So here I am, writing a book, trying to stitch together a subplot, when I oh-so-innocently launch Twitter. (Always a mistake. Always.) Turns out I have just been scooped. Some blogger posted my new, not-yet-supposed-to-be-released cover. In short order, in the way of the internet, so had someone else, with mild snark added. I’m not one to begrudge a legit scoop or a free side of snark, so a tip of the hat to The Mad Hatter Review and A Dribble of Ink. My lawyers should be contacting you any minute. (Just kidding. I don’t have lawyers; I’ve only got a crazy house elf who likes to sign Esquire after his name.)
Did I ever say that the internet age has weirded publishing? (Apologies to Bill Watterson.) I’m suddenly posting things on the internet about a book I Haven’t Even Finished Writing. I had a publication date before I had a delivery date. Things get out before they’re finalized. Amazon posts the book blurb that I made up Before I Wrote the Book. So…uh, the blurb on Mad Hatter’s page and on Amazon is all wrong. And spoileriffic. Not anyone’s fault. Orbit asked me what the book was about–you know, before the bought the book–and I told them as well as I knew at the time, including spoilers.
Strangely, I like to finish writing the book before I write the back cover blurb–then I know silly little details like What The Characters’ Names Are.
But hey, I’m just The Man, tryin’ to keep you down, Internet. (See, this is why I can’t begrudge free snark.)
And no, I’m not sure why I’m capitalizing random words. Pending German release, perhaps?
Anyway, here it is, in higher definition than you can find it anywhere else! If you can’t do it first, do it better, right?
(click if you can handle the awesomeness)
Did I mention I’m taking cold medicine right now? I think posting on the internet while taking cold medicine probably isn’t covered in my contract–but it will be next time.
Some things about this cover MAY change. But that will have to wait for another post. What do you think?
Front cover looks good. cant wait for the book.
Need a Durzo Blint chroincles. All his past lives, i think its safe to say im not the only 1 who would like to read that
hey man i love your books and i want to tell you they didn’t let me do anything but read for 2 weeks straight. anyways the cover is good except the colors the main character needs colors and Green and Red are a terrible color combination, unless its for Christmas. try red and black or yellow and blue or something to give it a spice and not something with Christmas colors.
lol anyways good luck and i will look forward to your next book hopefully it is as dark as the other one
I agree with having a Durzo Blint chronicles that would be amazing. And also after reading your books and reading the posts it strikes me as even if the cover of the book series isn’t the most insane awesome thing ever, well Brent Weeks writing alone will make the readers comeback for this new series. i mean the Night Angel Series was so off the wall that if you don’t want to read everything that Brent Week writes then you shouldn’t be reading fiction. I mean seriously after i finished his last book i even read the writer Bio and i never read that. Keep up the great work and i cant wait to see more of your books up on Barnes & Nobles shelf’s.
Also about the innocent mage series… yeah the covers were very catching but the outcome of the book left me disapointed. I thought that with all the sad parts and loss of main characters that it would have a great ending but the ending wasn’t what i thought it would be. Just my opinion not trying to be mean to the writer who i think is Karen Miller? but yeah The innocent mage covers were similar to the Night Angel series and both of the books attracted my attention because of the cool covers.
Can’t wait til it comes out, I’m a huge fan due to the brilliance of the night angel trilogy, I’m currently trying to find more of your work on the book shelves hopefully before I finish the last book in the series.
Off topic of my post, I’d love to see a Durzo Blint Chronicles as well, how long did he live, 700 years or so? Each book a new adventure from the life of durzo blint, that’d be so awesome.
Anyways, I’ll be checking the book stores weekly for your work, I’m in a “Must” for getting another Brent Weeks book.
that is so f#@$ing kickass it is not even funny i love the night Angel trilogy and i cant wait for the next ones i am in love with the way that this author writes it is riviting and fantastic i hope that the rest of his books will be as wonderful as his other books are
I agree, chronicles of Durzo Blint would be an amazing addition to the world within the Night Angels Trilogy. I enjoyed each one of the books. In all honesty, I bought the book because a Border’s employee reccomended it, however, the second I had opened The Way of Shadows, I was mesmerized, and ended up picking up Shadow’s Edge about 3 days later. Keep up the great work, Brent; and I’m looking forward to your newest creation.
I Loved your books I just finished them. I really find your work intriguing and AMAZING I love to read books and I love fantasy. I do have to say I think it was the cover of the books that really got me to get them they are amazing. Book covers are always important and I think the one for The Black Prism is really good. I think the color scheme works I personally like the pop of the red, green, and yellow in it, it adds flavor, mystery, and magic to it. Also the misty cloudy magical floaty black stuff is really neat it kind of gives you chills:). All in all I just really like it. The artist who created it is amazing and your writing is spectacular!!!
