Note: while I have the US release date, I do not have a final US cover yet. And while I have these cover concepts from the UK, I do not have a UK release date yet. Sometimes, that's how it goes. :)
Another note: these are NOT the final covers. These are cover concepts--mock-ups intended to illustrate the general theme, colors, feel, and similar art of the projected final covers.
And a third note: The information gathered from this poll will help my UK publisher decide on a direction for the cover, but their decision will not be made entirely based on this data.
So here's what we need you to do, if you're willing.
- Decide which cover you like best, and vote in the poll on the right.
- Leave a comment here telling us why you picked the cover you picked. Feel free to comment on the colors, style, font, art, etc...
A little about the book:
In the Unbound world, promises--once sealed--have true power. Depending on how they're sealed, they can be anywhere from difficult- to impossible-to-break. The world is very big-city urban (no Shifters world forest scenes). The book is dark and violent, and the characters have complicated, intense relationships. And the plot is very twisty-turny.
For what it's worth, when I pitched the final concept for this book, I called it "Grownup Romeo and Juliet meets The Godfather."
Both the hero and the heroine get a POV (a first for me!) and while it's just as gritty (maybe more so) than my Shifters books, I would say the relationship ARC to plot ARC ratio is closer to 50/50 than the Shifters books, where it was (by my best guess) 30/70. Not that numbers can ever really define such concepts.
So, here you go. With that in mind (or just going on your first impression, if you'd rather) which do you like better? (I think you can click the image to make it larger.)
Posts
180 comments:
I went with "B". I thought it was more interesting, sometimes I do like a nice simple cover, but the one I chose caught my attention first! :)
From a reader's, writer's, and artist's standpoints, I choose cover number two. The yellow/red and grey/blue contrasts are gorgeous and really stand out, I love the figure and how real she is (ie. not the cliché badass of many UF covers), and the text is wonderful. The red/white title is great, very striking, and the font of your name reminds me of the title font on the UK Soul Screamers series in the best possible way.
Cover A is just... fairly generic. While I like the title, it's not enough to make me pick up the book on its own (very few titles are) -- I think it needs to be paired with a really striking cover.
Man, you get wonderful covers.
Go with "B". It's more eye-catching. Perhaps they could use "A" for the ARCs.
I like what they did with your name on "B" but I prefer the simplicity of "A"
I picked A. The simplicity of it really caught my eye. B feels too 'generic paranormal cover' to me. It's a little too busy, also. I like the ambiguity of the first, and the symbolism of the circle of blood: one) as a seal to a promise, and two) kind of like a play on the saying 'love is like a circle, it has no end'. It works well with the concept of promises being like contracts that can't be easily broken. It looks a little grittier, too.
I like "B". It's much more interesting to look at.
I liked them both but I would chose B because I liked the skyline and the font they used for your name. Also, I like seeing characters backs or profiles - it gives me something to visualize without taking away my opportunity to imagine it my way. I did like the book title better on cover A, however. It gets a bit lost on cover B and I didn't like the red streaks through the lettering.
I liked "B" because it reminded me of Rachel Caine's covers. "A" didn't really tell me much about the book and made me think of the movie, The Ring, which made me think the book was more horror than urban fantasy.
I like B. It gives you a little bit but not too much. Sometimes the vague covers are as much of a turn off as a turn on. I also liked how the scratches connected all the Shifters books and the circle could do the same thing here.
I went with "B" as well. To me, "A" looks like a book about a serial killer.
A for me. I always feel covers with people on them are weird for some reason. I dunno they hardly ever seem to be able to convey much of anything. It worked on your shifters series but I don't think it works for me here. The blood stamped circle conveys some blood ritual to me. I imagine it really links more to the concept of the book (from what I understand so far). It has mystery and grit, whereas B reminds me of a lovely piece of artwork I'd see in any dark/gritty artists gallery, nothing too special ya know? Not to mention everyone has those covers these days it seems. Makes it hard to tell them apart and doesn't bring any thing new to that section of the bookstore.
A though is more of a graphic art design that you don't see too often on books. I love it.
I would go with A - I like how they did your name in B, but the A cover is more mysterious.
B caught my eyes first
I chose "B". The first cover just doesn't look like a "Rachel Vincent Book" - it's too simple (although I often like simple cover designs". The second cover seemed more personal, and it caught my attention first.
I chose "B" just based on the fact that I'd rather have that cover on my shelf than cover "A". I especially love what they did with your name in cover "B"
I voted for A. I agree with the comment by Kayla about the symbolism. I hate the way your name is writen on cover B, it really doesn't work for me.
I'm from the UK by the way.
I loved the Shifters series, so I can't wait for your new series to come out!
While A was very nice,but bland. It didn't catch my eye. I love covers where you get a look see - even if it's just a little one - of who you're reading about.
