Fury's Kiss (Dorina Basarab #3) by Karen Chance
Let it be known that no matter what threats lurk out there, no matter how mysterious the fae, how cunning the vampire or powerful the mage, Dorina is ready to stand up and face it. Well face away from it, anyway.
Yes, arses ahoy - there’s nothing like a lethal action heroine deciding her best side is her rump - accentuated, of course, with sexy leather. No no it’s armour, honest (ignore the gap).
The Baskerville Tales (Short Stories): The Adventure of the Wollaston Ritual, The Strange and Alarming Courtship of Miss Imogen Roth, The Steamspinner Mutiny: Emma Jane Holloway
I like this. It’s understated, suggestive, pretty without being overtly sexual with clothes that excellently show off the era without the need to drown us in lashings of victoriana at every turn. I also quite like her withdrawn, hidden facial expression, is that a hidden smile? A demure look down? A secret being held? I like it
The only issue is that it’s very very vague as to what the book is about beyond “historical”
Vampires are Forever (Argeneau #8) by Lynsay Sands
For some reason the facial expressions here just say “aaaaah bisto” to me. In some ways I have to give props for the fact that, while the cover has the mantiteh stalwarts, the pose and expression suggests more comfort and relaxation than overwhelming lust. Unless that expression is supposed to be lust?
Also the man is batman, apparently. There is no way anyone but Batman should have that tattoo - and batman would never stoop so.
Cursed by Fire (Blood & Magic #1) by Danielle Annett
Oh no, Ari! You have lost control of your fire and it has burned away all your clothes!
Oh… wait, those are your clothes? This is what you wear investigating a child murder? Really? Do people commonly get interviewed by dominatrixes while grieving for their dead kids?
And this is aside from the fact that Ari is a mercenary. Sadly CAN actually imagine a mercenary corps charging into battle wearing leather bustiers but that’s because I have a bad bad bad brain
If we try to ignore the clothes (hoooow?) this cover is actually excellent, the fire and her in the middle of it implying she’s burning while clearly not, is perfect, utterly perfect.
Infinity (Valkyries: Soaring Raven #1) by Sedona Venez
The irony is that, of all the books this week, this would be the one where it would be understandable for the protagonist to be posing in very few clothes. She spends most of the book on stage, preparing to go on stage or partying, pop star club gear or performing gear would justify just about anything
Except a rain coat. Unless you’re Lady Gaga anyway. Ok there is a suggestion that she’s a flasher. Which also isn’t a common pop star look (again, unless you’re Lady Gaga)
I also have another contrary complaint - the wings, the ravens! Why with the Valkyrie title it screams of norse mythology, dark powers and sinister magics. To which I have to his “LIESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS” in American Horror Story style. I feel teased and a little cheated
This character is a POC and her dark skin tone is clearly described… I’m not sure how much this cover passes that off.
