Saturday, January 23, 2016

Shelf Candy Saturday #161: Cold Spell, by Jackson Pearce



Welcome to Shelf Candy Saturday!

This is my weekly feature
showcasing beautiful covers!
It also provides information, 
if available,
on their very talented creators!

Here's my choice for this week!



 Cold Spell
 (Fairy Tale Retellings, Book 4)
Jackson Pearce   
Hardcover, 336 pages
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
November 5, 2013
Fantasy, Fairy Tale Retellings,
Paranormal Romance,YA

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16039122-cold-spell?ac=1&from_search=1



My Thoughts About This Cover

Stunning. Evocative. Eerily beautiful. These are the words that come to mind when I contemplate this very unique cover. I have certainly never seen any other cover like it!

I've always loved circles and spheres, perhaps because they imply completion, perfection. Here, a broken, circular mirror lies forgotten somewhere, perhaps leaning across the very same wall against which it was probably  hurled by someone, in a fit of anger.

It's so fascinating to see the perfect image of this mirror, now marred by the cracks across it, leaning against that wall.... The contrast is even hypnotic. And why are those mysterious birds of prey reflected on the mirror's surface?  Why are they wheeling and circling over the mirror? 

Needless to say, this is a very enigmatic cover.....

There are dried twigs resting against the mirror's broken surface. They are a symbol of the barrenness of winter. They echo the mirror's emptiness, its very solitary position.

I believe that this mirror is a symbol for a broken self. Perhaps one of the characters in this novel has  finally been broken by the cruelties of life. Or perhaps an ancient prophecy, held inside the mirror, has finally been shattered, its power totally snuffed out by a much greater power.

The title is very effective, since it's not only visually compelling, with its reference to the cold of winter,  but also refers to a witchcraft spell, probably cast in order to bring winter conditions over a certain area. Whatever the symbolism in the title, it's undeniably perfect, as it complements the image on the cover beautifully. I also like the mix of capital and lower-case letters, as well as the shifting shades of blue, and the two dark leaves intertwining with the letters.

The composition is perfectly done, as well. Part of the mirror is in the upper, lighter part of the cover, while the rest of it -- mostly the handle -- is in the lower, darker part. This could mean that the problems of the present have their foundation in the past; I'm speculating here, So, while the mirror is broken, there remains some hope for the future. All is not lost. 

I also love the snowflakes beginning to drift down over the lighter part of the cover; they are further proof that winter is already here.

Unfortunately, I have been unable to find any information about the obviously talented artist who designed this cover. The Amazon reader has been no help at all....Whoever this person is, they have definitely created an unforgettable cover!

   

 
What do you think of this 
week's cover?
Would it entice you to buy
this book and read it?







 

2 comments:

  1. Great analyses of this cover Maria.

    There is something very bleak and eerie about this picture, especially about the portion with the mirror. the contrast here between the black and white is so effective here too.

    I find it ironic that the color white, can be used to convey such a sense of darkness.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey, Brian!

    Thanks for the kind words!!

    This image is very bleak indeed. And SO effective in creating that mood! The contrast between the black and white areas of the composition certainly do help to create the mood, too.

    You are so right about the irony of the color white in this image. One would not expect it "convey such a sense of darkness", as you say, but it certainly does!

    All in all, this is a very striking cover, and I wish I knew who the brilliant artist is....

    Thanks for the great comment!! : )

    ReplyDelete

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