Abigail and I take a double blind approach to writing our cover comments, she writes her impressions and puts them in a document and I copy and paste them in once I’ve written my own.  I can’t decide which I enjoy more, when we completely disagree or when we’re totally synchronized.  This week BLOOD KIN and A BLOOD SEDUCTION had us using the same wording and referencing the same series, what were your impressions?

 

 

*This title will be released on December 6, 2011*

Title: Clockwork Prince Author: Cassandra Clare  Series: The Infernal Devices #2 Cover Art: Cliff Nielsen  Genre: Paranormal Steampunk, YA Excerpt: Yes Source: Publisher Reviewed by: Abigail Hardcover: 528 pages Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (December 6, 2011) ISBN-10: 1416975888 ISBN-13: 978-1416975885 Sexual Content: Kissing. Two scenes of sensuality Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now & put this author on your watch list.

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It’s a mixed bag of titles this week, with very few covers that are all win or all lose.  Sometimes it’s only one detail that tips a cover from a thumbs up to a thumbs down, and it looks like a duck face is where I draw that line.  If you could tweak one detail on a cover to change it from thumbs down to thumbs up, what would it be? 

On a Dark Wing by Jordan Dane 

(Click to enlarge)

Description: "The choices I had made led to the moment when fate took over. I would learn a lesson I wasn’t prepared for. And Death would be my willing teacher." Five years ago Abbey Chandler cheated Death. She survived a horrific car accident, but her lucky break came at the expense of her mother’s life and changed everything. After she crossed paths with Death—by taking the hand of an ethereal boy made of clouds and sky—she would never be normal again. Now she’s the target of Death’s Ravens and an innocent boy’s life is on the line. When Nate Holden—Abbey’s secret crush—starts to climb Alaska’s Denali, the Angel of Death is with him because of her. Abbey finds out the hard way that Death never forgets. No Author Comment Available.

Series: N/A Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Harlequin Teen Release Date: December 27, 2011 Source: Author’s Blog
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
I like the birds and the over all cover composition, but his wings don’t look quite right.  I think I’d like it better if the wings complimented the angle of the birds across the title.	I agree completely.  Overall I’m a fan, but his wings are almost shaped like a butterfly.

Previous Covers in This Series

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Title: City of Fallen Angels Author: Cassandra Clare Series: The Mortal Instruments #4 Cover Art: Cliff Nielsen Genre: Paranormal YA Excerpt: Yes Source: Publisher Reviewed by: Abigail Paperback: 432 pages Publisher: Walker & Company ISBN-10: 9781406328677 ISBN-13: 978-1406328677 Sexual Content: Kissing. References to homosexuality. Rating: Okay – A few good points, but with significant flaws. Library/swap/borrow if you want.

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Description

The Mortal War is over, and Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She's training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhunters are at peace at last. And—most important of all—Clary can finally call Jace her boyfriend.

But nothing comes without a price.

Someone is murdering the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine's Circle, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second bloody war. Clary's best friend, Simon, can't help her. His mother just found out that he's a vampire and now he's homeless. Everywhere he turns, someone wants him on their side—along with the power of the curse that's wrecking his life. And they're willing to do anything to get what they want. At the same time he's dating two beautiful, dangerous girls—neither of whom knows about the other.

When Jace begins to pull away from Clary without explaining why, she is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: She herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace.

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. The stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

Review

(This review contains spoilers from the previous books)

I’ve read all the previous books in The Mortal Instruments series, and after finishing CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS, the overwhelming thought I had when I closed the book was: she should have stopped at book 3.  The The impossible love between Clary and Jace has been the driving force of the first three books.  And honestly the incestuous obstacle to their romance has always been a real hindrance to my enjoyment of the series overall.  I knew eventually it would be revealed that somehow they weren’t actually related, and I had to cling fiercely to that thought every time they started making out thinking they were brother and sister, but it was big on the ick scale even still and I think that particular storyline was drawn out much too long.  But after such a seemingly insurmountable obstacle to their love no longer exists, what could possibly trump incest in CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS? 

