The Good, the Bad and the Are-You-Kidding-Me?

Filed in Book Covers , The Geeky Lover , The HEA Lover Posted on November 8, 2010 @ 3:00 pm 24 comments
This week will be different from our usual posts. We united for a cause. Last week the cover for Magic Slays, book 5 in the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews was revealed and to say we both were underwhelmed is an understatement. 
We will dedicate this post wholly to the cause of explaining in great detail why we don’t like it. Okay perhaps we should have kept the suspense a bit up but nope we can say it out loud: Us not likey! 
BUT because we are huge Kate Daniels fans we will still buy it and probably hide it behind the wonderful Magic Bleeds cover. That’s a secret, so please don’t tell anyone how shallow we are about our shelves. Yes we are weird.

Click HERE to see the original cover

1. The Face

Caroline:  This is the first thing i saw when I looked at this cover…it’s not the same Kate! *dum dum dum* <==yes this is my dramatic music. I know that the model looks more like what the authors had in mind when they gave life to Kate, but it’s too late!!! Too late in the series to give another face to Kate. It’s not too bad though, the change is not too dramatic but still…it’s not my Kate! *sob*

Susi: Me wants the old Kate back too. I loved her. She was so pretty and looked like a nice person while still being kick-ass. Perhaps I’m just pouty but she looks like a bitch. I liked the old model even though she didn’t fit the description 100%. And yes I agree it’s too late for a new model now.

2. The Nails

Caroline:  I think that the French manicure is what irks me the most about this cover. I can deal with anything else but I can’t picture Kate with nails like that. BUT maybe in Magic Slays Kate IS getting her nail done. Who knows… O_o

Susi:  I have to admit those nails weren’t on my radar before you pointed this out to me. Could be that I’m sitting in front of my netbook and it’s small. And I agree with everything you said. Kate would never have those. It’s too girly for her. OMG I hope she won’t get her nails done. That is so un-Kate.

3. The Boobies

Susi: Susi: I also hope she won’t get her boobies done in Magic Slays. Seriously who did think it would be great to give her those enormous boobies? Okay I admit her boobs were never tiny on the covers but those are just O_O. And no I’m not jealous at all, I just think that I can’t picture Kate slaying someone with her sword while having all those boobs in the way. And BF already said he will need a stare break every time he opens this book just to appreciate what this wonderful cover designer did to Kate. He really likes it. *snort* Men!!!

Caroline:  Until you pointed it out, it didn’t even cross my mind. It doesn’t shock me. They are not THAT huge lol. Ahem…I have a theory why her boobs grew all of a sudden, should I share it with you? (not it can’t end well lol). Ahem…so now that she’s in a relationship Kate is being responsible and she started taking the pill to avoid fur babies. And Taaadaaaaaa…big boobies. hehe I told you it wouldn’t end well. 😉

Susi:  LMAO you are awesome hon. Fur babies! *rolls laughing on the floor* Okay her boobs are allowed to be bigger for that. LOL

4. The Sword

Caroline:  Ok I don’t have much to say about it, just that it doesn’t look very magicky! This looks like a normal boring medieval sword. Kate’s should look more…I don’t know…but it should look! Again mayyyybe this is a picture taken during Tech and the sword is just a plain old sword. *shrug* (Yes I’m being very picky today)

Susi:  Huh I didn’t notice that at all. When I saw that I was like why do you want to talk about the nails twice. LOL But yeah the sword is not so much in focus on this cover because her boobs are. Yes I just can’t let it go. LOL a Tech pic? Oh my you have such a big heart for cover artists. LOL

Caroline: Lol You’ll never get past the boobs, will you? 😉


What do you think about the Magic Slays cover?
Are we too critical? Do you agree with the details we pointed out? If so, which? 
Or do you think Curran will force Kate to get her boobs done?


About Caro The HEA Lover


Caroline is a HEA loving, yarn addicted French who's desperately hoping to get a HEA of her own. If she's not reading then she can be found knitting while listening to Audiobooks or watching Tv shows. Her secret addiction is reading websites that make fun at other people's expense (DYAC, Failbook)! Caroline also blogs at the Secret HEA Society with Susi.

