I haven’t done many cover reveals on the blog. To date, I’ve only done one, actually. So I was a little more than excited to do my second one!
I know what you’re thinking. It’s another cover with not one, not two, but three faces. And faces on covers are certainly not my thing, right?
Au contraire. We have yet to discuss the case of the kick-ass heroine. There aren’t very many (that I’m aware of) in the YA realm, and I can probably only count a few on one hand that I’d pick up from a shelf. Adrienne Kress’ The Friday Society would definitely be one of them.
I think what I love most about the cover design is that it looks like a caper (and reminds me a little bit of Indiana Jones). Not the carefree and silly kind of caper, but the one that involves mystery, sleuthing, some wise-cracking dialogue and a generous helping of adventure. And weaponry-wielding, of course. Side note: if photographer Michael Frost had directed me to hold a katana I would not have been able to pull off such a look of don’t-cross-me-cos-I’ll-cut-you-ness. As for Nellie’s pose (on the far left), I think I would’ve been able to channel my inner Gambit for that role, definitely.
For a lot of elements happening all over its cover, it certainly comes together in a way that doesn’t feel overdone or overkill. Kudos to Penguin designer Greg Stadnyk for its subtleties that add to its overall design in an inconspicuous way. The artwork has bites of story, setting, tone and characters, and I’m really interested in seeing it in final print — texture would be a nice touch (no pun intended).
I’ll take a KH over a SGiPD any day of the week. What about you? What do you think?
I actually like busy covers, and I do like the models’ kick-ass attitudes–the whole thing screams “fun.” That said, sometimes (as in this case) “steampunk” tropes seem superficially added just to tell us it’s steampunk. Welding goggles are the most frequent offenders: there’s no reason for her to be wearing them in this shot. Also…”Here are some gears.”
I really love how the artwork screams fun — I’ll be curious to see how the goggles play out in the novel as well.
Hmmmm. I have mixed feelings on this one. The KH in the middle works for me – especially because she looks almost like she could have been drawn rather than photographed. Her expression and pose are kickass. Unfortunately KH(?) on the left looks bored or sad or confused and the costumes are a bit too…well…costumey.
She may need a bit more channeling of her inner-Gambit. Maybe that’s it.
THIS. Looks. AWESOME. I mean, I am not 100% in love with the cover, but I do adore a female-centric steampunk novel, and I think the ‘look’ of this one will grow on me. Thanks for sharing!
The synopsis sounds great, no? Looking forward to reading it this fall!
It draws me in. I never heard of this book, but I’m glad to know about it now!
I do like spreading the love, Linda. Always a pleasure. =)
I agree with Too Shy – there seems to be a delightful dose of fun in this, and I think the campy outfits contribute to that. But I too will be waiting to see how the goggles feature in the book!
I hope for all of our sakes there’s a scene where Middle Teen happens upon a room full of goggles and that the one on the top of her head is magical and somehow deadly — I mean, I’ve got my fingers crossed is all I’m sayin’.
Like I just tweeted you, I’d read this book based on cover alone. I just took a picture of it for phone inspiration. You know me and my book-cover-phone-inspiration quirk. I love this so much. Thanks for featuring this because I hadn’t heard of it nor seen it yet. And I love it.
You are so welcome, A! I’m glad you love it!
I’m usually not a fan of real people in covers either but this looks awesome. Makes me more curious about the book.
It really looks like the poster for an old Western-style movie – I like it!
This is definitely a book I’d picked up just based on the cover. Although the gun safety freak in me wants to tell the middle girl to take her finger OFF the trigger unless she wants to singe her ear when she accidentally fires the gun. Finger resting outside the trigger safety would have made me cheer.
But that very minor detail aside, this just looks fun and intriguing all at once, and I want to go read it NOW.
Hooray for you and your gun safety, Louise!
You thought Indiana Jones I thought Wild Wile West
I love the cover! I really hope it is kick-ass!
Just found your blog! Love it! Also, the girl in the middle is seriously tough looking. Awesome!
Thanks for stopping by, Erin! =)
I really really love this cover. It just looks so cool and it makes me want to pick up the book right now! Thanks for sharing!:)
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I LOVE this cover. I’m not a big fan of too many faces on covers but my goodness, this cover! First of all, the outfits and the posts and their faces. They look so fierce and there’s danger behind their eyes yet they’re so gorgeous. AND there’s an Asian girl on the cover! Yay for diversity!!!!