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The creative possibilities that go with all things paranormal – vampires and werewolves, witches and demons, ghosts and ghouls and all things that go bump in the night – make this a very hard category from which to choose the Best of the Best. Each cover is splendid in its own right.
The top two winners in the Alternate Reality category were relatively close in number of votes, with a comfortable margin to third place. However, it was a very close race between the covers placed in third to seventh place, with only a ten vote span between them. The reasons why someone vote for one particular cover is always fascinating to read about, and quite a few of those reasons are presented below. I hope you will enjoy reading them as well.
Bantam Books |
The 2006 Cover Café Contest – Alternate Reality winner is The Dream Thief. This striking cover with its silver and blue colors and intriguing dragons enchanted many voters. They confessed that the cover caught their eye and that they’d definitely pick it up if they saw it in a store. Denise: “It has a monochromatic look, which is something I like on a book cover. The title font is very eye-catching as is the mirror images of the dragons with the moon centered between them. The overall tone of the cover is evocative of mystery and magic. The title definitely pulls it all together. Even amidst a thousand competing romance covers, I would pull this from the shelf to read the blurb.” Y: “It’s not the prettiest or the most colorful, but it sure did make me want to go out and buy the book immediately! It looks so exotic and escapist, I guess you could say it ignited my imagination.” Elizabeth: “The best of the best category--stands out by its strong design features, the color choice, the detailing of the dragon, [the] jewelry piece (I guess that's what it is) and the clever use of the moon with a few clouds to signify 'dream' of the title. I wanted to see how the design resonated with the story.” Some voters thought it represented AR very well. Cynthia said: “This is alternate reality. Some of the competing covers were ‘too normal’, but it was a hard choice as there are some excellent covers here.” Kamrin: “It is just so magical looking, and draws the eye. The moon partially hidden by the sky is just beautiful especially bordered by the two dragons. Amy: “It’s different. Most of the others have a beautiful woman in a lovely pose, which is nice but doesn't stand out. The dragons on this cover are very intriguing and I like the use of symmetry.” Many voters simply liked dragons! Malvina was one of them and said: “Simple. I like dragons! Can't get any more basic than that, I guess, although the striking silver/blue colours and the misty moon are also divine.” Katrina: “I have a thing for dragons, and I like how the opposing directions compliment the teaser line above them.“ Kimberly: “It's simply awesome. The cover draws my eye and I'm a huge fan of well-done dragons.” |
The second place cover was Sorceress of Faith, which also was my final choice in this AR category with many strong covers. I thought Sandra summarized her impression of the cover well by calling it “arresting, atmospheric, original and beguiling.” Anna: “The high mountains in the background plus the rocky pinnacle she is standing on gives a sense of place, the overlook position conveys the woman's prominence over the lands and the glowing ball shows magical powers.” Sandy: “This cover gives me an otherworldly feel, the sorceress with her magic and the gray cloudy sky, but it also keeps me in the here and now with the lush, green valley behind her. Even the stone bird below her gives that ancient, even evil, feel to the whole scheme.” Marian: “Understated but eye-catching. The woman looks intriguing, but she also looks real - perhaps because she's warmly dressed and has her hair up in a bun. I also like the artist's positioning of her on the cliff, with the ball of light being the focal point. If this cover came in painting size, I'd like to have a copy of it on my wall.” Georgette: “I have always been attracted to this type of cover. When I look at it, it gives me the feeling of sinister serenity. The figure under the lady is the sinister.” Islandelf concluded: “The woman's attitude goes well with the title. She's holding a ball of light so she's a sorceress. And since she is alone on a ledge, she must be contemplating her faith... or someone else's. Also the darkening sky over a green valley is very moody, goes well with idea of a summoning as the tag line implies...“ Like me, Vicki had trouble choosing a favorite cover: “It was a difficult choice between this one and The Star Witch as both are beautiful works of art and evoke the theme of an ethereal otherworldliness befitting the category. In the end, Sorceress of Faith won my vote as I was also taken by the landscape.” |
Luna |
Luna |
The third to seventh place winners were very close, with a span of only 10 votes to separate them.
Magic Study is the third place winner. The cover conveyed Reality in Alternate Reality, according to some voters. Carol said: “a beautiful, natural illustration that emphasizes Reality in Alternate Reality, this cover reminds us that the work of the author is to draw a persuasive picture of what could be.”
