Fantasy, mystery, thrillers, horror, historical. . .I write it all, and review it too!

Sep 28, 2013

Tweaking the cover and blurb for The Maze of Mist



Hey folks! Here's version 2.0 of the cover and blurb for my next book, The Maze of Mist, which is part of the Chronicles of the House of Itxaron series. It's set in the same world as my novel Roots Run Deep but it's not a sequel. Both are standalone books.

WHich cover do you prefer? Any tweaks? How about the blurb? Any input will be highly appreciated!
When the heir to the throne is treated as an outcast, he has to prove himself before he can rule.

Prince Metis Itxaron is the son of a human father and a goblin mother. As heir to the Twin Thrones, he will some day bear the responsibility of ruling two peoples while protecting the kingdom from the vicious armies of the Bandit Queen and the Elves of the Great Forest.

Instead he spends his time getting drunk and sleeping with the few women willing to look beyond his mixed heritage.

In a desperate attempt to make a man out of him, his parents send him on a secret diplomatic mission to prepare for an upcoming war. What they don't expect is that he will come upon visitors from an unknown land beyond the Sea of Mist, a strange labrynthe of fog that has baffled navigators for all of recorded history. Metis sees a visit to these new lands as an opportunity to escape his responsibilities and prove himself on his own terms.

Then he discovers that representatives from his kingdom's enemies are coming along for the voyage. . .

12 comments:

  1. I like the second cover better. I do think the wording gets a little too blended where there isn't any shadowing, though. Maybe make the background a hint darker--not too much so that it takes away from the ship--or the letters a tad brighter, or maybe a gray-white that stands out more if that's even possible.

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  2. I think the blurb works. The first line, however, is a little too vague. I think it might hook people in a bit more if it's specific like the rest of the blurb is.

    For the first line, what makes him an outcast? How does he have to prove himself? Or prove himself what? Worthy in the eyes of the people? Maybe it'll work for you, maybe not. Just a suggestion. The rest of the blurb certain gets specific and it looks like a good story's a' brewin'. :)

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  3. I like the first image better. The image of the mist is reduced in the close-up image of the ship.

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  4. Hi, dropping by from Alex's blog -- thumbs up for the first cover!!! Like how the water/mist seem to be crashing down, kinda like how a maze closes in on itself. Sorry, but the second cover is too much in one's face, in my humble view. Hope my fresh eyes help! And good luck with your book!

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  5. I kinda favor the top cover. The bottom one doesn't seem as professional IMHO.

    I played around with your blurb. First, drop the first line. It is explained later and, hence, an echo. My suggestions:

    Prince Metis Itxaron is the son of a human father and a goblin mother. As successor to the Twin Thrones, when he inherits, he will rule both kingdoms while protecting them from the vicious armies of the Bandit Queen and the Elves of the Great Forest.

    Rather than preparing for his duties, he spends his time getting drunk and sleeping with the few women willing to look beyond his mixed heritage.

    In a desperate attempt to make a man out of him, his parents send him on a secret diplomatic mission to prepare for war. He sees an opportunity when he comes upon visitors from an unknown land beyond the strange labyrinth of fog that has baffled navigators for all of recorded history. Metis sees these new lands as an escape from his responsibilities. And to prove himself on his own terms.

    Then he discovers that his kingdom's enemies are coming along for the voyage.

    Cheers!

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  6. I'm popping in from Alex's place.
    I prefer the first picture.
    The mist (bottom right of picture) is more effective and the cascading water background is more defined. The second pic is too much of a close up. Just my thoughts.

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  7. Hi. Popping over from Alex's blog. I like the second cover better, but I think that your name might get a little lost in the mist at the bottom. Not really, lost, but they kind of blend together.

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  8. Even though I like the mist in the first cover, I like the second cover better. It seems to make your title pop more. Good luck to you! I'm sure you'll love whatever one you end up with since it will mean you have a published book!

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