A Reader of Fictions

Book Reviews for Just About Every Kind of Book

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Cover Snark (44): A Week of WTFery

Welcome to Cover Snark, where the people are snarky and the covers quiver in fear. Since I don't write many snarky book reviews here on A Reader of Fictions, Cover Snark is my outlet. If you click on the title of the book, where possible, I've linked to Goodreads. Clicking on the cover itself will show you the cover in a larger size, in most cases. Feel free to love covers I hate and vice versa. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Commenting pro tip: The easiest way to comment on such a long post is to open the post in two windows (really easy if you use Google Reader). Comment in one and scroll the covers in the other. That's actually how I comment on other people's reviews too. I can't remember all my comments by the time I get to the box!

Shiny New Covers:

1. Shooting Scars (The Artists Trilogy #2) - Karina Halle

Thoughts: Like the short story, this cover doesn't please me as much as the first one. My issue here is that this is not how I picture Camden. In my head, he looks less like a serial killer.

2. Give Me Something - Elizabeth Lee

Thoughts: Sexy lady would like you to give it to her. New adult, of course.

3. Find Me - Romily Bernard

Thoughts: The repetition of Find Me isn't really working for me, even though I think it's cool that you can only see the picture behind through the words. I think it may be the randomness of the white ones that bothers me. The tagline, though not unique, is creepy. Also, does she have hair across her face?

4. The Demon Isle Witches (Bedeviled Bride #4) - R.H. Daigle

Thoughts: Which is worse? The font? The ribbon for the series info? Or, the model's pose, which is no doubt intended to look mysterious, but just looks stupid?

5. The Whatnot (The Peculiar #2) - Stefan Bachmann

Thoughts: How adorable is that little clockwork bug? ALL of the adorable. I wish actual bugs were like that. Very reminiscent of A Bug's Life in the color palette, no? Also, I love the title.

6. The Art of Falling - Kathryn Craft

Thoughts: Does that model look impossibly skinny to anyone else?

7. Shifting Dreams (Cambio Springs #1) - Elizabeth Hunter

Thoughts: DUDES, this is a self-pub. Seriously, I cannot believe it. I've checked more than once because this looks so good and professional. Check out the model in normal people clothes! Nice work, designer/s!

8. Dark Salvation - Katie Salidas

Thoughts: For one thing, the people floating over a city cover trope REALLY needs to stop. For another, this is a really unflattering shot of their hairlines, which, admittedly, is a seriously weird thing to comment on, but it's true.

9. The Cirque - Ryann Kerekes

Thoughts: Beneath the makeup, clowns are people too, and they like sex as much as anyone.

10. Thorn - Intisar Khanani

Thoughts: She looks like she crashed a wedding, caught the bouquet, and ran away with the flowers like she just robbed a bank.

11. The Night Demon - Lisa Kessler

Thoughts: Really? It's set in the Yucatan jungle, and the best you could do was a white, shirtless dude with his thumb in his pants? No wonder people judge the intelligence of Americans.

12. Chosen (Fighting Fate #1) - Paulina Ulrich

Thoughts: Girl's face with feathers. I totally know what your book is about now! Such a unique cover!

13. Tandem (The Many-Worlds Trilogy #1) - Anna Jarzab

Thoughts: Ew. Really? A girl's head in a bird body? This does not look as cool as you thought. The only thing I like is that the letters are sort of like branches a bird would stand on.

14. Thornhill (Hemlock #2) - Kathleen Peacock

Thoughts: If I didn't know better, I would think this was a self-pub. The title font looks good and the vines are awesome, but nothing's blended well. The girl is so obviously photoshopped in front of that forest background.

15. Zenn Scarlett - Christian Schoon

Thoughts: Meh. This could maybe be good with better fonts, but it's pretty boring.

16. Crest of the Blood Moon (Blood Moon #3) - Robin P. Waldrop

Thoughts: If you don't know how to apply blush properly, you probably shouldn't wear it. I sort of expect her to rip the skirt off to reveal some fishnets and to start doing the time warp at the Frankenstein place.

17. Project Cain - Geoffrey Girard

Thoughts: Oooh, dark and creepy. I totally love creepy reflection covers, and the drippy font looks awesome.

18. The Naturals - Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Thoughts: Oh god, pretty much every part of this looks awful. Seriously, none of the bits of her body look like they belong togehter. She's probably meant to look menacing, but, yeah, no.

19. Irresistible - Liz Bankes

Thoughts: Is this a novel about voyeurism? Sure makes me feel like a peeking Tomasina.

20. Follow Me Down - Tanya Byrne

Thoughts: Awww, pretty! I love the colors, and they're what make this generic basic concept (running through the dark forest) look new.

21. A Terrible Love - Marata Eros

Thoughts: A Terrible Cover. Okay, no. It's not that bad, I just couldn't resist. It's not a very interesting cover thought. I like the title treatment though.

22. Faking It (Losing It #2) - Cora Carmack

Thoughts: This cover makes me want to watch Down With Love.

23. Clockwork Mafia - Seleste DeLaney

Thoughts: That butterfly mask is epic. The clockwork bug is less so.

24. 'Til Death Do Us Part (Lily Drake #2) - T. Michelle Nelson

Thoughts: Whoever thought it was a good idea to have color only in her shirt and the title, you should know that you were wrong.

25. The Chaos of Stars - Kiersten White

Thoughts: Lovely. They should sell this as wallpaper. I bet it will be SO shiny and gorgeous in person.

26. Teardrop (Teardrop #1) - Lauren Kate

Thoughts: Ew. I'll admith that the dress made of water (ice?) is cool. The font is fine, too. But, good lord this looks like one cheesy piece of crap.

