Comments on: Book Cover Smackdown (YA Edition) – “Etiquette & Espionage” vs. “MILA 2.0″ vs. “Pantomime”

By: Steven Poore

Steven Poore — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 20:43:21 +0000

Good selection, but i think Pantomime wins. It’s what is underneath that matters, after all…

By: John DeNardo

John DeNardo — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 19:07:26 +0000

Whoops. My template is showing again. Fixed.

By: Lauren

Lauren — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 18:33:18 +0000

Etiquette & Espionage. There is so much strength in that cover, and I think it’s a good message to send, right off the bat, to young readers.

By: Katie

Katie — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 18:18:19 +0000

Maybe I’m a bit biased because I’m a huge Gail Carriger fan, but I love her cover the best. The colour is eye catching and beautiful and I’d pick that up before I’d pick up the other two, though their covers are certainly interesting as well.

By: Tina C.

Tina C. — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 18:12:15 +0000

Much like an earlier poster, I have to say that the second and third book are too similar to a lot if mother book covers. They give very little insight into the story as well, a major downfall in a world where, unfortunately, books are judged by their covers. Etiquette and Espionage is different; the figure is turned to the side and engaged in dynamic motion–is she about to stab someone or just hurrying across the room? The vivid pink background indicates feminine but by nature of its hue a strong feminine character.

By: Carrie

Carrie — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 18:07:43 +0000

Etiquette & Espionage has my vote. The cover is more attention-getting, and the little details like the steampunk wallpaper in the background and scissors in the woman’s hand make it more interesting the longer you look at it. Plus Gail Carriger rocks!

By: Carl V.

Carl V. — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 16:34:18 +0000

Not sure what this has to do with “February is a popular month for books with Dragons on the cover”, but of the non-dragon choices here I think Mila 2.0 would be my favorite. I like the first one a great deal although the girl’s posture looks so unnatural…probably the result of a corset.

By: Christian Schoon

Christian Schoon — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 16:01:17 +0000

I’m biased, since Pantomime is the only one I’m familiar with. That being said, the cover art of this title has to get the nod due to the understated power and simplicity of the image, the way it draws the viewer in, plus the mystery conjured by the soft lines and muted palette, plus (again, biased) the way the image evokes the psychological treasure hidden and waiting for discovery within the story.

By: Aldo Ojeda

Aldo Ojeda — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 14:12:13 +0000

The problem with young adult book covers is that they tend to look the same. This can be say about MILA 2.0 and Pantomime: a generic YA cover, even if the second has a lovely color palete. I like Etiquette and Espionage the best, it still has the same atributes as every other YA cover, but it catch you eye with that wondeful color choice.

By: DavidW

DavidW — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 13:52:33 +0000

Pantomime is the best cover. The cover for Mila 2.0 is terribly generic. The first novel is the one I would be most likely to buy. Finishing school and espionage, that sounds novel to me!

By: Jessica Nelson

Jessica Nelson — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 07:40:06 +0000

I like Pantomime’s cover the best. The artwork is intriguing and mysterious, with a softness that keeps it from being overbearing.

Etiquette & Espionage is certainly eye-catching, too, but it looks… stiff, and oh so very pink.

Mila 2.0 … this is a cover I could easily look right past on a shelf laden with books. It just doesn’t grab me at all.