Carrotbat commented: “The rest of the covers have a lot of 'Alternate,' but not much 'Reality.' I'm fond of covers that portray a scene from the book, and though I haven't read this particular one, it certainly looks like it's a scene that could happen. What's she looking at -- are we seeing this through the hero's eyes? What sort of magic requires flowers, shells, books, and a t-square? Now I want to read it and find out, which means the cover succeeded.” Renaissance came to mind for Nana, who confessed: “I'm a nerd, I know, but I love the Galileo gizmos and the whole Italian Renaissance vibe. It looks like a Florentine alchemist's lab. This cover makes me want to go find a copy of this book.” Alyson said: “The cover clearly relates to the subgenre, but it is not whimsical or overly sweet like some of the other covers, which I would be embarrassed to display in public. The woman on the cover is looking out at the reader with an intelligent and direct gaze. The objects in the background remind me of the renaissance.” The color scheme appealed to many voters. Susan: “I like the colours and I love the contrast of the orange dress against the background. It's suggestive of the content without being cluttered. The heroine looks as if she'd be interesting to get to know.“ Elle: “I love the color scheme (particularly the peachy-colored dress and the teal sash), and the yellow color and style of the typestyle of the title and author's name (looks like old time script.) The lighting from the window at the side of the frame and the slightly guarded expression on the girl's face also add to a very visually interesting cover. It makes me want to pick up the book to find out what it is about. I also like the Mercedes Lackey cover which has kind of a "Star Wars" thing going, but with a very pretty design.” Susan: “It has cover elements that make it obviously fantasy (which is why it won out over my second choice, Fairies & Witches) without being at all gaudy, cluttered, or cheesy as so many fantasy/paranormal covers are. Also, I like the colors and the use of light, and the cover model is beautiful.” |
Our fourth place winner is Sebastian. The dark, brooding, and handsome man on the cover caught the eye of many voters. For Karen it was a simple choice: “It's the only one with a man on it and I kind of like the frame and background, also.” Emily: “The mood being set is incredible. The cover invites you into the world. And the guide? Well, look at him!” – I see your point. *g* Corinne: “I am a sucker for broody alphas and that is the impression I get from him. I am assuming that is Dawn behind him and that signifies new beginnings but he's turned away from it. To me that screams broody alpha, perhaps he doesn't think he is worthy or he has something he has to do. Or simply he is looking at his heroine watching the light cross her skin as she sleeps well sated from his efforts *G*” Bethany’s comment made me laugh out loud: “Are his hands covering an erection? Awesome! But for serious – the shadowing done for this cover is unlike anything I've ever seen.” Jeanne summarized: “This is simply the most striking cover in the bunch. First gorgeous Sebastian is glowering at the potential reader, practically demanding her attention. Then, it's the details of his clothes – the billowing ruffled white shirt, so romantically cliché, yet so romantically effective still and the yummy, tightly fitting pants with the intriguing symbols scrawled across them. Finally, the dramatic sunrise against the backdrop of a desert plain. All in all, a very strong, evocative fantasy cover. 2nd place for me would have been the Faith Hunter one with its dramatic looking muscular angel figure.”
Several voters made comments that must be like music to Art departments' ears: |
Roc |
Luna |
It was a very close call between the fourth and fifth place. One Good Knight is our fifth place winner, only one vote behind Sebastian.
Rosario: "I've loved the covers of all three books in this series so far. Just like the other two, this one reflects the feel of the book perfectly, and the colours are gorgeous.”
Colorful and eye-catching are comments for One Good Knight that get
repeated again and again. I quite agree with Diane, who said that AR always seems to have strong artwork. I think Art departments and cover artists do seem to have a knack for creating brilliant AR covers. Diane continues: “This cover works because the woman's face radiates personality and the background imagery blends in while adding to the visual hints of the story.”
Like with the winning cover, The Dream Thief, many voters were drawn toward the dragon. |
| We have a tie for sixth place! Fairies & Wishes and The Star Witch are our sixth place winners, only two votes behind One Good Knight. | |
Cobblestone Press |
Berkley |
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Fairies & Wishes is one of the few small press covers to make it to the final contest ballot this year, and I’m glad this original and eye-catching cover did so well in the contest. Not surprisingly, the stunningly red hair of the cover model caught many voters eye.
