a critique site for book lovers, hosted by author Jude Hardin
Saturday, March 19, 2011
The Last King's Amulet by Chris Northern
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.
Note: I'm not getting that from the pictures of the peasants on the cover but from the title. Just looking at the image, I'd have said novel set during the American Revolution, or perhaps Frontier West.
font choice (apple chancery?) is a bit off and it's *way* too small.
I can't say that it grabs me. The anguished hand to the brow, the out flung arm on the body (I'm assuming it's a body, altho he could just be injured and she's hoping he'll come around soon and chop some firewood), the dirt floor hovel. It doesn't really do it for me...too "stagey" for the photo-realistic effect.
There's also no amulet. I realize that there doesn't really need to be, but is he the last king? Is the story about the last king? or about his amulet? There's enough ambiguity there that's not resolved in the image to make me want to find out the answers.
I *do* read fantasy, so if I'm right about the genre, this would be one I might read. Based on this presentation, it wouldn't make it to my sample list.
No appology necessay, Nathan. Thank you for the comments. Interesting. I will be thinking about this soon. For now, I will refrain from commenting until there are a few more comments to comment on.
Hmm, this is interesting. I have to say I don't like the font choice much either. Maybe if it was bolder...or bigger.
Now that someone mentioned American Frontier, it kind of reminds me of it.. I think it's an interesting picture, but I think the author would fair better with maybe a crown/amulet on the cover.
I think the genre is Medieval Fantasy, based on the title.
The text is totally illegible, small :( Looks a little like a picture from a play at a community theater. The title and picture don't mesh at all for me, sorry :(
I will join in and agree that the font is very hard to read.
I am not sure that the artwork is going the job in selling the book. With the word "Amulet" in the title, one things magic and fantasy, but the artwork doesn't give any impression along this lines.
The Artwork makes me think more tragic historical.
Remember a great piece of artwork does not equal a great cover.
I like the image by itself but feel like it doesn't draw a reader in as much as a more minimalist design might, maybe featuring the amulet (as others have stated).
If you are set on using this image I suggest changing up the composition overall so the eye flows more easily over the whole cover. At the moment there seems to be too much "dead" space.
Also the text layout and font choice just don't work for me. It's too small and is almost forgotten in the over all design.
The first thing I thought when I saw this was "Love Story", not fantasy. I looked at the title at the very last because the image takes up so much of the focus.
If this is the story of a King falling in love with a peasant, then the cover art makes sense (and it is certainly what I am expecting). If this is meant to be a fantasy story, you might not be on the mark.
Also, the title is way too small for a thumbnail to do you justice. A color that might pop out more would probably help grab readers as well, I would think. Cheers!
When I look at this cover, the first thing that comes to my mind is the story of "Judith and Holofernes". I don't know if it has any relationship with this at all but, it reminded me of a rendition of Judith story.
I'd say that this is historical fiction. However, I can't place the time period because both of their outfits don't match the same time period. She looks like a potential maid from medieval maybe renaissance period. He doesn't look kingly (no jewelry, simple unadorned clothes) nor from the same time period (clothes, facial hair and hair style don't match time period). Is he wearing a robe?
Usually when actual photos are used on book covers, the faces of the subjects are somehow cut off; showing the person from the neck down, looking away, hidden, etc.. In a way that you can't really see their faces. That I am able to see them strikes me as odd.
As others mentioned, the fonts are too small. I'd suggest you just leave the title and name of the author on the cover. Take that "by" out of there. There is no room for "by" on a professional cover.
Oh, and one other comment. I don't like "By" so-and-so. I think it make a cover look amateurish. You use "by" in an article about your book or when someone is talking about your book. But it does not belong on the cover.
This is kind of old news, I guess. But I just thought I´d drop by and say thanks again for the comments and advice - all good. The follow on cover that I bought as a result won an award, here: http://www.thebookdesigner.com/2011/10/e-book-cover-design-awards-september-2011/
historical (king) fantasy (amulet).
ReplyDeleteNote: I'm not getting that from the pictures of the peasants on the cover but from the title. Just looking at the image, I'd have said novel set during the American Revolution, or perhaps Frontier West.
font choice (apple chancery?) is a bit off and it's *way* too small.
