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| Description: Miriam is trying to keep her ability – her curse – in check. But when Miriam touches a woman in line at the supermarket, she sees that the woman will be killed here, now. She reacts, and begins a new chapter in her life – one which can never be expected to go well.
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| That switchblade (I’m ashamed to say), looked like a tiny light saber to me at first glance. That in no way detracts from my enjoyment of these menacing and trippy covers. | I'm so creeped out and enthralled by her hair turning into ravens and skulls, and hands, and I don't even know...trippy |
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| Description: My name is Beatrice. When I was born, I was blessed with the Sight. I was immediately removed from my parents and enrolled in the Institution. At the age of twelve, I had my first true vision, earning my raven’s wings. And when I turned seventeen, one of my visions came true. Things haven’t been the same since. The Institution depends on me to keep the City safe from our enemy, the Dreamcatchers, but I’m finding it harder to do while keeping a secret from everyone, including my best friend Gabe. It is a secret that could put us all in danger. A secret that could kill me and everyone close to me. The enemy has been coming to me in my dreams, and I think I'm falling in love with him. He says they're coming. He says they're angry. And I think I've already helped them win.
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| I *adore* the feathers coming out of her eyelid, gorgeous. | This is a very effective cover. Everything from the colors to the cityscape to the raven wing eye makeup. It really works for me. |
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| Description: "Love is just the beginning... of the end." Mason Starling is a champion fencer for Gosforth Academy, but she’s never had to fight for her life. Until now. When a ferocious storm rips through Manhattan and unleashes terrifying creatures onto Gosforth’s campus, Mason barely escapes alive. Without help from the mysterious stranger who appeared in the midst of the storm, she might not have made it at all. But now, in the aftermath, Mason’s life begins to spin dramatically, mystically out of control, and the only one who seems able to help her is the stranger who can remember nothing but his name: Fennrys Wolf. More…
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| I don’t know if it’s the dress or the eye makeup, but I’m getting a cross between “dated” and “Egyptian”. Love the description, but not feeling the connection to this cover. | Fencing & Norse Gods...this is going on my wishlist. But as to the cover, I'm a big fan of the text and that she looks like she's emerging from a foggy/stormy sea...but I would love to see her wielding a sword! |
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| Description: When she wakes up in unfamiliar surroundings, Skye knows something terrible has happened to her. But it’s not until she hears Asher, the dark, rebellious angel she fell in love with, that the memories of Devin and his shocking betrayal come flooding back. Skye returns home, but with the knowledge of who she really is, nothing can ever be the same. As she tests the limits of her newfound powers, Skye discovers that she’s capable of far more than anyone could have imagined. Both the Order and the Rebellion want her for their side as war between the factions looms. She can’t forgive the Order for nearly killing her, but something holds her back from embracing the Rebellion. A Fractured Light picks up right after A Beautiful Dark‘s shocking cliffhanger ending and is perfect for fans of Lauren Kate’s Fallen and Becca Fitzpatrick’s Hush, Hush saga.
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| I like this cover even better than A BEAUTIFUL DARK, though they compliment each other. The darkness wrapped around her shoulders is striking. | I appreciate how distinctive the covers are for this series...the poses are just a little unsual and the title detail really set them apart. I wasn't sure about the first cover, but I think this sequel is really strong and a little haunting. |
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| Description: Inhale. Exhale. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe . . . The world is dead. ALINA QUINN
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| I thought this was #2 in the Partials series, something about the lighting and the horizon. I like the cracked, parched earth in the foreground. | Ooh, this sounds a little like UNDER THE NEVER SKY...which I loved. The cover does an excellent job of hinting at the story. A city under a protective dome & 3 people venturing out in a scared wasteland. I'm sold. |
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| These covers don’t do much for me over all. A good use of color and shadows, but pretty forgettable out of context of the series. | I've yet to be blown away by the covers for this series. They just don't have anything that grabs my attention. |
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Not Yet Available for Pre-Order. | Description: Tasked by the Archangel Gabriel, Jackie Brighton must find two more lost archangel halos before she's free of her deal. But she's not the only one hunting for the immense power the halos bring, and everyone around her has motives - succubi, serim, and vampire. It's a race to the finish line, and only one person is going to come out on top. But will Jackie stand tall when even her allies are set to betray her? Noah Gideon is back, and he's never liked taking 'no' for an answer. The mysterious assassin Sophie is helping out, but Sophie has her own agenda. And so does Jackie's newest rival, the ancient hetaera Phryne, who wants to use the halos to give a new world to succubi everywhere - one that doesn't involve their masters. Every immortal wants those halos, but Jackie's not sure they're worth her life, or Zane's freedom. But she might not have a choice...
