a critique site for book lovers, hosted by author Jude Hardin
Sunday, February 19, 2012
The Riddle of Ryu by Eilis Flynn
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.
I was pleased with Dar's work with one of my previous books, so when she agreed to do the cover for Riddle of Ryu, I was very happy. Her work here has a quality of fantasy and otherness that worked well with the story.
@Ellis, I am afraid that I'm only partially going to agree with you here.
Looking at the thumbnail, my first reaction wasn't "oh, cool," but rather "what the hell is that on his head? A giant wart?" I enlarged it and I'm still not sure what it is; it looks sort of like the bolt in Frankenstein's neck except smaller and on this guy's poor forehead.
Now I'm sure it has something to do with the story, but it really just isn't attractive. actually, I don't find him attractive either; I would have chosen another male model. The lighting on him and his face is very harsh and makes his features look heavy.
I like the color scheme, the dragon in the background, the lighting and her. The gradient and embossing on the title is a little overdone for me, I would have not done embossing (just because it's a bit out of style at the moment) and gentled that gradient ramp so it's easier to see the tops of the letters.
The typeface is fine and I don't mind the different size letters, but the L in Riddle is hither than any of the rest so it throws off the rhythm.
Though this sounds critical, I am nit picky. I can definitely tell it's a professional cover. Most of my problem is with the male model.
Just as a genre fan, I do like the cover and would be tempted to at least sample it if I were looking at it on Amazon.
Yeah, the bump thing on his head isn't attractive but it might make me curious rather than put me off. You kind of look for "weird" stuff for fantasy. I disagree about the model. I think he's fine although the lighting is a bit harsh and since the light is coming from behind him, I don't like that part. But again that is nit-picky.
I tend to look at these things from a totally non-techy viewpoint trying to balance our experts and all in all, I like this cover.
I'm going total chick here and *shamefully* admitting that I hadn't noticed the bump on his head until I read the comments because my eyes were drawn to the incredibly, heart-pounding beautiful physique.
I agree with all of the above. My first reaction was "Romance" as those books always feature men's naked upper bodies. Not my cup of tea at all, I'm afraid.
I was pleased with Dar's work with one of my previous books, so when she agreed to do the cover for Riddle of Ryu, I was very happy. Her work here has a quality of fantasy and otherness that worked well with the story.
ReplyDelete@Ellis, I am afraid that I'm only partially going to agree with you here.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the thumbnail, my first reaction wasn't "oh, cool," but rather "what the hell is that on his head? A giant wart?" I enlarged it and I'm still not sure what it is; it looks sort of like the bolt in Frankenstein's neck except smaller and on this guy's poor forehead.
Now I'm sure it has something to do with the story, but it really just isn't attractive. actually, I don't find him attractive either; I would have chosen another male model. The lighting on him and his face is very harsh and makes his features look heavy.
I like the color scheme, the dragon in the background, the lighting and her. The gradient and embossing on the title is a little overdone for me, I would have not done embossing (just because it's a bit out of style at the moment) and gentled that gradient ramp so it's easier to see the tops of the letters.
The typeface is fine and I don't mind the different size letters, but the L in Riddle is hither than any of the rest so it throws off the rhythm.
Though this sounds critical, I am nit picky. I can definitely tell it's a professional cover. Most of my problem is with the male model.
Just as a genre fan, I do like the cover and would be tempted to at least sample it if I were looking at it on Amazon.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the bump thing on his head isn't attractive but it might make me curious rather than put me off. You kind of look for "weird" stuff for fantasy. I disagree about the model. I think he's fine although the lighting is a bit harsh and since the light is coming from behind him, I don't like that part. But again that is nit-picky.
I tend to look at these things from a totally non-techy viewpoint trying to balance our experts and all in all, I like this cover.
I'm going total chick here and *shamefully* admitting that I hadn't noticed the bump on his head until I read the comments because my eyes were drawn to the incredibly, heart-pounding beautiful physique.
ReplyDeleteWhat is that bump on his head? I thought it might be a printing flaw.
ReplyDeleteBeyond that I do like that cover but find the small letter "L" to be mind of odd.
I agree with all of the above. My first reaction was "Romance" as those books always feature men's naked upper bodies. Not my cup of tea at all, I'm afraid.
ReplyDelete