27. Wicked Beat - Olivia Cunning

Thoughts: "On stage, on tour, in bed, they'll rock your world." Apparently this is about traveling rockstars who engage in threesomes. That's what I'm getting from this. Anyone else think it's weird that they'll show their bodies and not their faces?

28. Bitter Kingdom (Fire and Thorns #3) - Rae Carson

Thoughts: These covers are so boring. I wish they'd stuck to the style of the ARC cover for the first, but found a size appropriate model or something. Can't show a fat girl, though, so let's show a skinny girl's face reflected in her belly gem!

29. Ice Dogs - Terry Lynn Johnson

Thoughts: LOOK AT THE PUPPPPPPYYYYYY! My childhood self would do pretty much anything to get a copy of Ice Dogs.

30. MacRieve (Immortals After Dark #13) - Kresley Cole

Thoughts: Ew. So not attractive. And the filigree along the edge is not helping things. It feels really out of place.

31. Famous Last Words - Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

Thoughts: The combination of live action and cutesy cartoons really is not working here. Also, that heart cut through the mug. I can't.

32. Twenty Trillion Leagues Under the Sea - Adam Roberts

Thoughts; Seems like they could have done something a bit more interesting with this, but I'm curious.

33. Angels (Zom-B #4) - Darren Shan

Thoughts: The kid's face jumped out at me, but the zombie snuck up on me. I really like these covers, because they're both pretty and creepy, but putting the series name so much bigger than the book title is still a dick move.

34. Elisha Barber (The Dark Apostle #1) - E.C. Ambrose

Thoughts: The Demon Barber of Some Random Cathedral. See what I did there? Also, ew. Both for the gruesomeness and the Christian stuff in the background.

35. My Big Fat Demon Slayer Wedding (Demon Slayer #5) by Angie Fox

Thoughts: Ew. this looks like a self-pub. What is up with the font? With the subject?

36. The Havoc Machine (Clockwork Empire #4) - Steven Harper

Thoughts: Dude, is she wearing a dirndl?

37. The Iron King Comic - Julie Kagawa

Thoughts: Let it be known that this is not the finalized cover. I hope that this is also not remotely what the artwork will look like, because, bahahahah, look at it!

38. Click to Subscribe - L.M. Augustine

Thoughts: That tagline reads "1,135,789 but he only has eyes for one." Presumably that's his subscriber count. That sounds rather stalkerish. Maybe I should turn on some The Police to really let it sink in.

39. Blackout - Robison Wells

Thoughts: I don't know what's happening here, but it's gorgeous. It's like Black City only better.

40. Deception (Defiance #2) - C. J. Redwine

Thoughts: Oooh, look at the pretty. I don't like this one quite as much as the first, just because Baalboden looks a little stranger in her legs. But the sky, the font, and how well this fits with Defiance make this a win!

41. The Dream Thieves (Raven Cycle #2) - Maggie Stiefvater

Thoughts: Bahahaha. Really? Their cover design is "bald kid with birds."

42. Prophecy Girl (Angel Academy #1) - Cecily White

Thoughts: Well, it looks fine, except for the hard to read handwriting-ish font and the obviously fake girl.

43. 3:59 - Gretchen McNeil

Thoughts: The most interesting part is the old-fashioned clock numbers. Otherwise, it's nice and dark so I can take a nap.

44. Snakeroot (Nightshade #4) - Andrea Cremer

Thoughts: Wasn't this supposed to be a trilogy? Also, this girl looks like a stone cold bitch. She deserves that tree herpes growing all over her.

45. Accession (The Sarath Web #1) - Terah Edun

Thoughts: Little known fact, but the best curtsies are performed in midair. Actually, I really like this cover, aside from the awkwardly floating girl.

46. Infinityglass (Hourglass #3) - Myra McEntire

Thoughts: The model looks more human in this one. That's weird. Also, that pose is hella strange. But the wallpaper is gorgeous. If I had any wallpaper, I would want it to look like that.

47. Across a Star-Swept Sea (For Darkness Shows the Stars #2) - Diana Peterfreund

Thoughts: So the model is actually a Pacific Islander, which is totally awesome btw, but she really looks like any other white girl, and her hair looks like straw. This cover looks way more like Teardrop than I would ever want it to.

48. The Arrivals - Melissa Marr

Thoughts: A western, huh? That's different. Those plants are arranges like Wolverine claws.

Cover Battles:

1. Requiem (Delirium #3) - Lauren Oliver

US vs. Poland vs. Russia: You know, I'm not really loving any of these. I think I like the Polish one best, but it's more of a horror look than I think fits the series. Both the American and Russian versions have models making weird duck faces. Winner: Some other country.

2. Gilt (The Royal Circle #1) - Katherine Longshore

Hardback vs. Redesign 1 vs. Redesign 2: Really? Another new design? Already? The second book in the series isn't really out. Even better, the new look is worse than both of the previous two. Good work, guys. Keep digging deeper. Winner: NOT the newest. I like the original best, but I can see why most people like the middle cover best. Just NOT this new one. Please.

3. The Mapmaker and the Ghost - Sarvenaz Tash

Hardback vs. Paperback: Yay! The cover on the paperback was also the ARC cover. I like it better, because you get to see all of the characters. Winner: Paperback

4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter #1) - J.K. Rowling

Original US Cover vs. Redesign: Listen, this new redesign is pretty and all, but the original is part of my freaking childhood okay? Also, it has a unicorn. You can't beat that! Winner: Original, for Rowling with a unicorn.

5. The Goddess Inheritance (Goddess Test #3) - Aimee Carter

US. vs Australia: Whoa, that Australian cover is WAY better, despite the Cassandra Clare blurb. Winner: Australia, because the model doesn't look dead.

