My Top 5 Covers of March 2025
One word: otherworldly
Kicking off the final month of Q! How’s everyone doing? Reading any good books lately? Saw a pretty cover or two? Well, it’s time for a top 5 listicle again, featuring my picks for this month~
Note: presume that I have not read any of these books unless I’ve indicated as such. Any observations made about the story the covers represent and its quality are only based on the synopses and the cover. Also, the covers are not in any particular order!!!
#1
Book Cover Designer: John Candell
Book Cover Illustrator: Elena Masci (Instagram)
Oh hello! I recognise these titles, do you?
Belladonna series by Adalyn Grace
Beasts of Prey series by Ayana Gray
One look at that one peering, bulging eye and you already know something supernatural or metaphoric for a societal “disease” is afoot that the MC will see through. The red algae bloom mentioned in the blurb out of context looks like blood, making for a creepy image. The rendering is just satisfying to look at for me, being borderline photographic with elements here and there that remind you of its true illustrative nature. I just LOVE that the title is made a little funky and is blurred to mimic the effect of water caustics, allowing it to fit right in with the scene and is not just static, bold white text. The complementary red-green palette is striking and creepy. Honestly, one of the best covers I’ve seen in 2025 yet.
TLDR: a sickening cover.
#2
Book Cover Designer: Meg Sayre (Instagram | Website)
Have you seen these covers?
The Last Bloodcarver by Vanessa Le
Don’t Let the Forest In by CG Drews
The Nighthunt by Alexandra Christo
Book Cover Illustrator: Eleonor Piteira (Instagram | Website)
Known for:
Evocation by S.T. Gibson
Saga of the Unfated series by Danielle L. Jensen
When Among Crows by Veronica Roth
I see stained glass, I say “YES”. It’s honestly such an inspired cover that instantly conveys the book’s play on faith and gothic vibes. The composition cleverly utilises circular frames to emphasise the MC while incorporating multiple other characters in the stained glass, preventing the piece from getting too crowded. Lots of symbolism and sneaky hints hidden in the stained glass windows, which should be gems for readers to pick up on. The halo around the MC’s hand ties in the book’s religious dealings and the MC’s magical status. The cover is vaguely reminiscent of Veronica Roth’s When Among Crows, which Piteira also illustrated for.
#3
Book Cover Designer: Ella Garret
Ms Garret doesn’t seem to have a website presence, but I believe solely based on her last name and the power of the internet, she has done at least one other cover:
Mistress of Lies by K.M. Enright
Book Cover Illustrator: Kelly Chong (Instagram | Website)
Her covers have been popular in the last few years, gracing the covers of:
Drawn Down the Moon by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen
The Witsec series by Ashley N. Rostek
Introducing the cooler-toned, pinker and bluer younger sibling to its older sibling’s cream, vermillion, and green cover, eh? Whereas the first instalment feels warm and welcoming, this instalment’s icy-cool palette in contrast makes for an isolating atmosphere. Kelly Chong didn’t pull back on giving this book lots of illustrated sparkles and pearly details. The darker tones throughout the piece add depth but also, in contrast to the first instalment, imply a messier status quo. The great amount of detail will certainly catch browsing readers’ attention, especially if it’s paper form and has special effects on it, like metallic details.
#4
Book Cover Designer/Illustrator: unknown
The astronaut taking a selfie on the moon is the cheesy comedic follow-up that expands on the innocently normal and referential title to the song That’s Amore (Dean Martin, 1953). Considering that the blurb (and a brief glimpse at reviews) suggests that the book tracks a multitude of characters’ responses to the strange sight, I’d say the astronaut’s reaction is a good nod at the story’s scope as well!
#5
Book Cover Designer: Corina Lupp (Website)
Book Cover Illustrator: Charlie Bowater (Instagram | Website)
Okay, internet/Pinterest legend of ‘The Old Astronomer’ drawing! I knew I’ve seen your works around, such as:
Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
Star Daughter by Shveta Thakrar
The Aurora Cycle by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
I’m sorry, the COLOURS??? The pops of colours everywhere while maintaining a harmonious spring palette driven by yellow, pink, and green? Gorgeous. Magical and romantic all at once. On a more subjective note, I enjoy the slightly-more-stylistic-than-smack-dab-middle-of-the-lane-semirealism style here. The font choice for the title is fitting with its vine-like swirls. The aesthetic bookstagrammers that use nature props would freak out over this cover.
Honorary mentions
A first for talk covers to me! This section (if it appears) differs from any sneaky #x.2s I sneak into my top 10s or 5s as I’ll just be showcasing covers that are not my top picks but I really appreciate how it looks, executed, etc.
Don’t worry: I’ll keep them short. I’ll let the covers do the talking :)
What do you guys think of these covers? What are the book covers you’d put on your top 5 for March 2025?
Until next time~