I love the fonts on B and I love the colors of the sky. The figure is very interesting as well. I like how her coloring makes her look like she is both part of the stone and the city.
B - It grabbed my attention right away. I see a little into what the book is about, and the dark colors are mysterious. I don't like the ribbon coming off of the R in Rachel. Instead of reading the name, I'm trying to figure out what that letter is. But I do like the ribbon coming off the V (doesn't take the spotlight off the name).
I like both of them!
A makes me think of The Ring, which might be a negative for some. The connection makes the book seem like a mystery/thriller/horror.
B look like a dystopian book and reminds me of Dark Angel, which might fit more with the story.
I am going with B because it tells more than the other cover
I chose B for two main reasons.
The first being that the colour scheme and blood red ring are very cliched. This imagery theme and colour scheme has been used in way too many recent book covers(especially with the rise of the vampire genre at the minute). Thus I feel that the cover wouldn't draw me in. Its too abstract and too much like everything else on the market at the minute.
Secondly I chose B because I liked the image of the heroine looking out over the city. This immediately tels me that there is a female main character which draws me in. The colour scheme is beautiful also and the rich yellowy red is different. The picture is very authentic and not silouette nonsense that you see on a lot of other books. I really like B.
I looked at both covers for about three minutes. Initially I liked A but the longer I looked at them, the more I was drawn to B, especially the vultures circling in the distance. In other words, cover B has more depth than A.
i would go with b because it will tantalize and attract the readers a lot more.
I love "A" I think it is very mysterious and really makes me want to figure the book out. Plus the red on black really pops. Can't wait to see which one comes out on top.
I love B. There is more to that cover A to me is just too generic
I picked "B" It drew my attention immediately and if I was browsing a bookstore, and noticed that on a shelf, I'd pick it up and read the back for the cover alone. It has a certain interest and intrigue to it :]
I chose A - I like everything about the B cover except the graphic of the girl on the rock which felt so similar to every other paranormal book out there it pushed me to A. The typset font etc of B are excellent I really like those!
Absolutely love B - love the image and the colours. A looks like a YA cover to me - there's a hint of the Twilights about it. Whilst I like the strong, single image style covers, they don't catch my eye the way a cover like B would.
I went with "A" purely because it's simple, looks mysterious and draws me in, I do think it was 'love at first sight'. I don't like "B" not because it's bad but because to me as an individual it's well unattractive and because of it to my eye it looks too busy and the colors are far too dull and depressing. I like elaborate and complex covers very much -as much as I like simple ones- but I also like them to have bright colors however dark the theme or content of the book/cover may be.. Probably no-one will agree with me but I think the choice of each person and the way they perceive each cover is purely subjective so there. :)
While I like them both, I went with B. I think it'll allow for more freedom in designing the covers for the next books and it caught my eye more than A. However, I didn't really like the way they did your name on B.
I prefer cover A. Cover B seems to look more like a crime cover than urban fantasy, in my opinion. Although it seems to be used quite a lot these days, black covers do tend to give a darker, more "different" feel that works for urban fantasy, and the style of the circle suggests danger.
In cover B, the image along with the title font style, as I said, suggest crime to me, though the image on it's own... it could be any genre really. There's nothing that suggests urban fantasy or danger from the image, in my opinion.
I like the font used for your name on cover B, but I think the font used on cover A ties in with your Shifters series; although a completely different series, I like that sort of link that suggests "same author, same excitement/danger/awesomeness". The same can be said about the sketchy white edging of cover A - links with the Shifters covers.
I prefer the way "They say blood is thicker than water. They have no idea." is presented on cover A, the emphasis works. I think it's a little lost in cover B.
''B'' catch my eyes first. I like font used for both your name and the title and the that it seen to have blood in the title. I prefer cover with people on it and on this one, i like the way she look at the horizon.
''A'' looks like a cover for ''The Ring''movie. Don't like it very much.
My opinion; I liked "A" overall, but think it would flash it up a bit if your name appeared as it is on "B". (LOVE that font by the way.) Also, I think the font/coloring of the title on “B” would look better in the circle on “A.” So that it isn't ALL fully blood red.
For some reason I also do not like the girl on the front in “B”. The background of the town/city/sky does not really seem to mesh with her and the rocky cliff she’s sitting on.
Eek, I feel like I’m ripping something apart. No offense to whomever the artist is.
I went with my first impression on the voting: B. Covers, to me, are what draw me in to take a closer look at book to see if it might be something I would want to read. The "B" cover drew my eye right away.
I am jumping in the "B" pool. I would pick B up at the bookstore before A...though with your name on it I would just go ahead and get it no matter which cover.
"A" is clean, simple, and classy.
Definitely B--its more eye catching and intriguing, although I prefer the way your name is presented on A.
I prefer B, I think it stands out more. I like that the heroine looks different. But I don't like the font for the author name, and I prefer the way the tagline is written on cover A.
