Top Ten Tuesday #23: Covers I Want to Redesign

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and The Bookish. Each week the girls at B&B think up a fun theme, and participating bloggers post their favorite 10 books in that category. This week's theme is

Top Ten Covers I Want to Redesign

Sooooo....I know some of my picks this week are going to be shredded by fellow fans. Please know that just because a book is on here doesn't mean I don't like the series or even the cover. I just don't think it's a perfect fit for the story. Because of the shocking nature of my picks, I'm going to ease you into it with my less-disputed choices first and the ones that are likely to have me murdered will be at the bottom of the post. Please don't kill me. *hides*

1. Shades of Earth by Beth Revis. I have a feeling I am NOT alone in posting this cover today. After the absolute GORGEOUSNESS that was Across the Universe and A Million Suns, this was a major disappointment. I get wanting to masculine-ize a series to interest a different audience than the typical ya-loving teenage (or teenage-at-heart) fangirl, but the redesign could have come with the release of the paperback. Now, it's like Shades of Earth is the runt of the litter, the unloved proverbial redheaded stepchild (no offense to Amy!). THIS was pretty much my reaction when I saw it, especially at 0:14. Just substitue "this cover" for "shunshine."

2. Synchrony by Cindy Ray Hale. I think the cover of Destiny is really lovely and very well done for a self-published novel. However, this has the look of a self-pub. It's amateur, and I cannot abide by the male models posture/shirt. He looks oddly slumped. I think this pose is forced and awkward. If this were a photo of a real couple, I might put it on Awkward Family Photos. The distance between them fits the chaste nature of Destiny and Isaac's relationship, but I don't feel the passion between these two models. I really think Cindy should have attempted to use the same cover designer as the first book because it was sweet and definitely presented a more professional look.

3. Fins Are Forever by Tera Lynn Childs. I like Forgive My Fins and Just for Fins, but this one doesn't fit. If you start off with the cover model looking away from the camera, you should stick with that. FMF and JFF are ethereal and mysterious, but this one just falls flat for me. I'm not opposed to the punk look, but I don't think that feel gels with the story or the other two covers.

4. The Grass Is Always Greener by Jen Calonita. Um, who is this supposed to be? Zoe, maybe? Because Izzy is on the cover of Belles, and Mira is on Winter White...but there are only two girls so WHO IS THIS?! I think it should have been a cover with both girls on it. Also, there should be a fourth book in the series because three just didn't do it for me.

5. Iron Legends by Julie Kagawa. I like the covers for The Iron Fey and Call of the Forgotten okay, but I can't STAND this cover. It's SO amateur. I saw all of the pictures from this photoshoot, and I honestly hate them all. 1. I can't stand Puck. He's not mischievous-looking enough for me, and, to be extraordinarily shallow, his eyebrows freak me out. 2. Ash is too human. I could have used more photoshop for him to look more fey-like. 3. I just don't feel the intensity from these models. Zero chemistry and zero emotion at all, really. My apologies to Julie and Harlequin Teen, but I really think you guys can do much better.

6. Evertrue by Brodi Ashton. I love this series, and the covers are lovely. Everneath is definitely a favorite of mine because of the dress (Elie Saab 2011, which is the same line of that lovely purple gown that Mila Kunis wore to the Oscars). I like Evertrue, especially the way the skirt swirls into the mist, but I don't care for the dress. I'm just not wild about the red rushing around the middle. *shrugs* Call me shallow, but if there was a different dress on this cover, I'd adore it 100%.

7. Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor. This is a cool cover, but it's a bit creepy. Also, I'm not wild about the photograph. It looks somewhat fake, particularly the mask, which seems stuck on. I prefer the vibe of Days of Blood & Starlight with the intense paint/makeup. It's easier to see the model's emotions in her eyes. However, I do like that on this one, the title doesn't obscure the model's face.