I can't say that it grabs me. The anguished hand to the brow, the out flung arm on the body (I'm assuming it's a body, altho he could just be injured and she's hoping he'll come around soon and chop some firewood), the dirt floor hovel. It doesn't really do it for me...too "stagey" for the photo-realistic effect.
There's also no amulet. I realize that there doesn't really need to be, but is he the last king? Is the story about the last king? or about his amulet? There's enough ambiguity there that's not resolved in the image to make me want to find out the answers.
I *do* read fantasy, so if I'm right about the genre, this would be one I might read. Based on this presentation, it wouldn't make it to my sample list.
Sorry, Chris.
No appology necessay, Nathan. Thank you for the comments. Interesting. I will be thinking about this soon. For now, I will refrain from commenting until there are a few more comments to comment on.
ReplyDeleteI think everybody is sleepin' in this morning :D
ReplyDeleteHmm, this is interesting. I have to say I don't like the font choice much either. Maybe if it was bolder...or bigger.
ReplyDeleteNow that someone mentioned American Frontier, it kind of reminds me of it.. I think it's an interesting picture, but I think the author would fair better with maybe a crown/amulet on the cover.
I think the genre is Medieval Fantasy, based on the title.
The text is totally illegible, small :( Looks a little like a picture from a play at a community theater. The title and picture don't mesh at all for me, sorry :(
ReplyDeleteI would probably skip this one.
Shackled
Cheat
I will join in and agree that the font is very hard to read.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure that the artwork is going the job in selling the book. With the word "Amulet" in the title, one things magic and fantasy, but the artwork doesn't give any impression along this lines.
The Artwork makes me think more tragic historical.
Remember a great piece of artwork does not equal a great cover.
I like the image by itself but feel like it doesn't draw a reader in as much as a more minimalist design might, maybe featuring the amulet (as others have stated).
ReplyDeleteIf you are set on using this image I suggest changing up the composition overall so the eye flows more easily over the whole cover. At the moment there seems to be too much "dead" space.
Also the text layout and font choice just don't work for me. It's too small and is almost forgotten in the over all design.
The main thing that jumps out is the title needs to be bigger.
ReplyDeleteIt also looks sort of artsy, like a painting used in a Penguin Classic.
The first thing I thought when I saw this was "Love Story", not fantasy. I looked at the title at the very last because the image takes up so much of the focus.
ReplyDeleteIf this is the story of a King falling in love with a peasant, then the cover art makes sense (and it is certainly what I am expecting). If this is meant to be a fantasy story, you might not be on the mark.
Also, the title is way too small for a thumbnail to do you justice. A color that might pop out more would probably help grab readers as well, I would think. Cheers!
When I look at this cover, the first thing that comes to my mind is the story of "Judith and Holofernes". I don't know if it has any relationship with this at all but, it reminded me of a rendition of Judith story.
ReplyDeleteI'd say that this is historical fiction. However, I can't place the time period because both of their outfits don't match the same time period. She looks like a potential maid from medieval maybe renaissance period. He doesn't look kingly (no jewelry, simple unadorned clothes) nor from the same time period (clothes, facial hair and hair style don't match time period). Is he wearing a robe?
Usually when actual photos are used on book covers, the faces of the subjects are somehow cut off; showing the person from the neck down, looking away, hidden, etc.. In a way that you can't really see their faces. That I am able to see them strikes me as odd.
As others mentioned, the fonts are too small. I'd suggest you just leave the title and name of the author on the cover. Take that "by" out of there. There is no room for "by" on a professional cover.
When I look at this cover I think PBS documentary about some haunted bed & breakfast in Scottland or something.
ReplyDeleteMeh. I don't like it but that's just me, I'm sure plenty of people will :)
Thanks for the comments.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking to comment at length, but there is no real need. The jury is in, the gavel has struck the wood. One new cover on the way. :)
I'm very confused by this cover. The artwork says PBS Masterpiece Classic. The title says Historical Fantasy.
ReplyDeleteOh, and one other comment. I don't like "By" so-and-so. I think it make a cover look amateurish. You use "by" in an article about your book or when someone is talking about your book. But it does not belong on the cover.
ReplyDeleteThis is kind of old news, I guess. But I just thought I´d drop by and say thanks again for the comments and advice - all good. The follow on cover that I bought as a result won an award, here: http://www.thebookdesigner.com/2011/10/e-book-cover-design-awards-september-2011/
ReplyDeleteThanks again