Shelf Analysis: Typography in 2013 Teen Reads

It's been awhile since I've done a Shelf Analysis - mostly because no YA cover trends have really stuck out for me. But while perusing my 2013 shelf on goodreads, I noticed something somewhat usual... typography!

To those of you who are a bit confused by the term, typography is basically the art of aranging types to make things look gorgeous. To put that in book cover terms: covers where the focus is on the print of the title or the author's name, rather than an image.

Take a look at these upcoming YA books (this is a bit of a Waiting on Wednesday post, as well!) and you'll see what I mean!

Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis

Out on September 10th 2013 by Katherine Tegen Books - goodreads

Black Out by Robison Wells 

Out on October 1st 2013 by Harper Teen - goodreads

The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White

Out on September 10th 2013 by Harper Teen - goodreads

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevieve Tucholke

Out on August 15th 2013 by Dial - goodreads

In The After by Demitria Lunetta

Out on June 25th 2013 by Harper Teen - goodreads

Snow White Must Die by Neil Neuhaus

Only out in Australia, I'm afraid! *cries* - goodreads 

Typography-focused covers are by no means a new thing, but it is rather unusual to see them in YA novels. My favourites are the covers of Not a Drop to Drink and Snow White Must Die - absolutely stunning! I have no idea when or why these covers came back into fashion, but I fully approve!

Shelf Analysis: ARCs vs Final Covers - Round 2

If you're new to Dead Book Darling then... Hi. I'm Kay. I love books and hold serious grudges. I don't forgive and I don't forget. And just because I love books, that doesn't mean they are automatically spared my ire.

Often times a gorgeous cover will come out - a cover that says all the right things, makes you swoon and has you running to the chapel. Then, that cover you loved? It changes into a cover you wouldn't want to be seen in public with. And when that happens, I don't tend to keep calm and carry on. I hold a grudge.

I've addressed this subject before (don't get me started again on the covers of the Strange Angels series), but a few books that I'm kinda in love with have had their covers changed this year. And while most of these new covers aren't terrible, someone has to pay homage to their gorgeous but recently-deceased ARC covers...

ARC // Final Cover

Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Talk about radically different covers! When I first saw the change my thoughts on the new cover were simple: "meh". It is a really boring, give-nothing-away cover. It's nice, but there is no detail. Razorland, on the other hand, was detail mad. It features absolutely gorgeous artwork that fits in well with Ann Aguirre's other illustrated covers. It also really has the post-apocalyptic, do-or-die feel to it that the book has.

But Enclave is a great non-gender specific YA read. And which cover do I think a teenage boy is more likely to pick up? Er, the Enclave cover of course! So while I am glad that I have the ARC of this book and get to have the "best of both worlds", I am (reluctantly) glad that they changed the cover. Reluctantly... 

US ARC // US Final Cover

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

I saw the ARC cover to this book ages ago... and went "ick" and promptly forgot about it. Then, months later, I got the UK ARC in the mail and realised that Laini Taylor was also the author of Lips Touch: Three Times (a book I have heard sooooo many great things about). After I finished the book - and loved it - I did a bit of research and found the US ARC cover that I had seen so many months ago.

And now? Now I really really like it!

OK, I so I can admit that it is not the most... coherent of images. It's a bird, no it's a girl, no is a turquoise girl - red girl mashup. What on earth is that about?? But trust me when I say that it works for this novel. Out of all the 3 released covers I've seen for this novel, the US ARC is the most representative of the content.

But if you haven't read it... well, then my original "ick" response applies. So, yay! for feathered masks.

UK ARC // Final Cover

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Oh, dear lord. I loathe the US Bloodlines face covers. This one and the already released cover of The Golden Lily. I had always thought the Vampire Academy face covers were alright: not worthy of loathing or loving. But these? These are dreadful. The font is cheesy, the models look annoyingly stuck-up, and there isn't even a proper background to them. Just... dreadful.

So when the UK publishers released their cover to book, I was rather excited. I hadn't liked how they had re-issued the Vampire Academy series to give them simple, face-free covers... but they hadn't done too bad a job with Bloodlines.

Then, shortly after releasing the ARC cover to the blogosphere, they changed their mind. They'll be using the US face covers to give a more "global" feel to the series.

Nooooo! Why ditch the perfectly nice cover you've already designed? The cover that would sit nicely next to the non-face covers you had given to the Vampire Academy series! Why?? And if you honestly wanted a "global" feel, then why on EARTH did you choose the face cover from HELL to spread across the globe. Why??

So while I will, of course, be buying Richelle's new series... am I a happy bunny? No, I am not.

Shelf Analysis - Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

So, I've just gotten a look at the cover for the next Lauren Oliver novel, Pandemonium, the sequel to her dystopian YA novel, Delirium.  The cover is pretty different to the original Delirium cover, so I think the publishers may be going for a bit of a re-branding.  It matches the "special edition" version of Delirium is supposed to be coming out with this new cover sometime in the fall - which will include a Q&A with Lauren Oliver and an excerpt from Pandemonium.  Anyhow, take a look:

OK, so the new cover style is very different to the original (which I loved, by the way), but I like it.  It's fierce and a little bit scary, and the fall colours make it look somewhat apocalyptic...  In fact, I'd say it's more like the long lost cover The Hunger Games.