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24 Comments

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  • Cem November 8, 2010 at 3:23 pm

    I completely agree on the boobies and nails. Bad choices! But, while I do think it's a bit off changing the cover modal this late in the series, she fits my mental image better than the previous one, so I'm fine with that. I am a bit disappointed that the sword is so hidden as well.

    But, I love Curran staring straight ahead, stalking forwards. And I love the colors of the background and the moon. Over all, I still love this cover for those factors.

  • Katie November 8, 2010 at 3:30 pm

    Y'all are too funny! I totally agree with being disappoined with cover. I hadn't noticed all of the things you two pointed out, but I found Kate hanging out in a wife beater a bit much…

    Katie

  • rachel445 November 8, 2010 at 3:31 pm

    I actually agree with what you guys pointed out. The first time I saw the covers my first thought was "What happened to Kate's chest!?" and then "That's not the same Kate!" I liked the old model better, because she's been on four books now, so I got used to her. I started picturing her as Kate, and now there's a new model.

    I didnt notice the nails until you guys mentioned it. That's definitely not a Kate thing. She'd never get a French manicure, but hey maybe she does in the book? I doubt it, and I hope not!

    I like the moon in the background, and of course Curran in beast form. I actually dont think I want to see him on the covers in human form; I'm afraid they'll get it wrong and that picture will end up stuck in my head.

    I dont hate it, but I dont like it either. It's my least fave cover so far.

  • SusiSunshine November 8, 2010 at 3:40 pm

    @Cem It seems I'm way too visual cuz I always pictured her like the cover model. Yes I would have like the sword more in center too.

    @Katie I wouldn't have noticed the nails either.

    @rachel445 Yep…OMG I so hope she won't get a boob job. LMAO The background is really nice but the lion is too lifeless for my taste. Yes I am too picky.

  • pattepoilue November 8, 2010 at 3:41 pm

    @Cem I like the background too. It's not only bad things I do like some parts of it. I think I just need to get over the most chocking changes lol

    @Katie Lol the worst part is that when someone points out something then you can't help but see it!

    @Rachel I agree with you that getting Curran on the cover as a human would be very risky. After so many books we've built ourselves an image of him and we'd be fairly disappointed I think. I don't hate the cover either, even if it looks like it when you read our post LOL . I think it'll grow on me. *g*

  • Blodeuedd November 8, 2010 at 4:15 pm

    I have only been reading the UK books and seeing those covers mostly, but I still saw those huge boobies on this one, and thought back, and yeah damn, boobs!

  • SusiSunshine November 8, 2010 at 4:25 pm

    @Blodeuedd Exactly! LOL

  • Sullivan McPig November 8, 2010 at 7:07 pm

    I'm soooo getting clobbered, but I must say that I've sofar stayed far away from this series because of the covers.
    I think all of them (including this one) look horrible.

  • draconismoi November 8, 2010 at 10:25 pm

    You aren't being too critical. The first thing I noticed about the cover was the Epic Breasts. I'd never given much though to Kate's breast size before, but I'm pretty sure if they were that prominent, Saiman would have commented on them. Repeatedly.

    The new model doesn't bother me – mostly because I never really liked the old model. She was creepily photoshopped into an anime model. Blegh. But I agree it's weird to switch mid-series.

    @Sullivan – You are 100% correct! All the covers are freaking horrible. Hatehatehatehate. The good cover is the Chinese version. Sadly, as I don't read chinese, importing that version is pointless. Ilona's other series (The Edge) has equally bad covers. I refuse to buy the books in print because of them – don't want that kind of hideousness on my bookshelves.

  • Jenny N. November 8, 2010 at 10:37 pm

    Some of the points I didnt notice until you guys brought it up. What really bothers me is the face and the boobs. And the way the model is kneeling makes them look extra big.

  • JenM November 9, 2010 at 12:41 am

    The only thing that really bothers me is the breasts. I noticed those right away. I actually prefer the look of this model over the other, though.

