Short but sweet, I had no “thumbs down” at all this week (and Abigail’s one thumbs down shocked me!).  I found it incredibly frustrating that my favorite cover in this batch is for a series that I can’t get into, but that disappointment is leavened by Lux finally getting covers that the series justice. 

 

    Nevermore by James Patterson

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Description: One last chance...for Max, Fang, and Dylan...before it all ends. Are you ready for the final chapter? Are you ready for the ultimate flight? Because THIS IS IT. One last incredible, explosive adventure with an astonishing ending that no one could have seen coming. No Author Comment Available.

Series: Maximum Ride #8 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Little, Brown and Company Release Date: August 6, 2012 Source: USA Today Books
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
Such a gorgeous cover, I love how her wings and hair could almost be hewn from stone.  This cover makes me want to give this series another change…	Love the angle and the silvery white wings and hair with the splash of red. This is a cover that would make me pick up this book.

Previous Covers in This Series

  

Touch of Death by Kelly Hashway

(Click to enlarge) Not Yet Available for Pre-Order.

Description: Jodi Marshall isn’t sure how she went from normal teenager to walking disaster. One minute she’s in her junior year of high school, spending time with her amazing boyfriend and her best friend. The next she’s being stalked by some guy no one seems to know. After the stranger, Alex, reveals himself, Jodi learns he’s not a normal teenager and neither is she. With a kiss that kills and a touch that brings the dead back to life, Jodi discovers she’s part of a branch of necromancers born under the 13th sign of the zodiac, Ophiuchus. A branch of necromancers that are descendants of Medusa. A branch of necromancers with poisoned blood writhing in their veins. Jodi’s deadly to the living and even more deadly to the deceased. She has to leave her old, normal life behind before she hurts the people she loves. More… No Author Comment Available.

Series: N/A Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Spencer Hill Press Release Date: January 15, 2013 Source: Goodreads
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
I love the effect on her skin, but she seems out of place with the cover and author font.  Changing up how she fits with those elements would raise this cover from ok to haunting.	I wish there was a little more detail to minimize the DIY feel, but the image and subtle green color is very pretty

Previous Covers in This Series

N/A

  

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

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Description: Filled with mystery, romance, and the supernatural, The Raven Boysintroduces readers to Richard “Dick” Campbell Gansey, III and Blue Sargent. Gansey has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on the hunt to find Glendower, a vanished Welsh king. Legend has it that the first person to find him will be granted a wish—either by seeing him open his eyes, or by cutting out his heart. Blue Sargent, the daughter of the town psychic in Henrietta, Virginia, has been told for as long as she can remember that if she ever kisses her true love, he will die. But she is too practical to believe in things like true love. Her policy is to stay away from the rich boys at the prestigious Aglionby Academy. The boys there—known as Raven Boys—can only mean trouble. More… No Author Comment Available.

Series: Raven Cycle #1 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Scholastic Press Release Date: September 18, 2012 Source: Author’s Blog
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
Such a wonderful cover, there are so many great details that remind me of classic fantasy novels.  The moth eye in the raven wings, the wispy feathers on the back wing, the really evocative feet curled toward the title.  This cover coupled Stiefvater’s name) make me so anxious to get my hands on this book.	I hate to give this a thumbs down since I'm salivating to read it, but the image just isn't doing anything for me.

Previous Covers in This Series

N/A

  

Shadows & Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

(Click to enlarge) Not Yet Available for Pre-Order. Compare with:

Description: The last thing Dawson Black expected was Bethany Williams. As a Luxen, an alien life form on Earth, human girls are…well, fun. But since the Luxen have to keep their true identities a secret, falling for one would be insane. Dangerous. Tempting. Undeniable. Bethany can’t deny the immediate connection between her and Dawson. And even though boys aren’t a complication she wants, she can’t stay away from him. Still, whenever they lock eyes, she’s drawn in. Captivated. Lured. Loved. More…         Starting over sucks. When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up. And then he opened his mouth. Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens. The hot alien living next door marks me. You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. If I don’t kill him first, that is. “And speaking of loving that cover(s). Here is the revamped cover of Shadows. You will notice minor changes, which gets it in line with the revamped Obsidian, Onyx, and yes, I have seen the Opal cover. And I love them all like little cupcake babies.” – Jennifer L. Armentrout

Series: Lux #0.5 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Entangled Publishing Release Date: February 21, 2012 Source: Author’s Blog
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
I think these revamped covers fit much better with this series’ tone.  Anyone else see an alien face in the landscape behind Daemonon the SHADOWS cover?	New look for the Lux series & I'm a big fan of the change.  I've seen the original stock image on half a dozen self pub titles so this update is most welcome. We still get the same Daemon, but the title detail and Katy's face is now hidden and I think every change here works. Can't wait to see the new look for ONYX.

Previous Covers in This Series

  

The Twelve by Justin Cronin

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Description: The epic story of THE PASSAGE continues At the end of THE PASSAGE, the great viral plague had left a small group of survivors clinging to life amidst a world transformed into a nightmare. In the second volume of this epic trilogy, this same group of survivors, led by the mysterious, charismatic Amy, go on the attack, leading an insurrection against the virals: the first offensives of the Second Viral War. To do this, they must infiltrate a dozen hives, each presided over by one of the original Twelve. Their secret weapon: Alicia, transformed at the end of book one into a half human, half viral - but whose side, in the end, is she really on? No Author Comment Available.

Series: The Passage #2  Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Ballantine Books Release Date: December 18, 2012 Source: Michelle’s Book Blog
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
Though both covers are thoroughly ominous, I don’t know that I’d connect them as a series.  Still, the solar eclipse is eye catching all on it’s own.	Super simple, but executed perfectly.  The worn look and soft gold/brown color has real impact.

Previous Covers in This Series

  

And our picks for Best & Worst…

Best	Worst
	No Worst Cover this Week

Which are your Best and Worst?