Cover Snark (21)

Y'all, it was a bit of a slower week for covers, but I've got some awesome (and horrendous) ones gathered up for your viewing pleasure. Remember, this is a judgment-filled zone, so put on your snarky hat and get ready to decide which covers have merit.

As always, the wonderful Giselle of Xpresso Reads' facebook page was a source of covers I might not have found otherwise. Also, she rocks and you should check out her blog.

Clash (Crash #2) - Nicole Williams

Thoughts: I'm actually kind of digging these. At first, I was all why does this big dude have a tutu, but now I've noticed that she's with his shoes in the first cover. That's cute. I only wish it looked like the same tutu. They also don't look too indie. Nice work.

The Rules (Project Paper Doll #1) - Stacey Kade

Thoughts: I really dont' like this. The model's not doing anything for me, nor are the two different shaded eyes. This could have been cool, but it mostly just feels like fail. The title font looks like so many other cover fonts (think Altered) only less awesome. Oh well, the book still sounds awesome.

Chantress - Amy Butler Greenfield

Thoughts: For the most part, I really like this. The title font is super cool. I never get tired of the swirlies, plus the hot pink really pops. The tag line is better than most, although I totally thought it was the title as I was scrolling down the cover. I'm not sure what's in her hand, but whatever. What I don't like is the blurred pink face on the left. Sigh.

Naturals (The Lost Souls #2) - Tiffany Truitt

Thoughts: Eesh, really? This looks like a self-pub. The first cover was gorgeous. I don't know why this happened.

Fade to Black - Francis Knight

Thoughts: COOL. I don't know anything about this book, but I want it, because that's awesome. It has sort of a comic book feel to it, which I LOVE.

Winger - Andrew Smith

Thoughts: This goes in the category 'hard to look at.' Seriously, I looked at those stitches over his eye and started feeling woozy. Something tells me this book won't be for me. If I do read it, I need a hardback so that I can take the cover off. 

 Vengeance Bound - Justina Ireland

Thoughts: Well, I'm intrigued by the building she's in, but I can't get past the GODDAMN SKINNY JEANS. I hate skinny jeans. This could have been more interesting. If it's Goddess Test meets Dexter, shouldn't she be in a pretty dress holding a blood-soaked knife? How could you miss a chance like that? 

Gabriel Stone and the Divinity of Valta - Shannon Duffy

Thoughts: Each week, it seems like I include at least one wholly awful indie cover. This one wins for this week. That's like an arashitora, only all tiger. WHAT? I'd never seen any flying tigers until a few months ago and now they're a thing. This also reminds me a lot of the cover for The Unwanteds for some reason. Can't imagine why. Also, there are 80 bajillion fonts in the world and they went for that? Really? It's like a glowing neon marquee proclaiming that the book is indie. Still having trouble getting past the white tiger with wings that's apparently about to have a nice evening snack of monkey with armband.

The Caged Graves - Dianne Salarni

 Thoughts: Yup. That grave is in a cage. Since it's historical fiction, I doubt this is to keep zombies from attacking, but that would be pretty cool. This cover is pretty, but not astoundingly so.

Cover Battle: Magic Bites (Magic Bites #1) - Ilona Andrews

 Thoughts: I know I should like the original better because this one looks whitewashed, but this one just looks so much better done! I like the color scheme better. I like her hair in a braid. I like the shiny sword. Plus, the lion looks cooler. I do wish they'd kept the same model.

Slated - Teri Terry

 UK/Aus vs. US: These are really similar, which is cool. I really like the terring effect on the UK cover. I'm going with the US cover, though, because I like getting to see the city AND because the city brings out the blue in the model's eyes. Also, I just tried to spell blue 'bloo' for some reason. What the eff is that? Am I Melvil Dui or something?

The Lost (Celestial Blues #2) - Vicki Pettersson

 Thoughts: It is probably apparent by now that, though I may not read much paranormal romance or urban fantasy, I am really entertained by the covers. Sassy chicks in pretty clothes? Heck yes! Also, can I say how much I love the style on this cover. Inspired by Mad Men much? I want her outfit. Also, the guy in the suit looks much less lame than the guy on the first book, who kind of looks like a carny. Just saying.

Ashes & Ice - Rochelle Maya Callen

Thoughts: Nice work, indie. The eyes are a bit off, but, otherwise, I really approve. I especially love the title font. :)

The Twice Lost (Lost Voices #3) - Sarah Porter

Thoughts: Well, this is my favorite cover of the bunch by far. I'm seriously digging the mermaid on the bottom. Why does the one on the top look so fake though? Like why does one look like a model and the other look computer generated. Also, who swims like that? "Look, ma, no hands!"

Gilded Wings (The Angel Chronicles #2) - Amy Lignor

Thoughts: These are pretty great for indie covers. The angel wings are lame, but they're at least they blend into the background enough to not be super irritating to me. I do wonder, though, why they thought there should be a streetlight in the background. What does this really add to my cover-viewing experience? Also, does the model have an itchy sternum?

Blood Doll (The Vampire Agápe #3) - Georgia Cates

Thoughts: The Vampire Agápe? Really? Without the accent mark, it's the Vampire Agape, as though something really surprising just happened and the vampire is standing there with their chin on the floor? Given that people will probably mostly be too lazy to use the accent, this was a bad plan. That aside, I will say that Georgia Cates definitely has some of the best indie covers out there. This one's the best of the lot, I think, though the dress looks a bit homecoming queen or child-playing-dressup to me. Oh god. Jusy noticed the butterfly on her back. Sigh. There are too many butterflies on YA book covers.

Chosen at Nightfall (Shadow Falls #5) - C. C. Hunter

Thoughts: NGL, I think these covers are pretty. The background colors are just so gorgeous, with the exception of Taken at Dusk. Is she wearing the same dress in all of these? I think she is. Interesting. Anyway, I think this one and the first one were the best covers. My main complaint is that this model never seems to DO anything. She's just standing there. There's no sense of action in any of them.

The Rebels of New Sun (Blending Time #3) - Michael Kinch

Thoughts: Oh, what a boy cover. I'm amused by how much it looks like a kid playing soldier. Part of that is due to the fact that he's wearing sandals with his camo. I mean, I LOVE my flip flops, but, were the world to end, I'm pretty sure I would pass them up for sneakers. The cover looks really fake, but I'm okay with it, since it's clearly a stylistic choice. I do really like the shiny title.

Summerset Abbey - T. J. Brown

Thoughts: Oh, those magic words: "reminiscent of Downton Abbey." This cover's kind of lame. Is that just me? I mean, she owns this huge estate and can't afford to buy a dress that fits? Her fancy gold dress is straight up dragging on the ground by INCHES.

Outstanding Cover of the Week: Fade to Black - Francis Knight