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Every now and then, a cover comes along that feels less like a book and more like the poster for an anime convention that got canceled due to lightning damage. Rainfall Anamnesia (a title that sounds like it was generated by dropping a thesaurus into a puddle) is one...
Nothing says “romantic tension meets deadly danger” quite like the thousand-yard stare of a woodland model and a snake that looks like it was photoshopped by someone who’s only seen reptiles in cartoons. A Serpent’s Bond promises intrigue, intimacy, and maybe a little...
If Go A-Hunting were actually about hunting, the first question would be: what exactly are we hunting — compostable fruit? Because this cover doesn’t scream “adventure,” “folklore,” or “danger.” It barely even whispers “book.” Instead, it murmurs, “I was walking in...
Here lies A Deep, Enduring Reverie, Book Three of the Druid Saga — a title so full of promise, and a cover so devoid of personality it could be used to calm hyperactive toddlers or accompany the credits of a corporate wellness video. Let’s start with the image — a...
This cover walks all right — straight into the uncanny valley, trips over a wolf head, and tumbles off a badly photoshopped cliff into a pit of fire and poor decisions. Dead Shifter Walking tries to conjure urban fantasy grit and instead serves up awkward mannequin...
There’s graphic design, and then there’s whatever unholy software séance summoned the cover of Breast Punishment Primer. This isn’t a book cover — it’s a Craigslist ad that got rejected for violating taste. If Microsoft Publisher had a migraine, this is what it would...
There’s a moment in every artist’s journey when they look back and think: “Ah yes, this was my colored-pencil digital renaissance period, when I combined Windows 98 gradients with the emotional depth of a Sears portrait session.” Sword of the Guardian is the cover...
Welcome to the inspirational train wreck that is Hardwired to Rise, a book cover that asks: “What if a PowerPoint slide from 2007 had a spiritual awakening and decided it was a brand?” At first glance, you’re smacked in the face by a neon-saturated, over-sharpened...
Ah, Psycoms, where the apocalypse meets Sears Family Portrait Studio in a grim union of uncanny valley weirdness and camo-clad confusion. Let’s begin with the first and most glaring red flag: the cast. We’ve got two adults who appear to be AI-generated military...
Oh dear. We’ve arrived at that magical intersection of "historical romance" and "your aunt’s backyard cosplay photoshoot." Welcome to Warrior’s Possession, where the only thing being possessed is a folding lawn chair just out of frame. Let’s start with the aesthetic....
Let it snow, let it snow, let it… stop. If this cover were any more confused about what it wants to be, it would be stuck in a snowbank asking for directions from a melted snowman. Dancing with Snowmen by Perry Stone sets out to restore childlike faith to adults—but...
If you’ve ever wanted to play Beethoven while simultaneously questioning every life decision that led you to this moment — well, congratulations. This cover has arrived to drag you into a world of classical melodies and mild psychological distress. Let’s start with...
A Note to Authors Featured Here
The purpose of Horrible Covers is not only to critique but also to highlight how much cover design matters to a book’s success. Many authors set out with the best intentions but end up with covers that don’t reflect the quality of their writing — sometimes because they tried to do it themselves, sometimes because they relied on someone who wasn’t a professional cover designer.
We understand how frustrating that can be.
Our aim is simple: to help writers put their best work forward with cover art that does justice to the story inside. If you’ve been featured here and are ready to level up your presentation, reach out through our contact form and mention “Horrible Covers Author.”