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Description: Another all star roster of writers, with a mixture of urban fantasy, science fiction, hardboiled mystery, noir, paranormal romance, historicals, and fantasy PI stories. The lineup includes a Lord John novella from Diana Gabaldon, a SPQR story by John Maddox Roberts, a True Blood story by Charlaine Harris, a Garrett tale from Glen Cook, an Edge story from Melinda Snodgrass, a Gordianus yarn from Steven Saylor, an incredible WWII mystery novella by Bradley Denton, a Joe Lansdale story than can only be described as Gonzo Lovecraft, and wonderful contributions from Carrie Vaughn, Conn Iggulden, Simon R. Green, Laurie R. King, Lisa Tuttle, M.L.N. Hanover, Patricia Briggs,and S.M. Stirling. - "The Bastard Stepchild" (intro), by George R.R. Martin - "Death by Dahlia," by Charlaine Harris - "The Bleeding Shadow," by Joe R. Lansdale - "Hungry Heart," by Simon R. Green - "Styx and Stones," by Steven Saylor - "Pain and Suffering," by S.M. Stirling - "It's Still the Same Old Story," by Carrie Vaughn - "The Lady Is a Screamer," by Conn Iggulden - "Hellbender,"by Laurie R. King - "Shadow Thieves," by Glen Cook - "No Mystery, No Miracle," by Melinda Snodgrass - "The Difference Between a Puzzle and a Mystery," by M.L.N. Hanover - "The Curious Affair of the Deodand," by Lisa Tuttle - "Lord John and the Plague of Zombies," by Diana Gabaldon - "Beware the Snake," by John Maddox Roberts - "In Red, With Pearls," by Patricia Briggs - "The Adakian Eagle," by Bradley Denton
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| N/A | Look at that lineup! Awesome. The art itself is fine and the street signs are a nice touch | In an anthology this power-packed, it would be hard for the cover to steal the show. I think this one does a great job of complimenting the author list, rather than competing with it. |
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 | I wasn’t blown away by the cover for BANISHED, but this is much better. The eye color is more subtle and the hair is more provocative this time. | Love the color palette on this one, the eye color is attractive without stealing the entire focus of the cover. I agree with Abigail. BANISHED’s cover just made me want to brush the hair out of the cover model’s face, UNFORSAKEN’s “hair” is sexy. |
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Description: Lannes Hannelore is one of a dying race born to protect makind against demonic forces. And while those who look upon him see a beautiful man, this illusion is nothing but a prison. His existence is one of pure isolation, hiding in plain sight. But when Lannes finds a young woman covered in blood -- desperate and alone, with no memory or past -- he will be drawn into a mystery that makes him question all he knows. And though it goes against his nature and everything he fears, Lannes will risk his heart, his secrets, and his very soul in order to save someone who could the love of his life…or the end of it.
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| Wildly better than the original. If you enlarge the cover, you can better see the carving detail on his wings…very cool. And I agree, she totally looks like Sookie. | This cover looks like a classic romance cover to me (while still being a step up from the original). Does anyone else think the cover heroine looks just like Anna Paquin? Sookie, does Bill know where you are? |
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Description: The sixth and final installment of the epic love story that has enchanted readers across the world. Ever and Damen have spent centuries facing down bitter rivals, jealous friends and their own worst fears-all in the hope of being together forever. Now in Everlasting, their destiny is finally within reach. Will they be united-or torn apart forever? Readers will finally discover the truth in this anxiously awaited conclusion!
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| Sweet, pretty, and romantic. Probably my favorite since EVERMORE. | Not bad, but my first thought on seeing this one was, “Hasn’t this been done before?” Something about that flower looks very familiar, and the whole composition just doesn’t stand out from the crowd. Good continuity for the series, but not something I’d buy based on the cover. |
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| I really like the desert landscape and sunset colors. The depth positioning of the models is a little off like he’s looking past her, not at her. | While THE WILD ROAD’s retro cover worked for me, this one looks too stiff. The cover dude looks like he’s concentrating on posture, not checking out the woman in front of him. |
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Description: The Hush, Hush series has captivated readers with the story of Nora Grey, her friend Vee, and a mysterious fallen archangel named Patch. In the gripping conclusion of the trilogy, Nora finds that as things start to unravel around her, she is more drawn to the enigmatic Patch. She soon discovers that the answers lie closer to home than she realized, and it is time for her to take control of her destiny once and for all.