Sula: “That striking RED hair! It gets your attention and makes you think...wait a minute, is that natural? Mebbe supernatural? And the way the expression on her face is half-hidden makes me think she's got a secret up her sleeve." Maria: “The smile, the eyes and the glorious red hair! The design is relatively simple, but in a good way. The colors and the beauty of the model make the cover stand out. This would be a ‘heroine’ buy for me, because it makes me think ‘Let's see if the character in the book matches the wonderful first impression given by the cover!’” Wendy: “I was this close to going with Mary Jo Putney's sexy, dreamy cover for The Marriage Spell but, in the end, I chose Fairies & Wishes because of the ‘could be sweet – could be mischievous’ look in her eyes & her enigmatic upturned smile. I'm not even a fairy-story kind of gal, but this cover has me wanting to check the book out.” TJ’s comment also shows how close the votes were: “This was close for me, between Star Witch and Fairies & Wishes, but this one gets my vote. What a lovely woman on the cover; her fiery hair color attracts the eye, and those gorgeous green eyes hold the gaze. The balance of colors, hot and warm, are entrancing and mysterious. Beautifully done.” Pamela: “This is very different – beautiful and eye-catching. I've never heard of this author or this press and yet I'm going to look for the book to buy, strictly from the gorgeous cover and the title.” Cover Café’s Karen chose this cover and said: “I was tempted by the soulful hunk of Sebastian, but there's nothing particularly AR about it. I like Fairies & Wishes because it hints at fantasy without being too ‘out there’. The colors work well together, and the heroine's gaze intrigues me. Even though I don't read much AR, I'd pick up this book if I saw it in the store.” |
The blue colors of The Star Witch cover appealed to many voters. Stacy said: “I love the blue – it emphasizes the magical and mystical elements.”
Haven: “The blues on this cover are very striking. And you wonder if she's holding a tiny star within her hands. Love it!” Margaret: “The overall blue caught my attention right away.” Heather: “The translucent blue color theme is very calming and inviting.” Lucy: “The colours are eye catching and the woman on the cover looks intriguing and mysterious.” Wanda: “It's a smooth study in blue that fights the night theme of star.” Cover Café member Mary Lynne chose this cover but admitted: ”Honestly, I could vote for every cover on this slate. I think they're all wonderful. That said, I think The Star Witch captures that feeling of fantasy, of something beyond ourselves, of magical otherness, better than any other cover here.” Julie: “This was a really hard choice. So many covers were just striking, but I remember The Star Witch jumping out at my on the bookshelf. That is the sign of a truly great cover. The Anne Bishop book is amazing, too.” |
The Marriage Spell came in eighth place and with its creative play with lights and shadows, the cover seemed surreal to many voters – ethereal was Sharon’s comment. Sarah said: “It looks surreal and to me that's what an alternate reality cover should look like.” Heather: “I read this book based on the cover. It simply looks mysterious due to the way the light shines through the trees. I like the way that he is holding her.” Terry: “I like the solid color with variations, and it still has a hint of the hero and heroine while letting you 'feel' the magic.” Jennifer: “It was romantic as well as the fact that it conveyed fantasy while at the same time having a feeling of being real.” Kristina: “It's very elegant and eye-catching. Somehow it seems 'magical' while still appearing 'classical.' Very beautiful!” Angela: “It's subtle, it's different. It's a little bit of a play on the old romance cover stand-by of hero holding heroine.” |
Ballantine Books |
Roc Trade |
Luna |
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In ninth place is Bloodring. This original, otherworldly cover appealed to many voters. Chrystal said: “It gives the impression of both good and evil and peaks my interest in the book.”
Sarah: “It's original, unique, and really screams ‘Read Me’." Judith: “The art is beautifully done. Most importantly, the cover fits the story perfectly; hair color, sword and atmosphere.” Cover Cafe’s Lisa also liked this cover: “For AR, I like that really ‘other’ type cover. The other covers are too pretty, not strange enough.” Ashley pondered: “the cover is intriguing...it makes me wonder if the man is an angel.” Others were convinced that it was an angel. Cover Café member Jeanette was one and chose this cover “because I love angels. Good or bad, I just love them. And this is a very beautiful angel.” Jo: “It simply leaped out at me and I like the idea of powerful angels.”
Melanie: “this is what angels *should* look like!”
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The Dawn Star, which came in at number ten, was complimented on its wonderful artwork by several voters. Kelly said: “The art is gorgeous! I'd buy this book just because of the cover.”
Justin: “I was leaning towards Bloodring, but the wild retro-look and the almost stained-glass-like effect of The Dawn Star kept tugging at my eye. The palette is much more interesting, too. Compared to The Dawn Star, Bloodring just feels a little too clean, too bland.” Caroline: “I like that we get to see a bit of the world the story is set in and not only the hero/heroine in this cover; the original drawing style is intriguing, too, and I like the colours.” PC: “Love this image! If it was print I'd own it.”
Li: “Very tough category – all the covers are beautiful. I especially love Luna covers, and this is no exception. The stained glass effect is striking, and the imagery works very well with the tagline.”
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