Forget everything I’ve ever said before about my dream job, because Ruler of Books is now it. If only this was a real life job I could actually be paid for. This tag was originally created by Ariel Bissett, and I was tagged by Vivian at Inked in Pages and Anna at My Bookish Dream. Thanks so much both of you for the tag, I had a lot of fun with this one so I hope you enjoy reading my answers just as much.
If You Were the Ruler of Books…
What book would you make everyone read?
Shades of Magic series by V.E. Schwab
This is my all-time favourite series, and one I pretty much recommend to everyone I come across as well, so if I could actually make everyone read it that would be even better. I want everyone to read these books because they’re amazing, and I think most people would love them as much as I do.
What would you abolish in book construction?
Cover changes in the middle of a series. There is nothing that annoys me more. You start buying the books in one cover and then, halfway through the series, there’s a cover change and the newer books on your shelf no longer match the old ones.
You then either need to live with that, or pay more money for the earlier books in the new covers so you have a matching collection.
What author would you commission to write you any book?
Her Six of Crows duology is one of my all-time favourites. Both books are full of action and adventure, twists and turns, and amazing characters. Leigh Bardugo’s writing pulls you into the story and the world she’s created from the very first page, and I loved the dark-fairytale vibe her Grisha series, and the short stories she’s released, seems to have.
What book would you demote to the library basement to make room for new books?
Stealing Snow by Danielle Paige
I did not enjoy this book at all; like I said in my review the events that happened felt like they could have been split into two books, but instead there wasn’t enough development to properly fill one. There was also a love square, insta-love, and very poor development of the characters and their relationships with one another.
What cover artist would you commission to make a mural?
I honestly can’t choose just one so I’m going to choose two series, I’m not sure of who designed the covers but they’re both beyond gorgeous. The Starbound series by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner and the Firebird series by Claudia Gray.
I would say these series have the prettiest covers of any of the books on my bookshelves. I love the colours of both; the gorgeous dresses on the Starbound series covers and the skylines of cities on the Firebird series covers. They’re bright, eye-catching, and in my opinion just as amazing as the stories themselves.
What characters face would you put on a coin?
Yael
Wolf by Wolf duology by Ryan Graudin
After everything she went through in both books, and everything she did for the resistance, I can definitely see Yael’s face being put on a coin one day in that world. Maybe in a few years time though, when things have quietened down a little for her and her people.
What book would you award the “Ruler of Books” 2016 prize to?
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
As I said when I took part in the 2016 End of Year Survey Crooked Kingdom was my favourite read of last year. I had so many expectations for this book are reading and loving Six of Crows, and in my opinion this book not only met them, but exceeded them.
My tags:
- Analee at Book Snacks
- Ash and Lo at Windowsill Books
- Emma at Emma the Book Lover
- Kourtni at Kourtni Reads
And if there’s anyone else out there who wants to take part, consider yourself tagged. Just send me a link to your post in the comments so I can see what your answers are.
HAHA YES AT STEALING SNOW BEING PUT IN THE BASEMENT. God, that book was AWFUL. It’s a shame too because it had so much potential to be great? It was just executed so poorly. Also yes at making everyone read Shades of Magic!! I’ve also got to get to Crooked Kingdom, I keep putting it off because I’m scared 😂🙈
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There was just no other choice for that question (well actually here was one other choice but in the end I just couldn’t chose anything other than Stealing Snow!) It really did, I hadn’t read a Snow Queen retelling before and I was excited for that aspect alone but yeah the execution was so poor I can’t think of one thing I enjoyed about it.
It should be mandatory reading I think, and oh Crooked Kingdom is amazing. I don’t think you have any reason to be scared (unless you’re scared of what could happen to the characters, rather than whether the book would live up to your expectations or not!) 😀
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Omg the cover change thing is the absolute WORST. Argh!! Why do they do that?!
And I intend to read the rest of the Shades of Magic series! I read the first one and I enjoyed it so I’m looking forward to reading the rest and seeing how the stakes increase 😀
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I think it’s got to be to attract new readers to old series, but they forget about the old readers of the series who just want to complete our collections!
