(If a tree falls in the forest and no one can read the title, does it still count as a book?)
Welcome back, masochists of misdesign, to another round of Horrible Covers, where fonts go to die and Photoshop is but a distant dream. Today’s submission takes us deep into the woods — emotionally, spiritually, and very literally. Behold: Soul Anarchy UK (#3) by Ace Finlay, or as we like to call it, “The Lord of the Rings but filmed entirely in someone’s backyard at 3 a.m. on a dare.”
At first glance, you might think this is a candid shot from a squirrel’s Instagram account. But no, friends — this is a book cover. A real one. Possibly made in a rogue GIMP session after three energy drinks and a disappointing philosophy class. It features a tree, looming like it’s about to judge your music taste, and red squiggles that are allegedly text.
Let’s talk about that text. Or rather, let’s speculate wildly about it, since trying to read it is like translating ancient runes through a screen smeared with barbecue sauce. The title, Soul Anarchy UK (#3), looks like it was stitched into the photo using dental floss and defiance. It whispers “revolution,” but also “written during a blackout.”
Why is the series number there? Is this a trilogy? Are the first two volumes just more ominous bark closeups? We may never know. What we do know is that no graphic designer was harmed in the making of this cover — because clearly, none were consulted.
And let’s not forget the author’s name: Ace Finlay, barely visible in the bottom corner like it’s ashamed to be associated. It’s there, in a font so thin it might blow away in a light breeze.
Final Verdict:
A textbook case of “I did it myself” energy — and not in a good way. This cover is visual nihilism. It defies genre, expectations, and possibly federal design regulations.