a critique site for book lovers, hosted by author Jude Hardin
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Sheri Leigh's Star Struck
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.
Going to write these two-fold, assuming the author has the book published or a blurb that I can otherwise find with a quick Google search.
First will be the opinion of someone just seeing the cover without knowing anything about the book. Second will be the opinion of how the cover fits with its actual intent, working off the Amazon description if available.
--------- Unbiased ---------
This is definitely a YA novel, my best guess would be with an intended audience of young girls aged 12-16.
Definitely get the 'teen stalker' vibe, which makes me waffle between YA dream vs. reality book or psychological stalker thriller, but I'm going to stick to my guns on the former because of the general cover design: Pink, flowery text is the main cue to me.
My one-word plot off this cover?: Sara is Tyler Vincent's biggest fan, but has her obsession gone too far?
"Sara is obsessed with pop star Tyler Vincent, and as she nears the end of her senior year, she’s determined to find a way to be with him--although her best friend, Aimee, keeps telling her to find a different escape from her desperately violent home life."
BAM, baby! Nathan and I both got it right. Which bodes very well for this author, I think. Granted my one-sentence blurb sets up more of a teen thriller than anything else, but I believe this cover is very appropriate for the story and its intended audience.
I get the stalker vibe as well. I like this cover. However, I'd like to see a little bit of a dark edge coming through to contrast with the pink and girlie. Maybe a darker background... Also, do the kids nowadays listen to CDs anymore? That may date the cover. Perhaps a concert poster instead would be better.
Great comment about dating the cover, I absolutely agree. With the infinite shelf-life of ebooks, it's best not to include items that may date your cover, if you're slanting toward the modern setting.
Hmm, I didn't get a stalker vibe from the cover. I saw it as YA chicklit with a band groupie theme. I see it as probably romantic comedy with a fairy tale outcome of the girl meeting and getting together with her fave musician. Or maybe she doesn't get the guy, but rather ends up with her guy best friend who has loved her all along, despite her silly obsession with a rock star.
But I definitely agree that the CD cover dates the book. I'd put an iPod or other MP3 player on the cover instead, along with perhaps a concert poster instead of a CD cover.
As for buying the book, yes, I'd buy it. I love YA chicklit, and this is what that says to me.
First impression of the cover: definitely YA. Possibly mainstream, possibly chick lit, maybe even mystery/suspense. I think the lightness of the cover and the clean images suggest a happier tale rather than a dark and creepy one, though.
It looks a little busy for my personal taste, but I think that busyness is probably perfectly relevant to the MC's obsession, and therefore is an accurate description of her mentality/actions in the story itself.
I lol'd at the suggestion that the CD cover dates the book; I guess that dates me too since I didn't even notice. But for teens, who are the target audience (I'm assuming), that would probably be a glaring item.
I'm writing this before reading the other comments so as not to be influenced.
It looks like a stalker suspense novel to me, but I could see it done as a comedy. I like all the bits on the cover. I feel I am getting a hint of the stalker character before even opening the book.
The title gets a little lost at thumbnail size--the pink outline blends with the pink background element--but the key part of the cover photo, the CD title texts, Wanted Man and LIVE, hold up. That's enough to get me interested.
I think this cover should work in Kindle and other eBook markets. The thumbnail mostly holds up and clicking on it brings a subtle reward by revealing the other cover details on the larger book page image.
Yeah the cover definitely evokes, for me at least, an obsessed fan or maybe even a groupie. I don't think the title really says psychological thriller, maybe a YA Novel about a fan who idolizes some musician and through the course of the novel learns that he's not all he's cracked up to be. But that's mainly just spit-balling.
While I'm not a fan of pink text, I think the rest of the cover is great. It clearly states YA with a potentially "chick-lit" vibe. I sense there is a "groupie" or "fan" vibe where the MC is hoping to see the star of her dreams. With that said it could be YA romance. That's my guess.
The pulling of teeth was worth it bc that's a great cover. It communicates well.
My one, tiny, nitpicky thing for me is the CD case. Terry mentioned it doesn't feel dated to her but it kind of did to me. I'm 34 and haven't bought a cd in like 6 years. I imagine some teens are starting to get where they don't even know where music came from before itunes.
Maybe an iphone or itouch with the album cover up on it would make it more current.
Just a thought and not even an important one bc the cover totally works.
Well, this one is pretty good! The quilt-looking backdrop is just a bit distracting to me, and yes, the CD dates the image... Like Kendall, I haven't bought a CD in ages.
Otherwise, A-
Jenna (who does covers) @lundeenliterary www.lundeenliterary.com
YA Chicklit? YA Mystery?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what the genre for YA Groupie Stalker lit might be but that's what the cover says to me.
Pinks, fonts, the spiral binder with the names and heart, concert ticket and CD case.
Would I buy it? No, but it's not likely to show up on any of my suggestion lists.
At 100 x 150 it works pretty well with author and title both legible and the pink pen showing up quite clearly.
I think this is a pretty good design with a nice balance of large scale objects, close up details, and a unified theme.
Of course if this is an erotic, paranormal romance/mystery, that might be a problem.
Going to write these two-fold, assuming the author has the book published or a blurb that I can otherwise find with a quick Google search.
ReplyDeleteFirst will be the opinion of someone just seeing the cover without knowing anything about the book. Second will be the opinion of how the cover fits with its actual intent, working off the Amazon description if available.
---------
Unbiased
---------
This is definitely a YA novel, my best guess would be with an intended audience of young girls aged 12-16.
Definitely get the 'teen stalker' vibe, which makes me waffle between YA dream vs. reality book or psychological stalker thriller, but I'm going to stick to my guns on the former because of the general cover design: Pink, flowery text is the main cue to me.
