Another year has come and gone which means that it’s time to participate in Two Chicks On Books, Reading YA Rocks, Magical Urban Fantasy Reads and Tales of a Ravenous Reader annual TOP 10 OF 2014 week long meme. Not only do I love lists but these posts are easy to put together and schedule during the holidays so that I can spend time with my family. Enjoy!
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10. A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray I adore the colour scheme of this cover, and the way the artist captured the parallel universes aspect of the story. Novel Nails Designs even created a matching manicure—check it out! Design by: Alison Klapthor |
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09. Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge Black, red & white is always a winning combo with me, and I just love how the rose petals and the staircase blend together, it such a cool effect, plus it fits the Beauty and the Beast re-telling. Design by: Erin Fitzsimmons |
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08. Fireborn by Keri Arthur I’m an Aries, so of course I’m drawn to fire. The full image is even more spectacular; I don’t know why Signet zoomed in on the model instead of using the whole thing. Design by: Tony Mauro |
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07. Shattered by Mari Mancusi I participated in the cover reveal for this novel back in April, and I’m still drooling over it. That dragon is freaking awesome! Design by: Tony Sahara |
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06. Covenant: The Books of Raziel by Sabrina Benulis I gave-up on this series after the first book because the angels were too preachy for me, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t appreciate the beautiful artwork. Design by: Nekro |
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05. How the White Trash Zombie Got Her Groove Back by Diana Rowland I like the contrast between the pink and the gory zombie body parts. I realize that this cover isn’t for everyone, but personally I think it’s the bomb! Design by: Dan dos Santos |
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04. Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater This cover is such a looker! I love the colours, and how the ravens in the background tie-in to the previous installments in this series. Design by: Christopher Stengel |
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03. City of Eternal Night by Kristen Painter I knew that I had to own this novel the moment I saw that dress. It’s positively stunning, and the artist matched the author’s description to a T. Design by: Lauren Panepinto |
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02. The One by Kiera Cass THE ONE definitely takes the cake for the prettiest girl in a dress of 2014. All of the covers in this series are amazing, it’s impossible to pick a favourite. Design by: Sarah Hoy |
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01. Unhinged by A.G. Howard For the second year in a row, the SPLINTERED series earns the top spot on my top 10 list. I LOVE all things Alice in Wonderland, and this artist nailed it! Design by: Nathalia Suellen |
What were some of your fav covers of 2014?
Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
Unhinged is an absolutely stunning cover indeed!! I cannot wait till I can get Ensnared and I’ll have my full collection of books together! They’re gonna look stunning!!
Great picks Carmel!
Pili recently posted…Top 10 of 2014: Best Book Covers of 2014!!
I adore all of the covers in Howard’s series, but I might be slightly biased because I’m a tad bit obsessed with all things Alice in Wonderland.
I have been obsessed with the Cruel Beauty cover since it first came out. I think it’s my #1 fav for this year.
Jennifer Bielman recently posted…Book Excerpt: Where Dead Bodies Lie by Kat Cazanav (Book Blitz & Giveaway)
It’s a looker for sure! YA titles always have such pretty covers.
I always love the White Trash Zombie covers. They always make my list. Have you seen Trailer Park Fae by Lilith Saintcrow? Has a very similar look, might even be the same artist.
Melanie recently posted…Paranormal New Releases: December 23rd
I especially like the look of book 4; I know they are not for everyone, but personally I love ’em. Yes, I saw the Saintcrow one, it’s on my 2015 wishlist.
Took me a while to realize that Cruel Beauty was a staircase in that rose design but once I did, wow. That is a nice piece of art.
Nathan ( recently posted…Introducing the 2014 Barney Awards
It’s easy to get lost in most of these covers; I had a difficult time narrowing it down to 10.
That Fireborn cover tho…
Did you click on the link to the full version? GORGEOUS!!
Cruel Beauty and The One made my list as well, so pretty. Great list. Here’s my Best Covers of 2014post.
Karsyn recently posted…Top 10 of 2014 ~ Best Covers
Yup. Those two were super popular this year. Thanks for stopping by!
Painter always has great covers.
That she does. Now, if only the stories were just as good. 😉
We have A Thousand Pieces of You in common! Isn’t it a total beauty? And Cruel Beauty is an awesome cover 🙂
Rhea – Rhea’s Neon Journal recently posted…Top 10 of 2014 Week: Day 2
I have no intention of reading A Thousand Pieces of You, but I could seriously stare at that cover for hours!
Oh yes, I love these too Carmel! A Thousand Pieces of You and The One are definitely on my list of favorites as well, and the entire AG Howard series is just gorgeous:) Still need to read those books though. Fail.
This was the most challenging list out of the 5 for me to put together because there were just so many awesome candidates to choose from.