I like the feel of B better. The mood is dark & haunting, which sounds right. Whenever I think of your books, I do picture the great artwork on the covers, so this fits best to me on first glance.
The A just doesn't hit me right, feels more like the cover of a serial killer genre for some reason, not sure why exactly. Maybe because it reminds me of Dexter's blood looks.
So, for what it is worth, that's my opinion :) Thanks for sharing with us & giving us a chance to chime in.
Cover B hands down. I love the red and black photo, draws me in and makes me wonder what's going through her mind. (Hugs)Indigo
I went with A. It drew me in. I like it's simplicity.
The girl on the rock of B just doesn't do it for me. Makes it seem like it's all about her and you stated that it two POV.
I went with A, as thinking it goes with the description of the book more, but I do wonder where they'd go from there for the rest of the series.
B is a nice picture, if I was going to have it face out on my shelf, but I kept wondering about the seagull flying over your name.
I also like B. A is a gorgeous cover as well, but it doesn't fit the description of the book as well as B does. I would be less likely to pick up a book with cover A in a store and read the description because the cover screams Horror to me, and I rarely read straight horror. B looks like a really good urban fantasy cover, and I would pick it up and read the back, since I do read Urban Fantasy.
I chose B. I liked the font for "rachel vincent". Plus the other book made me think vampire or horror novel.
A! A! A! A! A! A! A! A! A! A! A! A! A! A!
Seriously. A!
I chose "A". I like the colours and image on "B" but it looks like it belongs to one of Rachel Caine's Weather Warden books(I think it's funny that someone else liked that cover for the same reason I don't).
I really liked both of then, but I'm going to say B. Like A as it was simple, but after a while of looking at it, I thought it might be a little bit too simple. Where as B caught and held my attention. I think if I went into a bookstore and didn't know what I fancied reading. B would be one I got drawen too. Mind saying all that, book covers don't look the same on a Kindle and thats how I will be buying it.
"B", since it's better visualy and more eyecatching. The colours stand out and if I saw this book on the shelf, I would want to get it. While "A" wouldn't intrest me that much.
A. Definitely prefer A, although I did consider both carefully. I always love the stark red/black contrast, it gives me ideas of dark/weird/mysterious and potential danger. It makes me want to know what's going to happen.... That, combined with interesting 'blurb', makes me buy the book.
I like A the best. The splash of red on black is insanely awesome!!
Liliana
I liked cover B. I want to know why the woman is sitting outside of the city, watching. I want to know about her tattoo. I want to read the book based on the description, but if I knew nothing about it, I would be more likely to pick up a book with cover B.
B is my favorite.
However A is mysterious.
B.
It drew more interest. The other one is a bit plain (although I like it on some level, it wouldn't make me pick it up).
B its the first one my eye went to!
I choose "B" it draws more attention and show just how dsrk the book is rather than A being black background and a red ring
I voted for A. It is eyecatching and different from the front cover of other books in this genre. I think the red on black draws the shoppers eye to the book so they are more likely to pick it up and read the blurb/1st few pages. That's how I usually make my decisions on buying books.
I always hear people say that first impressions are really important, and this is very true with books as well as people. I chose B because I feel like the cover is way more attention grabbing. The cover on A is too plain, and the cover of a book is the very first thing a reader will notice when they go to a bookstore. If the cover is too plain and uninteresting I don't feel like someone would want to pick up the book to take a look at the description on the back. Cover B will do a better job grabbing the attention of a future reader. I've made the mistake before of skipping over really good books because the cover was too plain and I just passed it by, barely giving it a second glance. I personally see the cover as a window into the books' soul (yes I know exactly how lame that sounds lol)and I think it tells the reader a little about the book before they even start reading.
I was drawn to B straight away. It is far more interesting to look at it fits in well with all the other covers of the books you've had published here in the uk. Also it looks like there is hidden symbolism there and i like the ring tattoo.
B, the typography is so much nicer. I can appreciate the concept/idea behind A, but it isn't as well executed as B. Not to mention that it's a bit to reminescent of a Lord of the Rings reprint issued here a while back:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lord-Rings-Book-Box-set/dp/0261102389/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1299175503&sr=1-1
I think B conveys the mood of the book (and the genre) much better.
I like A it's simpler.
If I were on a bookshop I would pick up first the A one, because for me it´s more interesting and misterious and I would pick it up first to know what is the book about.
I think A is by far the best. B looks too much like so many other books. A's simple graphic is also going to make me pick up the book and read the back cover. Whereas the girl sitting there just looks like every other romantic fiction book to me.
I like A better. I perfer it when cover's don't show people, or whole people at least, because sometimes it clashes with the picture in my head of a character.
definitely love the simplicity of cover A, i rarely buy a book just becuase of the cover anyway, but if i have to take one i will pick A
"A" stands out more from what most other covers in the section of the book store they will most likely put your books. It will reach out and grab the passerby's attention more readily than the generic single person on the cover of "B" would.