My one-word plot off this cover?: Sara is Tyler Vincent's biggest fan, but has her obsession gone too far?
---------------
Second Review
---------------
Here's the Kindle product page for Star Struck:
http://www.amazon.com/Star-Struck-ebook/dp/B003E7F2NQ
"Sara is obsessed with pop star Tyler Vincent, and as she nears the end of her senior year, she’s determined to find a way to be with him--although her best friend, Aimee, keeps telling her to find a different escape from her desperately violent home life."
BAM, baby! Nathan and I both got it right. Which bodes very well for this author, I think. Granted my one-sentence blurb sets up more of a teen thriller than anything else, but I believe this cover is very appropriate for the story and its intended audience.
Good job, Sheri!
YA mystery thriller.
ReplyDeleteI get the stalker vibe as well. I like this cover. However, I'd like to see a little bit of a dark edge coming through to contrast with the pink and girlie. Maybe a darker background... Also, do the kids nowadays listen to CDs anymore? That may date the cover. Perhaps a concert poster instead would be better.
Great comment about dating the cover, I absolutely agree. With the infinite shelf-life of ebooks, it's best not to include items that may date your cover, if you're slanting toward the modern setting.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I didn't get a stalker vibe from the cover. I saw it as YA chicklit with a band groupie theme. I see it as probably romantic comedy with a fairy tale outcome of the girl meeting and getting together with her fave musician. Or maybe she doesn't get the guy, but rather ends up with her guy best friend who has loved her all along, despite her silly obsession with a rock star.
ReplyDeleteBut I definitely agree that the CD cover dates the book. I'd put an iPod or other MP3 player on the cover instead, along with perhaps a concert poster instead of a CD cover.
As for buying the book, yes, I'd buy it. I love YA chicklit, and this is what that says to me.
Funny I also got a stalker feel from the cover. I guess because I saw high school teen and older star.
ReplyDeleteOver all I would say that the cover is good enough to make me read the description.
As for the iPod I might suggest that it be made an Ipad which is larger and a large graphic can be placed on it.
Just my $0.02
First impression of the cover: definitely YA. Possibly mainstream, possibly chick lit, maybe even mystery/suspense. I think the lightness of the cover and the clean images suggest a happier tale rather than a dark and creepy one, though.
ReplyDeleteIt looks a little busy for my personal taste, but I think that busyness is probably perfectly relevant to the MC's obsession, and therefore is an accurate description of her mentality/actions in the story itself.
I lol'd at the suggestion that the CD cover dates the book; I guess that dates me too since I didn't even notice. But for teens, who are the target audience (I'm assuming), that would probably be a glaring item.
Teens still like to own CDs of their favorite bands. If she's obsessed with this guy, I have no doubt she would buy his CDs.
ReplyDeleteI love the way this cover tells a story. Unusual, and very clever, I think.
I thought YA, possibly YA romance. I liked the cover a lot and it didn't feel dated to me, because I'm dated. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm trying not to comment until everyone else does, but wanted to say I'm here listening. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm writing this before reading the other comments so as not to be influenced.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a stalker suspense novel to me, but I could see it done as a comedy. I like all the bits on the cover. I feel I am getting a hint of the stalker character before even opening the book.
The title gets a little lost at thumbnail size--the pink outline blends with the pink background element--but the key part of the cover photo, the CD title texts, Wanted Man and LIVE, hold up. That's enough to get me interested.
I think this cover should work in Kindle and other eBook markets. The thumbnail mostly holds up and clicking on it brings a subtle reward by revealing the other cover details on the larger book page image.
Very interesting comments, everyone! Keep 'em coming.
ReplyDeleteSheri, feel free to give us your designer's name and email address if you want to. I think it's a great cover.
Yeah the cover definitely evokes, for me at least, an obsessed fan or maybe even a groupie. I don't think the title really says psychological thriller, maybe a YA Novel about a fan who idolizes some musician and through the course of the novel learns that he's not all he's cracked up to be. But that's mainly just spit-balling.
ReplyDeleteMy husband did my cover - he was a graphic artist in a former life. :)
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm not a fan of pink text, I think the rest of the cover is great. It clearly states YA with a potentially "chick-lit" vibe. I sense there is a "groupie" or "fan" vibe where the MC is hoping to see the star of her dreams. With that said it could be YA romance. That's my guess.
ReplyDeleteY'all were spot on! Thanks so much for your comments. :)
ReplyDeleteSheri--is your husband interested in doing covers for other authors? If so, give me his name and email address and I'll post it here. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYA Romance perhaps? Or maybe a thriller? I get the impression that a fan is going to be obsessed with a singer. :)
ReplyDeleteI had to pull teeth to get him to do mine! LOL
ReplyDeleteThe pulling of teeth was worth it bc that's a great cover. It communicates well.
ReplyDeleteMy one, tiny, nitpicky thing for me is the CD case. Terry mentioned it doesn't feel dated to her but it kind of did to me. I'm 34 and haven't bought a cd in like 6 years. I imagine some teens are starting to get where they don't even know where music came from before itunes.
Maybe an iphone or itouch with the album cover up on it would make it more current.
Just a thought and not even an important one bc the cover totally works.
Great job!
Kendall
NAKEDVampire
Well, this one is pretty good! The quilt-looking backdrop is just a bit distracting to me, and yes, the CD dates the image... Like Kendall, I haven't bought a CD in ages.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, A-
Jenna (who does covers)
@lundeenliterary
www.lundeenliterary.com
I like the cover. I think it has a unifying theme and good layout.
ReplyDeleteI would guess that the genre is Young Adult and that it's about a teen girl crushing on a rock star.
Tara Maya
Initiate
Conmergence