A thousand pieces of you is one of my favorite covers from this year. I’m also in love with Cruel Beauty (and Crimson Bound. I like what they are doing with her book covers) Blue Lily is gorgeous and I love how it matches with the first two books. I’m not a fan of the cover from Unhinged though.. I do like Splintered. I think I would also add Ruin and Rising to your list!
Mel recently posted…Sisterhood of the world bloggers award.
Glad you approve of my picks! I’m a little bit biased when it comes to Howard’s covers because I adore the artist’s work, and am a sucker for Alice in Wonderland retellings.
All of these were blessed by the cover gods. Unhinged, the colors are so pretty 😀
It’s difficult not to judge a book by its cover when they look like these! Ooooh! Aaahh!
I love all the White Trash covers – I picked up the first book just for the cover. Dunno what that says about me 🙂
Rowland’s zombie covers are incredible, plus the narrator of that series is phenomenal as well.
Loved the full image of Fireborn. I also enjoy the covers for the Cass and Howard series
Kristina D recently posted…New Releases ~ week of 12/22/2014
I’ve kinda peeved that they zoomed in on the Fireborn model, cuz the full version is WAY better IMO.
A Thousand Pieces of You is definitely one of them! I hadn’t really thought about my favourite covers though.
Kelsey recently posted…Christmas Vacation
Well, let me tell ya, narrowing it down to only 10 is no easy feat!
The White Trash Zombie covers are always amazing. Definitely my favorite on the list.
Cat recently posted…[Coffee Shop Talks] The Books I Want for Christmas!
You’re way more on the up & up when it comes to covers than I am. I’m just glad at least one of my picks met your approval. Hehe!
That zombie one is quite creepy, I love it!
I love all these covers. This was definitely the year of fabulous covers.
kindlemom1 recently posted…Review: The Donor by Nikki Rae
That one was love at first sight! I can’t wait until the next cover in that series is revealed.
I love some of the covers you’ve picked Carmel. I definitely agree that Blue Lily, Lily Blue’s cover is one of the prettiest covers of 2014.
Lily recently posted…{Blog Tour} This Shattered World (Starbound#2):Review
I haven’t read it yet, but here’s hoping that the beautiful cover doesn’t steer me wrong.
The cove of Shattered (and Scorched, for that matter) is gorgeous! I love the covers of Cruel Beauty, Unhinged, and A Thousand Pieces of You as well. Fabulous list!
Happy holidays 🙂
Check out my Top Ten post!
Alyssa Susanna (The Eater of Books!) recently posted…Review: Dearest by Alethea Kontis
I adore dragons, so Shattered was a given for me. Thanks for stopping by, and happy holidays to you too!
I don’t read either series but Blue Lily, Lily Blue and Unhinged were two of my favorites this year as well and the White Trash Zombie covers are ALWAYS awesome!
I listened to Unhinged, but haven’t found time to squeeze in Blue Lily, Lily Blue yet. Early 2015 hopefully.
I can totally see why all those made your list. I like the variety of styles, color palettes, tones…I really haven’t read any of them to know if they suit their stories, but just alone they catch the eye and draw me in. I’ve always loved the Patricia Briggs covers, the Kristen Painter House of Comarres, Jeannie Lin Tang Dynastys, SE Jakes’ Hell or High Waters, Deanna Raybourn’s Lady Julia Grays, Gena Showalter’s Angels After Dark, Virgina Kantra’s Caroline series, Laura Wright’s cowboys,…yeah, lots of covers make me want to pet them.
Sophia Rose recently posted…Review: The Bells of Times Square by Amy Lane
The vast majority of these titles aren’t on my TBR pile, but that doesn’t mean that I still can’t admire them from afar. Thanks for sharing your picks!
A Thousand Pieces of You is indeed very pretty. Same as the A.G Howard book, though you notice everyone on the covers of that series look a little stoned? 😛
Mogsy recently posted…Graphic Novel Review: Injustice: Gods Among Us, Vol. 1 by Tom Taylor
I think that’s intentional. LOL! They’ve all been eating Morpheus’ mushrooms. 😉
I totally agree with all of these (okay, maybe not that zombie one – it’s a little creepy). Unhinged would probably top my list too!
Nicole recently posted…Review – Hush by Stacey R. Campbell
I knew I was gonna get a couple of comments about the zombie book. At least I was able to redeem myself by putting Unhinged in the #1 spot!
We had 2 of the same picks! 😀 So many of these were hard not to choose though.
Rhianna recently posted…Top 10: Best Book Covers of 2014
Awesome! Last week was killer for me, so I’ll be checking out everyone’s lists this week. Better late than never!
A Thousand Pieces of You and The One are on my list too, gorgeous!
Nereyda recently posted…Top Ten of 2014: Favorite Covers!
I think I came across the A Thousand Pieces of You manicure on your blog. Super cute!
