Cover Lust (18)

All links go to Goodreads.

Nightshade (Jillian Conrad, Book 2) by Michelle Rowen

(Berkley / Feb. 1, 2011)

I'm rarely impressed by urban fantasy covers, as they quickly begin to look alike. This, however, took my breath away. The model's pose is uniquely badass, the light streaming through the slats. I even like all the blueness.

Outside In (Inside Out, Book 2) by Maria V. Snyder

(Harlequin Teen / March 2011)

Only a small size image of this cover is currently available, but WOW! I like that it feels science-fiction-y. I even like this more than I did the Inside Out cover. I just know that this cover will look fantastic on my bookshelf, and hopefully on others' as well.

Starstruck by Cyn Balog

(Delacorte / 2011)

This cover makes me laugh. I like how it's in keeping with Cyn's previous book covers, with the black background, but this one has a far different feel than her previous books. I mean, it's a donut--a sparkling, scrumptious donut--on the black background. Love it!

Throat by R.A. Nelson

(Knopf / Jan. 25, 2011)

Okay, maybe you're disturbed by this. Maybe it's too sensual for you, the full-on neck exposure. But for some reason, I can't help but think, yes! Why haven't other vampire books done this already? This is really just so creepily representative of the dangerous allure that vampires have on us. It appeals to the part within us that wants to succumb to the vampire--in other words, to show him/her our necks. I'm not too big of a fan of the title placement, size, and font, and as this is a vampire story set in space, it would've been cool to add that space element to the cover... but I still like this.

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

(Simon & Schuster / March 22, 2011)

This just might be one of the absolute most painfully beautiful covers I have seen this year. Or maybe ever. It's just so right in its extravagance: the yards and yards of chiffony/feathery stuff on her dress, the intense desaturation and amping up of green (i.e. ionizing) tones, and OHMYGOODNESS the pink of the words and the lines that hint of the mechanical, but in a subtle, almost girly way. I am stunned. Stunned. I can't help looking at this over and over. I REALLY hope the story inside--a dystopian, if I remember correctly--will be deserving of this jaw-dropping, achingly beautiful cover.

[ETA] Check out the Wither cover's photographer's website here, at www.alismith.com! I'm sure you'll recognize some other book covers she's done. :)

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So what about you guys? What do you think of the covers above? Have you seen any beautiful covers recently that you just want to print out in high-quality poster paper and hang on your bedroom wall?