No, seriously.

Is anyone else looking at these covers and seeing Katniss Katniss Katniss?  I can just picture Katniss looking just like that, peering at me from behind a bush before killing me.  And to prove that I am not the only one who has thought of this, I present the following evidence: the cover to the German edition of The Hunger Games (aka Die Tribute von Panem - Tödliche Spiele)

See what I mean?

I am pretty sure this is just me, but it irks me none the less.  Delirium was a fantastic book and, yes, it's a dystopian YA novel.  But is it anything like The Hunger Games?  No it is not.  And unless the protagonist, Lena, has a dramatic character-modification in the next book, I am not picturing her as the next Katniss.

Shelf Analysis - YA has (another) Heart Attack

Once upon a time, I wrote a post about a YA trend that involved hearts. Lots and lots of hearts.  Well, apparently hearty covers must really be selling well, as they are still absolutely everywhere.  And, the more I looked into it, the more I found heart-astic covers on not-so-recent releases.  It's been something we've been stumbling into over the last 5 or so years.

In other words, the heart is here to stay.

 

You Had Me At Halo by Amanda Ashby

Undercover by Beth Kaphart

 

Jenna & Jonah's Fauxmance by Emily Franklin and Brendan Halpin

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

 

In a Heartbeat by Loretta Ellsworth

My Beating Teenage Heart by C.K. Kelly Martin

 

Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors

The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder

 

Dangerous to Know by Katy Moran

But I Love Him by Amanda Grace

 

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Recovery Road by Blake Nelson

While some of these I find rather blah (see Fauxmance), there are also some pretty unusual takes on the idea.  Like the last two with a girl making a heart with her hands - it's cute but also slightly sad...

But my favourite has to be the very first - You Had Me At Halo.  The pun is fantastic and the cover adorable - all round, very cute!

Favourites anyone?

Shelf Analysis - The Big Red Dress

So, has anyone else noticed something rather red about YA covers as of late? Big, red and rather poofy?

Yes, I am talking about all the gorgeous red dresses that are gracing YA book covers. While I absolutely love all these covers, I am rather perplexed by the trend.  Was there a fashion notice that I missed?  Should I be rushing out and buying matching gowns to go with my books?

Dark Heart Rising by Lee Monroe

Forgiven by Janet Fox

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Captured by Maggie L. Wood

Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

Die for Me by Amy Plum

ETA: Two new YA finds with red dresses on the covers.  This is just getting crazy!

Dark Angel by Eden Maguire
Supernaturally by Kiersten White (Thank you, Maggie, for pointing this one out!)

The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kody Cross

I feel like I've missed some out - are there any other red dress books I've skipped?  Not that seven nine is exactly a small number... in fact, I didn't realise how many red dress books there were out there until I put together this post. And any thoughts on the trend?  While I like it, I'm not sure I get it...

Shelf Analysis – Covers that freak me out

A word of warning.  This post is going to be completely and utterly devoted to book covers that freak me out.  Scary, scary covers that make me want to hide under my blanket. 

I've noticed that a few UF/YA covers have taken a bit of an edge to them.  Sure, there are still lots of pretty guys and kick-ass girls, but there are more and more that seem to have use stills from horror films as their cover images.  Perhaps we've just gotten darker and love the goosebumps when get when we see a scary book cover.

 

  

0.4 by Mike A. Lancaster

Eep!  There are wires plugged into his veins.  Seriously, icky icky icky.  Reminds me of that scene in the Matrix when Neo wakes up covered in goo.  Also, the cover reminds me a little of tentacles.  Scary stuff.

The House of Dead Maids by Clare B. Dunkle 

OMG those eyes!  I really can’t look at this one too long without feeling like the girl is acccusing me personally.  Talk about wanting to run and hide.

   

The Evil Within by Nancy Holder

Another nightmarish girl on another nightmarish cover.  This practically exudes The Exorisist!

The Replacement by Brenda Yovanoff
The Replacement cover is probably the scariest on here. This is so effective at unsettling people because it deals in binary oppositions – the safety and comfort of a baby carriage vs. the danger and cruelty of sharp instruments.  Add to that the spooky fog and dead tree: you've got the scariest cover known to man.  Whoever made this thing was a disturbed genius, and the UK publishers must have been out of their mind when they replaced it with the blah-cover they're using now (albeit, less likely to make people want to cry when they see at Waterstones).

 

Rot & Ruin and Dust & Decay by Jonathan Maberry
I adore these covers - at least in the sense that they seriously freak me out.  They both have that edge to them that screams horror film to me.

So, which is your favourite (i.e. which ones make you want to hide under the covers!)?  Or better yet, have I missed out any truly spooky ones from my list?

Shelf Analysis - YA has a Heart Attack

You might have heard that the Vampire Academy books in the UK are to be rereleased with brand new covers.  Very exciting, of course, as it is bound to attract more readers – hopefully by the masses.  And despite how lovely the new cover is, I can not say that I am a fan.  Why?  Well, take a look.

