a critique site for book lovers, hosted by author Jude Hardin
Saturday, July 16, 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.
The covers that get put up over the weekend never get much attention, so I'm coming back to this one.
This cover doesn't grab me, but I think it has more to do with the perceived genre than the cover itself. I'm guessing fantasy, science fiction, or perhaps a graphic novel. Looks like a Mad Max, post appocalyptic story - not something I generally read.
As for the cover, I think it's okay. My biggest problem is that the title gets lost in the image a little, even with the splash of red (blood I take it). I think I'd do away with the splash and make the title red just to give it more contrast. I like the font selection and sizing and layout. There just needs to be more contrast for the title.
I too have problems with this cover. It clearly looks to be a fantasy, however I think that the cover is way too busy. The artwork is nice but busy, the red over that and then the text make it even more busy.
With that gray background you have the option to play with size of the artwork and you can put a the title above the artwork.
I love this cover. I think the background could be darker to bring him out more and make the title pop. I guess post apocalyptic by cover and Fantasy by title, therein might be a problem.
But wow it must be cool to have such a distinctive image for your cover.
Thanks for the comments. I'll schedule in some pirates for a later book in the series. :)
I do have an idea for a post apocolyptic fantasy (I toyed with the ideas for fun in Endgame: Aftermath, a RPG that's available somewhere) and may yet write some shorter fiction in that world sometime.
I'm happy with this one and have asked Chris Steininger to do the cover for the second book in the same style. The mixed guesses as to genre surprises me less now that I've thought about it but I've decided to stay with it.
This cover actually grabbed me! I would have guessed something along the lines of that movie "Your Highness" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1240982/). Looks like humorous fantasy. I'll be clicking through once I'm done with this comment!
I actually love this cover. It caught my eye somewhere else (Kindleboards, I think), and I forwarded it to my cover artist as an example of a book cover I admire. Really distinctive. I think the character's face was drawn so well that I already like him. Doesn't hurt that he's cute. :)
The covers that get put up over the weekend never get much attention, so I'm coming back to this one.
ReplyDeleteThis cover doesn't grab me, but I think it has more to do with the perceived genre than the cover itself. I'm guessing fantasy, science fiction, or perhaps a graphic novel. Looks like a Mad Max, post appocalyptic story - not something I generally read.
As for the cover, I think it's okay. My biggest problem is that the title gets lost in the image a little, even with the splash of red (blood I take it). I think I'd do away with the splash and make the title red just to give it more contrast. I like the font selection and sizing and layout. There just needs to be more contrast for the title.
(Eric-) I too was busy over the weekend.
ReplyDeleteI too have problems with this cover. It clearly looks to be a fantasy, however I think that the cover is way too busy. The artwork is nice but busy, the red over that and then the text make it even more busy.
With that gray background you have the option to play with size of the artwork and you can put a the title above the artwork.
Good Luck.
Epic fantasy?
ReplyDeleteA fantasy novel with pirates? (Pirates, yeah! :-))
I love this cover. I think the background could be darker to bring him out more and make the title pop. I guess post apocalyptic by cover and Fantasy by title, therein might be a problem.
ReplyDeleteBut wow it must be cool to have such a distinctive image for your cover.
Thanks for the comments. I'll schedule in some pirates for a later book in the series. :)
ReplyDeleteI do have an idea for a post apocolyptic fantasy (I toyed with the ideas for fun in Endgame: Aftermath, a RPG that's available somewhere) and may yet write some shorter fiction in that world sometime.
I'm happy with this one and have asked Chris Steininger to do the cover for the second book in the same style. The mixed guesses as to genre surprises me less now that I've thought about it but I've decided to stay with it.
Again, thanks for the comments.
Chris
This cover actually grabbed me! I would have guessed something along the lines of that movie "Your Highness" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1240982/). Looks like humorous fantasy. I'll be clicking through once I'm done with this comment!
ReplyDeleteI actually love this cover. It caught my eye somewhere else (Kindleboards, I think), and I forwarded it to my cover artist as an example of a book cover I admire. Really distinctive. I think the character's face was drawn so well that I already like him. Doesn't hurt that he's cute. :)
ReplyDelete