a critique site for book lovers, hosted by author Jude Hardin
Thursday, December 29, 2011
The Blasphemer by John Ling
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.
This is a visually compelling cover in many ways. I love her eyes, the overall color scheme, and the slightly diagonal "rip" across the page that reveals title and author.
The typeface is beautifully subtle, but perhaps just a bit too subtle; it's difficult to read the "the" and the author name. I think if the color was lightened up just a bit for the ebook version that would fix that issue.
I'm not quite sure about the scene at the bottom. I'm conflicted. On the one hand I love the lights and, again, the color. On the other, it's very empty and visually rather bland. I might be tempted to move the model and title down and let them take up a little more of the cover and reduce the size of that bottom background a bit.
I'm not quite sure what genre to slot this into; thriller? I do know that I would absolutely pick this book up to read the back blurb, based solely on this cover.
Great cover. Like Robin, I'm guessing it's a thriller. Not sure I like the pic at the bottom; I think I'd get rid of it and just go with the woman (and those eyes...), with that diagonal rip with the title and author name.
I really like this cover overall. The title font is a bit on the light side, but I'm okay with that. The subtlety may indeed go with the theme of the book. Excellent work! The genre could be thriller or suspense.
Thank you so much for your constructive comments! I really appreciate you taking the time. I'll definitely look into talking things over with my cover artist, and we'll see where we can improve on the imagery.
Here's the description for The Blasphemer:
When Abraham Khan releases an e-book condemning radical Islam, the consequences hit him fast and hard -- an armed fanatic smashes into his home one evening, trying to kill him. He survives the harrowing attempt. Just barely. But will he survive the next one?
Maya Raines is the security operator brought in to protect Abraham. She is tough and committed. The very best at what she does. Always one step ahead of the threat.
But Abraham is no ordinary principal -- he will not hide, and he will not stay silent. And as rage explodes on the streets and the nation is propelled to the brink, Maya will have to ask herself the hardest question of all: how far would you go to protect one man’s right to speak?
Since you've all been really helpful, I'd like to express my appreciation by giving you all a free copy of the e-book.
If you are keen, just drop me a line at johnling83(at)gmail(dot)com
That said, here's my followup. Nothing, but nothing, in this cover says Islamic. And based on the cover, I would expect the woman to be the protagonist, not the man. Yet your blurb seems to indicate that the man is the protagonist. I'd think either the blurb needs to change or the cover does, and I would try to use that bottom half of the cover to bring up some sort of Islamic-themed reference.
I'm not really interested in books based on religious issues or clashes, so for me there would be a disconnect between blurb and cover. I hope that helps you. The cover is very nice, but given the blurb I'm not sure it actually fits the content.
Thank you for your follow-up. Maya is indeed the protagonist of the novel, and it's not an Islamic-themed story at all! =)
It's all about how Maya, an atheist and an empowered woman, comes to terms with extremism and violence, which is almost always male-centric. That's the primary theme.
But I do appreciate the observations! I'll see what I can do to fix things. =)
I agree with Robin's points. If the woman is Islamic, cut her face off (graphically, I mean) with a veil rather than a jagged line. Veils are mysterious, her eyes are mysterious. Get rid of the bottom image and come up with a strong tag line for that spot.
This is a visually compelling cover in many ways. I love her eyes, the overall color scheme, and the slightly diagonal "rip" across the page that reveals title and author.
ReplyDeleteThe typeface is beautifully subtle, but perhaps just a bit too subtle; it's difficult to read the "the" and the author name. I think if the color was lightened up just a bit for the ebook version that would fix that issue.
I'm not quite sure about the scene at the bottom. I'm conflicted. On the one hand I love the lights and, again, the color. On the other, it's very empty and visually rather bland. I might be tempted to move the model and title down and let them take up a little more of the cover and reduce the size of that bottom background a bit.
I'm not quite sure what genre to slot this into; thriller? I do know that I would absolutely pick this book up to read the back blurb, based solely on this cover.
Great cover. Like Robin, I'm guessing it's a thriller. Not sure I like the pic at the bottom; I think I'd get rid of it and just go with the woman (and those eyes...), with that diagonal rip with the title and author name.
ReplyDeleteVery arresting cover. :-)
I think that his is a really good cover. I like the colors and the text is easy to read.
ReplyDeleteI would also guess that it is a thriller.
I really like this cover overall. The title font is a bit on the light side, but I'm okay with that. The subtlety may indeed go with the theme of the book. Excellent work! The genre could be thriller or suspense.
ReplyDeleteHi everyone
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your constructive comments! I really appreciate you taking the time. I'll definitely look into talking things over with my cover artist, and we'll see where we can improve on the imagery.
Here's the description for The Blasphemer:
When Abraham Khan releases an e-book condemning radical Islam, the consequences hit him fast and hard -- an armed fanatic smashes into his home one evening, trying to kill him. He survives the harrowing attempt. Just barely. But will he survive the next one?
Maya Raines is the security operator brought in to protect Abraham. She is tough and committed. The very best at what she does. Always one step ahead of the threat.
But Abraham is no ordinary principal -- he will not hide, and he will not stay silent. And as rage explodes on the streets and the nation is propelled to the brink, Maya will have to ask herself the hardest question of all: how far would you go to protect one man’s right to speak?
Since you've all been really helpful, I'd like to express my appreciation by giving you all a free copy of the e-book.
If you are keen, just drop me a line at johnling83(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks again and best wishes for the new year!
Okay John, don't turn it into an ad please. :)
ReplyDeleteThat said, here's my followup. Nothing, but nothing, in this cover says Islamic. And based on the cover, I would expect the woman to be the protagonist, not the man. Yet your blurb seems to indicate that the man is the protagonist. I'd think either the blurb needs to change or the cover does, and I would try to use that bottom half of the cover to bring up some sort of Islamic-themed reference.
I'm not really interested in books based on religious issues or clashes, so for me there would be a disconnect between blurb and cover. I hope that helps you. The cover is very nice, but given the blurb I'm not sure it actually fits the content.
Hi Robin
ReplyDeleteThank you for your follow-up. Maya is indeed the protagonist of the novel, and it's not an Islamic-themed story at all! =)
It's all about how Maya, an atheist and an empowered woman, comes to terms with extremism and violence, which is almost always male-centric. That's the primary theme.
But I do appreciate the observations! I'll see what I can do to fix things. =)
@John I'd then think hard about changing the blurb. It's not badly written at all, but to me it suggests this is a novel about religion and Islam...
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Robin. I see what you mean. I'll try rewriting it. Hope I can come out with something better. =)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
I agree with Robin's points. If the woman is Islamic, cut her face off (graphically, I mean) with a veil rather than a jagged line. Veils are mysterious, her eyes are mysterious. Get rid of the bottom image and come up with a strong tag line for that spot.
ReplyDelete