a critique site for book lovers, hosted by author Jude Hardin
Monday, March 28, 2011
The Blasphemer by John Ling
What's the genre? What is it you like or don't like about this cover? Does it make you want to know more about the book? Does it make you want to BUY the book? Discuss.
Hmmm. I'm unsure of the genre and the tag line and title are intriguing but don't give me much clarification. I like the image, between the colors and the girl's expression I suspect this will be an intense story and it's the sort of cover that would make me take a closer if only to figure out what exactly it is about. The title font looks good in red but seems to fade back when reduced, perhaps a slightly bolder font might give more impact. Overall, I like it despite the cryptic quality.
This is a very striking cover. The image certainly grabs your attention. However, the title, author's name, and subtitle somehow get lost. I'm not sure why or what should be done to make them stand out more but I'll think about it and provide more feedback later.
The image might not be the best fit for the genre, which, implied by the tagline, might be legal thriller.
The typography feels unbalanced and might look better with the image lowered so that the title and tagline could be at the top, with the author's name enlarged at the bottom.
I like the tagline, but it's really hard to read because it's so small.
Re. other people's comments: Am I missing something here? I see that preternaturally shining eye and I think paranormal or supernatural. Between the title and the tagline, I'm expecting something Gothic, intense, and maybe demonic.
Thank you, everyone, for your kind comments. I've found them really, really helpful. I do agree that the fonts need more emphasis, and I'm seriously considering changing the title to Blasphemy. It sounds cleaner and may well offer me the chance to rearrange the typography for more balance.
What I found quite interesting is that everyone has picked up on different aspects of the story. Yes, it's a thriller that raises legal questions, but it also has gothic/religious undertones that revolve around, yes, the issue of blasphemy. And, yes, the main protagonist does end up becoming haunted by the difficult moral choices that have to be made.
Here's the full description:
When Abraham Khan publishes an e-book condemning radical Islam, the consequences hit him fast and hard---a fanatic smashes into his home one evening, trying to kill him.
He survives the harrowing attempt. Just barely. But will he survive the next one?
Maya Raines is the security specialist brought in to protect him. She is smart, tough and committed. The very best at what she does. Always one step ahead of the threat.
But Abraham is no ordinary principal—he will not hide, and he will not stay silent. And as rage explodes on the streets and the nation is propelled to the brink, Maya will have to ask herself the hardest question of all: how far would you go to protect one man’s right to speak?
While I appreciate the value of a one word title, I think I prefer "The Blasphemer" because it seems to put the emphasis on the person, and the relationships at stake, rather than just philosophy. I did wonder if it had anything to do with radical Islam the first time I saw it, but I was unsure. To indicate that it's legal/modern thriller, is there any way you could add a modern skyline (or a skyline with a minaret) ...maybe along the bottom or merged into the background? (This would have to be done skillfully or it would just look dumb).
You have a very good point there, Tara. I always saw it as a story about 'who' rather than 'what'. Arguably, calling it 'Blasphemy' does have its merits, but so does 'The Blasphemer'. Anyone else want to chime in on this and offer their thoughts? =)
Regarding the minarets, it's very very intuitive of you to suggest that! My cover artist actually did a version of the cover with minarets, but it didn't turn out that well because it ended up cluttering the primary image. But, that said, I do think it might be worthwhile to try inserting a simple skyline, as you mentioned.
Thank you so much for taking the time to advise me. :)
Hmmm. I'm unsure of the genre and the tag line and title are intriguing but don't give me much clarification. I like the image, between the colors and the girl's expression I suspect this will be an intense story and it's the sort of cover that would make me take a closer if only to figure out what exactly it is about. The title font looks good in red but seems to fade back when reduced, perhaps a slightly bolder font might give more impact. Overall, I like it despite the cryptic quality.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the title and tag line, I'd say this is thriller, maybe legal thriller/courtroom drama.
ReplyDeleteThe intensity of the woman's gaze makes me thing that she has witnessed something. This is an understated cover and I like it.
In my opinion, a title like "Blasphemy" is much stronger than "The Blasphemer". Just some food for thought.
This is a very striking cover. The image certainly grabs your attention. However, the title, author's name, and subtitle somehow get lost. I'm not sure why or what should be done to make them stand out more but I'll think about it and provide more feedback later.
ReplyDeleteI like this cover. The subtitle is great, and would make me want to learn more about the book. The only problem is that I cannot tell the genre.
ReplyDeleteThe image might not be the best fit for the genre, which, implied by the tagline, might be legal thriller.
ReplyDeleteThe typography feels unbalanced and might look better with the image lowered so that the title and tagline could be at the top, with the author's name enlarged at the bottom.
I like the tagline, but it's really hard to read because it's so small.
Re. other people's comments: Am I missing something here? I see that preternaturally shining eye and I think paranormal or supernatural. Between the title and the tagline, I'm expecting something Gothic, intense, and maybe demonic.
ReplyDeleteThe title and tag line say legal thriller, but the face says paranormal of sci-fi to me. It's the light eye and gray lips. It doesn't mesh.
ReplyDeleteThank you, everyone, for your kind comments. I've found them really, really helpful. I do agree that the fonts need more emphasis, and I'm seriously considering changing the title to Blasphemy. It sounds cleaner and may well offer me the chance to rearrange the typography for more balance.
ReplyDeleteWhat I found quite interesting is that everyone has picked up on different aspects of the story. Yes, it's a thriller that raises legal questions, but it also has gothic/religious undertones that revolve around, yes, the issue of blasphemy. And, yes, the main protagonist does end up becoming haunted by the difficult moral choices that have to be made.
Here's the full description:
When Abraham Khan publishes an e-book condemning radical Islam, the consequences hit him fast and hard---a fanatic smashes into his home one evening, trying to kill him.
He survives the harrowing attempt. Just barely. But will he survive the next one?
Maya Raines is the security specialist brought in to protect him. She is smart, tough and committed. The very best at what she does. Always one step ahead of the threat.
But Abraham is no ordinary principal—he will not hide, and he will not stay silent. And as rage explodes on the streets and the nation is propelled to the brink, Maya will have to ask herself the hardest question of all: how far would you go to protect one man’s right to speak?
I would click on this or pick it up in a bookstore. Good job, I think. Best of luck in tweaking it to perfection!
ReplyDeleteThank you, SJ. I'm looking to release it later in the year. =)
ReplyDeleteWhile I appreciate the value of a one word title, I think I prefer "The Blasphemer" because it seems to put the emphasis on the person, and the relationships at stake, rather than just philosophy. I did wonder if it had anything to do with radical Islam the first time I saw it, but I was unsure. To indicate that it's legal/modern thriller, is there any way you could add a modern skyline (or a skyline with a minaret) ...maybe along the bottom or merged into the background? (This would have to be done skillfully or it would just look dumb).
ReplyDeleteTara Maya
The Unfinished Song: Initiate
The Unfinished Song: Taboo (only $.99 until the end of March)
You have a very good point there, Tara. I always saw it as a story about 'who' rather than 'what'. Arguably, calling it 'Blasphemy' does have its merits, but so does 'The Blasphemer'. Anyone else want to chime in on this and offer their thoughts? =)
ReplyDeleteRegarding the minarets, it's very very intuitive of you to suggest that! My cover artist actually did a version of the cover with minarets, but it didn't turn out that well because it ended up cluttering the primary image. But, that said, I do think it might be worthwhile to try inserting a simple skyline, as you mentioned.
Thank you so much for taking the time to advise me. :)