  • SusiSunshine November 9, 2010 at 12:54 am

    @Sullivan McPig Okay I admit the first 2 weren't really good but I actually like the Magic bleeds cover. You're really missing out on the story though. Great books.

    @draconismoi Epic Breasts indeed. LOL BF is still enthralled.

    @Jenny N Yes true…the pose isn't really working for Kate.

    @JenM It really seems we all agree about the boobies.

  • pattepoilue November 9, 2010 at 3:04 am

    @Sullivan McPic The covers are what made me resist reading this series for a looooooooong time. But it's really worth it. I loveeeeee this series so much, I can live wtih ugly covers. lol

    @Draconismoi @Jenny N. @JenM It seems her breasts are blinding everyone LOL.

  • Stella (Ex Libris) November 9, 2010 at 5:32 am

    Girls, so glad to see you hate it, because when it was unraveled, even though I'm a huge KD fan all I did was shurg and say "meh".. :-/

    I never liked the original cover model, ugh! I don't have a problem with this model, her face is ok with me, but I agree Susi, 1 word: boobs! They are so big that they instantly draw the attention there!

    And the nails! ugh! And I don't understand why she is gripping her knee with such force, her fingers look almost like claws.

    I like the sword and the reddish moon, however Curran looks like a sedated kitten, staring lifelessly ahead. He neither looks impressive, majestic or powerful.

  • pattepoilue November 9, 2010 at 5:46 am

    @Stella Lol Poor Curran!I thought he looked kinda good like this. But it would be great to have a cover with a roaring Lion! *g*
    Oh oh oh!! I have a new theory! Care to hear it? lol Ok so in fact it's NOT Kate on the cover but Saiman impersonating Kate! Well he WOULD give her big boobs and a French manicure, knowing him and his pervy mind. lol Ohh I like this theory lol

  • SusiSunshine November 9, 2010 at 5:50 am

    @Stella exactly…I expected something big and good like Magic Bleeds but meh. I found more mistakes the longer I look. LOL Yep I agree, a roaring Curran would really rock.

    @pattepoilue OMG I love that theorie. Sweety you're really cracking me up.

  • Sullivan McPig November 9, 2010 at 6:02 am

    Well, as everyone is saying the series is a good read I will put it on my wishlist and buy a bookcover-cover to hide the covers for myself :-p

  • Sabrina November 9, 2010 at 11:53 am

    The boobs are the first and only thing I noticed about this cover. They are soooo big and distracted me from noticing the rest!

    I think that the German covers for this series are more beautiful than the US ones.

  • SusiSunshine November 9, 2010 at 11:57 am

    @Sabrina Yep I agree those are pretty but also so not Kate. And I never get why they always add all those swirly thingies.

  • LSUReader November 9, 2010 at 11:07 pm

    You know a cover has problems when Caroline and Susi agree…and then most of the commenters do, too. I've had some of the same thoughts since first seeing this cover. Kate looks downright uncomfortable–pose, breasts, expression… everything looks a tad off–and she knows it!

  • SusiSunshine November 10, 2010 at 12:21 am

    @LSUReader Exactly. Agree 100%.

  • pattepoilue November 10, 2010 at 3:52 am

    @Sabrina I do like the German covers for this series too. But my favorite will still be the Chinese one which is badass!!

    @LSUReader It's also the first sign of the apocalypse LOL

  • Mariya November 19, 2010 at 1:32 am

    OMG. I thought I was the only one. I could bitch about the cover for hours b/c there are millions of things I hate about it. I think the model is the #1 thing I hate most about the cover! And yes you are corrcet saying that it is too late.

    I mean it is book 5. If they wanted to change the model, couldv'e done it eariler. I love the other kate. She is kate for me. This new model is not kate. I didn't get drawn into the series by the covers, I just thought they were okaiexz..but I think MAgic Slays has the worst cover.

    But again I can whine and moan about how they changed the cover so much for hours but I am done. I am ove rit now.

  • pattepoilue November 19, 2010 at 3:43 am

    @Mariya Good thing the books are amazing! 😉 I'm sire this one will make it up for the cover too. Lol you might want to go ebook on this one though LOL

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