a critique site for book lovers, hosted by author Jude Hardin
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Here by Denise Grover Swank
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.
Eye catching, lovely cover. It seems to me a YA paranormal. I wanted to look at it, just kind of enjoying it, and I noticed what appear to be adults in the background so now I'm wondering about this book. I think the author's name is perhaps too muted. However, I am not an artist. This is just a reader's impression.
I liked it when I first looked at it. Then I thought there was something weird about her collar near her face and her hair...but that just might be because it's a small view. I do like the font for Here. Looks to me like a suspense...something to do with murder...or a zombie story?? I wish you the best of luck!
I like this cover a lot. I'm guessing YA Paranormal. I like a subtitle up with the title but that is a personal choice. Overall, totally love the feel of this cover.
I think that this is a very good and strong cover. Paranormal with some Horror. The only thing that say YA is the age of the girl, which might nor might now be correct.
Very interesting cover. It says mystery and/or supernatural to me and it certainly begs a lot of questions. Where is the girl, why is she standing in water?
I'd definitely pick it up and check out the blurb.
Looks to me like a young adult paranormal, but I can see why some people say horror because the black & white gives it that eerie look--plus the dead trees in the background...
Very compelling cover! It would catch my eye and I would want to see what it's about. My guess is YA paranormal ghostly - like the undead - it has an edgy horror feel to it.
This cover works for me. It caught my eye immediately, and once my attention was arrested, I kept looking at it to find out more.
In the far background - are those two men watching her? I didn't see it at first, but the more I look at the cover, the more I think there are indeed two men watching, and that is very disquieting. I'm getting frightened for the girl - which is a very good thing. I'm impressed at how subtle this element is, how it doesn't interfere with the design or distract from the main image. The casual viewer whose eye bypasses this cover won't notice it, but the one who is interested will see it and be very curious.
The limited colour scheme, and the use of light and shadow, are very effective. The barefoot young girl in a white dress with long hair is a trope of the horror and suspense genres, and some may consider it a bit of a cliche, but it works here, and it certainly helps establish the genre.
For the genre, I think it's subtle horror, more psychological than gory, probably with a paranormal/supernatural element. This is the kind of book I enjoy reading, so I represent the target audience.
Assuming that I'm correct about my guess about the book's content, I'll give it 10 out of 10. It works perfectly for AIDA Stages 1 (attract attention) and 2 (create interest), and it does it for the target audience. From a marketing perspective, it couldn't be better.
Interesting comments. I don't see sci-fi or paranormal. I see depression. It's obvious that something is wrong. Even the sub-title doesn't give enough of a hint as to the story. It does say YA because she's a girl rather than a woman. If I saw the book, I'd read the blurb. The cover is eye catching and professional. E.
This cover definitely intrigues me. I'd have guessed YA dark paranormal. I like the muted colors and the edgy feel. I would make the subtitle at the bottom a bit larger, though. This cover would make me check out the book.
I thought YA/Fantasy-Paranormal from the start. I really like this cover a lot. I have three very small graphic design nit-picks.
First, the title needs kerning. There's too much room between the H and the ere (love the Mutlu typeface, and it suits the YA feel).
Second, I might make the bottom text line just a tiny hair larger.
Third, the reflection of her feet/legs in the water is a bit crudely done. Maybe knock it back just a bit? When you see the cover at the larger size it just looks a bit too fake.
All that said overall it's a really compelling cover and I am actually going to go check it out.
E Ayers, the main character is very depressed at the beginning of the novel. And the grey and bare trees also play into the second half of the book. And thanks!
It's a very intriguing cover Denise. I think it packs a lot of emotion and to me it looks very YA. I would think the story is supernatural/paranormal and the main character is in a great despair.
Very much in the current 'YA paranormal' vein. People who buy that genre will totally recognize it, no worries there. Absolutely lovely, has its own integrity, would not change a thing.
Eye catching, lovely cover. It seems to me a YA paranormal. I wanted to look at it, just kind of enjoying it, and I noticed what appear to be adults in the background so now I'm wondering about this book. I think the author's name is perhaps too muted. However, I am not an artist. This is just a reader's impression.
ReplyDeleteDark, edgy, supernatural. Looks intriguing.
ReplyDeleteI liked it when I first looked at it. Then I thought there was something weird about her collar near her face and her hair...but that just might be because it's a small view. I do like the font for Here. Looks to me like a suspense...something to do with murder...or a zombie story??
ReplyDeleteI wish you the best of luck!