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| The halo in the title and the colors bring to mind BLOOD BOUND, though this one is a bit more start. I could have lived without the brassy hair, but I like the cover models. | What a disappointment. Obviously the author has chosen to forge ahead and release this herself without the aid of the Pocket Art Department that created the previous smokin' hot covers...and it shows. This just looks cheap and tacky by comparison. Too bad because the books are fun. |
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| Description: Nothing ever happens in Norway. But at least Ellie knows what to expect when she visits her grandmother: a tranquil fishing village and long, slow summer days. And maybe she’ll finally get out from under the shadow of her way-too-perfect big brother, Graham, while she’s there. What Ellie doesn’t anticipate is Graham’s infuriating best friend, Tuck, tagging along for the trip. Nor did she imagine boys going missing amid rumors of impossible kidnappings. Least of all does she expect something powerful and ancient to awaken in her and that strange whispers would urge Ellie to claim her place among mythological warriors. Instead of peace and quiet, there’s suddenly there’s a lot for a girl from L.A. to handle on a summer sojourn in Norway! More…
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| *Love* how th emountains give her wings, very nice melding of mythological imagery with a modern feel. | Stop and look at the font detailing. Gorgeous. The transparent elements also work really well. |
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| Description: Things That Are Destroying Jane Greene’s Undead Social Life Before It Can Even Begin:
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| Simple and effective, a cute YA cover. | I think this cover is a complete miss. I wish it was more like FAT VAMPIRE, but I think the dentures are so wrong for a book about a 15 yr old vampire. I would never think teen from this cover, even with the word 'girl' in the title. |
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| Description: FBI agent Lily Yu is living at Nokolai Clanhome with her fiancé, lupi Rule Turner, when an intruder penetrates their territory, stealing the prototype of a magical device the clan hopes will be worth a fortune--if a few bugs can be worked out . . . But the prototype can be dangerously erratic, discharging a bizarre form of mind magic—and it looks like the thief wants it for that very side effect. Worse, whoever stole the device didn't learn about it by accident. There's a Nokolai traitor in their midst. Lily and Rule have to find the traitor, the thief, and the prototype. One job proves easy when the thief calls them--and his identity rocks Rule's world. As they race to recover their missing property, they find Robert Friar's sticky footprints all over the place. Robert Friar―killer, madman, and acolyte of the Old One the Lupi are at war with―an Old One whose power is almost as vast as her ambition to rock the entire world . . .