WTF of the Week:

1. Shattered Edge - A.M. Hargrove

Thoughts: Looks like they're having sex in an office chair. Or maybe a recliner. Either way, that looks HUGELY uncomfortable, as does the way her arm is trapped between them. Maybe she's dead so she doesn't care? But then I don't really want to go there.

2. Mutual Release - Liz Crowe

Thoughts: Ummm, tagline? What? So is this a romantic coming of age novel or about becoming your cell mates bitch in prison? YOU MUST CHOOSE.

3. Becoming - Karen Y. Bynum

Thoughts: She never expects a heart with bat wings.

4. The Vampire, the Witch and the Werewolf - Louisa Bacio

Thoughts: What do these three people have to do with one another? Nothing but a terrible cover.

5. Thundering Luv - L.M. Preston

Thoughts: Happy Valentine's Day, everybody!!!

Outstanding Cover of the Week:

Project Cain by Geoffrey Girard

Learn More or Preorder:

Goodreads|Amazon|Barnes & Noble

Labels: Cover Snark

38 Comments:

Tez Miller said...: THE ART OF FALLING looks sooooo New Adult. You're right about the skinny. Where's the backfat?

So agree with you on SHIFTING DREAMS. Self-pubbed authors need to see this cover, and learn!

So, THE CIRQUE is clownrotica, yes? ;-)

It's set in the Yucatan jungle, and the best you could do was a white, shirtless dude with his thumb in his pants? No wonder people judge the intelligence of Americans. As an Australian, I totally judge the intelligence of Americans ;-)

Re: THE TANDEM. I remember when Riley Jenson first shapeshifted into a seagull in Keri Arthur's books - I totally cracked up laughing ;-)

I like the background of ZENN SCARLETT, but not the photoshopped girl in front.

The problem I have with steampunk covers is that they're so obviously contemporary people in dress-ups. And usually showing garter, because no lady was actually a lady back in Victorian times???

The TEARDROP dress-as-water is great, but why isn't she shedding a tear? (Also, the story summary makes me laugh-in-a-bad-way. Truly awful.)

Arsecheek on cover is NOT classy. Looking at you, WICKED BEAT.

Not fond of sideways text on ZOM-B.

MY BIG FAT DEMON SLAYER WEDDING: Please tell me she's not marrying that dog, who looks shocked...Don't look up her dress, pooch!

PROPHECY GIRL: Knee-high boots are for when it's cold. You don't team them with short-shorts. Unless you want to look trashy.

SNAKEROOT: *laughs hysterically at your comment of "tree herpes"* In Australia, "root" means "sex", so even the title of the book is hilarious ;-)

GILT: I actually like the newest version because it doesn't look like sexface.

THUNDERING LUV: Crikey, are those white things in the water...spooge?; February 14, 2013 at 12:37 AM
Lynn K. said...: 1. Shooting Scars - I know! The way he's looking at the knife... *shivers*

4. The Demon Isle Witches - The ribbon reminds me of the VD/Secret Circle omnibuses. I think the font could have worked, if they didn't use it for the author's name as well. And a different color would help.

7. Shifting Dreams - Unbelievable. o.O Would have liked it more if they adjusted space between the 2 words but otherwise it looks really good.

8. Dark Salvation - Them again. What's up with all the self pubs using their stock photos?! I don't mind the floating over city part but that font..why emboss it? -.-

9. The Cirque - Awkward.

10. Thorn - LMAO.

14. Thornhill - Yep, the girl looks really out of place.

17. Project Cain - That cover alone makes me want to read the book. :D

21. A Terrible Love - I like this a lot.

23. Clockwork Mafia - Not a fan. Their eyes are weird.

24. 'Til Death Do Us Part - I'm okay with the colors, just not how the 'Us' clashes with the letter D.

25. The Chaos of Stars - The colors and title made me think of For Darkness Shows the Stars at first. Hope this one is good as it looks! Egyptian mythology <3

26. Teardrop - This would probably be pretty if the actual book is shiny like Unearthly. But I'm not a fan of the flat image. The shadows her hair look weird!

27. Wicked Beat - Like this one least of the series covers. You're pretty much spot on, if this is anything like the first book. It sounds like Devil's Metal from the summary (book 1) but it's just sex scene after sex scene.

28. Bitter Kingdom - I liked the previous 2 but not this, it's too light or something. And I don't like the orange text.

29. Ice Dogs - Cute <3

30. MacRieve - Meh. What's up with the pointy 'E's?

31. Famous Last Words - It lacks the depth that makes the real+cartoon style these interesting.

33. Angels - The UK cover is freaky!

34. Elisha Barber - Too dark.

35. My Big Fat Demon Slayer Wedding - It's not?? O_O

37. The Iron King Comic - It could be great, but the covers aren't attractive.

39. Blackout - It's making me claustrophobic. >.>

40. Deception - This one is pretty and well done, though nothing outstanding in the 'girl on the cover' line. I love the softer and more mysterious look that goes well with the title.

41. The Dream Thieves - Words cannot express how disappointed I am with this. :( I like how the birds swirl into him but that boy looks creepy.

43. 3:59 - Wut.

44. Snakeroot - Nothing outstanding but I like this one a lot, the haughty model and the color. Just not that stupid branch in the middle.

46. Infinityglass - This s the final one?! It's so dark at the bottom. o.o

47. Across a Star-Swept Sea - Her hair is badly painted. :( But otherwise this looks pretty. Made me think of Teardrop because I saw the other one first but the style reminds me more of Everneath/Everbound's smokey dress trail.

48. The Arrivals - Bleh. Very Western-y font.

======================

Cover Battles:

1. Requiem - Visual wise I prefer Poland. The US cover is the least favorite out of the trilogy.

2. Gilt - Why publishers, WHY? It looks so cheesy!

4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - Have not read HP so I'm not really feeling attached..

