a critique site for book lovers, hosted by author Jude Hardin
Thursday, April 21, 2011
To Conquer the Heart of a King by J.S. Laurenz
What's the genre? What's the logline? 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.
I like the color, the sword, and the contrast of light and dark. The title font is OK, maybe a little too fussy, but the author's name is hard to read.
I'd like to see an image that more clearly defines the genre. As it is, I'm not sure I'd pick this one up unless it was to see whether it's a romance.
Only the title hints at historical romance. The imagery says historical fantasy. The sword looks great but it's the only strong thing and you have nothing there to indicate the romance element.
It needs a velvet or brocade background to imply sumptuousness as the plain red is too stark and it just says 'war' at the moment (or even a landscape with figures).
Perhaps a woman's hand? Or the figure of a woman in the background. Better still a couple. Choose your generic Pre-Raphaelite pairing from something like this... http://bit.ly/gN641e I was going to suggest some specific ones, then realised I didn't really know which era your novel was set in. I think figures in costume will help set that too.
I agree with the comment above on the font for your name. Makes it difficult to read.
Genre: historical fiction, possibly historical romance.
ReplyDeleteI like the color, the sword, and the contrast of light and dark. The title font is OK, maybe a little too fussy, but the author's name is hard to read.
I'd like to see an image that more clearly defines the genre. As it is, I'm not sure I'd pick this one up unless it was to see whether it's a romance.
Looks historical, although the title suggests romance. I think the author's name would work better in the same font. Nice and vividly iconic.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it looks like a historical romance.
ReplyDeleteI do not like the font for the authors name. Can't read it.
Other than the font issue, it looks alike a good cover.
Thanks for your comments! You guessed it. It's historical romance.
ReplyDeleteBest,
J.S.
Definitely historical romance. I think it's bold and looks great!
ReplyDeleteOnly the title hints at historical romance. The imagery says historical fantasy. The sword looks great but it's the only strong thing and you have nothing there to indicate the romance element.
ReplyDeleteIt needs a velvet or brocade background to imply sumptuousness as the plain red is too stark and it just says 'war' at the moment (or even a landscape with figures).
Perhaps a woman's hand? Or the figure of a woman in the background. Better still a couple. Choose your generic Pre-Raphaelite pairing from something like this... http://bit.ly/gN641e I was going to suggest some specific ones, then realised I didn't really know which era your novel was set in. I think figures in costume will help set that too.
I agree with the comment above on the font for your name. Makes it difficult to read.
Andy Conway
The Girl with the Bomb Inside (A Novelette) on Amazon.co.uk - Amazon.com and Smashwords