In the book world, you can never seem to escape the comments of a book being like this book meets that book. It helps build interest and when done well, it gives you a quick snapshot of what you might expect in the book. It can also backfire and make someone not want to read a book! Sometimes I wonder what exactly those marketing departments are thinking when they're creating some of these blurbs. Here are some recent ones I've come across:
The Killing meets Game of Thrones (minus the fantasy elements)
-Everything is like Game of Thrones! But is it really like Game of Thrones if you have to cut out the fantasy elements? And neither of these alikes are teen related. One of my staff members has seen this one also billed as Law and Order meets Game of Thrones. What??
Reckless first love meets Justified
-First of all, this cover makes me laugh every time I see it. It's just so dramatic! But really this is another question of are teens really watching Justified?
Moneyball for kids!
-I found Moneyball a bit boring, but maybe some kids will be excited about that idea.
-X-Men meets Ocean Eleven
-This one is an odd match up of meets but it works-I'm intrigued!
Then there's the current trend where everything is like the most popular books of recent years:
The Fault in Our Stars meets Sarah Dessen
-Because you know, every cancer book must be like The Fault In Our Stars
The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park
The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park
Have you come across any interesting "meets" recently?
I wanted to read Allies & Assassins so bad because someone said it reminded them of The False Prince. However, a few of the reviews and blurbs I have seen lately have made me less excited to read it--including that "meets." I love both The Killing and Game of Thrones but I don't know that I will like them together in a YA book!!
ReplyDeleteI thought it seemed like an odd mix. I always find it strange when they compare YA to popular adult TV shows.
DeleteI think I get frustrated with the ones that include Harry Potter or even the next Harry Potter. On the one hand I get curious, but really Is it the next Harry Potter?
ReplyDeleteMe too! Whatever is popular, everything is gong to be the next one-and it never is true!
DeleteLaw and Order meets Game of Thrones? LOL what? So a crime drama where all the bad guys get away from justice by the law, but they do get swift justice by the sword? That's too complicated.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I was so intrigued by Illusive that I requested an advanced copy of it. It sounds like something I'd be interested in. The main character sounds Catwoman-ish? if that makes sense.
I'm not even sure how that works! And how many teens actually watch Law and Order?
DeleteI'm intrigued by Illusive too!