The answer, unfortunately, is nothing.

But Clary and Jace still act like their love is impossible.  Jace brings new meaning to the word brooding.  His objections to being with Clary felt very thin to me and her response was overly melodramatic.  I haven’t been able to loose myself in this series really since the first book, but I felt especially detached from this one.  It didn’t help that half the book was devoted to Simon’s perspective and his ongoing struggle to come to grips with his new life as a vampire.  He’s never been a strong enough character to hang a book on in my opinion, and he proves that in CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS.

Bottom-line, the Jace/Clary parts of the book were unsuccessfully trying to recreate the romantic tension they had in the previous books, and the Simon parts just weren’t interesting enough to warrant the page time he got.  Yes, there is a plot involving demons and murdered Shadowhunters, but with all the characters faux drama, it fell flat me. Diehard fans of the series will no doubt love this latest installment, but if you’ve been lukewarm like me, you might want to pass and try Cassandra Clare’s Infernal Devices prequel series instead.

Previous Books in Series	Also Reviewed By:
City of Bones City of Ashes City of Glass	Wondrous Reads /- LA FEMME READERS -/ Love Vampires

*Cover Art may not be final*
Click author names to visit their webpages

The Breaking by Marcus Pelegrimas

Series: Skinners #5 Date/Publisher: June 1, 2011 by Eos Cover Artist: N/A Cover Source: Dark Faerie Tales Author Comments:  “Woo HOOOO!!  Check it out… In the original version I was given, the gargoyle's eyes were glowing red. That was cool, but I'm definitely not complaining. I love it. Also, I do kind of miss the hot, butt-shot of Paige from the last one. That's just me. Heh. Let me know what you think. This one hits shelves on May 31.” Julia’s Thoughts: I wish I had a neutral hand…this cover is an interesting tableau, but no one feature really stands out.  As Marcus mentions above, perhaps they should go back to the butt-shot (something to focus on, at least). Abigail’s Thoughts: Thumbs up for me. I like how it’s a group shot with Paige and Cole fighting back to back.

Description: N/A

Previous Book in the Series:

Black Night by Christina Henry

Series: Madeline Black #2 Date/Publisher: July/August 2011 (some conflict between sites as to which to expect) Cover Artist: N/A Cover Source: Author’s blog Author Comments: N/A Julia’s Thoughts: I like how the gates behind her mimic wings, a strong cover art follow up to the lovely BLACK WINGS. Abigail’s Thoughts: They suggested wings in the first cover too.  Very nice.  Plus Maddie looks less like Hillary Duff in this one

Description: N/A

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The Eternal Sea by Angie Frazier

Series: Everlasting #2 Date/Publisher: June 1 by Scholastic Press Cover Artist: N/A Cover Source: Author’s blog Author Comments:  “All I can say is...I LOVE IT! It's creepy and moody and perfectly captures the danger and intrigue of Camille's continuing adventure!” Julia’s Thoughts: I haven’t read EVERLASTING, but this cover appeals to me much more than it’s predecessor.  The point where I want to go back and start this series from the beginning. Abigail’s Thoughts: It’s so beautiful until you notice the skull in the clouds.  I love that touch of spooky.

Description:
After the thrilling journey that led Camille through the dangerous discovery of love, secrets, and a magical stone that grants immortality, Camille has everything she wants. She's escaped the men who wanted her dead, and now she is ready to build a new life with Oscar, her one true love. But things are not to be so simple. Oscar is acting strangely, and before they can even board a ship from Australia back home, to San Francisco, Camille learns that the journey is not over. If she does not follow the magic of the curse of Umandu, her life and Oscar's could be in grave danger.

