Imagine walking into a bookstore, surrounded by rows of beautifully bound hardcovers, each one hiding a surprise beneath its dust jacket. For book lovers, there’s no thrill quite like discovering a clever design that exceeds expectations. In this era where covers have become an integral part of a book’s appeal, I set out to uncover the most stunning examples.
My quest took me to my local Barnes & Noble, where I spent hours examining every hardcover on display, capturing intriguing designs with my camera and meticulously narrowing down my list at home. The result is a curated selection of hardcovers that will leave you in awe, each one boasting an impressive design that’s sure to delight.
What makes the best design under the dust jacket?
YA truly excels in its book design, particularly when it comes to revealing hidden gems under the dust jacket. While many adult hardcovers boasted striking color combinations, I was eager to uncover unique designs that would elevate my reading experience. Science fiction and fantasy sections did an admirable job, but they paled in comparison to YA’s sheer volume of visually stunning covers. To cast a wide net, I set out to curate a diverse selection of books across genres.
The resulting 15 titles are a testament to the genre’s commitment to innovative design. Three primary categories caught my attention: embossed stamp designs, which feature cleverly pressed patterns and foil accents; flat graphic designs, characterized by flat illustrations or prints that adorn almost silky covers; and repeating print designs, where intricate patterns evoke a textile-like quality.
The Embossed Stamp Design Under the Dust Jacket
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
The debut novel from this dark academia series boasts a captivating premise: six magicians, handpicked to join a secret society that safeguards ancient knowledge. The stakes are high – if they succeed in proving their worth over the course of a year, the world will be theirs for the taking, provided they’re one of the select few chosen. The embossed design on the jacket perfectly complements the sword piercing an eye motif from the front cover, executed with precision and flair.
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
In this stirring tale, Marra, the pluckiest of sisters, takes matters into her own hands when she realizes that no one is coming to rescue her from the clutches of the abusive prince. Having witnessed the cruelty firsthand, she sets out to complete three legendary tasks, aided by a motley crew of companions, with the ultimate goal of freeing herself and her sisters from the prince’s tyranny.
The striking cover art, featuring a resplendent skeleton creature emblazoned on a lush green background, beckons readers to dive into the world of Marra’s quest for justice.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
In the 18th century, Addie’s deal with the devil granted her eternal life at the cost of being forgotten by everyone she encounters. As the centuries passed, she endeavored to subtly influence artists without leaving a lasting impression. Her efforts culminated in a chance encounter with a bookseller who, remarkably, recalled her presence after she departed.
The novel’s collector’s editions boast various iterations of embossed artwork, but even the standard cover features an image of a bird taking flight over five panels – a subtle nod to a pivotal artistic motif within the book itself.
Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo
In the second installment of the King of Scars duology, the stakes are higher than ever. Nikolai, struggling to maintain control over himself, his inner demons, and his kingdom, faces an uncertain future alongside Zoya, whose desperate attempts to save her friends and found family seem futile as they’re overwhelmed by their unwinnable battle. Meanwhile, Nina navigates the treacherous world of Fjerda, driven by a desire for revenge and freedom.
As each character teeters on the brink of disaster, survival becomes their sole priority. The dust jacket, with its intricately designed cover art, adds an extra layer of allure to this gripping tale.
I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
As Chloe’s high school rival Shara vanishes into thin air, a trail of mystery and intrigue unfolds. The story begins with a bold kiss between the two girls, leaving behind more questions than answers. In search of clues, Chloe breaks into Shara’s room, only to discover that she wasn’t the only one on the receiving end of Shara’s affections. Three men – her boyfriend and the boy next door – each received a parting gift from Shara: a letter with cryptic instructions to follow in her footsteps.
This enigmatic tale is woven together with clever design elements, including custom cover art by Kerri Resnick and Allison Reimold, as well as a whimsical case stamp illustration courtesy of Shutterstock. com. The regular edition boasts a striking design featuring 12 pink foiled embossed kisses, mimicking the act of lipstick on someone’s skin – a delightful touch that adds to the book’s playful charm.
Very Bad People by Kit Frick
The latest installment in Calliope’s mystery series is shrouded in secrecy, much like the elite Tipton Academy where the story unfolds. The cover art, designed by Debra Sfetsios-Conover, hints at the intrigue to come, with a red spine and ghostly illustrations by Mike Hall that seem to whisper ‘You don’t know us but we know you.’ At the heart of the mystery is Calliope’s own past, as she delves deeper into the truth surrounding her mother’s tragic accident six years prior.
The red-painted x on the cover serves as a tangible connection to this unresolved chapter in her life, much like the cryptic message hidden beneath the dust jacket that reads: ‘You don’t know us but we know you.’
The Flat Graphic Design Under the Dust Jacket
A Snake Falls To Earth by Darcie Little Badger
In a captivating fusion of worlds, Nina, a Lipan girl, and Oli, a shapeshifting cottonmouth from another realm, form an unlikely alliance to combat a climate-driven peril that threatens both their existences. Nina’s trust in her great-grandmother’s tales of shape-shifting animal beings prompts her determination to aid Oil and his kin.
The book’s striking design features an orange cover beneath the dust jacket, boasting a character lineup along the spine that transforms into a line of figures when placed spine-side down.
The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera
In a world where the past has been all but forgotten, a skilled storyteller holds the key to preserving memories of days gone by. The journey begins with Petra, whose family was chosen to escape the devastating effects of a comet that ravaged Earth centuries ago. When she awakens, however, she finds herself alone in an alien landscape, where no one else retains any recollection of their former home.
