I’m looking for honest opinions on the cover of my web novel. First, I’d like to mention that it was made with AI, so if you’re against AI-generated art, I kindly ask that you don’t comment. I respect your opinion, but I’m looking for honest feedback on the cover itself, not an ethical or moral debate about AI.

Do you think the contrast between the bright, colorful cover and the dark, violent grimdark genre works? Or does it feel too generic? Thanks in advance to everyone who takes the time to comment.

It's not bad. Definitely looks pretty strong with the lighting.

If you're worried about debates on AI, I probably wouldn't. At least, not with novel covers. AI novel covers are basically the norm for a lot of series on here, since people either can't draw or aren't able to get an artist to draw something for them. I commission art for my novels, but I'm aware that not everyone has the funds for that. 

If you are writing with AI, beyond using it as a tool to help supplement one's own writing, that's when people on here will start to judge.

Looks nice! It definitely catches the eye. The only thing I'm wondering is whether the character on the cover is male or female. XD

DraftingMoon Wrote: Looks nice! It definitely catches the eye. The only thing I'm wondering is whether the character on the cover is male or female. XD

Hi, thank you, I’m glad you like the cover. She’s actually a woman, though she does have some androgynous features, especially her defined jawline. Her name is Felicity Prinz, the main character of my novel.

I suppose it mostly depends on what you're going for.

It doesn't tell me a lot. I get little sense of what the novel is about. Some times that's the goal. In some genres you can't afford to convey much of the story and you are only trying to imply the vibe. I see a mid evil cathedral but the girl looks to be wearing something more Japanese.

The text of the subtitle is a little to small to read even if I squint. I went to it just to see the text and it's still small but readable. A woman changing the world... still not a lot, but not bad. Might attract female readers.

She looks a little funny. Low forehead. The bangs are long enough that they mess with the shape of the bridge of her nose. Again, tells me little.

The light on her face makes me think, "Hope", "Redemption". I don't think "Dark" series when I look at this.

It's not a bad cover, it's just a question of what you want from it.

Lee Hardesty

It is pretty cool.

Too fake, too anime. Would look better as a Larry Elmore inspired oil painting.

But that's my personal opinion.

Lee Hardesty Wrote: I suppose it mostly depends on what you're going for.

It doesn't tell me a lot. I get little sense of what the novel is about. Some times that's the goal. In some genres you can't afford to convey much of the story and you are only trying to imply the vibe. I see a mid evil cathedral but the girl looks to be wearing something more Japanese.

The text of the subtitle is a little to small to read even if I squint. I went to it just to see the text and it's still small but readable. A woman changing the world... still not a lot, but not bad. Might attract female readers.

She looks a little funny. Low forehead. The bangs are long enough that they mess with the shape of the bridge of her nose. Again, tells me little.

The light on her face makes me think, "Hope", "Redemption". I don't think "Dark" series when I look at this.

It's not a bad cover, it's just a question of what you want from it.

Lee Hardesty

Hi Lee, thank you for taking the time to comment.

Yes, “hope” is exactly what I wanted to convey. The protagonist on the cover is depicted at the peak of her character development. I also wanted to create an interesting contrast: a bright, hopeful cover for a grimdark, dark fantasy story.

So my main goal was to achieve that contrast while also representing who the protagonist eventually becomes.

Skarabrae Wrote: It is pretty cool.

Thank you! I’m glad you like it.

D-Rock Wrote: Too fake, too anime. Would look better as a Larry Elmore inspired oil painting.

But that's my personal opinion.

Thanks for the feedback. That was actually my intention. I wanted an anime-inspired style because I see my novel as something similar to a Japanese light novel.

To me, it should capture the story's mood. It looks meditative and serene. At least the moment you captured. If that is where you're headed, then mission accomplished. It's hard not to fall in love with your MC, and sometimes we want to cast them in the romantic light we see them in. There's a reason publishers usually pick the cover art and titles of books. It's one of the things an objective party can usually nail better than the creator.  I'm guilty of that myself.