Most truisms make prefect sense...from a certain point of view. Some are just plain wishful thinking. , and a few are blatant attempts to keep you from doing things the easy way. For instance; Who says you can't judge a book by it's cover? Short of reading the thing in a bookstore, or trusting the reviewing talents of folks like us, how else would you judge a book without plunking down a substantial chunk of cash and reading it?

Periodically an author writes me and suggests that reviewing is an evil an foul thing to do, and that I should be putting my efforts to good instead of evil, but I don't seem to have much of a knack for good...so I keep on doing this instead.

What folks really mean, I'd wager, by the book and cover comment, is that a book's cover desires to lead you astray, convincing you that the contents are worth more than they are.

Actually, nothing could be further from the truth. You see, it costs publishers dear money to come up with covers and they don't want to waste it. A book's cover is the embodiment of the publishers' commitment to the book, and that commitment is directly proportional to their expectation of returns. 

This month we'll start a (hopefully) regular feature in which we turn conventional wisdom on its head, or at least take it to task...and judge books by their covers; their blurbs, and their art. If nothing else, it will let us rejoice in the sheer euphoric hyperbole that publishers send along with these things.

-- Ernest Lilley

Star Trek: TNG The Battle of Betazed 
Mass Market Paperback - 320 pages (April 2002), Star Trek; ISBN: 074343434X
As the Dominion War rages on across the Alpha Quadrant, U.S.S.> Enterprise counselor Da3nna T4oi si compelled to free an imprisoned telepathic killer and bring him to the aid of the resistance movement ton her home planet of Betazed - a world that placed the Dominion within striking distance of Earth. As the Cardassians subject the Betazoid population to cruel surgical experiments, the Enterprise-E takes the fight to the enemy with plans for a last, desperate attack - even as Troi uncovers a secret that could shatter her people forever... -- publisher's blurb.

If you like Trek, and don't worry, we won't tell on you, this Deanna Troi adventure should be a lot of fun. There's the councilor on the cover, holding a big gun and looking more like Dirty Harry than Deanna Troi, except that she fills out a uniform better, and you have to wonder if she cares how the Cardassians feel, and if that care extends beyond hurting them. Personally, I want to know what the secret of Betazed is, besides that they all tend to be annoying.

Knight Fantastic by Martin H. Greenberg (Editor), John Helfers (Editor)
Mass Market Paperback - 320 pages (April 2002) Daw Books; ISBN: 075640052X
Fifteen all-original tales of those valiant warriors sworn to serve and defend against tall foes, whether mortal or magical...
-- He was the last Knight Templa to escape King Ph8lip's men, and even death wouldn't  no keep him from protecting the treasure entrusted to him... -- This final tournament would determine his future ad a knight. Buts was winning worth more than his honor?-- He had sworn to conquer all  the territory ruled by the elves. Now, with his sons heir born at least, could anything keep him from his final victory? -- book jacket

Huzzah! Let's hear it for the brave knights! If the thought of five hundred pages of Fantasy is ,makes you wish for a potion to put you out of your misery, then a collection of knightly short stories might be just the thing. This is another in the Fantastic Series edited by Martin Greenberg ( Assassin, Warrior, Villain and now Knight Fantastic) and the authors include Andre Norton, Tanya Huff, Jane Yolen and Esther Friezner. Looks like a good bet to me.

Angry Lead Skies by Glen Cook $6.99
Mass Market Paperback - 368 pages (March 2002) Roc; ISBN: 0451458753
"Cook turns Fantasy inside Out!" -- Locus
Anyone else would have learned by now: When by now: When trouble comes knocking, don't open the door.
There's a reason why Garrett's still in the P.I. business after all these years--he's not one to learn his lessons. Maybe that's whey he lets himself get pored into being a bodyguard for Kip Prose, an obnoxious kid being threatened by creatures that can't quite be described.
According to the kid, the attackers aren't after him at all-- they're just trying to get to his friends Lastyr and Noodiss. But before Garrett can get Kip to explain just who or what Lastyr and Noodiss are, Kip is abducted, and the Chase begins.... - book jacket.

ROC put some effort into this one, with some nicely noir cover art by Allen Pollack, and a bunch of respectable magazine quotes on the flaps. I'm not about to argue with them, especially after sneaking a look at the first chapter, this is Noir Fantasy I'd put money on.

Orbis by Scott Mackay $6.99
Mass Market Paperback - 408 pages (April 2002) ROC; ISBN: 0451458745
God Created Man. The Benefactors Created Evil.
The Benefactors were here before Christ. Their mythology became religion and their rules became scripture...
Never Look to the Stars for Answers - The Benefactors are not at all what they seem. It took blind belief to make them thrive. It will take the fearless concitions of three people ot stop them. For a millenia old conspiracy is about to take hold, the Benefactors are about to be unmasked, and mankind many not have a prayer. - book jacket.

I've got to admit, I'm intrigued. But I'm also confused. Orbis either jumps in at the middle, or follows another book that hasn't been published yet.