Cindi’s Favorite Book Covers of 2013
Along with celebrating our favorite books of 2013, On Top Down Under would also like to celebrate our favorite book covers and the artists who created them.
Sometimes book covers tell their own story and this was certainly the case for me this year. When Kazza K suggested this list a few weeks ago, I immediately jumped on it. There are a lot of nice covers out there but they don’t always hit the mark on what’s inside. The books on this list do. Only #1 is numbered. The others are listed in total random order.
Books, authors and covers get a lot of attention but the actual cover artists rarely do. This post is my way of giving a big thank you to every book cover artist, whether I’ve read a book with your cover art or not.
My favorite covers of 2013 –
I look at the cover of Mingled Destinies of Crocodiles and Men and I can almost see Minerva True on the other side of those trees. I feel that if I look hard enough that I may just see the remains of the burned out chapel deep in the heart of the woods.
Then there is Azrael the angel, who looks exactly as he is described in Azrael and the Light Bringer. I can imagine young Luc standing by his side, never far from his beloved trees.
These covers accurately represent the stories inside both Valley books. They are also two of the most stunning covers I have ever seen and are 100% perfect for this series.
Not only did The Mingled Destinies of Crocodiles and Men and Azrael and the Light Bringer tie for the top spot of my favorite books of 2013 but they also take the top spot for my favorite covers of the year.
Cover Artist: Amy Arvin Photography
Into This River I Drown by TJ Klune
Cover Artist: Kyle Thompson
Every time I see this cover, I almost get teary all over again. Unless you’ve read Into This River I Drown you won’t get the significance of the man in the water and the hands reaching up to him. I refuse to give it away because I think everyone needs to read this book.
The cover artist took a very important part of the story and made a cover that perfectly depicts it.
Jasper’s Mountain by John Inman
Cover Artist: Reese Dante
Jasper’s Mountain takes place in a cabin high up in the mountains. The cover (that’s gorgeous) gives the reader the perfect visual of Jasper’s home and its surroundings. The cover models above the scenery only add to the beauty.
A Wild Ride (The Bullriders #1) by Andrew Grey
Cover Artist: LC Chase
L.C. Chase has done some of the best covers I’ve ever seen. The one she did for A Wild Ride by Andrew Grey is not only gorgeous but it is so fitting for the story. Yes, the two guys are shirtless and are very nice to look at but the cover captures not only the spirit of both main characters but the spirit of the story as well.
Chance Assassin: A Story of Love, Luck, and Murder by Nicole Castle
Cover Artist: Bryan and Vita Hewitt Photography
Chance Assassin is about a brutal assassin and a young man who ultimately becomes his partner in every sense of the word. Their story is gruesome at times and not at all for the faint of heart. The cover is brilliant as the heart shows the disturbing relationship between the two men, on top of a body emphasizing what the two do for a living.
Lake Thirteen by Greg Herren
Cover Artist: Sheri
I love a good ghost story and I went into Lake Thirteen knowing I would get a good story because of who the author is. I didn’t expect the cover to be so accurate in regards to it though. There are the teens standing in front of the dark lake and below that you see the graveyard that plays such an integral part of the story. Not only is the cover visually appealing but it shows the creep factor that is so prevalent in the book.
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His Roommate’s Pleasure by Lana McGregor
Cover Artist: John Kicksee
I have always said that I don’t judge a book by a cover but I have been known to read a book because of one without ever seeing a blurb. That was my case with His Roommate’s Pleasure. Look at it! Yes, I admit to being shallow on occasion and this was definitely the case with this book. The bonus? I actually loved the story.
Bloodlines (Sanguis Noctis #3) by Robin Saxon and Alex Kidwell
Cover Artist: Anne Cain
Bloodlines (Sanguis Noctis #3) tells the story of werewolves and they are shown nicely on the cover. Everything is just obscure enough to leave a bit to one’s imagination so the reader knows going in that the book will be a little bit different from the norm.
After the End by Alex Kidwell
Cover Artist: Brooke Albrecht
Unless you have read After the End you will not get the significance of the cover, nor could I explain why it is important without typing a page of details that would most likely not be understood anyway. Not only was the book one of the best I’ve ever read but the cover is perfect.
Sometimes simple is best. Sometimes books need something more elaborate for the story. The cover for After the End is exactly right for the amazing story inside.
Crack the Darkest Sky Wide Open (Anthology) by Various Authors
Cover Artist: Kealan Patrick Burke
The Crack the Darkest Sky Wide Open anthology consists of six stories that would never be considered mainstream. The cover is reminiscent of my favorites of old – horror, thrillers, books with a major creep factor. I got my feet wet (so to speak) in reading things that were totally inappropriate for a young girl but I devoured them anyway. The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe (pure genius), The Birds by Daphne du Maurier. I could go on.
Each story in this anthology is a little on the darker side, whether it be about angels and demons, war, possible infidelity, suicide, losing a long-time lover or even someone learning that karma can indeed be a true bitch.
The cover is perfect because in a sense it covers everything inside the book but yet it doesn’t. The photo leaves a lot to the imagination of the reader but yet it’s so stunning that it sucks one right in.
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Wonderful list…including your shallow moment. No! LOL
I nearly put Jasper’s Mountain on my list as well, I love that cover too. Heck there are so many to choose from aren’t there 🙂
Thanks! Yes, I do have shallow moments on occasion. 😉 It is a nice cover and I liked the book as well.
I remember you saying you loved Jasper’s Mountain’s cover when you saw it the first time. It’s so perfect for the story.
I enjoyed doing this list. Thanks for suggesting it.
Thanks for all your wonderful support this year. It has been greatly enjoyed and appreciated. I love your website. Hope you both have a great holiday season and a prosperous and fun New Year.
You’re very welcome, John. Your books wouldn’t have made my lists had they not deserved to be there. Thank YOU for writing such amazing stories.
Happy Holidays to you and yours. 🙂
Thank you Cindi! Hewitt Photography did an amazing job with the cover, and they had a blast playing with the fake blood.
You’re welcome, Nicole. When I was looking for the cover artist info I went to your site and saw the outtake pics and loved them. I can’t imagine any other cover for Chance Assassin. It’s perfect.