 

Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead – New Edition

Finding Sky by Joss Stirling

This book has suffered from its cover, at least on my behalf.  I saw it in the store and thought it was Claire de Lune!  It wasn’t until I saw The Bookette’s review that I remembered that I had seen this book on the shelves… that said, really want a copy!

 

Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma 

One of the few times this cover is applicable.  Hello, incestuous relationship?  Certainly merits a barbed-wire heart.

Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson 

Not quite as hearty as some of the other covers, but it is still clear what they were going for!

 

The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan

Love this cover, but my goodness gracious is it ever the same as the cover of Forbidden!

The Fortune of Carmen Navarro by Jen Bryant

This is the US cover, but I think the UK cover will be the same.  Lovely ghost-smoke effect… but, er, yeah.

I noticed the glaring similarities between The Dark and Hollow Places and Forbidden a couple of months ago, but it seems that publishers have gone crazy with this new trend.  When is unfortunate is that, unless you are really focussing, these covers blur together.  Unlike the Twilight-effect on YA covers – which, at least, resulted in some vaguely distinguishable book covers – I have a feeling all of these books will just blend together and then no one will end up buying any of them.  *frets*  Is no one else worried?

Shelf Analysis: ARCs vs. Final Copies

You know that feeling when you see the cover of a new book for the first time and think “I need to know that book”.  I think of it like falling for someone the first time.  Where you see them is important (coffee store or university library - science fiction shelf or biographies), and so is their reputation (whether they are friends of friends – if there is a quote from your favourite author on the cover).  But let’s all be honest, good looks come first.  If they aren’t attractive you won’t go out of your way to get to know them.  Sure, you can fall for someone who looks like Jensen Ackles and they can turn out to be a complete waste of neurons – just like that bloody Hush, Hush book and…

Ok, maybe I went a bit crazy with the metaphor.  But I think you get my point.

Looks matter.  Book covers matter.  They meet your eyes across a crowded bookstore and scream “Pick me!” until you give in.

But sometimes the unthinkable happens.  You fall in love with a cover, the cover of a book you haven’t yet had the chance to read and enjoy but, golly gosh, you have so much hope because surely a book that pretty must be brilliant.  Then, publishing day finally arrives and…

The publishers have changed the cover.

I’ve complied a few recent examples of changes for good and for ill.  I have some pretty fierce opinions about them all, but please let me know yours! 

 

very old // old // new

Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers (September 14th, 2010)

Even though I am super excited about this book, I can’t say I am overly in love with any of the covers.  The first was very much an ARC cover, the second (my favourite) looks a bit bland, and the final cover looks like it belongs on a PNR shelf – not YA.  Honestly, how old are those models?

 

old // new

Ghost Town (UK cover) by Rachel Caine (October 26th, 2010)

The new cover for this book just came out in Rachel’s newsletter, and while it is a small change… I am not sure I love it.  I am used the the covers of Caine’s Morganville Series to feature random!girls and crappy backgrounds – but this cover so obviously features Eve, and that is bizarre in itself.  I was perfectly happy with my own picture of Eve, and frankly?  This one kinda creeps me out.  I shall likely be getting the hardcover US edition – especially considering my UK copy of Kiss of Death had pages falling out after a single read!

 

old // new

The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher (January 1st, 2010)

There have been a lot of ARC covers for this book out on the wild-web as it was featured on Teen Fire to help the publishers choose a cover.  This new cover is currently considered the “final” one, but it may change.  Even though I LOVE new cover (*pets*), I think the original was much more guy-friendly.  :/

  

old // old // already out on the bloody shelves

Betrayals by Lili St. Crow

Ok, I have waited a long time to rant about this cover, so – er – take cover. 

I HATE the covers for Betrayals and Jealousy – the second and third books in the Strange Angels series.  And the transition from brilliance (Strange Angels cover) to complete and utter crap (Jealousy cover) can be seen right here.

The Strange Angels series is about Dru and her complete and utter misery (oh, and vampires and whatnot).  It is not about her romantic entanglements – which, while brilliant to read, are not fundamental to the plot.  But looking at the covers to Betrayals and Jealousy you would think that that is all they are about.  That the only thought Dru has is “woe is me, I have two hunky boys to choose from!".  And that?  That pisses me off.  This is Dru we are talking about here.

The original cover for Betrayals (furthest left) is fantastic.  It matches the Strange Angels cover, and Dru looks like the tough, depressed girl she is.  She has her hood up and her hair all over the place - she can clearly kick your ass.  In the final cover she has her hood down – because gosh let’s not intimidate the cheerleaders – and pushed back.  Oh, and there are two emo guys watching her every move.

I think Betrayals laid the way for the craptastic cover of Jealousy.  The publishers decided a change of direction was in order, and decided to ignore Dru’s angsty goodness and focus on the love triangle.  Et voila!  Let’s dress her up as a prom queen and put her in the arms of some protective hunk - because that’s all teen girls want anyways.  *slams head on table repeatedly*

How can you not get pissed off by this???

*gets off soapbox*

Anyhow, opinions anyone?