Today we want to talk about a topic that irks the hell out of us. We are sure you noticed this too but we finally couldn’t hold back any longer. Changing the cover model in the middle of the series seems to be a bigger habit than we thought so we tried to come up with a few examples to show you how it’s well and not so well done. Here’s what we found. Let us know what you think about our selection.
Susi: Our first example is probably also the one where this whole different cover model problem is handled best. You can’t really see her face on Alpha so it’s harder to noticed that it’s not the same girl. I actually really like how they did it and Alpha is also my favorite cover in this series so I won’t complain about this one. *g*
Caroline: I agree, Alpha is my favorite cover in the series too.The fact that we don’t really see her face makes it even more mysterious. I really like how they made it work. It’s not THAT obvious that those are 2 different models. Nicely done!
Susi: This change made me really sad. I know that know one really is at fault, okay perhaps the model for not doing covers anymore but damn I loved the old model. She looks like picture Cat and I liked the shade of her and she is so pretty. For me she just fit and I’m quite sad that we lost her. =( But One Grave at a Time is still gorgeous. And yes I think it’s weird that the guy is still the same.
Caroline: Well, this cover is why we originally decided to make the post. I was pretty shocked at the change of model. Of course I understand it can happen, but they could have hidden her face a little …or…or something! When I first saw it I thought it wasn’t the official cover. Yes it’s pretty, but I really can’t mistake her for Cat. *sigh* It’ll take some times for me to get used to the new model. 🙁 When I look at this new cover all i can hear is the publishers saying ‘Deal this it!’ lol
Susi: I really don’t like the new model at all. But that could also be because I don’t really like the Magic Slays cover. The old one fits Kate so much more- not so flashy but still pretty. And seriously, I still want to know about this boob.job! I also think it looks weird that her skin is so white now. The new model doesn’t look anything like the old one- so it’s pretty confusing.
Caroline: LMAO I still don’t see the boobies first when I look at the new covers. What always weird me out, is that I still think she looks like Angelina Jolie. *waiting for Brad Pitt to appear*. To be honest, I didn’t like the covers of the previous books in the series, and they were the reason why it took me so long to read the series…BUT…I really got used to the old model. She looked spunky and her face was striking. The new model is pretty, but I don’t think she’ll ever be Kate for me.
Susi: It seems we have another case of extreme sun-deprivation in this case. And her face looks way too angular. Or perhaps that isn’t the heroine or another woman- perhaps the evil vampire queen? I have no idea but no way is that he same girl as on the first cover. Both are pretty covers even though where the first one was warm and comfy the second cover is cold and yes a bit of freaky.
Caroline: Well for once, I had no idea it was supposed to be the same woman. I hope it’s not lol. Maybe she’s become a vampire in this book? What is striking is not only the skin color but the eyes too.
Susi: Anyone else seeing a pattern here? Why aren’t those cover models allowed to enjoy a bit of sunshine? And I didn’t notice that Georgina was bam! a vampire in this book. I think the first model fits Georgina as a character more but I like the second cover more because it’s shiner and not so wishy washy. It just doesn’t really fit the series cover which irks me.
Caroline: LMAO indeed they all start healthy looking and by the end of the series they are living dead looking LOL . I liked the old model better. i don’t like the new one she doesn’t look like Georgina to me. But the change didn’t disturb me as much as for the other series because Georgina can alter her appearance at will. So I accept that she could look differently on a cover (contrary to Kate!)
What do you think about this change of model on covers?
Do you have other examples?
Which ones do you accept and which ones annoy thee terribly? (don’t mind me I’ve been reading way too many Historical Romances lately)
About Susi
Susi is a geeky vegetarian from Gemany. She just finished university and now works as a civil engineer in steel construction. Besides her reading addiction she also knits like a maniac while listening to audiobooks. Susi also blogs at the Secret HEA Society.
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I've already compained about how much I loved the previous model of the Night Huntress covers and how much I'm sorry we had to say goodbye to her. Yes, she was pretty and was really like Cat. The new girl makes the new cover a little bit strange for me, but I suppose I will get used to it 🙂 And new woman model or not, I still like that man (though he is not like Bones, in my opinion) 🙂
And about the Tudor Vampires covers… That two woman are really supposed to be the same? Wow o.O I haven't read the books, because they're not available in my country, but I DID think they are two different girl in the books.
@ShadowLover =P I don't think he looks like Bones very much either lol. I guess it'll take some time to get used to the new model :/ *sigh*
You know what shocked me most about the Kiss of the Rose cover is that the model is on at least 5 different books I have read. lol I start to think this woman is EVERYWHERE!
Okaiexz…I seriously had no freckin' clue for the ALPHA that that was a different model, I can't really tell, but ALPHA is my favorite cover in that series, and I think they did a great job.