5. The Goddess Inheritance - I like the color theme they have with the US covers though this one's rather boring.

======================

1. Shattered Edge - WTF.

2. Mutual Release - 4 different fonts is a bit much. Shoddy kerning on 'Release' too. :/

3. Becoming- Gross!

4. The Vampire, the Witch and the Werewolf - WHY

5. Thundering Luv - Dat cover, dat title. WHY?!

At least I have pretty Boundless in all it's pink, shimmery glory for Valentines. :P; February 14, 2013 at 1:36 AM
Bekka said...: Wow this week was really, really bad.

I wish they'd leave the Gilt cover alone. It's bad enough, stop drawing attention to it.

I looove the Zom-B covers. They're perfect. And I think that's B on the cover? I hope so.

The Maggie Stiefvater cover is just BAD. BAD BAD BAD. I hope they think that through a little more before they release it looking like that.; February 14, 2013 at 1:39 AM
Kimberly @ Midnight Book Girl said...: 3. This cover doesn't appeal to me at all. Tagline is super creepy.

4. So I totally just put my hand up to my face like that and it's totally awkward and uncomfortable. I feel bad for the model that had to pose like that.

6. Somebody get her food. Quick!

12. This would be infinitely better without the feathers.

17. This is pretty sweet. I love that the reflection in the water is different.

18. I feel like she's trying really hard to curse me, but can't figure out why it's not working.

22. Do these covers kind of bother you? Idk how to explain it but I feel like the top and bottom should go together, but they don't and I think that makes it look awkward. At least this one is less bothersome than Losing It.

25. This is one of those I don't even care what it's about but I want to own it covers. I can't wait to see this in person.

26. I've never read the Fallen series but those covers are all gorgeous. This one? Not so much.

28. This is not appealing.

33. Argh! I've never really looked at any of these covers closely and now I can't get that stupid ugly zombie out of my mind!

Last week I was reading Sky On Fire and someone commented to me that she was really surprised to see the book pop up quite a bit lately because it came out so long ago and it wasn't until she read my post that she realized this was the second book, because the stupid Monument 14 is so flipping big. That is why the series title should NEVER be bigger than the book title.

39. I LOVE this one. I'm not a fan of yellow but this is gorgeous.

41. I like this one better than The Raven Boys. I didn't like the red in the bird in that one, and no, I can't explain why.

43. I found this to be a little underwhelming.

44. Whoever thought that tree would be a good idea should have their head examined.

46. I like the other two covers better, but I still love this one. And I agree, this wallpaper is awesome.

47. I was confused when I saw this cover. It looks similar to FDSTS but then it doesn't say that anywhere so I thought it was a different book with similar looks. Why don't they have the series name on it somewhere?

CB 4. The original will probably always be my favorite, but the new one is pretty too.

WTF 4. Wow this cover is... spectacular.; February 14, 2013 at 5:16 AM
Kayla Beck said...: 8. The purple people eater will end their damn floating!

11. I mean, they could've at least done the green background!

13. I like the idea behind this cover, but I think it could have been a lot more well done. Maybe a different model pose and cover color would have made it a lot more interesting.

14. Hopefully, a redo is in the works. This sucks.

23. I usually don't immediately hate butterfly covers, but this one is effin' terrible.

25. I can see this as my new favorite t-shirt.

26. This another reason that I hate pastel. And why the hell does she have to look so thin? I mean, I know she's water, but I just want to feed her.

28. It's very important to focus on her treasure trollness!

30. The epic fantasy nerd in me is almost tricked by this cover and nearly tempted to read it. The filigree sets me to rights, so I am thankful for it.

31. I really don't like those pants. There's crap on them by her knees. Why can't we just let go of the 80s and never let it happen again?!

32. I like it. A lot.

33. I don't like it, and I won't own it. That zombie scares the shit out of me! On another note, my nephew would probably read this bad boy. *shudders*

34. This makes my teeth hurt. This is exactly what I see when I'm at the dentist (and why I do not go).

39. It's like pollen! *flails*

40. I don't know if it would match the series (Defiance sits on my shelf of Terrible Kaylaness), but I think she needs one of those knife rings.

41. They could have done Ronan a lot better.

43. I think a solid black background with red alarm clock numbers would have been more effective. However, I'm sure self-pubbers will love the green girl with the weird eyes on the side. (This is to SHAME you, publishers!)

44. No, Christina, no one deserves the tree herpes. Well, except maybe publishers who make TERRIBLE COVERS. *stares*

45. I would have liked this a lot better if she wasn't doing the cutesy curtsy thing with her feet.

46. I'm going to recreate the model's pose. I'm determined.

47. I love everything except the model. Why couldn't she have black hair?

CB2. I have a copy of the first one! *hoards it*

CB4. Oh no, I'm going to have to buy all of the new ones, too! Wait! First I have to finish replacing my original copies. *dies*

CB5. I agree on all points. Also, I want the dress.; February 14, 2013 at 7:17 AM
Nori said...: You find these covers so fast!

Maggie Stiefvater's new cover looks so strange...It doesn't make me think Raven Boys at all...

Also, there's a sequel to For Darkness Shows the Stars??????What???? How?

I kind of love the cover for Deception. I want that book now!; February 14, 2013 at 9:02 AM
Jenni said...: I suck at commenting on these posts so I usually don't but I have to talk about Shooting Scars! That is NOT Camden. Kristilyn had mentioned on my GR that she thought it was supposed to be Javier, not Camden but I don't think so. It bugs me because there was that picture floating around of Camden that was like perfect and then now this *cries in his honor*; February 14, 2013 at 9:26 AM
Diana Peterfreund said...: Out of curiosity, where did you find a version of the cover that doesn't say For Darkness Shows the Stars on it? The cover reveal and Goodreads all have the right cover on it. That's what the cover says.