Oh that’s great to hear, in that case you’ll have to let me know what you think as well. I always love reading reviews for these books! 😀
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Cover changes in the middle of the series are seriously the worst! I have no idea why publishers thing that would EVER be a good idea. I hope that they would just stop doing that.
Leigh Bardugo writes such amazing books! I wish she would write all the books! I can’t wait for her to release more books, I seriously need them in my life! 😀
Crooked Kingdom is one of the best books ever! So I’m very happy to see that you awarded it “Ruler of Books”!
I’m also glad that you enjoyed doing this tag, I definitely had fun reading your answers! 😉 ❤
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I guess maybe they’re to try and market to book to new people who haven’t discovered it yet. New covers are a good way of getting new people to pick the books up, but they forget about the people who already love the series who brought the old covers.
She really does, and I can’t wait for her next release now.
Yeah I don’t think there was ever going to be another answer for that question. No other book I read in 2016 can come close to beating Crooked Kingdom!
I really did, thanks again for tagging me Anna! 😀 ❤
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LOL, why am I not surprised that you chose SOM for the first question XD Those books are amazing, so I wouldn’t mind being made to read it again haha. Leigh Bardugo is always a fantastic choice. She’s such an amazing author. Crooked Kingdom was certainly an award-winning type of book. It was one of my favorite books last year, along with Lady Midnight, ACOMAF, and Gemina! Those covers for the Starbound and Firebird series are absolutely stunning. I’d buy them just to have them on my shelves. I’d hope I loved the stories just as much as the covers! I haven’t read the Wolf by Wolf duology but I’ve read so many positive reviews on those books. I’ll have to bump them up on my reading list.
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I don’t think anyone was surprised by that answer let’s be honest. 🙂 It’s a brilliant series though and I know loads of people agree with me when I say that.
She really really is, I’d love to be able to meet her one day but until then I’ll have to settle for reading her books over and over. ACOMAF and Gemina were also amazing, my favourite reads always tend to be finales, like Crooked Kingdom last year and ACOL this year.
That’s part of the main reason I brought them actually, the stories themselves are pretty good but the covers were so gorgeous I just couldn’t resist. Wolf by Wolf is amazing Azia, and I think it’d be a duology you love as well. 😀 ❤
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LOL, probably not XD I’d love to meet her one day, too. I’ll have to read more of her books though before I do! I love it when a series finale is just as good if not better than the rest of the series. It makes reading the books all the more worth it!
I’ll have to check out both those series and that duology then! ❤
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She was actually in London a little while ago and I missed her. I can’t believe it but I’m hoping she’ll come back one day. But yes definitely read all of her books, they’re amazing. 😀
It really does, and there’s nothing more disappointing than when a series finale doesn’t live up to your expectations is there?
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Oh that’s disappointing. Hopefully you manage to catch her the next time she’s in town! 😀 Vicious is next up on my list for her books. Then I’ll read This Savage Song a little later!
You got that right. Thankfully, I’ve read so many series lately that have ended really well. Now I’ve got to read Dreams of God & Monsters to see if I can keep that streak going 😉
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I really hope so too, she’s one of those authors I’d love to meet one day. Ohh I hope you enjoy it, I loved Vicious. It’s probably joint second second for me, behind ADSOM but same as This Savage Song/Our Dark Duet.
I don’t want to jinx you or anything but I think Dreams of Gods and Monsters will carry on that streak! 🙂
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I think I’ll be starting Dreams of Gods and Monsters this weekend or sometime next week! I’m definitely in the mood for it, and I have a good feeling about it 😀
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That’s great to hear, and you’ll have to let me know what you think when you’ve read it as well! 😀
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Will do! 😁
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Oh I love the concept! And I agree with most of your answers (except for those I haven’t read yet) ☺️
I have a lot of love for Shades of Magic and Bardugo. I think I have all the others on my TBR as well.