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| These covers have been all over the map, I like how the last four have found a cover model and a style. I don’t like title font/style, but everything else looks great. | I was disappointed by how similar the two previous covers were, but this is fantastic. The golden skull is awesome...it's giving me a totally cool India Jones vibe. |
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| Description: Magic is corporate America’s best-kept secret, and Gwen Carroway is superior at selling it ... Gwen possesses the unique ability to pick up any language in an instant—a power that will globally expand the profitable family business. As dutiful future leader of her race of water elementals, she'll do anything to protect her people's secrets and bloodlines—including enter an arranged marriage. Inside, however, she yearns for forbidden human men. Reed is a mercenary addicted to the money and adrenaline rush of his work. After he inadvertently saves Gwen's life, he ignites her taboo desire for men without magic—and with bodies of gods. Just as things heat up, Reed discovers that Gwen is exactly who he’s been hired to kidnap. He resolves to put work before lust, yet her luscious beauty and fiery spirit unravel him… More…
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| Only the slightest bit “otherworldly”, this could be any contemporary romance or thriller. I like the use of color, and how the overlay gives the impression of skin just peaking through… | Never would have guessed there was anything paranormal in this book based on the cover. It looks straight up contemporary romance. |
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| Description: Enter New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh’s darkly beautiful world of archangels and immortal power, as a pact is sealed between two souls bound by blood, stirred by desire, and driven by vengeance… With wings of midnight and an affinity for shadows, Jason courts darkness. But now, with the Archangel Neha’s consort lying murdered in the jewel-studded palace that was his prison and her rage threatening cataclysmic devastation, Jason steps into the light, knowing he must unearth the murderer before it is too late. More…
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| The male covers in this series don’t quite work as well for me as the ladies. Elena looks elegant and exotic in wings, a man this beefy with wings doesn’t quite pull off the same “mystique”. While I may be on the fence with this cover, there is no hesitation in my pre-order. Can’t wait! | I'm really surprised this is a Tony Mauro cover. It looks very different from his usual work. That being said, I'm a fan. ARCHANGEL'S BLADE was a tad disappointing, so I'm so glad this one is moving back to the strong and sexy look of the previous covers. Powerful. |
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| Description: A dark and tender postapocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable—they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection, that causes Ash’s long dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they’re caught they’ll be executed—but their feelings are too strong. When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| Is that an exploding rose? I like the color versus the dark city in the background. | What a powerful image. The shattered rose is evocative and compelling enough to make me want to know more. Exactly what I want in a cover. |
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| The title across his lips makes him look like’s he’s gagged, an elegant little illusion that takes this cover from boring to interesting. The stepback has some delicious hand placement, too, love how he’s holding her. | I'm not a huge fan of the covers for this series, but the stepback won me over. Not sure what she's doing with her hand...grabbing a weapon maybe? |
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| I like eyes in the background (instead of faded and superimposed over something), but this cover isn’t anything special. I do like that they didn’t cut the cover model’s head off. | Cheese with a side of cheese. Not a fan. At all. |
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| Description: When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something frightening enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have been cursed with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control. More…
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| Not much to look at in a picture, but I imagine in person this hardcover will look like something straight out of Flourish & Blotts on Diagon Alley. | My favorite thing about the cover is the barbed wire, but otherwise it looks like a video game cover to me. |
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| Description: Wolf Pact is a spinoff in the Blue Bloods starring Bliss Llewellyn, a central character in the Blue Bloods novels, as she goes on a quest to find the legendary Hounds of Hell and convince them to join the Blue Blood vampires in their war against the Silver Bloods.
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| Gorgeous! I love the slightly feral feel and the hair snaking across her face. | This is interesting. It looks a little like a close up of Melinda Lo's THE HUNTRESS, but I'm intrigued. |
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| I like the title text, but this cover isn’t striking enough to counter a bored, dry girl standing in the “rain”. | I like how they are gradually turning her with each cover. Very nice progression, but I don't like the texture/pattern on her skin |
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| Description: Before Calla Tor, there was Ember Morrow Sixteen-year-old Lady Ember Morrow fulfills a family obligation by joining her friend Alistair in the Conatus Guard and begins training to help with the order’s true mission, to seek out and stop evildoers and their unnatural creations.
