Happy Friday, everyone! Today’s book cover pick is The Explorer by James Smythe.
You can only find this cover on the hardback edition, which is unfortunately out of print with limited availability. But you can buy a newer e-book version.
Here’s a description:
A tense, claustrophobic, and gripping science-fiction thriller from the author of The Testimony. When journalist Cormac Easton is selected to document the first manned mission into deep space, he dreams of securing his place in history as one of humanity’s great explorers. But in space, nothing goes according to plan. The crew wake from hypersleep to discover their captain dead in his allegedly fail-proof safety pod. They mourn, and Cormac sends a beautifully written eulogy back to Earth. The word from ground control is unequivocal: No matter what happens, the mission must continue. But as the body count begins to rise, Cormac finds himself alone and spiraling towards his own inevitable death…unless he can do something to stop it.
What do you think of the cover? I love how it reflects the emptiness and darkness of space — the astronaut looks like he’s gently falling, but he’s tumbling into nothingness.
Sarah
I love minimal designs like this. I think it’s great!
Stephanie
Agreed! Such a simple but effective cover.
James Smythe (@jpsmythe)
Hi there! The hardback actually isn’t out yet – it’s out in January 2013 in the UK. In US, it’s paperback only, also in January, but with the same cover (essentially). But glad you like the cover!
Stephanie
Oh, OK! Thanks for stopping by and letting us know, James. We love your cover, and hopefully when we get a chance to read it, we’ll love the book as well! :)
Just a note: Amazon has the hardback listed (I’m in the U.S.) as a January 2012 release. If it’s coming out next January, it might be a good idea to alert Amazon so it can correct the date. Not sure how that works exactly.
I like the font a little better on the hardcover version, compared to the paperback.
Stephanie
Also, curious: Your Twitter page says you’re a video game writer? :) Do tell!
martianoddity
I can’t even start to describe why I think this cover is the best one I’ve ever seen. The sense of isolation, desperation…I love it. It’s simple yet really effective, not to mention appealing to look at.
Stephanie
I love it, too! Isolation and desperation are good words to use to describe it.