Top 5 Tuesday || Covers of 2021

Sometimes, you just need to look at something pretty.

Seriously. Ever feel your blood pressure drop when you look at a picture of a cute animal? Or that moment of awe realizing a photo is actually a painting? Call me simple if you want, but I enjoy looking at nice things and taking a break. And technically, Meeghan @ Meeghan Reads gave me that opportunity last week, but I’m a little slow on the uptake. That means we’re exploring my favorite covers of 2021 today instead, followed by my favorite new authors a little later today.

The fun never ends! Pretty covers to look at! Authors with brand new works to read and explore! There’s literally nothing that can go wrong today. I refuse to believe otherwise. 😌

Dustborn by Erin Bowman

While there aren’t many tiny details to focus on with Dustborn‘s cover, it still made my list almost immediately because of the color. It’s so ominous, especially contrasted with “PARADISE AWAITS,” and I think it’s absolutely perfect for a book set in a dried out, desperate world!

Seriously, though. The colors are so vivid that this cover is nearly impossible to miss. I’m a huge fan.

Dustborn‘s cover was illustrated by Matt Griffin!

 

Small Favors by Erin A. Craig

Nearly the polar opposite of Dustborn in terms of…well, everything, I love the Small Favors cover for two big reasons! The first is, of course, the bees. I love bees. Adore them. Can’t get enough of them. You can’t possibly hand me a cover with lovingly rendered bees and flowers and expect me not to like it!

But it’s also full of detail and depth! There aren’t a ton of sneaky secrets on the cover that only make sense when you’re done reading, but the close-ups on those flowers are beautiful! Plus, the extra details like the honey dripping from the title and that summery golden glow over it all just make this one a smash hit for me.

The cover of Small Favors was designed by Casey Moses!

 

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim (Six Crimson Cranes #1)

Something about the Six Crimson Cranes cover reminds me a lot of colored pencil, but in the hands of a true professional. (This is probably because it is done with colored pencil, at least in part. Things you learn during a little extra T5T research!) I love that slight texture to the cover, matched with the vivid colors and the direct eye contact from Shiori on the cover.

Unlike Dustborn and Small Favors, I haven’t read Six Crimson Cranes yet, but I’m hoping the story inside is as stunning as the cover!

Six Crimson Cranes owes its beautiful cover to Tran Nguyen!

 

What Big Teeth by Rose Szabo

I love a cover with cool layers, and the fangs hiding in that dark slash across Eleanor’s face are a perfect example of peak layering! Plus, I love the brutal sharpness of the teeth against the almost wistful, soft portrait. What Big Teeth is another one I haven’t read, but from the cover alone, I’m getting the feeling I’m going to enjoy all the hidden depths it has to offer!

What Big Teeth‘s cover was done by Corey Brickley!

 

Little Thieves by Margaret Owen (Little Thieves #1)

The color! The progression from foreground to background! The creepy dude with antlers in the back! Wow!

Anyways, I solidly prefer illustrated covers over photography-based covers, and the simple but impactful color scheme coupled with all the careful little details makes it a cover after my own heart! I’m also the proud owner of the Illumicrate edition, which is extra shiny thanks to some gold foil on the cover. Hard to convey how pretty that is without being able to share it in person, but trust me: it’s really damn pretty.

Little Thieves can boast its outstanding cover thanks to M.S. Corley!

 

So, how’s that for pretty covers? Is everyone feeling less stressed now? Even just a little? Okay, good.

Except now it’s time to stir the pot back up! What are your favorite covers this year? Do you think I missed a clear winner? Do we agree on anything? Let’s chat!