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| I like this cover model a lot, and this cover is well organized to emphasize her intensity. | Not at all what I was expecting based on the Nightshade covers (either version). I do like my covers to 'go together' but since I wasn't a fan of the revised Nightshade covers, I rather like the fierce looking departure. It has elements of Dan Dos Santos in it (though he isn't the artist). |
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| Description: One winter long ago, Tavian Kimura watched his mother--a kitsune, or Japanese fox-spirit--leave him in the snow for the dogs. But that’s a memory buried beneath eleven years, and he has lived most of his life in America with his adoptive family and his girlfriend, Gwen. Now he’s back. All it took was an invitation to spend New Year’s with his grandparents, and Tavian finds himself in Tokyo with Gwen by his side. It should be a time of celebration, but it becomes a time of nightmares. A faceless ghost haunts Tavian, warning him that “she” is coming. A gang of inugami--fiercely loyal dog-spirits--wants him dead. Why? The inugami believe he strongly resembles one of their most hated enemies, a kitsune named Yukimi. More…
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| The feathers on OTHER had the advantage of of mimicking a cloak, the ears and eyes on this cover are too obvious to look good. Rufio with furry ears, I’m not a fan. | I almost love this. The guy is cute, the title looks great, and I love the snow covered building...but it just doesn't feel cohesive enough. Looks a little too photoshopped. |
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| Description: Pia has grown up in a secret laboratory hidden deep in the Amazon rain forest. She was raised by a team of scientists who have created her to be the start of a new immortal race. But on the night of her seventeenth birthday, Pia discovers a hole in the electric fence that surrounds her sterile home--and sneaks outside the compound for the first time in her life. Free in the jungle, Pia meets Eio, a boy from a nearby village. Together, they embark on a race against time to discover the truth about Pia's origin--a truth with deadly consequences that will change their lives forever. More…
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| This cover says more SciFi than Fantasy, but it definitely fits the lush setting described. | I like the juxtaposition between the natural jungle and the scientific sterile silhouette, but it's too jarring. |
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| Description: Guardian enforcers sworn to protect humanity, and Darkbloods, rogues who kill like their ancient ancestors...
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| These two are a fine example of good genes and good living, but nothing that says “paranormal”. | These covers are always hot, but my favorites (#1 & #3) are the ones where it looks like the hero has caught me staring at him...this one is good too, but with both of them looking out, it's lacking that element that really makes it phenomenal. |
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| I really like how they’ve handed these covers, the colors and staging. This one looks a little “bare” with the open road, but the gorgeous sky makes up for that. | Never been wowed by these. It's fine. The colors are perhaps a little too bright & I'm a little disappointed that there isn't a dragon given the title. |
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| Description: The hotly awaited second book in the dystopian Matched trilogy In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake. Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| I don’t particularly like the “too perfect curls”, but I love how she’s standing. I also like this “E” better than the backwards “R” on CROSSED. | Great progression with these covers. Obviously we knew that this would be the cover where Cassia breaks out, but even knowing that, it's still a powerful image. I'm a fan. |
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Not Yet Available for Pre-Order. | Description: Elissa discovers her nightmarish visions and inexplicable bruises are caused by a telepathic link to a twin she didn’t know existed. When she helps the girl evade government capture, a Bourne Identity style chase ensues.
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| I like this rippling image, with her flowing hair. | Beautiful colors and I really like the fractured images...I even really like the linked letters in the author's name. |
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| I like this one better than the grim cover of THE PLEDGE. More of a gothic feel than anything paranormal, but I like how the title is watermarked across the cover. | This cover actually makes me like the first one more. Love the scarlet cover and the very complimentary composition to the first cover. |
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| I don’t know these last few books well enough to relate to the characters, but having consistent styles and cover models is good for the series. I don’t have any particular reaction to this cover, but I’m glad they’re being consistent. | Wow. Claire looks all grown up & super sexy in this cover. Great colors too. Love this series, so it's already on my wishlist. |
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| Description: Dark Currents is set in a small Midwestern resort town where paranormal tourism is a booming business. Daisy Johanssen, an incubus’ daughter raised by a loving single mom, is the liaison between the eldritch community and mundane authorities. Most of the time that doesn’t entail anything more challenging than retrieving stolen goods from a puckish pickpocket or tracking down a tourist led astray by a will-o’-the-wisp, but when a young man drowns in an apparent accident that’s not what it seems, Daisy’s job turns deadly earnest.