"B" The cover is very dynamic, the colors blend well and it draws my eyes in and makes me look closer. I am much more likely to pick this book up to check it out because of it. The shades of gray at the bottom with the girl really draw my attention down to it since it's so startling different then the top colors. Just love the look of this cover!
Book A just seems a bit boring and well done before. I can think of a few books who have done a similar look and it tends to blend in with the other books in my head.
This was actually quite hard. I prefer the imagery of B but A goes with the phrase they are using better.
Also I don't think B give's that urban city feel rather the impression of a apocolpse type environment.
I went with A, but I really *wanted* to like B! But the text and title on B were a bit cluttered and awkward. I love the picture, but I wasn't quite sure where to look. Maybe if the text placement got switched around a bit? And the title was larger font?
Granted the red/white covers are quite frequent for choice A, but I gotta say my eye immediately went to that one because it was clean, high contrast, and the title was very clearly placed.
I voted A. Because I don't like B.
I think B is too busy, the title obscured, and the tag line isn't broken up or defined like it is in A. And the font for your name? Super weird and distracting.
Since this is going to be a series, I don't know how either would flow well with the next book.
"A" could probably stay the same with a different color for the circle and the title. I love the tagline and the placement and font of your name. I think just a bit more to it would make it perfect.
Can't wait to see what the US verison will be!
A mainly because B is way too awful. Sorry, but, to me, B looks like a cheap romance. Too dark, too many information.
I like A but it reminds me of New Moon/Eclipse's movie opener, which turns me off a little. But I would totally still buy it.
I love B but I think you should zoom it in. Have the girls body more in the corner, with her tattooand the city more focalized in the middle.
Totally exciting, both are beautiful!
Cover A.
It just seems "cleaner" than B to me.
Roll on August! *g*
I like B better, because while A looks fine, I don't think it properly conveys anything about the book. It looks like your run of the mill fiction thriller about a murder/serial killer.
Okay, so both covers have me reninded of something-
"A" remind me of twilight, in that black/red/obeject sort fo way.
"B" reminds of of the tv series The Vampire Diaries.. (And their new cover style re-released books)... That being said, "A" is more visually appealing. Eventhough I am NOT a twilight fan, "A" just "looks" better, ya know?
I love "A" because it looks mysterious to me! I the a cover that is too detailed leads you to make up ideas in your mind of what the story may be about! To me simple is better.
Wow. Tough one. I went with B mostly because I liked the text and fonts and how they were placed. The city setting below is cool too, I guess it was the way the person look that threw me off a little. But I liked everything else about it!
A was cool too, I just didn't like how the font on your name almost falls off the book. It looks like if it were to take a breath letters would fall off the sides. But I liked the picture and how there was only 2 contrasting colors. It is a more simple cover, but sometimes those can speak volumes to grabbing a reader's attention. We are getting to use to seeing the female heroine on the cover looking badass, sometimes simplicity is the best course.
If the fonts and text layout and size were to be changed a little to be similar or even different than cover B I would go with A, but the text and it's size are what threw me off, since the placement leaves things hanging.
I'm a very visual person. I like book covers that have some sort of "scene" or picture on it that can help me visualize the story through out the book. Therefore, I choose cover "B". I absolutely love your statement of "Grownup Romeo and Juliet meets the Godfather". I think cover "B" represents that well.
I like B the best.
I like A I just wish it was a tad more jazzed up but still with the simplicity of the mock up.
I voted for B. I like the font used for your name, and the city in the distance looks cool. It draws my attention more than the other cover.
I definitely prefer A.
I like the simplicity and colours. But I do like the font from the B cover. I'm just not a fan of covers with rock chicks on it. Must be so exciting though!
I chose A because as soon as I scrolled down it was the one my eye instantly went to.
I'm going to have to go with B. I love the font used on your name. The on the cliff looking over the city is awesome. Love the colors of the sky! I don't like the girl really though, she doesn't seem to fit.
Ooh, they are both great!
I went with cover B, because it caught my attention first and it's so, so pretty. It just stands out, and it's very complex and mysterious too (plus, I tend to like covers with people on them more for some reason).
Option B, no question for me. I think it's far more eye catching and I would pick it up to know more on seeing it in store. Cover A is nice enough, but too plain. Sometimes plain works really well for me, but not with that one. I probably wouldn't pick it up. I love the 'feel' of option B with the girl looking over the city on a cliff edge, looking a little rough around the edges. And the color contrasts really grab me.
I really LOVE cover B its pretty and intriguing whilst A is simple and B has amazing cover art.
SO B!!!!!
xxTaneeka
I prefer B because I don't like "object covers". But something botheres me about the B, I don't know if it's the colors scheme, or the character position. One thing is sure I really like the swirls on your name, if not the font.