Previous Book in the Series:

Anthology: Angels of Darkness
by Ilona Andrews, Nalini Singh, Meljean Brook, Sharon Shinn

Series: Includes Guardians #7.5 and Guild Hunter #4.5 Date/Publisher: October 2011 by Berkley Trade Cover Artist: N/A Cover Source: Brook’s blog and Singh’s blog Author Comments:  Brook: “What do you think?” Singh: “Love, love, LOVE!!!”  Julia’s Thoughts: I love the concept of this cover, and the line up of authors just about knocks me out of my chair.  There’s just one creepy detail about this cover, that once notice, ruined it for me.  The feathers are growing out of his *arms*.  I love the imagery about an angel wrapping his arms around his love, but ick, feather arms… Abigail’s Thoughts: You’re nuts!  It’s gorgeous, like an old Renaissance painting.  It could be that his wings are just wrapped around his arms…maybe?  Either way, I love it.

Description: N/A

Previous Book in the Series:

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The Lost by Caridad Pineiro

Series: The Sin Hunter series #1 (spin off from Sins series) Date/Publisher: July 26, 2011 Cover Artist: N/A Cover Source: Wicked Scribes Author Comments: N/A Julia’s Thoughts: This cover does pretty well with the “face close up/ornate title” layout.  I like the light across the model’s face, leading the eye right to that intricate “O.” Abigail’s Thoughts: These kind of covers are just ‘meh’ for me.  There are too many that look like this.

Description:
Adam Salvatore is no ordinary millionaire. The heir to an ancient race possessing a dark, powerful magic, he can shapeshift and create energy. His gifts make him a living weapon and have forced him to live in seclusion. But now an inhuman force hunts down Adam-just when he finds someone who makes him feel more human than he ever imagined possible . . .

Home from combat in Iraq, Bobbie Carerra wants only peace, yet soon joins Adam in a terrifying battle against paranormal enemies who hide in plain sight. She's drawn to his strength of mind and body; he's attracted to her courage and intoxicating energy. Their scorching passion can either transport them to the heights of ecstasy or-if Adam's powers rage out of control-destroy them. But when an invisible brotherhood tightens its nets and someone Adam trusts betrays him, only a heartrending decision can save them.

Previous Book in the Series:

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Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Series: The Infernal Devices #2 Date/Publisher: August 30, 2011 by Simon & Schuster Cover Artist: Cliff Nielsen  Cover Source: Author’s blog Author Comments: “…the background shows Temple Bar, on Fleet Street, near the Institute. "What desperation drove you to me, in the middle of the night, in a rainstorm? What has changed at the Institute? I can only think of one thing..." ~Magnus” Julia’s Thoughts: I know it’s only a placeholder, but it does a great job of getting me excited.  I love imagining which character is just out of view, waiting to step onto this cover. Abigail’s Thoughts: Only Cassandra Clare could get two thumbs up for a placeholder cover.  Can’t wait til May.

Description:
In Clockwork Prince, with the Magister vanished and the clock counting down on how long Charlotte can keep control of the Institute away from Benedict Lightwood, Will, Jem and Tessa must dig into the Magister's past to predict what he will do in the future, But secrets about the Magister aren't all they find buried — Tessa begins to uncover the truth about her own birth, and the ghosts of Will's past return to haunt him. As Tessa grows closer to Jem, and Will is driven further toward the brink of madness by jealousy and guilt, will they discover the truth in time to halt the next phase of the Magister's evil plan?

Previous Book in the Series:

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Series: N/A Date/Publisher: Cover Artist: N/A Cover Source: Susan at Wastepaper Prose Author Comments:  “And I will say this, because I didn’t get it at first… did you realllllly look at it?  Like, turn your head sideways, look at it?”  Julia’s Thoughts: Wow.  True love.  This cover reminds me of the cover art on Jonathan Carroll’s work, surreal and haunting.  I’m going to try to track down the cover artists for both to compare.  I loved this even before I figured out McEntire’s comment above, and then just wow, wow, LOVE. Abigail’s Thoughts: I didn’t even get it at first and I loved it.  I want the print for my wall.

Description:
Since the age of fourteen, Emerson Cole has seen strange things – dead things – swooning Southern Belles, soldiers, and other eerie apparitions of the past. She’s tried everything to get rid of the visions: medication, counseling, asylums. Nothing’s worked.

