a critique site for book lovers, hosted by author Jude Hardin
Sunday, July 24, 2011
The Other Side of Life by Jess C Scott
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.
Looks like an edgy mainstream sort of book. I don't care for the layout because a) the guy's expression isn't displayed, so I can't tell anything about him. It's just not that interesting. b) The author's name on a pink background doesn't work for me. It doesn't look like a professional artist did the layout.
I like urban fantasy, but based solely on this cover, I'd pass it by. Sorry.
I'd say the sub-title which gives the genre is too hard to read. I definitely don't like the font for the author's name. It does have an edgy feel to it but not quite enough for this genre, I suspect. It needs something in addition. I don't mind that you can't see the guy's face, but I'd add another element, blood or something, preferably in a strong color.
first saw this book cover on the author's signature on kindleboards. my first thought was that it was cool and unusual. i didn't really notice the pink strip (maybe it doens't stand out so much as a smaller thumbnail).
i was impressed when i found out the author did the cover drawing too!
It's interesting how different monitors display the covers differently. On my home computer there is a slight hint of pink behind the author's name - so little that I hardly noticed it. On my work computer there is no evidence of the pink background at all. Something to keep in mind as you design your covers going forward.
If I did see the pink I don't think I'd like it. It doesn't seem to fit the graphic.
I like the graphic okay and the "edgy-ness" of it. But I think I'd move the title up to cover some of the white space on the left. As it is, it looks kind of out of balance. Maybe that's the effect you're after, but I'm not crazy about it.
I like the font but I'd make the subtitle larger. I'd also make the author's name bigger...and lose the pink background.
The artwork is interesting but doesn't say Cyberpunk to me. If the text was not on the cover, I would have guessed gritty urban story.
My first suggesting to the author would be to start over with different artwork work, however if that is not possible the I would suggest that the artwork be run though Photoshop and shift some of the gray tones to blue. It will make it pop out more.
With the text, make the sub-text much, much bigger and also change the font and pink on the name.
I've read and reviewed this book, so maybe I shouldn't comment, but I will anyway. I think this cover is all about cool. The character shown in profile, cut off on the side to create distance, with the sunglasses, and with the use of gray (a traditional cool shade) to soften the black and white -- all these elements work to convey the combination of standoffishness and sophistication that the character, Nin, actually displays in the book. While the subtitle could be larger, it definitely tells us what the book is about, and will enable prospective readers to recognize whether it is for them. If you like cyberpunk or elves, this book is for you, for sure.
Looks like an edgy mainstream sort of book. I don't care for the layout because
ReplyDeletea) the guy's expression isn't displayed, so I can't tell anything about him. It's just not that interesting.
b) The author's name on a pink background doesn't work for me. It doesn't look like a professional artist did the layout.
I like urban fantasy, but based solely on this cover, I'd pass it by. Sorry.
I'd say the sub-title which gives the genre is too hard to read. I definitely don't like the font for the author's name. It does have an edgy feel to it but not quite enough for this genre, I suspect. It needs something in addition. I don't mind that you can't see the guy's face, but I'd add another element, blood or something, preferably in a strong color.
ReplyDeletefirst saw this book cover on the author's signature on kindleboards. my first thought was that it was cool and unusual. i didn't really notice the pink strip (maybe it doens't stand out so much as a smaller thumbnail).
ReplyDeletei was impressed when i found out the author did the cover drawing too!
It's interesting how different monitors display the covers differently. On my home computer there is a slight hint of pink behind the author's name - so little that I hardly noticed it. On my work computer there is no evidence of the pink background at all. Something to keep in mind as you design your covers going forward.
ReplyDeleteIf I did see the pink I don't think I'd like it. It doesn't seem to fit the graphic.
I like the graphic okay and the "edgy-ness" of it. But I think I'd move the title up to cover some of the white space on the left. As it is, it looks kind of out of balance. Maybe that's the effect you're after, but I'm not crazy about it.
I like the font but I'd make the subtitle larger. I'd also make the author's name bigger...and lose the pink background.
(Eric-)
ReplyDeleteThe artwork is interesting but doesn't say Cyberpunk to me. If the text was not on the cover, I would have guessed gritty urban story.
My first suggesting to the author would be to start over with different artwork work, however if that is not possible the I would suggest that the artwork be run though Photoshop and shift some of the gray tones to blue. It will make it pop out more.
With the text, make the sub-text much, much bigger and also change the font and pink on the name.
I've read and reviewed this book, so maybe I shouldn't comment, but I will anyway. I think this cover is all about cool. The character shown in profile, cut off on the side to create distance, with the sunglasses, and with the use of gray (a traditional cool shade) to soften the black and white -- all these elements work to convey the combination of standoffishness and sophistication that the character, Nin, actually displays in the book. While the subtitle could be larger, it definitely tells us what the book is about, and will enable prospective readers to recognize whether it is for them. If you like cyberpunk or elves, this book is for you, for sure.
ReplyDelete