Definitely B - I like how it hints at the tone within as opposed to A which I find overly simplistic.
Love the "Blood is thicker than water" quote though.
I like "A" and the simplicity of the cover...Although I like how your name looks on the cover of "B"
My preference belongs with "B" also - atmospheric, grit churned and showcased with contrasts that bleed apart. The elements hint and allow viewers to interpret the contents in a more tell-tale fashion, whereas concept "A" doesn't offer a whole lot of insight. The symbolic approach of the circle ties in on both, but the overall appeal to me lands with the subtle-but-snagging mark on the woman.
One thing I would adopt from mock up "A" is the bold type of the last part of the tagline paired with the shade of red for "blood."
i love b zoned right to it more eye catching
-shaina
I chose B. You get the same blood bond on both books. Cover B had it on her arm. It seems to give the symbol more meaning when you see it on the character. The way the sun is positioned makes the city look ominous or even in ruins. Just my perspective. Bottom line is, cover B is more interesting.
I like both, but and there is always a but, they both would need to be re designed. B caught the eye and would give the reader a first impression of the story, but if A was changed and a washed out part back ground of the charactor added to the bottom right half of the book well.... It is a darker story. Don't forget it is an adult book after all!
Keep up the good work.
I went with B. It's just more interesting, more going on, and there are people who do pick books by their covers, and this one is just more appealing. :) The colors are awesome, too.
I liked B as it seemed to tell more of the story with the images. And because the character is facing away, it is not over-revealing and still allows a reader their imagination. Choice A is much more of a mystery and almost looks like a solar eclipse.
Although I chose B, the one issue with that cover will be longevity. The font and style of the cover are very "in" right now, but they will have to be changed when going into reprints, whereas choice A has a simplicity that is classic and wouldn't require a re-design down the road.
Also, with A, I think that your name placement needs some margin at the side as it almost seems cut off, even if it does wrap around to the spine or flap. Though I do like the mix of serif and sans serif fonts in A.
I chose "B".
I love what they did with your name, and the color scheme is very eye-catching. I'm not a big fan of the actual font used for the title, but that could be changed, right? I also like the tagline, but it would be better if the word "blood" was colored red, like the one in "A".
(By the way, thank you for letting us get a glimpse of what the process is like. It would be better if more writers would discuss cover mock-ups with us.)
=)
From someone who works in an artistic industry I went with B. Don't get me wrong there is potential with A, but while I like simplistic...I think it's too simplistic. B is more eye catching. The colors used compliment each other, and the font's are wonderful.
I think A is a little too plain. B is more colorful and way hotter!
I like both and would pick up both to read the back blurb. B barely edged out over A, so that's what I voted for.
I'm also in the US, though, so I'm wondering what covers are like in the UK (I've only seen a handful). Given that market, I'm not sure what would stand out more.
I went with "B" I liked the placement and the font of your name on this copy. I also like the contrasting colors. Sort of a fade from dark to light, which may or may not tie into the plot and the illustration on it.
I chose the second, but can they please go back to the drawing board? I love the simplicity of the first one, but there is nothing about that cover that draws me in. I hate to admit it, but I've purchased many a book because I liked the cover, and for the most part haven't been disappointed. I like the second cover alot, but it's boring and very generic. The colors are nice, but nothing draws me in.
I like cover A better. It's mysterious.
B is way better.
Cover A: a lot of people are saying they like simple, but I think it just looks boring/ like not much effort was put into the cover. I don't want a cover that I could make myself.
Cover B: much catchier. I would want to buy this book.
I like the double- lined tag phrase thing in cover A better- I think it makes more of an impact with the second line. (don't like the word "blood" in red though.
I like RV's name on cover B too.
My curiosity is more likely to be piqued by covers boasting a human element, or at least some attempt at visual story telling. True, there are occasions when a simple design & text is more telling than all the artistry in the world, but 9 times out of ten (a little more) is better when it comes to visual enticement.
Hi! I voted for B, but I can't say I am drawn by either cover. I don't like the fonts on B at all. I especially don't like the swirlies on your name. Seems to contrast from the grittiness. I do like the fonts on A, but the cover doesn't make me curious; I wouldn't assume it's a paranormal book. Hope all these conflicting opinions offer some insights! It was fun to think about. :)
I checked out the US vs UK covers of MSTSteal (gorgeous, both of them BTW) - I think I might change my vote to A in that case (the UK versions seemed edgier, but it's still close.
I like "B". It gives a more Urban Fantasy feel and "A" more slasher/horror. If I saw "A" in a bookstore, I probably would avoid it because I don't like scary books.
I went with "A." I'm not really sure why other than it appealed to me more. Maybe it was the mystery of it and how it left more to the imagination.
I prefer A and my husband did as well. It caught my eye immediately. I thought the other one was too busy. I looked at the covers before I read the blurb about the book and A just drew my eyes right to it.
