So naturally, with two drop-dead, go-out-and-buy-a-print-copy-immediately gorgeous covers, I waited eagerly for the Fathomless cover to be revealed...and was slightly perplexed when I saw this:
Okay, don't get me wrong--this is a gorgeous cover as well. I especially like the font. But...it's pretty ho-hum. It looks like a lot of supernatural covers out there, and it doesn't have the unique look, that memorable design of Sisters Red and Sweetly. It was a little bit of a disappointment.
A little disappointment turned to major disappointment when I saw this:
I point these out not because the covers are bad--they're actually really nice. I would probably like them a lot more if I had never seen the originals. But the flashy fonts and colors aren't what make covers so cool--it's those unique elements that you can't find on half of the book covers in the bookstore. The design that makes you go, "OH!" and then purchase the print copy rather than download it, because it's a cover that you want to own, want to touch, want to share.
I know I'm a blogger and a big promoter of books in general, but I have also learned how to be a bookseller in this past year, and I think that as everyone is worrying about the impact of e-books and the future of print books, covers like Pearce's originals are going to be what sells print books. Covers that take the book from something that you read to a sort of showcase item that you want to own because it's so cool, and an intangible file just won't compare to.
I don't know the details of why Little, Brown gave these books a cover lift--I rarely do when I make these sorts of posts. I wish I had that insight. I don't mean to come off like I'm complaining, but I am interested in knowing what you all think about this cover issue. Weigh in below in the comments!
3 comments:
I was also sooooo bummed out about these cover changes and that we won't get one for Fathomless that will match the originals of Sisters Red and Sweetly. The originals were what made me want to read them, besides the fact that I adore FT spin books. :(
The original covers are startling & unique & quite brilliant. Why mess with a good thing?
Gah, they went from so unique and gorgeous to....that. I've only read Sisters Red, but the original cover is one that you have to look at very closely before you find all the secrets of it. It's beautiful and striking. And now, we have...an axe. Just wonderful :P
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