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| Very SciFi/Fantasy, this reminds me of some of Anne McCaffrey’s space opera covers. I like the scales in the background, a little mermaid flair? | Very exciting to see a new straight UF series from this author, but there is something very familiar that I can't put my finger on. Anyone else feeling that way? I do like this though. The icy blue/greens and her platinum hair are very eye-catching. |
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| It looks like they’re going in another direction for the series, this one is all about the author’s name. I like the feathers, fence and striking eyes, but they’re current arrangement is more about mood than any singular striking image. Neutral hand… | I'm half hoping this is a mistake or maybe a foreign cover...It doesn't 'go' at all with the previous covers. I usually don't like shirtless man covers, but the ones for this series are an exception. |
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| Description: All will be revealed for fans who have breathlessly awaited the sizzling sequel to Juliet Immortal. This time Romeo takes center stage and gets one chance, and one chance only, to redeem himself. Cursed to live out eternity in his rotted corpse, Romeo, known for his ruthless, cutthroat ways, is given the chance to redeem himself by traveling back in time to save the life of Ariel Dragland. Unbeknownst to her, Ariel is important to both the evil Mercenaries and the love-promoting Ambassadors and holds the fate of the world in her hands. Romeo must win her heart and make her believe in love, turning her away from her darker potential before his work is discovered by the Mercenaries. While his seduction begins as yet another lie, it soon becomes his only truth. Romeo vows to protect Ariel from harm, and do whatever it takes to win her heart and soul. But when Ariel is led to believe his love is a deception, she becomes vulnerable to Mercenary manipulation, and her own inner darkness may ultimately rip them apart.
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| I like how the ocean went from being the grey background on cover #1 to part of the blue accent on book #2. I’m not buying any passion in that kiss, though. Maybe it’s the YA rating, but with all those waves and clinging clothes should compliment a passionate clinch, these two seem totally wooden. | It's like a YA version of From Here to Eternity. The foam of the waves crashing around her looks oddly substantial, but it's still very romantic. |
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| Description: An all-new Mac & Barrons story by #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Marie Moning, marvelously adapted into a full-color graphic novel by writer David Lawrence and illustrator Al Rio In Fever Moon, we meet the most ancient and deadly Unseelie ever created, the Fear Dorcha. For eons, he’s traveled worlds with the Unseelie king, leaving behind him a path of mutilation and destruction. Now he’s hunting Dublin, and no one Mac loves is safe. Dublin is a war zone. The walls between humans and Fae are down. A third of the world’s population is dead and chaos reigns. Imprisoned over half a million years ago, the Unseelie are free and each one Mac meets is worse than the last. Human weapons don’t stand a chance against them. More…
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| Badass Mac, love it! I’m excited that there’s new Mac & Barrons content, graphic or otherwise. | My first thought was 'Wow. She looks like UF Barbie.' but then I realized that that's pretty much how Mac is supposed to look. |
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| Julia’s Thoughts | Abigail’s Thoughts |
| I love this pop of green and the staircase beautifully compliments the title flourishes. | It's hard not to gush over the phenomenal custom font Sammy created for this series. It's always impressive. Less impressive is the bright lime green color...not sure it really suits the other covers. |
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And our picks for Best & Worst…
| Best | Worst |
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Which are your Best and Worst?
A lot of great covers this week! I love Valkyrie Rising and Linked and Black City covers. Can't wait to read them.
ReplyDeleteNC
Truly Bookish
VALKYRIE RISING snuck up on me, too. At first glance all I saw was the YA cover model, it took me a moment to put together all the supporting elements. Same effect with BLACK CITY, I didn't see the rose at first.
DeleteReally don't care what the cover for Succubi Are Forever looks like. I'm simply happy that Jill Myles has decided to self-publish the sequel instead of letting the series die when her publisher decided to drop it. So, draw stick figures on the cover for all I care...just so happy to be getting the final story!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on that. I love that authors are continuing their series even when the pub lets them go (Carolyn Crane is a recent example). I just which the cover had been stronger since I'm sure the story is.
DeleteSome great covers there. I'm a big fan of good, interesting, beautiful covers, especially in the urban fantasy genre.
ReplyDeleteAs always, some amazing covers this week! I have several favorites in this batch. I have to say the covers for BLACK CITY and LINKED are striking.
ReplyDeleteThose two are pretty popular and I think the style is complementary. Both have the eye putting pieces back together...
DeleteFor some reason the Dark Currents cover reminds me of Meljean Brook's Demon Marked.
ReplyDeleteYes! I knew it looked familiar: http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1311703262l/10599649.jpg
DeleteLove the coloring of Succubi are Forever, wow!
ReplyDelete