I read the blurb and then looked at the covers again and felt A seemed to portray the blurb better for me.
I would choose B. Cover A looks like a bloody eclipse and it just does not seem appealing to me.
my votes for A. its simple and dramatic. it demands attention - even from people who have no idea who you are or what the books is about. B is too similar to other book cover sin the genre and you want to stand out.
im going with B. A is almost a bit bland. NO OFFENCE! And it shows a bit about the book.
I really like B. The skyline's really catching, and I'd be more likely to buy cover B than A, even if I didn't know the author was amazing!
I like the way B is less focused on her body, and more on the cityscape, but still communicates it's an urban fantasy book.
I like A. It just caught my eye more than B did. I'm not sure why. I like the simplicity of the cover and the title and your name really stand out. It aslo makes it harder to judge the book by its cover. I have often dismissed books because the cover turned me away from it, even after I read the summary. Cover A would spark interest, making a prospective buyer want to read the back/cover flap of the book.
I also like how the circle around the title is almost a coffee stain of blood.
I chose B. I love the font your name is in, and the skyline and colours. Not a huge fan of the girl on the cover, since it all gets a bit generic urban fantasy at that point, but much prefer B over A, which looks too bland and horror-ish.
I would buy either, because your name on the cover equals an autobuy for me, but I would pick up B even if it were by someone I'd never heard of, while I would probably pass A by. Professionally speaking (I'm a bookseller) I think I'd have an easier time selling B to customers than I would A.
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB!!!! I love how the character is looking out over the scenery. Like how the story is told from her point of view and now I can SEE what she sees, too. Me likey.
My favourite would have to be 'B'. It is very beautiful cover yet dark and the colours are incredibly eye catching. Saying this, I also think that 'A' is nice as well because of its simplicity - it's eye catching also.
But my final answer is 'B'. It gives us a feel for what the character Olivia looks like (if that's even her?) but still allows us the freedom to picture her the way WE want to.
Thankyou so much for giving us this wonderful opportunity, Rachel. I'm sure many of your loyal and loving fans (myself included) are very grateful for this :)
P.S - I'm only 14, so I don't think I can read this series quite yet....
P.P.S - Soul Screamers is the best. Nash <3 Kaylee forever! :D
Xx
While A is a bit uninspired, I wouldn't be embarrassed to be seen with it, whereas B looks a bit tacky and also completely generic. I wouldn't pick it up at the bookstore, whereas I would definitely pick A up just because the cover is simple enough to be intriguing.
B. It is much more eye catching!
I choose "B". The colors are very eye catching:)
This is my first ever comment! I am from the UK, & love the opportunity to give my opinion on the UK cover art :)It was a really hard choice, I have to say. In the end I voted for A, however what I would love to see is a mixture of both i.e. the urban scene of B without the person. I love the colours of B, and seeing as you describe the book as quite dark & violent, I think the colour schemes really compliment that. Really looking forward to this new series, and seeing the final cover art! Rachel - your writing is superb! I love ya! And PLEASE don't change the way you write in your blogs; they are always soooo interesting, funny & though provoking (30yrs old).
I chose cover "B". I think cover "A" is just to plain and I really love the colors used in cover "B".
A I wouldn't even pick up B.
I like the one on the right best. :)
I'd go with A -- B is just a bad version of Nailini Singh's 1st Archangel cover. I'd contact the artist of her 2nd and 3rd cover which are simply beautiful to see if he could do a more deserving cover.
Chloe, I haven't read Nalini and I'm not sure I've seen her covers. But try to keep in mind that these aren't final covers. They're just concepts. Ideas for the cover.
Also, I can't contact any cover artist. That's not up to me. My publisher is in charge of designing and choosing the covers. ALL publishers are. The only time an author designs her own covers (or choose the designer without publisher input) is when s/he's self-published and there's no one else to do it.
Rachel,
Thanks for the clarification about the cover - didn't realize authors have so little control over the artwork.
So I'll stick with voting for A.
Chloe, a lot of people don't. The truth is that most authors (myself included) have NO say in cover art. Only authors with incredible sales (King, Rawling, Meyer, Patterson,etc...) are ever going to have much say in the process. That decision is entirely up to the marketing department, in most cases, because it's their job to know what will sell any individual book.
I chose A. While I like the fonts used on B better, I simply adore the clean simplicity of A.
<3,
TL
P.S. Word verification: mated
For reals. ^_^
I prefer B. I think readers of "urban fantasy" are used to seeing a heroine on the cover. Choice A reminded me more of a "horror" novel.
I went with B. I think it best illustrates the world you are trying to portray. It is gritty, urban and has a strong female lead. A sorta feels a bit more generic, say like Twilight?
I like A better for two reasons:
1) I think simpler covers have greater impact
2) As a rule, I hate books with models on he cover. They never mirror my mental image of the character if they resemble the character at all.