Kayla, the model doesn't have black hair because the character doesn't have black hair. And it's not painted, it's a wig.; February 14, 2013 at 9:27 AM
Christina said...: Odd. Okay, I tracked myself back, and I found it on Xpresso Reads' Facebook page. She posts cover reveals there. I'm sure she got it somewhere else, though. Very odd. I've updated with the cover from Epic Reads.

Interesting wig choice.; February 14, 2013 at 9:34 AM
Diana Peterfreund said...: I hope you mean "interesting" like AWESOME. ;-)

Don't blame the cover, though, blame me. That's what her hair looks like, and I LOVE it.; February 14, 2013 at 9:47 AM
Christina said...: Hahaha, well, this might be one of those covers I love AFTER I read the book. :) For example, I thought Breaking Beautiful's cover was boring and a bit lame until I read the book, and now I love it because it's a perfect representation. Honestly, that's the most important factor: being representative of the content inside. Cover Snark is just for fun.; February 14, 2013 at 9:53 AM
Ashleigh Paige said...: Girl, Cover Snark lights up my Thursdays even more than my schoolweek ending does.

2. Her facial expression makes me think she's laughing because even she knows her book is going to be a load of bull. (Me, hating on new adult? Never! Except always.)

6. ...For a second, I thought that was supposed to look like a penis. I'm reading a book with a penis-obsessed main character narrating it. Shut up.

14. Exactly! They didn't even TRY to make her blend in with the rest of the cover. I hope they take that cover back in and make it better because it needs it.

25. It probably WILL be shiny. I'm still wondering how the main character is a mortal born of two gods, though. Immortal + immortal should not equal mortal.

26. Well, it's Lauren Kate. Enough said. I love her dress, though. Also, dear GOD, she's one skinny girl.

28. I like the colors for this series' covers, but that's about it.

35. I'm trying to cringe, but this is just too damn funny. The puppy! So badly Photoshopped in but so cute! I want to snuggle it.

40. Very pretty, but I ain't reading it. Didn't like Defiance.

41. Nah, it's a bald kid with FANTASY birds coming out of his chest. But I thought that one character said he pulled the birds out of his head... Oh well.

42. ...Is this the first of the three Nightshade erotica books? I know she signed a deal for those a while back? The estimated publish date for those was around October 2013, sooooooo...

46. Someone needs to go back and make the "An Hourglass novel" thing visible because you can hardly see it. Otherwise, good cover.

47. -distracted by pretty-; February 14, 2013 at 11:24 AM
Lenore Appelhans said...: I love this cover SO MUCH! And I'm excited to see why her hair is like that. I can definitely tell she's a pacific islander, and that is super cool!; February 14, 2013 at 1:19 PM
Sarah(Sarahandherbookshelves) said...: I am from Canada so we don't have either of those Harry Potter covers. I would choose my original covers over the new ones just like you would, but I do really like the new cover for the first book. When I first saw it the other day I was like Wow thats awesome!; February 14, 2013 at 2:06 PM
Kayla Beck said...: I'll allow it if the character has pale hair (as if my opinion truly counts). ;-) I just have a little Asian at home who only wants to look like Mommy, and I'd like there to be more out there on covers than pretty white girls, or pretty other ethnicities trying to look like pretty white girls. I know, I know, it has nothing to do with your book, but you know how it is with some cover art.

Anywho, that's all from me for now! I have my copy preordered, and I'm looking forward to reading it.; February 14, 2013 at 3:37 PM
Steph Sinclair said...: "I was gone for minute, now I'm back at the jump off." Yes, I just busted out some Lil' Kim out on you. You're welcome.

1. I actually really like this cover. The colors are awesome.

3. This cover does nothing for me personally.

4. Ew. The font is definitely the worst!

5. The Cutest!

7. That is really good for self-pubbed!

11. The chesticles are back! Noooooo!

12. I like this cover. I just wish the other two feathers weren't covering her face so much.

13. Okay, this one is NOT my fav. BUT I'm wondering if this is one of those covers where when you removed the dust jacked that it shows the picture beneath in full. If it does, then WIN. I love those type. This is why I was so disappointed Harper changed the Delirium series covers because the first was so PRETTY in person.

14. Harper, I iz disappoint. You can do better than that.

15. Meh.

17. I don't really like this cover, but it's got that creepy thing going on so, I APPROVE.

18. She looks strange.

19. I have a strong urge to break out in song and dance screaming, "Simply Irresistible!"

20. Dislike. The orange leaves are doing way too much here.

23. I seriously LOL'ed at that butterfly mask! It's terribly photoshopped.

25. LOVE this one!

26. Dear Random House,
Please hire some of the designers that do the Harper covers.

With love,
Steph

27. Howt cover! I like it!

28. Again, you can do so much better, Harper!

29. I've always wanted a Siberian Huskey. Then I got a job at PetsMart and have to groom those bastards and changed my mind.

31. I actually think this cover is very cute! PS: Did you request this one? I'm on the fence and my pile of books is telling me, "NO."

35. Umm, wow. I'm gonna leave that one alone.

37. I saw this earlier this week. I sure hope they fix Grim up because this is looking terrible.

39. Very cool effect. See, Harper, I knew you could do better!

40. I like this much better than the first. I think I'm in the minority on that.

41. Why? Just, why?

43. Okayyy...

44. Excuse me, but what the shit is this? Why are there more Nightshade books? And that tree is just awful.

45. I like her dress.

46. Interesting.

47. I like this cover. Much better than Teardrop.

48. Dislike. Looks like after the Wicked Lovely series, Marr has been being dealt the short hand when it comes to covers.

