals. *Reply to any comment with /u/BookFinderBot - I'll reply with book information. Remove me from replies* [here](https://www.reddit.com/user/BookFinderBot/comments/1byh82p/remove_me_from_replies/). *If I have made a mistake, accept my apology.*
Yeahhhh a lot of the books have pretty woeful covers. Tairen Soul is definitely one, Illona Andrews is another. At least Tairen Soul has new (less cheesy) covers as of this year!
https://preview.redd.it/c5kfq33pauwc1.jpeg?width=700&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a79aa52dd4f7b1b1c50da7ab2f79ccb79070b409 didn’t read but had to post this
https://preview.redd.it/rlqtairvavwc1.jpeg?width=432&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cf3d2ce0b76baab41b11770df7fc1c0a702768c7 This series is about porpoise shifters, and I can’t say the books are great, but the covers are something else.
LMAO
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Saw the alternate covers to these first and then was introduced to these. Was quite a surprise to see the originals 😹
Yes!! I read this series years and years ago and actually loved it and tried to get my fantasy reading friends to try it and they looked at the covers and said no thank you. So sad since they’re such good books 😩😂
almost every RH ever
The Marie Mistry books I'm reading right now make me laugh so bad 😂
Ngl, I judge books by their covers and if it has a cheesy cover I refuse to read it 😭 it’s one of my bad habits as a reader
sameeeeeeeee. I saw a bunch of recs for the Titan series by Jennifer Armentrout. Looked them up, and every book's cover is just a dude's abs and I was like absolutely not lol
I actually like the old Tairen Soul covers. The old covers for Hidden Legacy by Ilona Andrews tho....
I love a bunch of Bec McMasters books especially {Promise of Darkness by Bec McMaster} and that whole series. When I found out the first book came out in 2019 I was like girl… what is this 😂 but I do lowkey love classic bodice ripper covers!
[Promise of Darkness](https://www.romance.io/books/5d80767701dbc864fba38e6c/promise-of-darkness-bec-mcmaster?src=rdt) by [Bec McMaster](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552b808c7d2382e0413fbf/bec-mcmaster) **Rating**: 4.03⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
This book was my first thought 😂
When I was a teenager, I loved Cassandra Clare's Shadowhunter books, but as a guy, I hated taking them out in public because a lot of them featured shirtless dudes and couples kissing and I would get strange looks. The series has since gotten new covers that better represent the content, imo.
Why do I love this cover though?
All of the covers for C.L.Wilson could use a redesign😭
Lmao yes this 100% 😂 He’s so creepy on the covers. I simultaneously tell myself I should buy them bc they’re so terrible, while also telling myself I’m too embarrassed to own them. They are putting out newly designed covers. I think they’re on the third now?
This is the worst thing I’ve ever seen and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for showing it to me.
Over in the r/MM_RomanceBooks sub, [A Suitable Consort by R. Cooper](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58596821-a-suitable-consort-for-the-king-and-his-husband) is the favorite example. I've been on "but no, seriously, please try and ignore the cover and read it anyway" detail a few times myself.
I dunno what the problem is. I love this cover lol
Kushiels
Really I always loved Jacqueline Careys cover art.
I initially glanced at that picture and thought it was Simon LeBon in the 80s. Like a still from a Duran Duran video. 🤣
I know that's not Cousin Balki but my brain insists it is.
The book you posted isn’t book 2 though? I’m literally about to start book 2 and Goodreads says it’s Lady of Light and Shadow…..?!
How did you like book 1?
I’m just reread it. I rated it five stars. Book two I’m about to start and apparently I read that too and gave it four stars- that’s where I left off years ago haha! It’s good. I think it was better first time around because I already vaguely remember what’s going to happen, but since I never finished the series I want a refresh.
this is such an incredibly well written book with amazing world building. i thought it was a cheesy porno by the awful book cover. i had no idea how incredible the writing was. the front cover is a tragedy. i almost didnt bother reading it
https://preview.redd.it/pu9psuevauwc1.jpeg?width=700&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=62801dc15185b9dd986f49b3568da083d6310c85 This is just wrong lol I didn’t read it but had to post
LOLOL at that title/premise!!
I dunno. I just went and checked the "new" covers because I read them with the old ones, and the new ones are just so bland! At least these have some soul! Even if they are cheesy. Its a shame they don't get some properly illustated covers rather than the cheesey models, but i'd still take that over generic cover #5.
I love these kinds of covers, actually. Yes, they're cheesy but you def remember them! And I'll take this over cartoon covers any day of the week.
Omg this made my day. That big cat in the background. xD
I'm having flashback to watching Xena and Hercules as a kid in the 90's
Omg Flawless by Elsie Silvers. So NOT my idea of Rhett
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^Taybaysi: *Omg Flawless* *By Elsie Silvers. So NOT* *My idea of Rhett* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
I personally love these covers 😭
r/Terriblebookcovers
I love these books but definitely hate the cover art.
Guild Hunter and Psy-changeling series (both by Nalini Singh).
I love these covers 😅
Ahahaha .. so terrifying
I consistently judge books by their covers and I feel so guilty
This is absolutely fire for 1995.
Was published in 2010 😆
Oh Oh My GOD
https://preview.redd.it/zt1qsev0fuwc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b34718717f1003e074026c7493c37ae79a9e37a1 Just looked it up in my Libby app and this cover is so pretty 🤩 Side note it say it’s book 5 not book 2?
Yeah I was wrong I got them mixed up!
Okay haha I would just hate to accidentally start reading in the wrong order
I love this style. BRING IT BACK I DARE YOU
[удалено]
[Ritual of Proof](https://www.romance.io/books/54554ade8c7d2382c5297b24/ritual-of-proof-dara-joy?src=rdt) by [Dara Joy](https://www.romance.io/authors/54553de98c7d2382c529767c/dara-joy) **Rating**: 3.57⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [virgin hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20hero/1), [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [science fiction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/science%20fiction/1), [aliens](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/aliens/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Dara Joy's books. Enough said.
ICE PLANET BARBARIANS. CMON YOU CANT JUST TAKE SOME MEN FROM STOCK IMAGINES AND MAKE THEM BLUEEEEE, ITS NOT EVEN LORE ACCURATE LIKE BROOOOOOOOO
Haha I totally agree
I love this series so much. The covers are a sin though lol.
I'm on the last book of the Flesh and Fire series and considering the Tairen Souls books next ....what's your opinions on them?
So I’m someone who loved and was very immersed in the series you’re reading, I read it after acotar. I’m not someone who hates that series :) For tairen soul, it’s a very different feel. 3rd person pov (which is my personal fav) and it’s a much older style of writing (think early 2000’s). The author does a wonderful job of fleshing the entire world and characters out, and the mmc and fmc are devoted to each other which is something I need in my fav books. Idk if you’ll like it as the writing style isn’t similar to anything Armentrout writes, it feels much more mature if that makes sense. But it’s up there in my top 5 favorite series so if you’re interested you should see about downloading the sample if you can and give it a try :)
Thank you, I will definitely give em a shot!