a critique site for book lovers, hosted by author Jude Hardin
Monday, September 12, 2011
The Black God's War by Moses Siregar III
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.
Fantasy. And yes, its a beautiful cover. The only thing I don't like is the yellow bar across the bottom touting the author's work by another author. I don't know why, but that bugs me...
Here's an unusual thing about this cover. This is the cover for my debut novel, but a year ago I released this one I released a preview/novella with the same name, "The Black God's War." So one of the goals with this cover was to use a similar but different enough cover so that people could link the two ebooks together without confusing the two.
LOL. Oh, you! Of course this is a great cover! I personally like the yellow stripe. Makes it seem more professional. Though it does seem unlikely that a reader would select a book based on an author recommendation, it is certainly frequently used in the publication industry. And that will probably only tie you into a quality look than hurt your sales.
Alternatively, you could add something from one of the more popular book bloggers that have given you a nice review. That may have more power with a reader.
The image is striking, so much so that it seems to suck me in.
I don't mind seeing recommendations on a cover, but in this case the text at the bottom is not readable. Also, the cover is fairly busy, so that lower text box is a bit too much.
I do really like the way the author name fits between the title words. Nicely done.
Thanks for commenting, everyone. I designed this one myself and I can't draw to save my life, so it's a great feeling to hear that something I've created actually works on an artistic level.
Great cover. Looks like fantasy to me - maybe with a classical or literary leaning. The cover is dramatic and eye catching. Makes you want to know more about the duality implied in the imagery.
Covers never sell me on a book, but this is honestly one of the most attractive ones I've seen this year. It helps that I came off a morning of covers featuring shirtless guys, or guys in leather jackets, or guys who were shirtless underneath their leather jackets. The warm whites, yellows, oranges and reds are easy on the eyes. The old "half this face, half this one" is helped by how different they are. She is beautiful rather than sexy, and he is hidden just enough to pique my interest. It screams Fantasy, if not for his helmet, then because very few other novels feature a lady with a circlet. Be happy to have such a cover on my shelf.
Not wild about the byline splitting the title - would prefer it above or below, but that might be an eye-catch gimmick that works better on others.
Thanks, John. The byline splitting the title was one of the toughest decisions. I only use this cover for the ebook version and I have a different one for print. In the smaller size for an ebook thumbnail I like the way the gold bar divides the image, and I think it catches the eye better at that small size. If I were using this image for the print cover, I'd probably put the byline at the top.
Fantasy. And yes, its a beautiful cover. The only thing I don't like is the yellow bar across the bottom touting the author's work by another author. I don't know why, but that bugs me...
ReplyDeleteThanks for featuring my book, S.J.!
ReplyDeleteHere's an unusual thing about this cover. This is the cover for my debut novel, but a year ago I released this one I released a preview/novella with the same name, "The Black God's War." So one of the goals with this cover was to use a similar but different enough cover so that people could link the two ebooks together without confusing the two.
Here is the previously released novella at Amazon.
Here is the novel at Amazon.
LOL. Oh, you! Of course this is a great cover! I personally like the yellow stripe. Makes it seem more professional. Though it does seem unlikely that a reader would select a book based on an author recommendation, it is certainly frequently used in the publication industry. And that will probably only tie you into a quality look than hurt your sales.
ReplyDeleteAlternatively, you could add something from one of the more popular book bloggers that have given you a nice review. That may have more power with a reader.
The cover says fantasy or science fiction to me.
ReplyDeleteThe image is striking, so much so that it seems to suck me in.
I don't mind seeing recommendations on a cover, but in this case the text at the bottom is not readable. Also, the cover is fairly busy, so that lower text box is a bit too much.
I do really like the way the author name fits between the title words. Nicely done.
Love it! I already know the genre since we met at WFC. But it's awesome looking. I love the split faces and I'd def pick it up off the shelf.
ReplyDeleteI've been posting here for a month or so and have enjoyed seeing all the covers. I have a one-word review for this one.
ReplyDeleteWOW!!
Thanks for commenting, everyone. I designed this one myself and I can't draw to save my life, so it's a great feeling to hear that something I've created actually works on an artistic level.
ReplyDeleteGreat cover. Looks like fantasy to me - maybe with a classical or literary leaning. The cover is dramatic and eye catching. Makes you want to know more about the duality implied in the imagery.
ReplyDeleteCovers never sell me on a book, but this is honestly one of the most attractive ones I've seen this year. It helps that I came off a morning of covers featuring shirtless guys, or guys in leather jackets, or guys who were shirtless underneath their leather jackets. The warm whites, yellows, oranges and reds are easy on the eyes. The old "half this face, half this one" is helped by how different they are. She is beautiful rather than sexy, and he is hidden just enough to pique my interest. It screams Fantasy, if not for his helmet, then because very few other novels feature a lady with a circlet. Be happy to have such a cover on my shelf.
ReplyDeleteNot wild about the byline splitting the title - would prefer it above or below, but that might be an eye-catch gimmick that works better on others.
Thanks, John. The byline splitting the title was one of the toughest decisions. I only use this cover for the ebook version and I have a different one for print. In the smaller size for an ebook thumbnail I like the way the gold bar divides the image, and I think it catches the eye better at that small size. If I were using this image for the print cover, I'd probably put the byline at the top.
ReplyDeleteExcellent cover. Period.
ReplyDelete