My Top 5 Covers of May 2025
Fantasy + a sneak mystery cover
Happy May, everyone! Man oh man, with the recent pitching contests I’ve been seeing on the internet these last two months and all the graphics and mock-covers I’ve seen, maybe I should consider giving some visual art tips on self-creating mock covers or graphics. You know, expand the range of this newsletter.
But that’s an idea for another day.
Today, it’s time to spotlight some book covers for this month’s new releases.
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, these covers are not in any order!
#1
Book Cover Designer: Jess Kiley (Instagram | Website)
The Two Musics by Michael Cisco
Making History by K.J. Parker
Wolf Moon, Antler Moon by A.C. Wise
Okay, I’ve learnt my lesson that at this point, any title-heavy, gold celestial imagery on black background covers are Canva-template-esque basic fantasy covers…but I got to highlight this one for the big phoenix and the diagonally-oppositional composition of the text on the cover. It doesn’t feel *as* standard and is mindful about the amount of stars (because whew it has been used before for flashiness…but doesn’t add much to the story). The text and the phoenix make the eye travel all around the cover, giving the phoenix life as you settle on it after reading the text, as if you’re catching it just as it flies past you.
#2
Book Cover Designer: Ella Laytham (Instagram | Website)
Book Cover Illustrator: Eleonor Piteira (Instagram | Website)
When Among Crows by Veronica Roth
What Wakes the Bells by Elle Tesch
Evocation by S.T. Gibson
This series’ first entry got highlighted in a previous top X post because mwah the texturing, the use of hair as guiding lines, and semirealism caught my eye! Now, it seems this second instalment will be a mirror of the first, trading cool teal for a burnt orange, having the hair flow from the right instead of left, and armouring up the MC instead of keeping her in a soft dress. Contrast draws the eyes straight to the MC’s face and her orange eyes before flowing down the composition. Lowkey wished the title was in a lighter shade of orange, like how the first book’s cover was, because it’s blending into the illustration. Regardless, the darker, warmer tone (literally and figuratively via facial expression) sets the scene for the final battle.
#3
Book Cover Designer: Kelley Brady (Instagram | Website)
The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani
Layoverland by Gabby Noone
Juliet Takes a Braeth by Gabby Rivera
Book Cover Illustrator: Kelly Chong (Instagram | Website)
Fathomfolk series by Eliza Chan
Drawn Down the Moon by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen
Kelly Chong, I swear I know your style anywhere. It’s a lovely take on seeing two worlds via a reflection which nicely gives readers a potential clue as to why the queen of the book might be lost. The slight surrealism and palette imply a strong reflective component to this book. The twin dragons looming at the horizon are honestly what took the cake for me—it’s just cool!
#4
Book Cover Designer/Illustrator: unknown
Oh hello, good ole Illustrator/Photoshop. The melted soles and the burning text plays off the idiomatic title, being simply fun to look at. You’re left wondering what’s at stake if the characters fail to catch the killer—after all, it already seems like the cover hints they are with melted, ruined shoeprints.
#5
Book Cover Designer: Lesley Worrell (Instagram | Website)
Love Sucks by Cynthia St Aubin
The Lies We Conjure by Sarah Henning
Girl in the Creek by Wendy N. Wagner
This Heart of Mine by C.C. Hunter
Book Cover Illustrator: Tran Nguyen (Instagram | Website)
It’s seductive and mysterious. The queen lingering behind the soldier, the tangled arms, the scaly snake prints all over. The controlled, neutral palette accented with gold and red keeps it memorable, colour-wise. Focusing on the characters makes it clear we’re to embark on a character-driven story. Tran Nguyen’s style is as identifiable as ever.
So, what do you guys think of these covers? What are the books you’d put on your top 5 for May 2025?
That’ll be all this week. Until next time!