Shelf Candy Saturday No. 220: A Thousand Nights. by E.K. Johnston

Welcome to Shelf Candy Saturday!

*Late Edition*

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!!

A Thousand Nights
(A Thousand Nights, Book 1)
E.K. Johnston
Hardcover, 336 pages
Disney-Hyperion
October 6, 2015
   Fairy Tale Retellings, Fantasy,
Romance, Young Adult Fiction
 

My Thoughts About This Cover

Although I usually prefer covers where images are the main feature, I do enjoy highlighting those where calligraphy is the star. This is one such cover. 

The calligraphy here is SO richly ornate, so exquisitely beautiful! I see a slight Art Deco influence here, but it's been embellished by several graceful, sensuous, ornamental curves that give this cover a very feminine feel. 

Especially interesting are the words surrounding the title, which then become part of the design. These words are done in a more ornate style, and are also very beautiful. They are not very easy to read, because of all the curlicues, but that doesn't detract from their effectiveness. They are colored gray, which forms a nice contrast with the gold used in the title itself, which, of course makes the title stand out more.  The overall impression is one of shimmering elegance. The golden tone of the words in the title also contribute to this effect, as well as alluding to the fact that the plot involves royalty, as gold is the color of royalty.

I have to add that, before I finished this post, I looked at the cover again, and was able to make out the words, "She will stitch her own secrets" at the very top of the design. What a poetic phrase! And how very mysterious, as well. 

Something else, in reference to the the words. I have posted a link below to an interview of the artist. In that interview, mention is made of a Star Trek joke in the words that are part of the design. I honestly couldn't make out the words of this joke, lol. It's supposed to read: "Sokath, his eyes uncovered", and it comes from the New Generation episode, "Darmok". Gosh, now I like this cover even more!! 

Another interesting visual element is the figure of the young woman floating in mid-air, surrounded by the golden ribbon that "falls" from the letters in the title. This, of course, is a reference to the book's female protagonist. She seems to be either dreaming, or in a trance. This is a referenee to the fantasy atmosphere she creates with her stories. 

I also love how the ribbon that becomes the title paradoxically seems to flow upward from the palace at the bottom of the cover. It's as if the castle were representing Aladdin's lamp, and the title were emerging like smoke from it. It's an entirely lovely effect! I also LOVE the overall circular shape of this "smoke".

The background colors help the entire design stand out, and the lighter color surrounding the palace also makes it stand out.

I do have a couple of quibbles here, though. The author's name should have been a bit bigger, I think. Furthermore, I wish the writing at the top of the cover had not been included. But that's it. I LOVE this cover anyway!!

The BRILLIANT designer behind this GORGEOUS cover is Marci Senders, the Lead Designer at Disney-Hyperion. Originally from Brooklyn, she is based in NYC. In addition to being a children's book designer, she also likes to crochet, create altered books, and do illustrations. 

Senders attended Tyler School of Art, of Temple University, where she graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design. 

And here's yet another name to add to my list of favorite book illustrators/designers!

 

Online Links

Interview: Diana Sousa Blog
LinkedIn

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What do you think of 
this week's cover?
Do you agree or disagree with me?
Please leave a comment
and let me know!