This looks very paranormal and mysterious. It's lovely. I am absolutely intrigued.
ReplyDeleteWait, what's that text on the bottom? Is that part of the title? If so, needs to be bigger, IMO. But a very good job.
I like this cover a lot. I'm guessing YA Paranormal. I like a subtitle up with the title but that is a personal choice. Overall, totally love the feel of this cover.
ReplyDeleteLove it. I, too, would guess a YA paranormal.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is a very good and strong cover.
ReplyDeleteParanormal with some Horror. The only thing that say YA is the age of the girl, which might nor might now be correct.
Very interesting cover. It says mystery and/or supernatural to me and it certainly begs a lot of questions. Where is the girl, why is she standing in water?
ReplyDeleteI'd definitely pick it up and check out the blurb.
Looks like a horror novel to me. Maybe YA paranormal. It's intriguing and kind of creepy (in a good way.)
ReplyDeleteLooks to me like a young adult paranormal, but I can see why some people say horror because the black & white gives it that eerie look--plus the dead trees in the background...
ReplyDeleteVery eye catching and provocative! Well done.
Very compelling cover! It would catch my eye and I would want to see what it's about. My guess is YA paranormal ghostly - like the undead - it has an edgy horror feel to it.
ReplyDeleteThis cover works for me. It caught my eye immediately, and once my attention was arrested, I kept looking at it to find out more.
ReplyDeleteIn the far background - are those two men watching her? I didn't see it at first, but the more I look at the cover, the more I think there are indeed two men watching, and that is very disquieting. I'm getting frightened for the girl - which is a very good thing. I'm impressed at how subtle this element is, how it doesn't interfere with the design or distract from the main image. The casual viewer whose eye bypasses this cover won't notice it, but the one who is interested will see it and be very curious.
The limited colour scheme, and the use of light and shadow, are very effective. The barefoot young girl in a white dress with long hair is a trope of the horror and suspense genres, and some may consider it a bit of a cliche, but it works here, and it certainly helps establish the genre.
For the genre, I think it's subtle horror, more psychological than gory, probably with a paranormal/supernatural element. This is the kind of book I enjoy reading, so I represent the target audience.
Assuming that I'm correct about my guess about the book's content, I'll give it 10 out of 10. It works perfectly for AIDA Stages 1 (attract attention) and 2 (create interest), and it does it for the target audience. From a marketing perspective, it couldn't be better.
Good job.
I love this cover. Dark and edgy. Definitely YA paranormal.
ReplyDeletePS: I looked the book up at Amazon, and found it isn't horror as the cover led me to believe. :-(
ReplyDeleteHow disappointing. After seeing this cover, I'd been looking forward to a good scary read. ;-)
HERE is a YA sci fi/paranormal and has some thriller type moments in the second half of the book.
ReplyDeleteInteresting comments. I don't see sci-fi or paranormal. I see depression. It's obvious that something is wrong. Even the sub-title doesn't give enough of a hint as to the story. It does say YA because she's a girl rather than a woman. If I saw the book, I'd read the blurb. The cover is eye catching and professional.
ReplyDeleteE.
This cover definitely intrigues me. I'd have guessed YA dark paranormal. I like the muted colors and the edgy feel. I would make the subtitle at the bottom a bit larger, though. This cover would make me check out the book.
ReplyDeleteI thought YA/Fantasy-Paranormal from the start. I really like this cover a lot. I have three very small graphic design nit-picks.
ReplyDeleteFirst, the title needs kerning. There's too much room between the H and the ere (love the Mutlu typeface, and it suits the YA feel).
Second, I might make the bottom text line just a tiny hair larger.
Third, the reflection of her feet/legs in the water is a bit crudely done. Maybe knock it back just a bit? When you see the cover at the larger size it just looks a bit too fake.
All that said overall it's a really compelling cover and I am actually going to go check it out.
E Ayers, the main character is very depressed at the beginning of the novel. And the grey and bare trees also play into the second half of the book. And thanks!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cover. And although I'm not really into YA anything, the blurb sounds intriguing.
ReplyDeleteIt's a very intriguing cover Denise. I think it packs a lot of emotion and to me it looks very YA. I would think the story is supernatural/paranormal and the main character is in a great despair.
ReplyDeleteIntriguing cover but the difficulty in placing the genre is a bit of a problem. I would have said horror.
ReplyDeleteVery much in the current 'YA paranormal' vein. People who buy that genre will totally recognize it, no worries there. Absolutely lovely, has its own integrity, would not change a thing.
ReplyDelete