07
Mar
Among Others by Jo Walton. The starswept, child-like magic of this cover brings out the best of fantasy, coming-of-age stories. The design is tinted in a surreal orange glow, though if you look closer you can see that it in fact fades from yellow to red. In the background stand blurry, towering objects—whether trees or some sprawling castle-like structure is up to viewers to decide. The blurred image of a teenage girl dancing, or perhaps casting spells, barefoot in the grass clues readers in on the tale’s dreamy protagonist. The only clear visual element of the design is the stream of sparkling stars, apparently shooting from the girl’s hand in a spiral of magic. The blurred photography of the background and the stark, digital stream of stars dazzle together, creating a design that displays both real-world depth and fantastic elements.
Readers’ Average Rating: A-