Amazing post, Beth! ❤️
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It was a fun tag, and it’s great you agree with some of my choices as well. 🙂
Shades of Magic is beyond amazing, and so is everything Leigh Bardugo has written. I hope you enjoy the others when you get around to them on your TBR list Sophie, and thanks! 😀 ❤
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Thank you! And you’re very welcome 🙂
I’m super excited about Bardugo’s Wonder Woman! I hope it’s as great as everything else she writes ^^
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Same here, after seeing Wonder Woman in the cinema I’m even more excited for Bardugo’s book release! 😀
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Aye aye! 😀
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So many great books 😀 The covers of the Starbound series is one of my favorites. I haven’t read the series but I want to some day 🙂 I need to read the Shades of Magic series and the Six of Crows duology asap.
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In my opinion the Starbound series is just as amazing to read as the covers look. I’m sure you’ll love it as well. 🙂 Also yes I would highly recommend picking up the Shades of Magic books and the Six of Crows duology as soon as you have a chance. 😀
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Oh my, cover change in the middle of a series is so annoying!!
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Yeah, it definitely needs to be abolished!
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OH this is such a fun tag, Beth! I 100% agree on the covers you picked, they look absolutely stunning. Also, I haven’t read the Starbound series, would you recommend it? 🙂
Yes to the Shade of Magic series as well – this is such an incredible series, I will never be over this incredible world-building. I need to read more of Schwab’s books now 🙂
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It was a lot of fun to take part in as well. 🙂 The stories are just as good as the covers are. I think if you’re interested in sci-fi books then the Starbound series would be a good one to pick up. Have you read Illuminae (I think I remember seeing a review for it on your blog before but I can’t be sure)? If you have and you enjoyed Illuminae you should definitely pick up Starbound.
There was no other possible answer for that question. Schwab is an amazing author and Shades of Magic is just the best of the best! 😀 ❤
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I have read Illuminae and Gemina as well – I have to admit it was a bit intense for me, but I enjoyed it. I’m guessing Starbound is a bit less intense, isn’t it? I’m really curious about it now 🙂
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Starbound is less intense yes, I think if you enjoyed Illuminae and Gemina you’ll enjoy Starbound as well. It’s a great series, one of my favourite actually. 🙂
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Ohh well, on my TBR it goes then! Plus, these gorgeous covers need to be on my shelf soon ahah 🙂
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The gorgeous covers are always what gets me when it comes to books! 😀
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Same here! 😛
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Oh, this is such a cool tag! The Shades of Magic trilogy is definitely an amazing series — the characters, writing, and messages in it are absolutely BEAUTIFUL. And yes, the Starbound and Firebird covers are absolutely GORGEOUS! I haven’t read either series though, haha. And Crooked Kingdom was SOOOOO good. Leigh Bardugo is queen and I really need to reread that duology!
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It really is, and it’s a lot of fun as well. Honestly I don’t think there could have been another answer to that question than the Shades of Magic series. They really are, and in my opinion the stories are just as amazing as the covers are so hopefully if you pick them up you’ll love them as well May.
God she really is. I need to re-read the duology as well but there’s just so many other books on my to-read list still! 😀
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We all have books we want to reread… but no. The TBR. 😂
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Books we haven’t read yet have always got to come first haven’t they?
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Haha, yes! I’m waiting for that day where I’ve read most of the books on my TBR… but I doubt that will happen. 😂
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There are always going to be more books to read aren’t there? 🙂
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Thanks for tagging us!! This tag looks like so much fun! We loved reading your answers and can’t wait to answer them ourselves 🙂
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That’s all right, I’ll be looking forwards to seeing your answers and I hope you have as much fun with this tag as I did. 🙂
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Those are super pretty covers indeed! By the way, have you ever read Bardugo’s short stories related to the Grishaverse? The ones that have never been released on paper (I think..)?
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Yes they are just so gorgeous aren’t they? 😀 I have read them actually, I think I picked them up after I started The Grisha series a few years back. I thought they were quite good, have you read them?
