Book Covers: The Good, the Bad, the WTF?

[Lokabrenna]

Inspired by the Mercy Thompson thread and the cover snark posts at Fangs for the Fantasy, I thought we could do a thread on horrible/awesome (and everything in between) book covers.

I've already mentioned that one of my personal "worst cover ever" nominees is "Iron Kissed" by Patricia Briggs, but to be honest, most urban fantasy covers provoke this sort of reaction from me.

Now, this series is one of my favourites, but "Kushiel's Dart" and "Kushiel's Avatar" both screw up Phedre's tattoo for some reason. I have no idea why this is, because "Kushiel's Chosen" and "Kushiel's Scion" both got it right. Also, the costume on the cover of "Kushiel's Chosen" is something the character actually wore (in the book before it).

Okay, here's one I actually like: "Darkborn" by Alison Sinclair. Here's the cover of it's sequel "Lightborn". If anyone's wondering what the covers have to do with the books. The eponymous darkborn are people who can't tolerate light, the lightborn are the exact opposite, can't tolerate darkness, so the lightborn rule their city by day, and the darkborn by night. Also, the gloves the character is wearing on the cover of "Darkborn" do have something to do with the plot.

This cover gets a mention due to sheer awesomeness: "After the Downfall" by Harry Turtledove (Yes, that is exactly what you think it is. :D) I have no idea if it's of any relevance to the plot, but...wow....

For more crazy covers, check out Good Show Sir and Uncle Walter's Bad Romance Novel Covers

What are some of your favourites? Alternatively, which covers made you think "What was the artist thinking?"/WTF?

[Morag]

For more crazy covers, check out Good Show Sir and Uncle Walter's Bad Romance Novel Covers

Oh gods, thank you for the bad romance novel covers site. The Captain Ahab-roleplay commentary had me laughing till I cried. (Also asking my boyfriend if he'd call me a white whale and threaten to stab me with a harpoon. He said no, sadly.)

[PlaceboArtist]

What are some of your favourites? Alternatively, which covers made you think "What was the artist thinking?"/WTF?

I buy books based on their cover, so I don't think I know any with really awful covers off the top of my head. I will be back with examples of good ones later though.

For now: (this is from one of the sites you linked)

[LiminalAuggie]

What are some of your favourites? Alternatively, which covers made you think "What was the artist thinking?"/WTF?

I have a lot of feelings about so-called "Urban Lit", mainly sad feelings when people come in and ask if we keep those books in a separate section of the library and I want to say "no, we don't segregate our books" But that is an issue for another day! I love that these books are out there, that they are written mainly by women of color and that they are a way for these women to tell stories of redemption and empowerment with protagonists they can identify with and, you know, actually encourage people to read who might not otherwise be interested in reading for pleasure. I only wish more people outside the target demographic would take the genre seriously.

That said, publishers sometimes make really....questionable choices in covers. My favorite, now and forever, is Zane's Thong on Fire.
Difference/exclusion layer? Jitter distorted background? Text colors almost indistinguishable from background? THAT THONG?
This, this is perfection.

[Lokabrenna]

That said, publishers sometimes make really....questionable choices in covers. My favorite, now and forever, is Zane's Thong on Fire.
Difference/exclusion layer? Jitter distorted background? Text colors almost indistinguishable from background? THAT THONG?
This, this is perfection.

Well, if I couldn't tell if it was an erotic novel from the subtitle, maybe the cover would have tipped me off?

I feel like I should mention Cecilia Tan's Royal Treatment (might be considered NSFW). Yes, it is kinky erotica, and the model is supposed to be the main character, but WTF is up with the eyeliner?

[LiminalAuggie]

I feel like I should mention Cecilia Tan's Royal Treatment (might be considered NSFW). Yes, it is kinky erotica, and the model is supposed to be the main character, but WTF is up with the eyeliner?

Is it...is it actually fanfiction for BladeRunner? Is there a raccoon fetish going on?

All I can think about is how that tape does not look like an effective gag. Gosh, people, I expect royal treatment to be way more competent than that.

[Lokabrenna]

Is it...is it actually fanfiction for BladeRunner? Is there a raccoon fetish going on?

Nope, it's an original universe.
*cracks up* Raccoon fetish! *chortles*

All I can think about is how that tape does not look like an effective gag. Gosh, people, I expect royal treatment to be way more competent than that.

Especially since he's smirking behind the tape.

[SunflowerP]

I feel like I should mention Cecilia Tan's Royal Treatment (might be considered NSFW). Yes, it is kinky erotica, and the model is supposed to be the main character, but WTF is up with the eyeliner?

It looks like a reference to a scene/audience participation line from Rocky Horror.

I'm not sure if I'm snarking or serious here.

Sunflower

[Chatelaine]

What are some of your favourites? Alternatively, which covers made you think "What was the artist thinking?"/WTF?

The new Wheel of Time ebook covers range from good to awesome (The Fires of Heaven is head and shoulders the best).



As for the worst... Most of the original editions of 70s and 80s fantasy, with the endless chainmail bikinis and Conanesque barbarians, no matter what the story was about.