Today, Tor.com revealed the cover of the next Mercy Thompson novel, Night Broken. As has become tradition here, I like to post the new cover and dish about it. This is a much-beloved series, and I'm always eager to see how Dan Dos Santos chooses to depict Mercy next. Tor's cover reveal includes some fascinating comments from Dos Santos on his painting process, as well as some awesome preliminary sketches. Apparently the Ace art director and editor weren't too keen on the hooded trench he initially worked up, but I have to say I'm a fan of it. Wish he'd been allowed to keep that element. Even without it, though, this is probably my favorite Mercy cover since Blood Bound. I love her face and hair. And, guys, just look at what she's holding! Can't wait.
If I'm being perfectly honest with myself, I've done a shamefully poor job of addressing my love for Cat Sebastian 's books around these parts. I've certainly noted each time her beautiful stories have appeared on my end-of-the-year best of lists, see: The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes , basically every book in The Cabots series , and of course We Could Be So Good . And the pull is, quite simply, this: nobody is as kind and gentle with their characters and with their hearts than Cat Sebastian. Nobody. I haven't always been one for the gentler stories, but I cannot overstate the absolute gift it is sinking into one of Sebastian's exquisitely crafted historicals knowing that I get to spend the next however many pages watching two idiots pine and deny that feelings exist and just take care of each other as they fall in love. I wouldn't trade that experience for the world. Not this one or any other. Only two things in the world people count by months. H
I would have loved to have the trench coat cover! The topless one *blinks* - no, just no.
ReplyDeleteSo much nicer than the UK covers.
Me, too! I just loved it. Particularly the third b&w sketch on the right. Love it.
DeleteYeah, I saw the UK covers and wasn't enthused. Not enough personality.
I see what you mean about the trench. Between this cover and the synopsis, well, let's just say I'm glad the wait for the book isn't, grand-scheme, all that long.
ReplyDeleteRight? Wish they'd kept it!
DeleteI know. I almost feel as though I'll be able to hold out.
I also would have liked the trench coat!!! But yeah, the nudity one--glad that got vetoed.
ReplyDeleteWhy didn't they like it?? I don't understand.
DeleteYes. Um, no to the nudity. LOL.
I like the coat! I wouldn't mind if they went a ways away from their traditional look for the Mercy covers, since the character dresses nothing like that! (I mean, the tattoos look cool and all, but Mercy is not a cheesecake pin-up girl.) At least this pose is fierce.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree with everyone that the nudity cover being vetoed is a very good thing.
I wouldn't either. I love his style, but it's definitely removed from Mercy herself. The coat would have been a nice compromise in the right direction. Sigh. But I love her pose, too. Very Mercy.
DeleteCan you imagine the fandom's response if they'd gone with the nude one?! LOL.
Love the cover bar one little detail. Hard to miss but what is up with Mercy's breasts. They are gigantic :)
ReplyDeleteI was gaping at them yesterday, Adina. They seem to be getting bigger with each cover. It's interesting when you look at his preliminary sketches for this one, they're not nearly as big until the final version. Wonder what prompted that change...
DeleteAHHHHH!! I just finished Silver Borne in my Mercy reread and AH to this cover and title! I love the hoodie version but this one works for me too. My least favorite cover is Iron Kissed. I cannot wait for this book.
ReplyDeleteBTW Angie, do you know if there's going to be an Alpha & Omega book this year? I don't even see a placeholder Untitled listed on goodreads. Was it only a 3 book series?!
-Maggie
I think my least favorite cover is the one for RIVER MARKED. Mercy in a tube top just doesn't work for me.
DeleteSo she doesn't have an Alpha & Omega book under contract right now. She does have one more Mercy under contract and then one more book "in the Mercyverse." Which she says could be an A&O book or could be something else entirely (my money would be on a Sam book or possibly Ben). But she has said Anna & Charles have more stories to be told. So I guess we'll see where the muse takes her. Man, I loved FAIR GAME . . .
Ooooo! I love it! I must be living under a rock because this is the first time I've seen the cover OR the title. Yikes.
ReplyDeleteLol. No worries, Christine! We've still got a bit of a wait. But I always look forward to the next Mercy so.
DeleteThat was really interesting. I loved getting a peak at the process. Thanks for sending this along.
ReplyDeleteI know. I love that behind the scenes stuff. My pleasure!
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