Welcome to Shelf Candy Saturday!
This is my weekly feature
showcasing beautiful covers!
It also provides information,
if available, on their
very talented creators!
if available, on their
very talented creators!
Here's my choice for this week!
The Last Ever After
(The School for Good and Evil, Book 3)
Soman Chainani
Hardcover, 672 pages
HarperCollins
July 21, 2015
Fairy Tale Retellings, Fantasy, Romance,
Young Adult Fiction
The Last Ever After
(The School for Good and Evil, Book 3)
Soman Chainani
Hardcover, 672 pages
HarperCollins
July 21, 2015
Fairy Tale Retellings, Fantasy, Romance,
Young Adult Fiction
This is truly a mind-blowing cover! At least it is, for me.
Usually, I'm not that enthusiastic about perfectly symmetrical covers. With this one, though, I am willing to make an exception; I LOVE this cover!!
There are many contrasts in this image, which, of course, mirror the title of the whole series. Thus, light is juxtaposed with dark, on several levels.
There's the level of interpersonal conflict, as in the confrontation between the two characters portrayed in the top section of the cover. who are glaring at each other. There's also the archetypal level, as the two swans, one black, one white, also seem about to do battle. Then there's the national level, as two armies, presumably from different countries, face off in the bottom section of the cover.
So this is really not only an apparently symmetrical cover, but also a tiered one. This type of cover is also not usually my favorite type, but again, the design works perfectly here. Everything just ties together beautifully!
I love the colors used, too. The golden blonde hair of the girl on the right is gorgeous, as is the deep raven-black hair of the girl on the left. The greyish background hints at trouble brewing on the horizon, while the beautiful bluish light at the bottom of the cover, between the two armies, hints at some sort of peace.
The whole design is tied together by the banners which display the title of this book, as well as the series title. These banners are appropriately medieval.
In short, the whole design just flows harmoniously, in spite of its apparently disparate elements.
Last but not least, I LOVE the drawing style! it's not quite similar to manga, and yet, it is. There's a great balance between realism and stylized drawing in the depiction of the two characters, as well as the swans.
The brilliant artist responsible for this GORGEOUS cover is Iacopo Bruno, and he has just joined my list of favorite book cover illustrators! I have just checked out his portfolio, which is available on his website, and.....OMG!! I want to collect ALL of the books whose covers I saw there!! That's how very AWESOME he is!!
The only information about this artist I've been able to get is that he's an illustrator and graphic designer living in Milan, Italy. If I'm able to find out more, I will definitely return and revise this post.
Usually, I'm not that enthusiastic about perfectly symmetrical covers. With this one, though, I am willing to make an exception; I LOVE this cover!!
There are many contrasts in this image, which, of course, mirror the title of the whole series. Thus, light is juxtaposed with dark, on several levels.
There's the level of interpersonal conflict, as in the confrontation between the two characters portrayed in the top section of the cover. who are glaring at each other. There's also the archetypal level, as the two swans, one black, one white, also seem about to do battle. Then there's the national level, as two armies, presumably from different countries, face off in the bottom section of the cover.
So this is really not only an apparently symmetrical cover, but also a tiered one. This type of cover is also not usually my favorite type, but again, the design works perfectly here. Everything just ties together beautifully!
I love the colors used, too. The golden blonde hair of the girl on the right is gorgeous, as is the deep raven-black hair of the girl on the left. The greyish background hints at trouble brewing on the horizon, while the beautiful bluish light at the bottom of the cover, between the two armies, hints at some sort of peace.
The whole design is tied together by the banners which display the title of this book, as well as the series title. These banners are appropriately medieval.
In short, the whole design just flows harmoniously, in spite of its apparently disparate elements.
Last but not least, I LOVE the drawing style! it's not quite similar to manga, and yet, it is. There's a great balance between realism and stylized drawing in the depiction of the two characters, as well as the swans.
The brilliant artist responsible for this GORGEOUS cover is Iacopo Bruno, and he has just joined my list of favorite book cover illustrators! I have just checked out his portfolio, which is available on his website, and.....OMG!! I want to collect ALL of the books whose covers I saw there!! That's how very AWESOME he is!!
The only information about this artist I've been able to get is that he's an illustrator and graphic designer living in Milan, Italy. If I'm able to find out more, I will definitely return and revise this post.
Online Links
Website
Zauberspiegel: Interview
Illustration Friday
UCreative
Pixel 77
Goodreads
Facebook
Website
Zauberspiegel: Interview
Illustration Friday
UCreative
Pixel 77
Goodreads
What do you think of this
week's cover?
Do you agree or disagree
with my analysis?
Please leave a comment and
let me know!
week's cover?
Do you agree or disagree
with my analysis?
Please leave a comment and
let me know!
Hey Maria.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything that you commented about this cover. The swans are the first thing that caught my eye.
I also notice that there are a lot of curves in this picture. I think that adds to the symmetrical effect.
I think that the font used for the author's name is perfect for this cover.
I hope that you have a great weekend Maria.
Hey, Brian!
DeleteEverything you say is SO spot on! I LOVE those swans!! As for the curves, I hadn't noticed them, except perhaps at a subliminal level. But, now that you've mentioned them, I agree -- there are quite a few of them, and they do indeed contribute to this cover's appeal.
I wasn't too happy with the font, but, somehow, it does seem perfect for this cover. Perhaps it's because of the way it's presented -- framed in a medieval-looking banner.
Hope you have a great weekend, too! Thanks for the insightful comment!! :) :) :)
You know, what I know this series! Kind of, as I've seen it at a bookstore I pass by every morning, and yeah I was caught by the cover! Very astute breakdown!
ReplyDeleteHi, Verushka!
DeleteGlad you liked my analysis! This is a GORGEOUS cover, and I want to get to this series pretty soon. I've seen the covers for the other volumes, but this one seems to be the prettiest.
Thanks for the nice comment!! Have a great day!! <3 :)
I haven't read this series, but the cover is so unique and interesting!! I love the contrast between the two girls :)
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week, Maria!!
Amy @ A Magical World Of Words
Hi, Amy!
DeleteThis cover is definitely "unique and interesting"! Very well put! And you're right -- the contrast between the two girls is GREAT!!
Thanks for the nice comment!! Hope you have a wonderful week, as well!! <3 :)