CB

1. I really dislike the redesigned US covers. Bring back the original one!

2. Th second redesign was the best IMO. The first is an awkward nose shot and the third just looks cheesy.

4. LOVE. that is all.

5. The Aussie cover reminds me of the Unearthly Aussie covers, which are much better than the US ones.

WTF

2. LMAO! That font is hideous!

3. *slow blink* Who thought this was a good idea?

4. You know you should step away from photoshop when...

5. WTF.; February 14, 2013 at 3:42 PM
kara-karina@Nocturnal Book Reviews said...: 3. *grumbles* I also suspect she is a redhead...
4. definitely the font. It's the colour that offends the most!
7. I know! I wanted to hug Elizabeth when I saw it! She is a very talented writer, but before this one she was doing neutral covers all by herself, and then she hired Gene Mollica - I adore this artist!
10. or ti's one of the bad prom dresses from the 90s. Unless it's a mash-up it doesn't make sense.
11. his nipple is staring at me. Disturbing.
12. You never know she might be a fiery dancer in Rio's carnival or a Vegas dancer... All in all I approve of this redhead because I like her gorgeous grey eye.
16. Another bad prom dress?
23.You read my thoughts, Christina! I LOVED that mask. That guy is pretty cool too although the font really need work.
28. I prefer UK covers. They have some sass in them.
30.I agree. For a writer of Cole caliber this is really subpar.
36. I LOVE this series. It is sooo good! Although this cover is not as cool as previous three.
39. It's like new cover of Wool. Totally gorgeous! I immediately want to read it! ;)
45. My first thought? River Dance! :)))
Shattered Edge: I bet it's a leather sofa. I used to have one just like this. It creaks and sticks to your sweaty parts. Because yeah. You sweat on a leather sofa if your skin is in direct contact with leather. And then you stick to it. :))); February 14, 2013 at 8:24 PM
Shelver506 said...: 1. I've never read this series, so I don't know how you picture the guy on the cover, but I think it's pretty cool. And he's kinda cute! Y'know, in a creepy way.

3. Has the tagline been done? Yes. Did it still creep me out? Yes.

7. Self-pub?! No lie?

9. REALLY?! Clown sex? THAT'S what you want to put in my head? I'm not going to be able to sleep tonight.

15. Pretty colors.

17. Oooh, I didn't even notice the reflection!

18. What is up with her HANDS?

26. Totally digging that dress.

28. I've never been a fan of these covers but !!!!!!!!! A new cover means the third book is that much closer which means MORE HECTOR!!!!

38. She looks... realistically happy. That rarely happens.; February 14, 2013 at 9:34 PM
Christina said...: SHIFTING DREAMS is an example that they CAN do it.

Lol. Clownrotica's my guess.

Wah wah. We're not all stupid, I hope. Just most of us.

TANDEM: O_O I do love Nawat the crow shifter in TP, so maybe.

True. But getting historical people's going to be tricky! Well, not so much that no one was a lady, but that steampunk heroines tend to be sassy, sexually free minxes.

I did not read the summary of Teardrop, but I am not surprised.

Ew, dog marriage is NOT COOL.

Hahaha, I saw someone wearing that combo of hoochie mama shorts and knee-high boots at Target and I was like O_o? In winter, too. Okay, it was a warmer day, but STILL.

Bahaha, way to be, Australians!

Blergh. I hate the new one. It's so freaking boring.

EWWWWWWW.; February 15, 2013 at 9:05 AM
Christina said...: 1. Yeah, it's seriously creepy!

4. The color on the font also seems a bit off, but, you're right, it wouldn't be as bad if there'd been less of it.

7. Meh, the space is a bit large, but it really doesn't bother me.

17. Right?

25. I see that comparison for sure. I don't know. I won't be reading it. I've read all of White's books and they've been 3 star reads at best, so I'm done.

26. I don't think this can be saved for me. Part of the problem is the model's face and hair. It looks weird.

28. I do think this is the worst of the set.

30. I guess they're little swords? WTF.

31. Yeah, the cartoons were not well done.

33. I hate the UK covers. They terrify me.

35. Oh, actually it is. I thought I saw this author's name on a non-indie last week, but apparently it's a small press. Oops.

41. Yeah, it's the shaved head and flat nose.

44. You know they thought that branch looked awesome.

46. I think so? But it might be one that looks different in person.

47. Apparently that actually is a wig.

1.Poland's is my favorite too, only it doesn't fit the content.

2. Ugh.

5. I just hate the expression on her face in the US one. And her clavicles.; February 15, 2013 at 9:19 AM
Christina said...: Yeah, so many big pub cover reveals, but so few of them were any good. :( What a waste.

Don't redesign covers unless you're actually going to make them better, peeps!

No idea. I was wondering if that was B on the cover. Probs. Not sure if B has such short hair, but it's possible.

Ugh. It's awful.; February 15, 2013 at 9:20 AM
Christina said...: 3. Seriously, that is one of the creepiest phrases.

4. Stretches the hand muscles in an unfamiliar way.

17. Yup! That's my favorite part. I liked that in the Dualed cover too, though it was a shadow then.

22. Yeah. It's supposed to imply sexing, right? But they're misaligned for that. The scene in Down with Love did it way better.

25. It will probably look super gorgeous. Too bad I don't like her books.

26. The Fallen covers are compelling in a way this is NOT.

33. They're all like that. You're welcome for this knowledge.

Yup. It's confusing. I've seen lots of people say they got Monument 14 in their book hauls. Nope, you didn't.

39. Same. I usually hate yellow on book covers.

41. Ew. I don't AT ALL.

43. Especially since they talked about the review for a freaking week before releasing this..

44. Yup. It looks shitty.

46. Well, it's a companion novel, I think, and not a direct sequel. Different main characters and a different retelling. Not sure if there's any crossover.; February 15, 2013 at 9:26 AM
Christina said...: 8. I see what you did thar. LOL.