8. Earthbound by Aprilynne Pike. Don't get me wrong. I think both covers are lovely. However, the first is a too photoshop-heavy for my liking, what with the boys faces in the bubbles and the kaleidoscope effect. LOVE the font, though. I'm really sad that won't carry over. As for the second, it's not...pretty enough. I mean, I like it, but I think it should be, I don't know, just prettier, like the first. Also, I can't tell you the utter RAGE I feel when covers change mid-series. STAHP IT!

9. Through the Ever Night & Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi. I actually really like the cover of Under the Never Sky because Aria looks like a BAMF. However, I actually think TTEN and ITSB look a bit cheap as far as the photoshop goes. C'mon, HC, I know you guys have better artists than putting out a vague background with people plopped right in front. Perry is hot, of course, but I think the models lack any chemistry on ITSB. These aren't bad, but they aren't great. I kind of prefer the British covers.

10. Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi. Ah, yes, the one that's most likely to get me shot by rabid fans. Although both covers are lovely, I don't feel like either one really showcases this series the way a spectacular cover can. I love the effect behind Juliette on the first and the way the words are broken, but please. Pretty girl in a prom dress has NOTHING to do with the story. And as for the second, despite being lovely and despite Tahereh's AH-MAZING explanation behind the open/shut cover treatments for the full-length novels vs novellas, I feel like eyes are overdone. And again, don't have a lot to do with the series as a whole.

So that's my list. What are your picks for your less-than-favorite covers? Share your TTT links if you've got 'em!

And, because I started participating in TTT after this topic was done and I love finding loopholes that allow me to do WAY more than ten books a week, I will present you with some of my favorite book covers.

I do like covers with people on them, but I generally (not always) like it when the face is cropped out a little. I think it gives readers the opportunity to use the image of the characters in their own minds. Burning is just stunning. The Gallagher Girls have great covers as an entire series, each book unique but a great overall theme. Wither has lovely details that are oh-so-helpfully pointed out, but there's still so much to look for on these covers, and the model has a lovely broken pose that perfectly embodies the despair and hopelessness most of the characters portray in the series. The Art of Lainey is totally adorable and darling. LOVE the tear on The Immortal Rules. I was so sad when this cover got redone for the paperback.

LOVE the photoshoot S&S used for the Mara Dyer series. So much passion and chemistry between the models. Dare You To also exhibits a steamy couple with amazing chemistry. I spent so much time staring at the actual cover of the book as well (under the dust jacket), which shows another picture from this photoshoot. My sister and I were in fits over Ryan's arm muscles. Biggest Flirts is so fun and flirty. Love how it shows off an actual senior superlative shoot. Just Like Fate's cover perfectly matches the split plot of the novel. Winger cracks me up, and I love how the model looks like (to me) Neil Patrick Harris.

Matched may have been disappointing plot-wise, but these covers are amazing and fit the series so well. The photographer/model did a lovely job. Fangirl is darling. I love the cartoony feel. The Grisha series covers are pretty simple upon first glance, but I realized they tell quite the story with those few details. Can't wait to see Ruin and Rising's cover! Love and Other Uses for Duct Tape is perfect for the story. Love the duct tape rose. I want to cry every time I look at the cover for Twenty Boy Summer. The heart made out of sea glass...with the one red piece...I just can't!

Chaos of Stars is one of my favorite covers EVER. Love the emphasis on the title, but the background is so lovely too! Revenge also focuses on the title, and I love the added detail of the lipstick font. The broken pearl necklace is a great metaphor for the drama in She's So Dead to Us. LOVE Side Effects May Vary's cover. I love this new trend of really emphasizing the title while simultaneously giving little details about the plot. I love models and all, but there are only so many poses available to real people. Text and font can be limitless. And finally, I love how the Secrets of My Hollywood Life series has different diary covers that portray Kaitlin's, well, life in Hollywood. Princess Diaries and Artemis Fowl also used this successfully, but I love how SOMHL changes the pattern every time.