Diff’rnt strokes, indeed.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010Posted in: Azteclady Speaks, Cover Art, random musings
Tags:Razorland
I find it interesting how people have such widely different reactions to the same things.
As I mentioned in my review of Parker’s Price, sometimes I understand where people are coming from, but others… well, other times, I’m just flummoxed.
This is what happened: I posted the just revealed cover for Ann Aguirre’s upcoming YA debut, the awesome Razorland (yes, it’s awesome–it sucks that I won’t be able to review it, since I beta read it, but it is absolutely awesome)… Anyway, I posted the cover to a forum I contribute to and got a “what a terrible cover!” in reply.
o_O
Seriously?
Please keep in mind that this is a post-apocalyptic novel–here’s the unofficial blurb from Ann’s website:
“(Razorland is) about a girl from an underground enclave in which no one lives past the age of 25, who is exiled out of darkness to the uninhabitable surface in punishment for a crime she did not commit.”
Now, look at the cover:
What do you think?
Nonny
July 14
10:34 am
Wow, that’s a stunning, catchy cover. I’d pick it up to see the premise and first chapter just based on the cover alone.
Only thing I could nit is that if this is supposed to be YA… the cover doesn’t scream “YA” to me. The characters look early 20s young, not teen young, to me. But, then, I suppose most adult fantasy covers go for a more grizzled, hardened male appearance than this here. The female portrayed, I could see on a cover meant for an adult audience. Hm.
Aemelia
July 14
10:34 am
I love the cover…it’s very dark and agnsty, and to me seems to give a great feel about what the story itself may hold. This is exactly the type of book I would have picked up as a teen…and I’ve been thinking of reading this one, I don’t do much YA, but the cover and blurb have snagged my interest.
HeatherHolland
July 14
11:09 am
I like it, a lot. YA isn’t really my thing, but my 15y/o might like it. She’s into the dark, angsty stuff right now. Will definitely be on the look out for it for her.
FD
July 14
4:35 pm
I would definitely say that qualifies as a good post apocalyptic cover for a novel.
Beverly
July 14
5:46 pm
Love the cover. And I really enjoy post-apocalyptic stories, so I will probably read it. The story does sound a lot like the basic premise of Fallout 3.
Bernita
July 14
5:50 pm
I think it’s a very, very, very good cover.
KristieJ
July 14
9:00 pm
I think it’s gorgeous!! It even gets me to want to read the book – me who doesn’t read YA.
Rosie
July 15
4:07 am
I think the cover is a story in and of itself. It’s not even close to being terrible. That’s a pretty strong reaction. Maybe it was someone who doesn’t like anything but historicals… Maybe?
Amarinda Jones
July 15
7:45 am
I like the cover. It’s strong and bold. If it was other authors who hated the cover then I’m not surprised they’re pissed. Good covers create jealousy. If it was non authors…maybe there is the perception that although post-apocalyptic they’re not ‘pretty enough’…
Karla
July 15
12:46 pm
Nice colors and tones, but it doesn’t look like anything I’d want to read.
Bonnie Dee
July 15
7:14 pm
YA can be about younger protags, but there is also a niche for older teens who want to read about young twenty-somethings. I think this fits that vibe perfectly. St. Martin’s for example is developing “New Adult” for a young twenties group of readers.
What’s the publishing house on this? If you mentioned it, I didn’t catch it.
AztecLady
July 15
9:58 pm
Ah… hold on a second, Ms Dee…
Feiwel and Friends
Ann Aguirre
July 15
11:56 pm
To clarify, these characters on the cover are 15 & 17 in the book, but as stated in the PW blurb, the life expectancy is 25. By that token, they shouldn’t look young, as our kids do. They live in a different world.
Denise
July 16
10:23 pm
I think it’s a very striking cover, but I can respect someone else’s opinion if they don’t like it. I think Nora Roberts recently won in a category for a cover in a cover art contest. People loved it. I thought it was meh. As you say, different strokes…
Christine
July 18
7:51 pm
I think the cover certainly fits the genre and book blurb… both of which appeal to me, so I plan on reading this one. 😀