That said, they could make the font more like B and have the cityscape in the ring if they still don't think A is iterating enough.
Hope that helps and congrats on the new book! I'm so excited!
After a lot of going back and forth, I picked A, because I like minimalism on book covers--two or three colors, one main art object. I actually wonder if they could manipulate image A to have a shadow of the cityscape skyline on the bottom of it, to give it that gritty urban feel the second one has.
But there is no wrong choice here. They're both great, I'd pick up either one.
I like A more.
Oldteacher
I like B! I'm so tired of all the simplistic covers that so closely resemble Twilight.
I chose B. I liked A, and its simplicity is visually appealing, but I'm a sucker for artwork with hero/heroine & landscape. The only thing I didn't like about B was the ponytail on the girl. For some reason, it looks like a big growth off her back to me.
I went with "A" because A actually caught my eye first! I also like the simple yet mysterious feel about it. I feel like "B" looks a like every other urban fantasy cover, so I think A would bring more to the table.
But that's just my opinion. :P
I picked A, because It's totally different then any other covers out there.
I went with "A". I thought the way it looked was more like the style the author generally uses and I liked the suspenseful feel of a's cover.
I would like to see A with a different typeface. I like the simplicity and grunge/urban feel of it but the font is all wrong. B looks pretty but a whole lot like generic PNR to me.
"B" it looks more urban fantasy(ish) to me, which appeals to me personally.
I would pick up either book if I'd seen in a bookstore. However, Cover B seems to capture the concept of a series that is darker and more gritty than the Shifter series. Nevertheless, the book could just have "Rachel Vincent" on the cover and I would buy it. :)
I like A best, but I would pick both up off the shelf. I like the fonts on B better than A.
Seems to me that A suits the book description better (R+J + Godfather)
thanks for letting us sneak a peak at this process!
I Like "B" I prefer to have a character on the cover - It helps me picture the person when I'm reading about them. Then the voice and everything else falls into place in my head :)
If I went into a book store today and walked past those two covers I would pick up B, it was the cover that stood out.
I vote A, I think it's intriguing and it stands out. There are so many sci-fi covers featuring skinny often scantily clad females that they tend to get lost in the mix...
I like cover B best. To be honest, cover A offers more intensity but I am always drawn towards covers with people and background on them. I also like the font used for your name and the shading on the cover title. Cover A could kind of be any book-- thriller, sci-fi, whatever while cover B instantly gives you an idea of female heroine and urban fantasy feel.
I chose option "B". I enjoyed both, of course. However, I felt "B" was the better option on account of the lettering in cover "B" and also the back of the character. I love that I have a guideline of which to imagine the character as I'm reading, but not so much that I can't create my own face in my mind. I also enjoyed the colouring of the sky, and the way of which she was perched high overlooking below. It's mysterious, it has grabbed my attention and I love books like this to add to my growing library.
PS. I hope you don't mind my saying, all your covers are truly remarkable, as is your work.
I went with B because, I hate to say it, I'm definitely a 'judge a book by its cover' kind of girl. I love the cover art more for cover B. I think I'm just really into the covers which feature an actual person in some artistic way. However I must say, I actually rather the writing on cover A better so maybe if you incorporate the two it could be even better.
I chose B for 2 reasons. First, I prefer covers with people or some notable landmark from the story on them. Second, cover A looks like a vampire book to me.
I chose 'B', I really like the fonts, colours and the model used on it. It's a lot more visually interesting than 'A' and I feel like it gives me a little window into the story itself, whereas the other one doesn't tell me anything (and I'll agree with a previous commenter, it looks like a vampire novel).
kate1485 at hotmail.com
I like B because I spend a lot of time looking at my covers of books, covers can be magical. When I buy a book, I can't wait to get it home and just stare at the cover a little, taking in all the little details.
If it was A, I would still buy it because I know who you are, and I am a fan, but if I didn't, I would definitely not pick up book A, simply because it doesn't appeal to my beautiful book cover obsession.
I choose B.
A was just a little to generic for me. There was nothing about it that caught my eye and the design seems like it has been done before.
I agree with a lot of the previous posters, I don't like the font they choose for your name on B, but of the two if give you more to go on to get sucked into the world of blood bound.
I chose B because it depicts a dystopian-like city, and I LOVE dystopian. And like many other people said, it's more interesting--the writing is cool and there's more going on: the city and a woman with a tattoo. The other only has the title with that red circle around it.
I say go with the B it gives us idea what the book is like
I'm a visual person and would be more drawn to cover B. Firstly it would get my attention to go over and pick it up once i read the sypnosis it would go home with me ear go a purchase,kaching. Also I would have a understanding of the main character's enviroment. And lastly the second cover rocked.
put simply.. if i saw B, i wouldn't buy it.. it's lame, a bit stereotypical and looks cheap. the tag line has nothing to do with what's pictured.. the fonts don't tie in either.
cover A may be simple, but it definitely catches my attention. it leaves absolutely so much to your imagination!!
i have to say B, I love the way they did your name on it and it stands out to me while at the same time I automatically connect it as an UF novel.