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| I can’t wait to see what James Porto does with this one. I’m hoping maybe that Nora and Patch will both be featured… | I was already to down this one for looking too much like a movie poster, then I realized this is just a placeholder (and thus the whole “movie poster” vibe makes perfect sense). Can’t wait to see the final cover. |
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Description: (UNOFFICAL description, subject to alteration)
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| Well this is just beautiful and romantic. Hopefully the story will match. | The blurred leaves floating in the foreground, with more raining down on the models, are just gorgeous. |
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Description: New series, in which triplet descendants of Medusa learn they are destined to guard the door between the world of monsters and the world of men – pitched as a mythological Charmed.
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| Not available for pre-order | This is perfect. The premise is immensely appealing and I love how they suggested snakes with her hair without actually having snakes. | I love how this cover is just a little bit stylized, and how the curled hair is just enough “off” to seem menacing. Can’t wait to read this one! |
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Description:The phenomenal success of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies inspired a massively popular literary-remix movement. Now Quirk Classics once again charts bold new territory, turning the monster-mash-up formula inside out to infuse Franz Kafka’s horrific masterpiece, “The Metamorphosis,” with the fuzziest, snuggliest, most adorable creatures possible: kittens! Gregor Samsa is a humble young man who supports his unemployed parents and teenage sister by working as a traveling fabric salesman. But his life goes strangely wrong in the very first sentence of The Meowmorphosis, when he wakes up late for work and discovers that he has inexplicably become an adorable kitten. His family must admit that, yes, their son is now OMG so cute—but what good is cute when there are bills to pay? How can Gregor be so selfish as to devote his attention to a ball of yarn? And how dare he jump out the bedroom window to wander through Kafka’s literary landscape? Never before has a cat’s tale been so poignant, strange, and horrifyingly funny.
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| The picture is cute, but I’m really over this literary mash-up idea. | I’m with Abigail on this one, both on the cover and the concept. Shouldn’t these “books” just be a website with funny covers and premises? I feel like the joke would be on the first page, why read the whole thing? |
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| Not available for pre-order | I’m not a big fan of any of these covers, but this is my least favorite so far. It just looks like a generic romance cover. | Despite being half naked, I was completely distracted by the cover model’s clothes. This looks like Awkward Family Photos Visits the Ren Faire. |
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Description: In the long-awaited conclusion to the bestselling saga of Abbey and Caspian, readers finally learn the truth about Kristen's untimely death, the dark destiny that links Abbey to Caspian and ties them both to the town of Sleepy Hollow, and the hard choices that Abbey must make if she is to accept Caspian's love and their unexpected fate. Beautifully spun, emotionally gripping, and irresistibly romantic, The Hidden will leave readers breathless.
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| It’s a beautiful ring, and if you like this style of covers, this is a great example | This one probably would have been a “neutral hand” for me, just because I don’t think this cover would sway me one way or another. Pretty ring, but the description would have to draw me into reading, the cover doesn’t “say” anything. |
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And our picks for Best & Worst…
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Lol, I just realized that the way I phrased my MARK OF THE ROSE comment makes it sound like *I'm* half naked. Ahem, not true (and rather irrelevant, don't you think?).
ReplyDeleteI meant to say that what little clothes the cover model had on was still distracting. What's up with all the jewelry on that dude?
Julia - Sure you did. *shakes head*
ReplyDeleteI can see I'm in the minority but I actually like the cover for Banished better than Unforsaken. :P
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely in love with the cover for Tris & Izzie. In fact, I think a cover like that is almost too good for a book-name like "Tris & Izzie."
ReplyDeleteI agree, "Tris and Izzie" is the best cover here; it pulled me in, and the concept of the book sounds interesting. I keep thinking I will get away from YA but then my To-Read list gets a few more additions...
ReplyDeleteSweet Venom is a close second for me, because of the subtle hair curls. Perfect way to depict what the story is about. Plus, having watched far too many episodes of Charmed (no offense to any fans but it's not that great a show even though I really wanted to like it), I am very into the idea of magical/supernatural sisters working together.
As for the mash-ups, P&P&Zombies was excellently written. I highly recommend it, especially if you're a P&P fan. But, sadly, several of the other editions I tried seemed all gimmick with either too much of the story radically changed, or just plain aburd with out the sublety P&P&Z had (I know, subtely in a zombie book?!)
^that was abSurd, to clarify.
ReplyDeleteThe Queen B - That's okay. The books are supposed to be very good. Stay tuned for my reviews of both.
ReplyDeleteAlisha - I agree completely. The title of TRIS & IZZIE makes me cringe but it is just so pretty :)
Stephsco - I read P&P&Z (actually I gave up at the last chapter which is why there is no review on ATUF) but I hated it. I love Jane Austen and I love zombies but the combination was toxic for me.
I love the Tris and Izzie cover!
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