Recently at Delve Writing we had a class on cover art, and -- entirely separately -- my friend Becca is revisiting her cover for Break From You. So I've got covers on the brain. The thing is, covers, like any kind of art, are extremely subjective. What works for me might not work for you and vice versa. And there are so many styles and designs in the world. I thought I'd highlight a few and see why they worked for me -- or didn't in some cases.  

• Great book, but I felt like the cover was really misleading. I was expecting a creepy ghost story and got a generic urban fantasy. Covers make promises that should be kept within the book and this one didn't.

• Aren't these beautiful? Color on black really works for me. Very striking.

• Transformation: Dear God, what were they thinking? Glow in the dark wings are not sexy no matter how drunk you are.
• Restoration: They must have sobered up because this one's much better.

• I didn't realize it before but these have some superb similarities. Evocative, just slightly creepy, and so representative of the book and the disabilities of the characters. The Queen's Thief series has some fantastic covers, but this one was a satisfyingly bold choice.

• Not just a pretty face, this cover captures the main conflict and the choices and growth of the characters.

• Sometimes fantasy landscapes just work. Especially when they're blue.

• Breathtaking.

• I am so done with emo girls in pretty dresses.

• Winterfair gifts seems cool and romantic until you've read the series and you realize Miles is 4'9". About a foot shorter than Ekaterin. 
• Komarr: This one's much closer to the truth.

• So chilling. I'm learning I have a thing for creepy.

• And finally my favorite. I love the mood. So evocative with imagery that exactly matches the books. 

Which ones do you like? What are your favorite covers?