11. That's the very least they could do.

13. And how about some more color or something?

14. Sadly, yes. I really liked the first one, despite the weakness in the posing.

23. HA.

26. Same. She has no ribs. And this is pastel gone wrong.

31. Ew. Why are there side of knee patches? Of all the decades, why is fashion from the 80s coming back?

32. I sense another preorder in the works!

33. Didn't I send you the first one for that reason? :-p

34. Bahahaha, me too.

39. This is like Atlanta in the spring!

40. Terrible Kaylaness? As in you should have read it already? Or as in you think it will be terrible?

43. Elpheba wants you to know what time it is!

44. Bahaha.

45. Everything about her is too cutesy.

46. Good luck with that. I hope you can stand en pointe.

47. The character is blonde evidently.

2. Me too.; February 15, 2013 at 9:32 AM
Christina said...: Yeah, they messed that up.

I think it's a companion novel, rather than a direct sequel.; February 15, 2013 at 9:33 AM
Christina said...: Ha, well, apparently it IS Camden. That's what Karina said. He apparently goes a bit mad. Yikes!; February 15, 2013 at 9:34 AM
Christina said...: Yeah! Better than the end of the school week! That's high praise!

2. Ha, join me!

6. *snorts*

14. This is what I hope for as well.

25. Maybe the immortal lady cheated with the milk man? Sense-making isn't White's strength as a writer in my experience.

26. Yup. She needs all of the hamburgers.

35. I don't find this puppy cute one bit.

40. I liked Defiance well enough. The covers are pretty either way.

41. Or going into his chest.

42. No, I don't think so. It's continuing with new characters I think.

46. Hmmm. it's probably shiny and lighter in person.; February 15, 2013 at 9:39 AM
Christina said...: Oooh, I haven't seen the Canadian ones.; February 15, 2013 at 9:41 AM
Christina said...: Thanks for telling me that was Lil Kim because I had NO idea. I think the only song I know with her in it is Lady Marmalade. lol

1. I like the colors, but I don't want Camden to kill me!

3. Me either. Definitely didn't go onto my wishlist.

11. Chesticles...ewwwww

13. Ooooh, that would redeem this cover, I agree. I love when they have little windows! Like Zombies vs. Unicorns too!

18. All sorts of strange. I think because her head is about a third the size of her body.

26. Bahahha.

29. Hahaha, me too. Or a malamute. They're so effing cute! But they are furry bastards.

31. Of course I did. I have no self-restraint. *weeps* I do this to myself.

37. Grim is the least of this cover's problems. Check out Puck!

44. I don't know why the fuck.

47. Definitely better than Teardrop.

48. Truth! She started so well, but now this.

CB1. I'm with you!

CB1. Yeah, the second one is just so obviously trying to be The Tudors.

CB5. I like both sets for Unearthly.; February 15, 2013 at 9:49 AM
Christina said...: 3. I think so.

4. Agreed.

7. She made a good choice!

10. No clue.

11. Ew.

12. Haha, you always need more redheads.

16. Awful.

23. Something needs work.

28. Oh, I haven't seen those.

45. Hahahaha

Ewwwwww. That's still not hot. lol.; February 15, 2013 at 9:55 AM
Christina said...: 1. The guy is supposed to be cute, but I like him less murderous.

3. Yup. Same thoughts I had.

9. *shrugs*

18. They're monstrous, right?

28. YAY! Hector!

38. True. She looks like she should be on LBD.; February 15, 2013 at 9:57 AM
fakesteph said...: I love these posts so much. Not sure what to say except the white dude with his thumb down his pants is hot and the bat wing heart is the freakiest thing I've seen all week.; February 15, 2013 at 9:16 PM
Kat said...: 1. Holy crap, that guy is scary - I thought it was a scalpel in his hand!

2. Hmm I wonder what she wants to be given *ahem*

3. I'm with you, I don't like the repetition - it makes my brain hurt.

4. Girl, wearing a ring over your glove just looks odd. And I can hardly read the title - too much!

5. I love the banner!

6. Yes. Cheeseburgers, stat!

7. Denim on denim? *shakes head* But very good for self-pub indeed!

8. Giant people are taking over the world!

9. And the circus!

11. The Demon Nipples return.

12. Bonus points for not photoshopping her eye, but death by feathers sounds like a really creepy idea for a book.

13. Love the font, but it could have just been the bird and been cool, without adding the girl.

15. I like the colours, but that's all it is really, colours.

16. Bahahahahaha!

17. Dude, don't go dipping your finger in random puddles, are you SURE you know what it's a puddle OF?

21. If its terrible, do you want it? Really?

22. If it's not giant people attacking your city, it's dudes dropping on you from above.

23. Ugh, too many things! All the things is not always ideal.

25. Ohhhhhhhhh pretty, shiny, blue. Want. What's it about? Ah, who cares!

26. Lauren Kate's new series - the same as the last one, with a different colour palette. Next!

27. Maybe they are just showing their best assets? *titters*

28. Too samey as the others...

29. Awwwwwwww - but thank christ it isn't a bloody lion/tiger/coyote!

30. Burn it with fire!

31. Epic fail.

32. Thar be murder down below me laddies! Interesting....

33. I do like the way the whole Zom-B series matches, just in different colours, but it's SO hard to tell them apart. Mistake or cleer marketing ploy to get us to accidentally buy the same copy over and over and over....

34. Now I can handle a lot in my covers (Blood Fugue anyone), but the surgical instruments just ...... no.

35. Not a chance in hell. Ever.

36. I like the old-school font, very noir.

37. Um, no?

38. 1,135,789? What a man-tart!

39. Oh, do I spy with my little eye, something beginning with Virus? Let the stalking commence!

40. Apart from the fact that this lady appears to be in the middle of disappearing (or, reappearing), it's OK - but what is that thingy around her arm?