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Nop hahah I haven’t read anything by Bardugo except the magnificent Six of Crows. 😀 And I doubt I’d be able to read those short stories since they’re.. you know.. ebooks.. 😛
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Well in terms of books you could have read by her I think Six of Crows is the best of the best. They’re not needed to understand the world or the plot or anything, just kind of added extras.
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The covers for the Firebird trilogy are pretty much my all-time favorite book covers. They’re so freaking pretty!!
Thanks for tagging me! 🙂
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They’re gorgeous, I just can’t choose between them and the Starbound books for my all-time favourite.
That’s all right, I’ll be looking forwards to seeing your answers for this tag Kourtni! 😀
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Bardugo is ah-mazing! And I have always thought the covers for the Starbound series were so gorgeous. Love your picks!
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She really is, I can’t wait for her next releases. Oh they really are, the main reason I picked up the Starbound series was because of how gorgeous the covers were.
Thanks so much! 🙂
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This tag sounds like a ton of fun, loved reading your answers Beth! I remember you saying Crooked Kingdom was your fave read of 2016 😄 & every time I see the covers to the Starbound & Firebound series I remind myself to at least get the 1st book in each series. They are stunning covers & the authors are amazing writers 🙌🏼 glad you had fun with this one 😃💕
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Thanks so much Lilly! 🙂 Yeah Crooked Kingdom was just that unbeatable book nothing could top (I know 2017 hasn’t finished yet but at the moment it’s ACOL!).
I think both the Starbound and Firebird series’ are amazing, the stories just as good as the covers are, so I hope you enjoy them both Lilly!
Thanks again. ❤
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Ooo Crooked Kingdom looks so good! It’s on my tbr but I haven’t gotten around to reading it. Nice post💖
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Crooked Kingdom is amazing, I hope you manage to find the time to get around to it soon because it’s such a brilliant duology. Thanks! 😀
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I agree with you on everything, minus the Six of Crows duology because I haven’t read it yet. Those covers are so freakin colourful and beautiful holy I want haha! 😛
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The Six of Crows duology is amazing Meghan. Is it on your to-read list? If not you need to add it and get around to it soon, you won’t regret picking those books up! 😀
They really are, the main reason I picked up those series in the first place was because of the covers.
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Yes it is, I’m currently reading the Grisha trilogy and liking it!
Haha, how can you not like them!? 😀
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Ohh, I hope you continue liking that series then.
I don’t think you can! 😀
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Thanks! 🙂
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Ok the cover change thing is super annoying but my pet peeve with books especially is changing the cover when they do a movie adaptation!!!! 😤😤😤😤
Love your mural covers. I read ADSoM and I was a bit disappointed ☹️ I wasn’t going to continue with the series but AGoS was available to borrow on overdrive and then I saw ACoL for 50% of at B&N. I’m hoping it gets better. Great post
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Yeah I’m not a fan of the movie covers either. Even if I buy a book after the movie/movie cover has been released I’ll try and find the one before it.
They’re gorgeous covers, and oh that’s such a shame about ADSoM, I really hope the series does get better for you. In my opinion it does but my opinion may be a little biased in this case. Thanks Nina! 😀
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This tag is fun! And why am I not surprised that you would make everyone read the Shades of Magic series? Lol I literally giggled when I read that! Leigh Bardugo is an amazing writer! (side note: I am really excited for Wonder Woman and Language of Thorns). I most definitely agree with you on the book cover change! Nothing more infuriating when that happens in the middle of series! So not far to the people who bought the first editions with original covers…ugh -_-
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It really is, and yeah that answer probably hasn’t come as a surprise to anyone who’s been following my blog for a while now. 🙂 My hope is for one day everyone to have read that series! 😀
Same here, Leigh Bardugo is definitely an auto-buy author for me, anything she releases I know I’m going to love so why not buy it as soon as it comes out.
It just means we have to spend more money buying the new covers for the books.
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I agree with you about this being a job, lol! And I love the covers you picked! I’d read them just for the pretty, pretty covers! What a fun tag!
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If only we could get paid for blogging like we do our jobs right? 🙂 When it comes to both these series the main reason I picked them up in the first place was because of the covers! 😀
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