I am honestly glad the changed the model for Cat and I know the old one wasn't doing book covers anymore, but I was like YYESSHHH! I didn't like the other one b/c she wasn't how I pictured Cat, the new one is how I pitcure her, and I am not in support of changing cover models, but I think that this cover had made the NH series cover unbelievable! I mean WOW. To be honest it took me forever to read the NH series just b/c of the covers, but if One Grave at a Time was the first cover I would be all over the NH series, I try not to judge by a cover but sometimes I just can't help it.
Okaiexz…I cannot express how pissed I was wit the Kate Daniels change, you can obviously tell it's a different model , and I HATE HER! It is b/c of the way kate is explained in the book is why I hate the new model. The old one was perfect. I am still made over that.
and yea. I dont pay much attention to georgina kincaid covers much b/c I think they did a poor job on those covers in the first place.
But overall model changes make me go insane sometimes, well all the time, if you can really tell, but in other cases like the night huntress series where it looks better than before than I'm like BRING ON THE CHANGE, but that happens very rarely. I'm usually pissed as hell about cover changes.
Great post ladies XD
@Caroline – I completely agree with you on the Kate Daniels covers. They. Are. Horrific. hatehatehate. In fact, the only reason I started reading Kate was the advent of ebooks….in which the covers can be deleted. MWHAHAHA!
But yeah, this model change in pretty bad. All I see when I look at it are boobs. Do boobs slay things magically in this installment? It sure seems likely.
Another cover model change that is making me crazy right now is the Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate. I loved the first 3 covers (which is saying a lot for me. I am VERY particular about covers). But the 4th? Blegh. New model and (i think) a new artist who tried to copy the feel of the originals and failed. Miserably.
Caroline, I agree with you about the Kate Daniels covers. They're not great, and I've never liked the models they use for Kate. None of them look the way I picture her in my head. Whenever I lend them out, I feel like I have to say, "Don't judge this book by its cover!"
I guess I have to say, though, that the cover models don't usually bother me because the picture in my head is always at least slightly different from the cover.
The female cover model on KISS OF THE ROSE is Ewa da Cruz and she is everywhere.
Ewa da Cruz, aside from being an actress, is on many covers in many genres. Here are a very few:
– "The Lost Duke of Wyndham" by Julia Quinn
– Hunter Kiss series by Marjorie M. Liu
And with my favorite, Paul Marron:
– "It's Always Been You" by Victoria Dahl
– "In Bed With a Highlander" by Maya Banks
– "Seduction of a Highland Lass" by Maya Banks
@Shadowlover Me too! And yes I agree the guy looks nothing like Bones. I think they should? The heroine is the same. I haven't read book 2 so I'm nit sure cuz it actually has an EVIL vampire queen thingie. *shrug*
@Mariya Yep the model was changed for Shift and Alpha- I think I read on Ms Vincent blog that model moved away or something. But they handles it great. All thumbs up! ANd OMG the Kate cover is awfull- will still love the book I'm sure but grrrrr. Thanks sweety!
@draconismoi Ohhh yes we forgot the Carriger cover. I really thought that one was a bad joke or something. I was really sure it'S not the real one? How can they do that? The other ones are sooo pretty.
@Lesley Yeah Inotced that many ppl don't grab the books cuz of teh covers. Really sad cuz it is an awesome series.
@Sherree But the second cover is another woman, no?
This is why the covers should be handled like the ones for Jennifer Rardin's Jaz Parks series. The only covers that actually featured Jaz's face showed her out of focus (book 3) or from behind, with a slight profile (book 4.) Different models? Not a problem.
I don't really like to identify too closely with whomever appears on the cover. Frequently, it doesn't seem like a good representation of the author's character.
@LSUReader Yes, I agree 100%.
I'm surprised when I know the publisher change the model for One Grave at Time..
Unlike Mariya,the model for 5 previous books is how I picture Cat, she look hard, though and ass kicker.. Not sure about the model at One Grave, she look soft for Cat, IMO..
I have a good example for the change of model at cover. Notice Guild Hunter series cover? Although the cover always show Elena, the model always change! Not that I'm complained, the cover are good after all 🙂
For Kate Pearce, I know that the model is different,for the second book, it's seem they are showing the vampire queen, not the heroine
@Sheree : thanks to tell about Ewa de Cruz. Yes, she is everywhere 😛
And Paul Marron, definitely my favorite *grin*
@Ren I have to agree with you about the first model but she isn't doing covers anymore so the publisher couldn't do anything either. Yeah but on book 2 and 3 she actually looks really the same I think. I love those 2 covers. tony Mauro rocks,
@Mariya Wow you're the first person I hear saying she's glad of the change of model for Cat!! You like the new one better? But she doesn't look very kick-ass,does she? She looks like a soft kitten. which is my main problem. Cat is supposed to look bad-ass! *shrug*
Yep the old Kate was better *sigh* But it seems the new model is closer to what the authors had in mind when creating Kate.