I have to say, both covers are pretty awesome though.
I picked cover B, because I liked the skyline, the back of the girl, her hair, and the general feel. I also liked cover A, but cover A makes me think of Horror films and books, not an urban fantasy. If I were to pick up a book based on the cover, and saw cover A, I would possibly be disappointed when I read it - expecting straight horror. But if I picked up Cover B, I would expect more of blend of urban fantasy and relationship story lines and therefore wouldn't be disappointed. :) Proving that we do indeed, at least a little, judge a book by it's cover.
"B" caught my eye right away. I like a cover that shows me something of the "world" in which I am entering. The other cover does not even invite me to pick it up and read it to see what it is about.
I also chose Cover B for quite a few reasons:
- Cover A looked too simple and generic, didn't stick out, and I fear I would walk by it in a bookstore
- I usually like to have a visual of the characters (sometimes from the back is even better, that way I can still imagine them the way I want)
- the setting was intriguing and athmospheric: loved how she was sitting on a hill (?) overlooking the city. She felt remote and a bit apart from the world, which is usually the case with UF heroines.
- I also loved the colours, contrasts and shading: the bright light, the vibrant orange/red contrasting with the grayness of the heroine's part
- I also LOVE the font your name is written in :-)(and I also much prefer the title font in this cover)
- I'm also intrigued by the cover model's tattoo
Overall I love cover B so much, I would definitely consider buying it even if I had no idea it was a novel of yours! :-)
ps: and can't wait to see the final cover, this one looks fab!
I choose A but, I liked them both. What tipped me over to A was the feeling that cover B was really similar to other paranormal covers. With your shifter series, the model along with the claw marks immediately drew me because I knew it was RACHEL VINCENT. I can usually pick out Melissa Marr, L A Banks because of their cover alone.
I really like them both. Is there any way to combine the two?
I went with "A" simply because it was dramatic and mysterious and made me want to know more about the book. :)
BTW - I LOVED the shifters books and I can't wait to read the new series!
Honestly I liked them both. But I'd go with B, It stood out more.
I have to say I prefer the first choice, #A. It's the one that keeps drawing my eye more. There's just something about it that I like.
The second one is pretty, but I don't like the model. Her head looks funny.
I voted A as I liked the clarity and symbolism. B was a bit generic feeling and fussy. (I am here from a link on Keri Arthur's page and I haven't read any of your books but I think I am going to soon 8-> )
I liked B better because A reminds me of the Lord of the Ring and because there is a sense of isolation to it that is reflected in the excert you posted on the deadlinedames site.
B.
It is more eye catching, more mysterys. Also by looking at the cover I can tell that it is urban fantasy.
A is dull in comparason and From just the cover it could be anything. I doubt I would pick up A if I didn't already know I liked your writing.
I chose B, because it raises more questions than it answers.
A doesn't make me interested in what's inside. It's too simple.
Rachel, I noticed in one of your responses above, and in your original blog, that most authors do not get a say in their cover art, and I wanted to know this: what would happen if the author really hated the proposed cover art?! Do you get to see it in time before it goes on the shelf? Would you be able to do anything about it?
I really liked B, it caught my eye more because it gives more picture detail, (and although I don't pick a book to read by the cover only) with more detail on the cover I will be more intrigued to read the synopsis to see what the story behind the cover is about.
Although, knowing I like the author who wrote the book, I'd likely pick the book to read no matter what the cover is.
I preferred cover "b". It told me more about the book and that there would be a female protagonist. And I loved the colors...I'm very emotionally influenced by color.
The "a" cover didn't give enough information and in a quick store browse, I would have by-passed it thinking it was another "Twilight" clone. Unless of course I had noticed Rachel's name.
Then I would go home and order it on my Nookcolor to enjoy the gorgeous cover.
I vastly prefer cover A. The simplicity of it and the colour scheme work well together. I would definately pick that book off the shelves over the other cover.B looks to much like all the other covers in the genre, sometimes somethingdifferant is more eye catching that just another of the same generic old thing. A is better.
B. all the way
Definitly (B). (A) looks to me a lot like the Twilight series... simple black and red, too similar for me.
I love B!!
B!!!!
I had a longer post, but the logging in was messed up to post it and rather than try to remember it all, I'll just say I choose B would like the lettering on A instead and put the A cover on the back of the book with quotes from reviews or something.
B is definitely the better cover. Because A reminds me of Twilight, which I am so over. Plus, B is more interesting to look at.
OMG!!! I like Sooooo LOVE both it going to be soo hard to pick
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