Cruel Beauty and BLLB are so pretty! Maggie Stiefvater has had some pretty great cover art in her time; the Scorpio Races has great artwork for both the hardcover and paperback editions, which is pretty rare!
Danya recently posted…Review: Dreamer’s Pool by Juliet Marillier
Stiefvater always seems to luck out with her covers, but then again her writing rocks, so I can understand why.
Beautiful covers they’re all such great picks! Thanks so much for taking part in the Top 10 of 2014! Looking forward to seeing the rest of your Top 10’s 😀
Hugs,
Jaime @ Two Chicks On Books
Jaime recently posted…Top 10 of 2014 Day 2- Best Book Covers of 2014
Thanks for hosting again this year!
The One, Cruel Beauty, and A Thousand Pieces of You all made my list and almost everyone’s!
Jennifer recently posted…Top 10 of 2014 ~ Best Book Covers of 2014
No surprises there!
Aye the zombie is soooo creepy
Creepy GOOD! 😀
I am so sure I just wrote the same thing as the comment above…freaky
blodeuedd recently posted…Sweet Adventure – Penny Watson
Maybe it was you, and you just forgot to log-in.
Beautiful covers!
Cynthia recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday
Try not to drool on your monitor!
Those are great book covers. There have been a lot of great book covers. I just hope we are seeing the last of the headless torso book covers. I want to see a head, face and eyes. lol
Mary Kirkland recently posted…Product Review: Kleenex Tissues
I highly doubt that we’ve seen the last of headless torsos, but I’m with you, I prefer it when the models have heads. LOL!
Ahhh the entire Fireborn imagine is GORGEOUS! I agree with you! I don’t know why they didn’t decide to include the entire thing! If I hadn’t clicked on the image I would have no idea that the firey things are supposed to be wings! Plus the city background makes them all the more stunning!
Cruel Beauty and Blue Lily, Lily Blue were definitely favorites of mine as well but I cannot think of any other favorites since there have been WAY too many gorgeous covers this year. O_O
Fantastic list, Carmel!! 😀
Rashika recently posted…ARC Review: Transcendent by Lesley Livingston
Yeah, it was such a waste. I’m thinking that’s maybe why Tony Mauro made it the cover of his calendar this year.
Pretties! I love no’s 9 and 6 the most ;D
Picking a fav is damned near impossible. I don’t know how you did it!
Those are all visually stunning! Great pics.
Julie S. recently posted…The Forever Song Review
A pretty cover is impossible to resist!
Great list, I love that Cruel Beauty is getting some cover love as well!
I wonder if Ensnared will top your 2015 list! 🙂
Indeed! Crimson Bound is quite the looker too, but it doesn’t release until 2015, so I couldn’t include it.
Great choices the One and Thousand Pieces would be on mine if i did fave covers
Those are excellent choices!
Ooo I like them. Keri’s is awesome. I need to give her some more reads in 2015.
anna (herding cats & burning soup) recently posted…This cat herder…is spilling it ALL. Yup. Yall are interviewing me. Bwahaha
I’m psyched that her book is getting so much love via this post!
Those are some beautiful covers, Carmel. And some of my favs are on your list. 🙂 Unhinged is definitely on my list. I really like Fireborn, Shattered, and Blue Lily, Lily Blue as well.
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…**My TBR List Review ~ December ~ Redemption ~ C.J. Barry**
Great minds think alike, Brandee! I hope Santa was good to you this year. 🙂
I LOVE the Selection covers – I kind of read the books for those covers at first. I also love the White Trash Zombie covers, just started that series and love it. Splintered has a great cover, I just wish I liked the first book better. Oh well, the cover is still fantastic 🙂
Berls recently posted…Sunday Post | 68th Edition
I’ll admit to being tempted by Kiera Cass’ covers as well. Maybe if the audios show-up at my library I’ll give ’em a go.
The covers you’ve picked are beautiful pieces of art! I can definitely see A Thousand Pieces of You, Blue Lily Blue, and Fireborn standing out but I love how they are all slightly different to one another. Lovely post Carmel!
Jeann recently posted…2014 Annual End of Year Book Survey
What can I say? I’m an equal opportunity cover drool-er. LOL!
That Unhinged cover *shakes her head* AH-May-ZING. I just love it. And the book kicked ass, too.
So many other pretty ones, too. Love the list, thanks!
Nathalia Suellen is one of my fav cover artists; I just adore her work.
I agree I loved the Thousand Pieces of You and Fireborn covers, what attracted me to them in the first place. Yeah the Dragon on Shattered rocks! I hadn’t heard of all of these, but based on those covers I had to check them out! Thanks for the warning about the preachy angels though. That cover totally had me sold. The Splintered covers are so beautifully creepy.
I rarely buy novels based solely on the cover any more, but every so often one of ’em gets me. I HATE preachy angel books; they give all titles in that genre a bad name.