I love pretty book covers! They can definitely entice me to read a book I probably wouldn’t have been quite interested enough in otherwise. Or make me more excited for a book I already wanted to read. Or make me want a print copy, just so I can look at it whenever I want. So, as I think I’ve said before, this is a post I really look forward to each year.
I included some runners-up, but I actually did choose a top ten this time. (Well, if series count as one, which they do to me, and it’s my blog, so I make the rules.) I couldn’t pick a #1 favorite though. They’re all winners!
My choices for this post are solely about the covers, not about the story, but I’ll link to some of my reviews, if I’ve written them, in case anyone wants to know more about what I thought. Also, reminder, these aren’t all books that released this year, just books I read this year.
Anyway, enjoy the pretty covers!
Runners Up
The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon – Cover by Ryan Garcia
The Fascinators by Andrew Eliopulos – I couldn’t find the cover artist 🙁
Immortal Divorce Court by Kirk Zurosky – Cover by Carly Milligan
Heartache & Hoofbeats by Maz Maddox – Cover by Shaleah Poster
Travelers by Al Hess – Cover by Al Hess
The Bar at the End of the World by Tom Abrahams – Cover by Steve Beaulieu
Life of Melody by Mari Costa – Cover by, I assume, Mari Costa
Punderworld Vol. 1 by Linda Sejic – Cover by, I assume, Linda Sejic
Ninety-Nine Righteous Men by K.M. Claude – Cover by K.M. Claude
The Taking of Jake Livingston by Ryan Douglass – Cover by Corey Brickley
Top Ten
Smut Peddler Presents: Silver – Cover by Mirjam Löfgren
Not only does this cover have beautiful artwork and color choices, the print copy has silver foil that shines when the light hits it, making it even better!
Boys of Alabama by Genevieve Hudson – Cover by Travis Bedel
I just think this one is pretty. I love the design and the color combo and the image. I love the combination of the hands and bones and muscles with nature and flowers and butterflies.
[ My Review ]
The Hunter and the Spider Series by E.M. Jeanmougin & Jay Wright – Covers by Kittrose
These have such lovely and detailed artwork. I love being able to see the characters, especially when the art so perfectly matches their descriptions, and the art also perfectly gives off the vibes of these urban fantasy but still sweet books.
[ My Review ]
In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens – Cover by Sam Schechter
This cover is just so pretty and cute and playful and fun. And look at those colors!
Revenge by Dani Hoots – Cover by Mona Finden
I love that you get to see all the main characters right away on the first cover of the series, and in such a pretty art style!
Simon Snow Series by Rainbow Rowell – Covers by Kevin Wada
These have wonderful art, but I also love how dynamic, colorful, and eye-catching they are.
[ My Review ]
Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo – Cover by Sasha Vinogradova
This is just super gorgeous and detailed. Hands are so visually interesting and can really make for such great covers. I also love the muted and mostly green color palette and the bones + nature combo.
[ My Review ]
The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer – Cover by Sarah Maxwell
This is lovely art, I even love the bit of reflection behind them, and it really does suit the story so nicely.
[ My Review ]
Before We Disappear by Shaun David Hutchinson – Cover by Valentina Remenar
This cover is just so pretty. I love all the swirling and almost psychedelic colors, and poses and expressions of the characters are quite fun.
Tales of the Tuath De Series by Tess Barnett – Covers by Jasmine Monterroso
I really love the almost blocky art style of these. I also love how prominently they feature the characters while still feeling fun and dynamic and how they even show a bit of the interaction between them.
[ My Review ]
Check out my other 2021 end of the year posts!
Cover Characteristics: Best Book Covers from Books I Read in 2021
Bookish Musings: Top Ten Characters from Books I Read in 2021
Bookish Musings: Top Ten Books/Series I Read in 2021 + Some Non-Bookish Things
I think the biggest thing for me is a book cover will definitely make me want a physical copy sometimes. Just having it on the shelf= bliss. 🙂
I think my favorite right at the outset is Travelers. I really like your third choice though- those covers are wild. That first one has such a cool urban fantasy vibe…
Summer sons is nice.
Yep, it definitely entices me to want print copies!
Travelers is a really cool design. The Hunter and the Spider covers do such a great job of capturing the UF vibe but still standing out!
I went over to check out Travelers at the authors website and I think I’m going to get some of his stuff, especially Incidents in a Town Like Yours when it’s done.
I think you’d like the Travelers series. I read two of them, and they were pretty chill post apoc books. Kind of a lot of found family vibes.
Travelers is my favorite of all of these. I’ve never seen or read any of these books.
It does have a really nice cover design!
I always like your cover posts. You find such interesting books.
Silver is one I’d like on a book shelf – that shiny foil is lovely. And I really like Boys of Alabama.
The only one I disagree with you is Strangers in the Night because, although I love the font, the title looks like it’s squashed in the corner/falling off the page. I’m itching to rearrange it a bit lol. That must be my OCD kicking in.
Happy Holidays, Kit.
Thanks 🙂
It’s the only book I have with foil, and yes, it’s lovely! More books should have pretty things like that.
Yeah, the title prob should’ve been at the top like the others, but then they’d have to remove that other bit of neon and maybe that was too hard. Still beautiful artwork though!
Happy Holidays!
Those are great covers. I hope you had a nice Christmas.
Thanks, same to you 🙂
I definitely see some themes in the covers you like!
I do tend to have a type 😁
Jake Livingston was a mixed bag as far as the book but I was immediately drawn in by the cover.
That Silver cover is STUNNING and I really like The Boys of Alabama.
Karen @For What It’s Worth
Same about Jake Livingston.
It’s beautiful, right?! Also the only cover I have with any foil.
My fav has to be SUMMER SONS. I love covers with plants wrapped around things 🙂
Plants wrapped around things definitely makes for gorgeous covers!