So when Emerson's well-meaning brother calls in yet another consultant from a mysterious organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to give it one last try.

Michael Weaver is no ordinary consultant. He's barely older than she is; he listens like no one she's ever met before; and he doesn't make her feel the least bit crazy. As Emerson ventures deeper into the world of the Hourglass, she begins to learn the truth about her past, her future--and her very life.

A seductive time-slip novel that merges the very best of the paranormal and science fiction genres, Myra McEntire’s Hourglass is a stunning debut from an author to watch.

Previous Book in the Series:

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 The Urban Fantasy Anthology Edited by Peter S. Beagle and Joe R. Lansdale

Series: N/A Date/Publisher: August 15, 2011 by Tachyon Publications Cover Artist: N/A Cover Source: Literary Escapism Author Comments: N/A Julia’s Thoughts: Hey, I know her!  As much as I’m fond of our blog-model, the lighting on her skin seems completely different than the cold subway tunnel around her.  It makes her look unnecessarily cut-and-pasted, I think someone needs to adjust color values before I can give this one a thumbs up. Abigail’s Thoughts: So with you on this one.  Although to be honest, it could have a big, steaming pile of poo on it and I’d still buy it for the Patricia Briggs story.

Description:
Star-studded and comprehensive, this imaginative anthology brings a myriad of modern fantasy voices under one roof. Previously difficult for readers to discover in its new modes, urban fantasy is represented here in all three of its distinct styles—playful new mythologies, sexy paranormal romances, and gritty urban noir. Whether they feature tattooed demon-hunters, angst-ridden vampires, supernatural gumshoes, or pixelated pixies, these authors—including Patricia Briggs, Neil Gaiman, and Charles de Lint—mash-up traditional fare with pop culture, creating iconic characters, conflicted moralities, and complex settings. The result is starkly original fiction that has broad-based appeal and is immensely entertaining.

Previous Book in the Series:

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Anthology:Chicks Kick Butt

Edited by Rachel Caine and Kerrie L. Hughes

Series: N/A Date/Publisher: June 7, 2011 by Tor Books Cover Artist: N/A Cover Source: Tor.com’s Facebook page Author Comments: N/A Julia’s Thoughts: I love the book concept, but this cover was a bit too out there for me.  I feel like I have no idea what genre they’re aiming for, but given how many authors are contributing, maybe that was a strategic choice. Abigail’s Thoughts: I kind of like it.  It’s got sort of a sci-fi/superhero vibe that I wasn’t expecting.  But again, this one’s all about the authors.

Description:

Chicks are awesome & never more so than when they are kicking some serious vampire/werewolf/demon/monster butt. Chicks Kick Butt is an anthology that features one of the best things about the urban fantasy genre strong, independent, and intelligent heroines who are quite capable of solving their own problems, and slaying their own dragons (or demons, as the case may be).
New stories from Rachel Caine, L.A. Banks, Rachel Vincent, Karen Chance, Lilith Saintcrow, Cheyenne McCray, Susan Krinard, Jeanne Stein, Jenna Black, Elizabeth Vaughan, Carole Nelson, Douglas, P.N. Elrod, Nancy Holder

Previous Book in the Series:

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Winging It by Deborah Cooke

Series: The Dragon Diaries Trilogy #2 Date/Publisher: Decebmer 2011 by NAL Trade Cover Artist: N/A Cover Source: Author’s Facebook page Author Comments:  “No teasing today - eye candy! Here's the cover for the second book in Zoë's Dragon Diaries YA trilogy. WOW!” Julia’s Thoughts: I like this one much better than FLYING BLIND.  Zoë still looks tough, but there’s a lot more life in her face.  Also, I love the colors on this one. Abigail’s Thoughts: Where is my neutral thumb?  It’s fine.  Not great, not bad.  Story sounds great though.

Description:

Previous Book in the Series:

And our picks for Best & Worst…

Best Cover	Worst Cover

So any new to you covers? Which are your Best & Worst picks?