Shelfmates #5

Some covers just work together...and some, not so much. I've decided to start up a semi-regular feature called Shelfmates to showcase series covers. I love getting the sequel to a novel and putting it up next to the first book so I thought this might be a fun way to do that on my blog! So here are some series covers and my opinions on how they look as a couple (or series...)!

Birthright series by Gabrielle Zevin

This series got a face lift and I'm still trying to figure out if I like it. All These Things I've Done had a rather simple cover before but I thought it was sort of iconic. These covers seem more futurist, almost like the girl is a cyborg. It feels very sci-fi to me. I'm not sure if it is the model's short, blunt haircut or the dark make up but that's all I can think of when I look at these. If that fits the book, well then awesome but I have a feeling it might not. I think these are okay but not my favorite by far.

Croak series by Gina Damico

So I really liked the hard edge of the first novel.To me it feels a little bit punk but I get the feeling that the book is too. I like the second cover even better but I would have preferred a little more variation. Scorch looks like the doctored up the first cover a bit more and added a different title. I think this is a fine line between imitating the same feeling as the first cover and then just imitating the first cover for book two. Thus crosses it. 

Wondrous Strange series by Lesley Livingston

Talk about beautiful covers. The moment I saw Wondrous Strange, I had to have it. I just couldn't walk out of the store without having this gorgeous novel in my hands.The second and third cover are the same way. I like that they use the same model but that she looks different in every picture. I also love how all three covers have that dreamy feel. If I had to pick a favorite, it would have to be the first though. Just beautiful. 

Wings series by Aprilynne Pike

I really like the concept for Wings but looking at all these covers, I have to say that I think it doesn't fit the same theme as the rest of them. I guess it's because they are petals and not actually flowers. I think these work well together, especially considering how fairies are in these novels. My favorite of the bunch is most definitely Destined because of it's beautiful use of blue in the flower and water.

Firelight series by Sophie Jordan

I was hoping that when I put these three together that I would suddenly "get" Hidden but unfortunately, I just don't. After two amazing covers, I just can't look at Hidden and swoon. This especially stinks since I really love the soft beauty of Firelight and Vanish. But it feels like Hidden breaks from the pattern that works so well. Instead of it being a tight shot of her face, it is farther away and her lips being so bright when in the last two they were subtle bothers me too.

Fire and Thorn series by Rae Carson

I might be one of the only people that likes the original cover for this better. It was of a girl in a purple dress standing behind a darker background. For me it just held more interest. That being said, I think these covers are definitely more boyfriendly and look a lot more like a fantasy novel. I'm just not particularly grabbed by either. I wish there was one thing that was a wow-factor to pull me in but there isn't really. I do think they look nice together though!

Out of all these, my favorite are definitely the Wondrous Strange series. When they decided to do covers for those fantastic books, they decided to all three the right way. They look great together and separate. I think I am most disappointed with the Firelight series because Hidden just doesn't work. It won't stop me from finishing this awesome series but I do wish it was more like the first two!

What are your favorites or least favorites? Any thoughts?