Cover art by Hiroshi Yagi/Photonica. Penguin Classics, 2000.

I often find myself noticing the artistic merit of book covers. It’s said that people judge books by their covers, and I admit I’m no exception, at least when it comes to a book I’m unfamiliar with. As a reader of fantasy fiction, I’ve seen my share of terrible, cheesy covers (raised shiny print, lurid colours, busty maidens and other stereotypical fantasy elements like swords and castles appear frequently) but I’ve also seen some really good ones.

 
YA fantasy novels these days often display remarkably artistic covers. Say what you will about the Twilight series, but those covers (the first book’s in particular) are beautiful in their starkness and simplicity. The same goes for Melissa Marr’s Wicked Lovely series.
Cover art by Mark Tucker/Merge Left Reps, Inc. Design by Christopher Stengel.

I just love the play of light and shadow in this image, and the frost (or is it fairie dust?) encrusted flower is so vivid it’s almost tangible.

 
Cover art by David McKean. Design by Hilary Zarycky.

Here’s another children’s fantasy cover. I would call the art delightfully creepy, just like the story. Coraline’s eyes are tiny holes and there is a crack running down one side of her face.

 
Cover art by Wesley Bates. Design by Cathy MacLean. Penguin Books, 1995.

I haven’t read this one, but I am tempted because of the cover art. Any time I see a cover with this level of detail I am drawn to it–I suppose because it mimics the level of detail possessed by a novel. The scene spills onto the back of the book, if you were wondering, another artistic technique I love. One of the many reasons why I would have a hard time switching to digital books.

 
Cover art by Alan Lee. HarperCollins, 2000.
This is a version of The Hobbit most Tolkien fans will have seen. There’s a lot of gold in the image my scanner didn’t capture: the title, the Elvish scolling across the top and bottom, and little bits outlining the treasure in the dragon’s hoard. A cover that literally shines without seeming cheesy, perhaps because its backdrop is a classy illustration.
Cover art from Into the Forest by Anthony Browne. Broadview, 2009.

 I love this one. If you look close, Grandmother’s house appears to have wolf ears, and there are some faces and eyes in the trees.