ALWAYS Judge A Book By Its Cover: Vol. I

You spot it on a shelf. No phone. No Goodreads. Just the cover. Do you buy it?

We’re told not to judge a book by its cover - but let’s be honest, Adventurer . . .
we always do.

This week, I’m sharing five fantasy book covers from the 1970s and 1980s I picked up over the years purely because the art stopped me cold. Some feature legendary fantasy artists. Others are more obscure. All of them made a promise of Adventure before a single page was read.

For each cover, I’ve included a quick poll. Imagine spotting it on a bookstore shelf today. No reviews. No summaries. Just the cover and your gut.

Would you buy it?

ALWAYS Judge A Book By Its Cover is a new recurring Rediscovered Realms series where fantasy paperbacks are judged by their cover art alone - no reviews, no summaries, just instinct and a simple vote.

---

---

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.

---

---

🗡️ My Lord Barbarian (1977)

---

by Andrew J. Offutt
Cover art by Boris Vallejo

---

🗡️ Last Sword of Power (1988)

---

by David Gemmell
Cover art by Luis Royo

---

🏙️ The Pastel City (1981 edition)

---

by M. John Harrison
Cover artist: uncredited, but I searched it out and found that it’s Michael Whelan!

---

🐉 Challenge of the Pegasus Grail (1984)

---

by Rhondi Vilott
Cover art by Tom Hallman

---

🛡️ Heroing (1987)

---

by Dafydd ab Hugh
Cover art by Larry Elmore

Covers are promises - sometimes honest, sometimes exaggerated, sometimes wildly misleading. But every once in a while, one whispers “Adventure” loudly enough that you can’t leave it behind.

I’ll be revisiting this series now and again, pulling more forgotten paperbacks from the shadows to see which ones still cast a spell.

Until then, trust your instincts, Bold Adventurer . . . and never apologize for judging a book by its cover.

💬 Tavern Talk

❓Which cover would you have grabbed first, and why?

❓Any experience in reading any of these?

---

---

Brodryk’s Bookstall

“Pah! You read the back first? Weak tactic.”

Brodryk collects the fantasy books featured in ALWAYS Judge A Book By Its Cover right here - chosen the proper way, by bold covers, mighty heroes, and art that promises Adventure before the first page is ever turned.

“Browse carefully. Some covers bite. Literally.”

(As an Amazon¹ Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)

---

---

---

You are not only brave, but a Generous Adventurer whose love of Discovery, Imagination & Fun transcends our mere mortal coils . . .

. . . and for that, I thank you!

---

---

---

Do you love heroic fantasy gamebooks like me? Consider signing up to be informed when I launch my very 1st one!

(Featuring artwork from Clyde Caldwell & Luke Eidenschink!)

---

---

1. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.