To defy the all-encompassing Collective that seeks to erase human history, Petra must draw upon her Abuelita’s remarkable storytelling abilities. The cover art, designed by Raxenne Maniquiz, features a striking image: beneath its dust jacket, a sinuous snake navigates a star-filled blue sky, its red-tipped head pointing towards the bottom right corner as if striving to break free from the confines of the cover itself. Every aspect of this design is nothing short of masterful.
Steelstriker by Marie Lu
The second installment of the Skyhunter duet picks up where the previous book left off, with Talin facing a treacherous predicament. As she navigates the complexities of rebelling against the Federation from within its ranks, she’s confronted by a series of experiments that threaten to undermine her autonomy. Despite the odds stacked against her, Talin holds onto the hope that one day the rebellion will triumph over the tyrannical forces that have defined her life.
The cover art continues the artistic theme established in book one, featuring three sweeping yellow beams traversing a bright pink background beneath a dust jacket. The title, rendered in crisp white text, occupies a prominent block position, with four letters running horizontally and three vertically, evoking a sense of dystopian unease that I find deeply compelling.
A Rush of Wings by Laura E. Weymouth
In a captivating retelling of Scottish mythology’s seven swans, a thought-provoking tale unfolds that questions what truly constitutes a monster in a world where magic is a reality. The story centers around Rowenna, whose mother never taught her how to wield her magical abilities. When her mother passes away, Rowenna loses the opportunity to develop her powers, only to see her resurrected as a force more menacing than maternal.
As she struggles to regain control over her magic, Rowenna must also find a way to protect herself and those dear to her from the consequences of her newfound abilities. The cover art, featuring an illustration by Kim Ekdahl and design by Debra Sfetsios-Conover, is nothing short of breathtaking – particularly the subtle yet striking contrast between Rowenna’s closed eyes on the dust jacket and open ones beneath, which left me utterly speechless.
The Last Laugh by Mindy McGinnis
In the thrilling conclusion to The Initial Insult duology, Tress must confront the harsh realities of her newfound identity as a murderer hiding from her town and tormented by haunting thoughts. Meanwhile, her cousin Ribbit is hell-bent on preventing Tress from reaching the milestone of her 18th birthday. But beneath its unassuming exterior, this dark and foreboding novel harbors an even more sinister secret.
The striking jacket art, featuring a split face transformed into a grayscale portrait with flames engulfing the background, hints at the explosive surprises lurking beneath.
Burn Down, Rise Up by Vincent Tirado
As Raquel delves into the mystery of Charlize’s missing cousin, she’s met with a daunting reality: the police aren’t taking the case seriously. But fueled by her crush on the missing person and a sense of duty, Raquel joins forces with Charlize to uncover the truth. Their investigation leads them down a dark path, where an urban legend takes on a chilling new meaning. The dust jacket’s enigmatic design – featuring only the legs of a creature – hints at the horrors that lie beneath.
When you lift the flap, a disturbing image reveals itself: a long, multi-limbed insect that seems to writhe and twist like a living thing. This sapphic horror novel’s clever cover art is more than just a clever design – it’s an invitation to step into the eerie world within, where the lines between reality and nightmare are blurred.
The Repeating Print Design Under the Dust Jacket
Wahala by Nikki May
In the midst of a captivating contemporary fiction novel, three Anglo-Nigerian women find themselves entangled in an impossible situation. Isobel’s arrival sets off a chain reaction that irreversibly alters their lives, leaving them questioning the true meaning of female friendship. The seemingly innocuous purple marble print on the dust jacket subtly reinforces this notion, echoing the dynamic energy conveyed by the cover art. Chef’s kiss, indeed.
The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta
The stunning jacket art by Adriana Bellet and design by Jenna Stempel-Lobell perfectly encapsulate the essence of this YA verse novel. The story delves into the struggles of growing up gay and mixed-race in the UK, where Michael must navigate the complexities of balancing his Greek-Cypriot and Jamaican heritage with his queer identity.
However, as he discovers communities like the Drag Society that celebrate aspects of himself, Michael begins to find his footing and learn how to assert his presence. The book’s vibrant pink cover, adorned with outlined flamingos in a Hawaiian-inspired pattern, is a visual representation of its fantastic content.
A History of Wild Places by Shea Ernshaw
The cover of the book is a masterclass in storytelling, with a lone abandoned truck on the outskirts of a reclusive community serving as the focal point. This enigmatic image has been shrouded in mystery for years, with no one knowing what happened to Travis, the man who had a remarkable ability to locate missing individuals with just a single touch. The illustration is brought to life by Danielle Mazzella Di Bosco’s design expertise, complemented by images from Adobe Stock and Shutterstock.
A closer look at the cover reveals a treasure trove of embossed objects in gold scattered atop a forest green background, including smoking pipes, wedding rings, high heel shoes, shells, and ties. The addition of assorted items like cupcakes adds a touch of whimsy to this already intriguing design. When I first laid eyes on the dust jacket, I must confess that I let out a squeal of excitement – it’s truly a stunning piece of work.
So, Why Design Under the Dust Jacket?
The success of a book is often a collaborative effort that involves many individuals, including designers. These talented professionals deserve immense praise and respect for their role in captivating readers. When they succeed in catching my attention, it’s truly remarkable. In particular, I’m impressed by hardcover books with clever designs beneath the dust jacket. Such masterpieces are sure to grab your attention, making them must-haves for any book lover.