@Draconismoi LOL so you're like Susi and the boobs are trying to poke you in the eyes everytime you see it? 😉
OMG how could we forget the Gail Carriger books. OMG the last cover is just…EEEEEEEEEEekk. It really doesn't look like the same model at all. Oh it's badly done indeed. 🙁 I think the author said she liked it though so *shrug*
I'm particular too when it comes to seeing the face of the character on the cover, I like the Alpha kind better, coz it leaves to the imagination.
@Lesley I didn't like the old model for Kate either, but she grew on me. Seriously, I kinda miss her spunky face! lol
The thing is, I have a terrible imagination when it comes to picturing characters. (start describing a phase and i'll end up with a Picasso in my head trying to fit all the pieces together lol) So I need all the extra nudge a cover can give you.
@Sheree Ah!!! Thank you, i'm glad to see I'm not crazy!! I see her everywhere. Thanks for the titles, I did remember her on the Maya Banks books but couldn't remember the others.
@LSUReader I agree! I think the best example I have is a cover by Kim Harrison. I remember when she showed us the cover of Black Magic Sanction and we could clearly SEE the model's face. I think pretty much all her fan went a bit crazy about it. In the end they added some fog in front of her face. I think it was a good idea to change it and add the fog because all the previous books in the series never showed clearly her face. AND it was clear that it wasn't the same model anyway. lol =P
@Ren I didn't even notice about the Guilt Hunter books *runs and check*
We'll miss our Cat 🙁 Welcome to the club
l may be the only one to say this (and maybe because l haven't read any of these books or took A LOT of interest in the covers) but it never really gets to me when they change the model.
With a lot of them l don't think l would even notice because l look at covers so quickly and make a quick judgement (bad,l know) and then if l love it, l look more closely.
@BooksforCompany I think you have the RIGHT way. I wish i wasn't that invested in covers because a bad cover can really keep me from getting a book lol.
@SusiSunshine, yes, the books have two different women on them. The woman on BLOOD OF THE ROSE isn't Ewa.
Another Paul Marron/Ewa da Cruz cover: "Abandon the Night" by Joss Ware. I like this one.
Most times I don't notice the change in models on covers. It's the overall effect I look at. If that speaks volumes I can overlook the other.
marypres@gmail.com
@pattepoilue: really? on GR all I hear is how much everyone loves the change. I run the NH group and I like all the comments about the change. There's some of us on both sides. either liking the change, liking it, but still liking the old model.
I like the new one looks more bad ass to me. I mean, he hair is darker which is how and her outfit! I felt like the other one was meh for me. stopped me from even wanting to read the book, but then again I'm not that crazy for adult book covers, only a couple catch my eye. But I think the new Cat looks bad ass to me, Maybe wit the other one, maybe I thought she wasn't pretty and Cat is described to look somewhat like Jessica Alba.
The old CAt just didn't do it for me, but it apparently did for others.
ARRRGHHH. but why change in the middle, urg! I want the old Kate back! but the content inside is what happens. I would know! MAGIC SLAYS was AWESOME!!!!
For adult books though it takes me forever to read one just b/c the cover or description may not catch me. I have to read lots and lots of reviews and it still may take me months to read it. I wish adult covers were as good as YA ones.
@pattepoilue : yeah, welcome to the club too :(.
Will miss the old model, but is it "One Grave at A Time" cover still gorgeous? And I love the stepback! ^_^
@SusiSunshine : for cover book #2 and #3, the model look different for me, maybe because her skin color. I think book #2 cover is what I thinking how Elena look alike, since she has Morocco heritage from her mother. At book #3, her skin is too pale, IMO.
But, yep.I love both cover and hope Tony Mauro still do the cover for Archangel's Blade 🙂
@BooksforCompany I agree with Caro, not sure if it'S better to be as shallow as we are. I don't even want to think about the good books I missed cuz it's cover was hideous.
@Sheree Busy woman, huh? LOL It is kind of weird to see the same woman again and again but how many cover models are out there so it was bound to happen. And she's pretty so I don't care. =P
@marybelle A really goo way to approach this. Saves some heartache.
@Mariya Really? OMG we are the freaks on this one then. And I thought the old one was pretty bad-ass but you can't fight about taste.
@Ren *jumps up and gets her books* Okay you are right. Her hair is different too BUT I think I know why I was distracted cuz seriously I adore the cover for Archangel's Consort. Not because it looks like Elena cuz more out of Art reason. It is wonderful and the composition is prefect for me. I like the violet and the contrast to the green background and just everything. One of my all time favorite covers. I'm already thinking about order a print of it from Mauro's site. *g*