So a clueless 50something female might not get that it was really creepy. More clued in ones who have seen more of the Japanese expression of this sort of art penetrating American culture will be squicked as will most younger people who don’t have unhealthy issues about female sexuality.

(I’ve go not problem with the body – the face sucks.)

Over on the Orbit site, Lauren wrote, “I don't think the sexiness of the cover is in any way misleading once you read the story.” But the cover is an ad for the book. With that art, I’m never going to read the story. If I have to know the story before it makes sense, the cover art has failed.

Even if the art was intended to be influenced by Ryden’s art, I still question the validity of that choice in conjunction with the apparent subject of the book, and I question the decision that went behind deciding on deliberately using child/childlike female figures in a sexual context.

And the line is gone, from what I hear. (Which is sad because those books were awesome.) Being too different from the norm can actually hurt sometimes.

I hope that’s not the case for Ms. Peeler. Hell, I’ll probably buy her book now, just because I feel bad!

I had thought about the whole: “Just because it’s naked does that automatically mean it’s sexual, and if we think so, what does that say about our culture?” thing, but in the end I thought it would be opening a can of worms, lol. Glad to see someone else opened the can.

And who cares if it doesn’t fit in with covers that typically are seen in this genre? I have to say it’s about time a publisher and author had the courage to dare to be different! So nice to see something that isn’t corny and predictable for a change. I often read books inspite of their vacuous covers, with so many publishers ‘playing it safe’ and sticking to a proven formula, and am often pleasantly surprised! At least someone here is trying to break new ground and, as a result, I’m sure the book will attract people who, up until now, have dismissed UF because of what I believe to be poor covers that let the quality of writing down completely.

I see nothing even vaguely ‘pornographic’ about this image. To me it just appears to be a very stylized image of a young woman, who appears less ‘sexual’ and more ‘haunted’ to me. The absence of clothes does not equal ‘sexual’. I have seen more sexually provocative images of women with all their clothing thoroughly intact! The youthful look of the girl’s face I think is consistent with a style of art/illustration that permeates both popular fine and comic art – the “big doe eyes”, etc. She looks about as sexual to me as my chihuahua! If anything she looks more vulnerable to me, rather than coquettish or sexually provocative.

I think if nothing else it will attract attention, and will stand out from the rest, for all the right reasons! Just my humble opinion…

I’m part of the demographic mentioned here–young 20s, urban fantasy and comics and manga fan–and the cover just doesn’t work for me. If I saw it shelved with other urban fantasy novels, I would probably figure it was misshelved and not give it a second glance. And I’m not saying that to be mean–it’s no reflection on the book itself or Ms. Peeler. I just find the cover distasteful and possibly even bizarre, all things considered.

Had everyone gone silent on DA? I can’t imagine that happening. ;)

Lauren P. also takes a moment in that comment thread to explain the logic/thinking about it, and on reflection, I think it’s halfway brilliant.

My best friend owns a comic book store, and Lauren P. is absolutely right that this kind of goth looking art is a part of already adult-themed comics. This book cover would fit right in there, and they may be able to tap into a new audience.

The whole issue seems to revolve not around the cartoon aspect but the girl’s head, so yeah.

However, having heard Lauren P’s explanation of the cover, the contents sound like something I’d like to read.

As for the cover, maybe there is a “Hot Topic shopper” lurking somewhere deep inside me, but aside from that first impression, the cover isn’t bad. Yes, maybe different than the tramp stamp, fifty weapons, uber sexy girl covers we’re used to in urban fantasy, but I’ll definitely pick this up when it comes out.

Hopefully considering where it will be shelved (and I’m assuming bookstore people are literate and will be able to read the little label on the back that says Urban Fantasy), it will stand out enough that people take a look at it.

Maybe it’s a little unconventional, but it may work. I’ve bought plenty of books with covers I didn’t like because I’d heard good things about the book or the writer was a friend of mine that I knew could write.

As for not being able to get a final say on cover art from editors. I’m just glad I don’t have to deal with that.

in the UF genre, this cover will totally stand out from the others.

Sure, it’ll stand out. I don’t think anyone will argue against that. But if your average UF reader walks in, looking for a new UF novel to read… will they pick this up? That’s really the question. For all that we make fun of the tramp stamp, the faceless woman, and the leather pants on UF covers, they identify what kind of book it is to potential readers and buyers. For better or worse, certain elements signal the genre. After all, there is a reason why man titty and clinch covers continue to persist in the romance genre.