a critique site for book lovers, hosted by author Jude Hardin
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Redeeming Santa by Susan C. Muller
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.
The Photoshop work on this cover just doesn't work. For example the gun and hat do not look like it's part of the original image. It's color tone does not match the faded colors of the rest of the image. Also neither has a shadow. These are just a start of a Photoshop rant which I will not inflict on the rest of you.
The main title text is alright, but he black drop shadow is being lost in the dark background. The little text is totally lost, make it bigger and maybe try a different color.
Ann finds the cover compelling. I get a Home Alone vibe from the big eyed child, and I assume things work out even though a gun is prominently displayed. Cool cover: it makes me want to read more.
Well, I've read the story, so I know what it's all about. All the elements in the story are on the cover. It is an intriguing mix and a great short read.
From the start, the little kid's eyes 'had me at hello'. With him peeking over that huge weapon, you just know there's some drama about to happen. As for the cover layout, the shadows are missing that would have grounded and encapsulated the theme of the story. I love the Christmas element played out with the red lettering of the title and Santa's hat complementing each other. The white lettering doesn't stand out as well as if it were in black, but then black doesn't work quite so well with the Christmas theme. Over all, it's an intriquing cover. Made me want to read the story. Did read the story, and loved every memorable bit.
I'm with Eric on this one. It looks like a poor photoshop cut and paste job. I don't get it. Are the Santa hat and the gun supposed to be lying on the sidewalk? And what's the deal with the disembodied child's head? Sorry but this is a mess.
It's always interesting to read the "oh but it was a great story" fan squees of covers. Me, I am totally with Eric on this one. I don't care about the story; that's not why I'm here. I'm here to look at this cover as a cover.
Not only is it a very poor masking job in Photoshop with no attempt to actually integrate the gun of hat or kid's head in the background, the child himself must be dead. Because he has no body and no bottom of his head. It's just a disembodied chunk of an upper face. Really, really jarring.
The top text needs a drop shadow to stand out, and the blurb and author name are too small. But they are overshadowed by the just BAD use of graphic elements...
Lots of disembodied floating elements. I'm with Robin about the kid, where's the rest of him? I'd pass on even reading the blurb here, because of the mishmash; I'd be afraid the rest of the story is like that.
Intriguing cover. I'd be more comfortable without the fightened child behind the gun. Santa's hat gives us enough emotional contrast.
ReplyDeleteCheri
Again I'm going to be the bad guy here.
ReplyDeleteThe Photoshop work on this cover just doesn't work. For example the gun and hat do not look like it's part of the original image. It's color tone does not match the faded colors of the rest of the image. Also neither has a shadow. These are just a start of a Photoshop rant which I will not inflict on the rest of you.
The main title text is alright, but he black drop shadow is being lost in the dark background. The little text is totally lost, make it bigger and maybe try a different color.
Bottom line - Take another pass at this one.
Ann finds the cover compelling. I get a Home Alone vibe from the big eyed child, and I assume things work out even though a gun is prominently displayed. Cool cover: it makes me want to read more.
ReplyDeleteGun? Santa? A child? OH MY! This is one of those covers than makes you think... and wonder!
ReplyDeleteI love the kid's eyes! I also love the way the title and Santa hat pop (because they're red--more colorful--than everything else in the pic.)
I do think the (white) cover print would stand out more if it was black. But then, I'm always a fan on dark on light and not the other way around!
Well, I've read the story, so I know what it's all about. All the elements in the story are on the cover. It is an intriguing mix and a great short read.
ReplyDeleteWhat Eric said. It looks like a crime romp, maybe with some humor.
ReplyDeleteThis is a terrific cover and a great eye-catching way to lure readers to an enjoyable story.
ReplyDeleteFrom the start, the little kid's eyes 'had me at hello'. With him peeking over that huge weapon, you just know there's some drama about to happen. As for the cover layout, the shadows are missing that would have grounded and encapsulated the theme of the story. I love the Christmas element played out with the red lettering of the title and Santa's hat complementing each other. The white lettering doesn't stand out as well as if it were in black, but then black doesn't work quite so well with the Christmas theme. Over all, it's an intriquing cover. Made me want to read the story. Did read the story, and loved every memorable bit.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Eric on this one. It looks like a poor photoshop cut and paste job. I don't get it. Are the Santa hat and the gun supposed to be lying on the sidewalk? And what's the deal with the disembodied child's head? Sorry but this is a mess.
ReplyDeleteIt's always interesting to read the "oh but it was a great story" fan squees of covers. Me, I am totally with Eric on this one. I don't care about the story; that's not why I'm here. I'm here to look at this cover as a cover.
ReplyDeleteNot only is it a very poor masking job in Photoshop with no attempt to actually integrate the gun of hat or kid's head in the background, the child himself must be dead. Because he has no body and no bottom of his head. It's just a disembodied chunk of an upper face. Really, really jarring.
The top text needs a drop shadow to stand out, and the blurb and author name are too small. But they are overshadowed by the just BAD use of graphic elements...
Lots of disembodied floating elements. I'm with Robin about the kid, where's the rest of him? I'd pass on even reading the blurb here, because of the mishmash; I'd be afraid the rest of the story is like that.
ReplyDelete