By the Cover: Red Seas Under Red Skies

How long has it been since we’ve done a cover analysis? Not since the Wheel of Time series, right? No, it can’t have been that long… right?

‘Red Seas Under Red Skies’ is a wild book. Thievery, cunning, high-seas adventures, betrayal, and lots of people calling other people fucking assholes. It’s one hell of a book.

As such, it needs one hell of a title. And it sure got it!

I lowkey love the fact that the artist clearly took the title literally. “Oh, it’s called ‘Red Seas Under Red Skies? Alright then!” *Draws a red sea under a red sky*

Hilarious as that is, it does make for one hell of a striking image. Especially since the city in the background is drawn engulfed in a yellow haze. It’s a beautiful piece of artwork. More than that, it adds to the tone, making the city feel dark and grimy and dangerous.

Which, of course, it is. Then again, every location in the Gentleman Bastards series is like that. So… that’s just a given.

Finally, let’s address the elephant in the room: the burning ship in the foreground. In case the title didn’t tip you off, this communicates that this is a high-seas adventure. More than that, it’s actually a spoiler for the climax of the book.

Oh, uh… spoilers, I guess.

This is a really cool cover. The artwork is gorgeous and it perfectly communicates what kind of narrative you’re in for. It’s fantastic stuff through and through.

As for the actual book itself… we’ll get to that next week.