Saturday, January 14, 2012

Fantasy Taglines

This is something that has been bothering me for a while ... Fantasy Taglines. You know, those mini, descriptive sententences on front covers? Nearly every one I come across is exceedingly lame and not only does nothing to promote the book other than scream 'THIS IS A FANTASY BOOK', I find it hard to convince people that what I am reading is not complete trash. Here are just a few guilty parties ...

"Gods and mortals. Power and love. Death and Revenge. She will unleash them all."
-- The Broken Kingdoms

"What if the Dark Lord won?"
-- The Final Empire

"There is still magic."
-- The Alloy of Law

I had someone look at The Alloy of Law while I was reading it at work and then say in a condescending tone, "There is still magic ..." and my only response was, "Yes ... I know." I totally get that fantasy is inherently nerdy and the stories are on epic enough scales that warrant this kind blatant and over-dramatic statement, but still! I have a feeling it has something to do with the very loud and unsubtle ways that are synonymous with Americans ... no offense guys.

I think we could come up with something a little more creative please, or just leave them off the covers altogether.

4 comments:

  1. Given the examples you've put up, I agree with you, though I'd not noticed this before. I must take a look and find some more cheesy ones on my bookshelf.

    ...

    I found one from Kate Elliott's Cold Magic:

    "Dragons dream. Mages scheme. Innocents die."

    Even got a bit of rhyme in that one! I think it's more to do with publishers and marketing than the authors; they need a 'hook' to go with the cover.

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  2. I've not noticed this before either!
    I've got to head into town tomorrow morning, and will do doubt be whiling away some time in Waterstones so I'll see if I can find some good ones :)

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  3. Sometimes I feel like book covers should be read aloud by the movie trailer guy--you know, the disembodied narrator with the DEEP THUNDEROUS VOICE saying "In a world where blah blah blah...." Which could be irritating, but I love cheese.

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