41. Mate your cartoon heart just exploded. You might wanna clean that up.

42. That house is on fire, don't go in there girl!

43. Is it wrong of me to dislike this just because Ten was so disappointing?

44. Killer trees! She may be in danger of loosing an eye soon. Tree herpes *spits tea* bahahahah!

45. Is it a dystopian where colour is banned?

46. She had the baby and lost that pregnant woman vibe from the last covers, hurrah!

47. I love all the different shades of blue. And her dress is pretty.

48. Cool font and I love the understated silhouttes. On a completely random note, my spelling is atrocious as I'm using a computer with a Dutch operating system and my spell check no work :(

CB1. Why they couldn't continue the covers in the pretty colours with the shiny fonts I'll never understand.

CB2. Maybe the first one, but I'm so underwhelmed I don't really care :-D

CB3. So cute! But I agree, I like seeing all the characters.

CB4. I like the buildings in the redesign, but yes, unicorns always win.

CB5. Oh Kate. At least in the Australian cover it would be more difficult for me to slap your face as it's turned away.

WTF1. He's so crap she's decided to take a nap. Upside down. Dude, you are a failure as a man!

WTF2. Now I don't have a problem with hairy men per se (unless it's the back, NEVER the back), but I don't want to see them on book covers. Ever.

WTF3. Holy fuck. That is the most horrible, disturbing thing I've seen in a very very long time.

WTF4. Werewolves have dreads?

WTF5. Hahahahahahaha! Text speak as a title? Kill me now.

Now I'm off to bed, to NOT dream about a heart with bat wings. Eeeewwww.; February 17, 2013 at 6:09 PM
Angie said...: Hi, new follower here! I loved this post! But I probably should have taken your advice and used two windows, because now I've forgotten all of my comments! :P

Angie @ Pinkindle Reads & Reviews; February 17, 2013 at 6:20 PM
Kara_Malinczak said...: 1. I agree with you. But...according to Karina he is supposed to go all Liam Neeson Taken in this one. Which sort of puts the cover in perspective.

3. Don't like. Not a fan of literal interpretations of book titles. Honestly, I started laughing. Not good.

4. I think the font is worse. But the ribbon is a close second.

7. I agree. But...the title and author are too spread out on the cover.

9. Now they are not floating over a city, but a circus instead! Originality win! *snerk*

11. Right? Plus, what is with the moobs?

14. I agree. I was VERY disappointed with this cover. The first was SO much better.

16. LOL at your comments!!

17. Yup, I liked this one when I saw it too.

20. I thought for sure you were going to say you hated this one. I like it too!

25. I love it too. I think this is my favorite of the week so far.

26. Agreed. The water dress is cool. Aren't all her books cheesy pieces of crap? I SO went there.

28. I agree. This looks like the first with snow added. They really are boring.

32. I really like this. It's so different and it's caught my eye!

33. The zombie made me jump. The kid looks like shaved head Miley Cyrus.

35. It's not a self pub?

39. I agree. I adore this one as well and I really have a thing for yellow in covers.

41. LOL I agree. This one is just weird.

42. Agreed. I love the building and streetlamp though.

44. Tree herpes? BAHAHAHAHA.

46. I freaking love this cover.; February 17, 2013 at 9:16 PM
Christina said...: Hahah, that is the goal of WTF of the week.; February 18, 2013 at 9:31 AM
Christina said...: 1. I'm not a hundred percent sure what it is, but it's probably a tattooing implement.

3. Sometimes I like that method, but it might be because of how small the font is. It's just too much.

8. Attack of the Titans!

13. The girl in the bird makes it lame. Unless it's a cutout like someone suggested.

25. Egyptian mythology apparently. I wouldn't go there if I were you.

33. Oooh, good point. I like when they match, but if they're too similar and there are too many of them, that would be a real problem!

39. My thoughts exactly!

40. Just an arm bracelet thing, I think. Or part of the dress?

43. Nope. I read her other one and it was awful too. Gretchen McNeil is on my never ever list.

45. No idea. I would guess paranormal.

48. Your spelling isn't that bad. Just silhouettes.

CB1. Grrr.

CB4. UNICORNS!!!!

CB5. Bahahaha, perfectly said.

WTF1. *snorts*

WTF2. I'm not a fan of hairy. lol. Yuck. It's extra nasty on book covers.

WTF3. You are welcome.

WTF5. Win, right?; February 18, 2013 at 9:39 AM
Christina said...: Not a problem! It's overwhelming, I know! Glad you enjoyed!; February 18, 2013 at 9:40 AM
Christina said...: 1. She told me that too after the fact, but, based on the cover alone, those are my thoughts. I might change my mind after I read it.

3. I didn't think of it that way, but now I'm laughing.

7. You're not the first to say that.

9. And it's got those pointy towers to represent penises!

11. Mooobs! *snorts*

14. Seriously, their photoshop skills are better than this.

20. Lol, why? I love colors!

25. It's a little too personality-less, which is why it didn't win for the week, but I bet it will be AMAZING in person.

26. From what I understand. Haven't read them myself.

28. zzzzzz

33. The scary thing is that I see that.

35. I think it is. I got the author confused with another, I think. Or maybe she self-pubs some and not others.

39. I usually hate yellow covers, but this one is awesome.

42. Much better without her.

46. Oh really?; February 18, 2013 at 9:44 AM

A Reader of Fictions

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: Name: Christina; Location: Norcross, GA, United States

I am a librarian in my twenties. I got my MLIS at the University of Pittsburgh in 2010, and, through the vagaries of the job market, ended up working at a software company, rather than a librarian. I still very much consider myself to be a librarian, though.

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A Reader of Fictions

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Cover Snark (44): A Week of WTFery

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