Which is the better title?

I'm writing a book with themes of ambition, lust for power, and the strengths of humanity without magic or the supernatural. If you were to see two books on a shelf, one with each of the following titles, which would you pick up first?

Avarice
or
Without Aether

 

I think the first choice is much stronger, to the point.

Interesting subject you're writing about - good luck.

 

I agree with VM80. "Without Aether" is kind of... meh. Sounds like it's trying too hard to be special, I guess. 'Avarice' is straight forward and seems more honest.

 

Yeah, "Avarice" definitely sounds better. "Without Aether" sounds kind of obscure and airy-fairy. "Avarice" leaves the browsing reader with no illusions as to the content of the book.

 

Great. I was leaning towards Avarice more and more as I thought about it anyway, so Avarice it is.

 

Avarice only because it reminds me of Moliere.

 

That doesn't sound like the right reason to prefer Avarice over Without Aether.

 

Actually, I think a potential buyer/reader might choose an unknown book because of associations like this.

I vote for 'Avarice' too! Not because of Moliere, but because it suits the theme of the book and it's straight forward. The 'Aether' thing might sound too 'serious' for an average reader.