Cover is cool, the smoky detailing is my favorite part.
I just finished Beyond the shadows like not even 5 minutes ago…. I WANT A FOURTH BOOK! I want to know what happens to the babies… Looking forward to “The Black Prism”. I never use to like to read… but I read all 3 books in trilogy and you’ve left me wanting more… can’t wait!
STOKED!!
I loved the Night Angel Trilogy. I am looking forward to this upcomming book, I wont put it down till it’s read
Prefer the cover styles of the French Night Angel books. Not digging covers that show a real person as the character… but hey its the story that matters
.
*Faints – can’t handle the awesomeness*
OMG OMG! Love it! I don’t really know anything about the new book, because I’m from small country where you don’t get a lot of news about English books! But I LOVE Night Angel since the first day I saw it at the store (and bought if of course, since I can’t get pass an awesome looking book without buying it – it’s a curse, what can I say =P)! There’s nothing like well described fights (and assassin work) and some MAN HUMOR to make me all happy =)).
And internet really is the devil. A couple of authors were in your position and even their partly written story leaked out – THE HORROR! Don’t let it happen to you! Better disconect everything, or write and research on two different computers (one without the net, and the other with).
Keep up the good work, can’t wait for to see how it turned out and better hire some hacker to make up a firewall worthy of the CIA sites. XD
Love,
Darakna
His books are great but the covers are awful, the book titles are also pretty bad. Still the book itself is great.
Loved the other books. Cant wait for this one. I think the cover looks great and I cant wait to read it. Will it be a series?
By the way….can I have a house elf?
I tend to agree with what Chad said above, in that a real person on the cover tends to railroad the reader’s mind on a character’s description a bit. A cowl, or slightly blurred or shadowed face would leave more to the imagination I think. Other than that, I really like the sense of action and suspense the image portrays.
I’m really looking forward to your next winner!
I love the Night Angel Trilogy. It is 1 of the best books I’ve red. My dad got me to read ‘the way of shadows’ and I loved it. I’m looking forward to reading The Black Prism and I can tell this is going to be really good!!
Cover looks great, loved the Night Angel series, had more fun reading it the second time and seeing how well everything was woven together.
Look forward to reading the next series though I’m disappointed that it’s not set in the same world. I hope you do more in it. I loved the magic system you introduced.
Wow, this news just reached me and all I can say is that I’m incredibly excited.
I’m hyped, stoked, and all other manners of happy anticipation.
I just need to avoid any and all spoilers until it is released. XD
I love the Night Angel Trilogy covers with the hidden face it left me to come up with a picture for the character based on the description, not the picture on the cover.
Hey, i know your scheduale no doubt prevents you from reading this but just wanted to say that YOU are one helluvan author!
Im soooooo glad i let my bro drag me to the bookstore that fateful day, because i absolutely love your work.
Awesome cover too! My first impression is that this main character is gonna be an Archmage too.
Im so glad i gave you a couple of pages, because you really did give me a helluva ride! (Yes, i loved it so much that i even read the achnowledgements… ohwell, im quite the strange one anyway…)
Well, I believe that his book DID say something to this effect, I think its “word always gets out” Well, guess he’s right!
i agree, you need a Durzo Blint chronicles, Personally, Durzo Blint his the awesomeniest character ever created in the history of life. the way he just kick ass without any efort what so ever.
and love the new cover, if you change anything it better be nothing major. i knew it was a brent week book the second i seen it.
oh, and if you ever make a new seris in the world of the night angel. MAKE IT ABOUT DURZO BLINT. i was very dissepointed when i seen your making a new world.
anyway, excuse my spelling, i was never a good speller. anyway, the sad part is that the new book is probebly already better then the others. good luck finishing
I love the cover!
Even though it seems odd that the person’s whole face is showing. I guess I’m just too used to the Night Angel covers XD
Man, I’ll definitely have to buy this once it’s out D:
I’m from Spain so before I start I apologize for my ortography. Well the cover is quite good, but I prefer something more alike to the Night Angel Trilogy, something more about the guy there. He doesn’t look bad but I prefer something with more fantasy (not need to be an elf but something more like, this is going to be interesting just looking at the cover).
Well I hope you finish soon! I love the trilogy although my English is not that good to understand everything ^^
This cover just crushed my dreams for your new book. I loved the NA covers but this just looks like some low budget male model who probably hasn’t read a single fantasy book in his life.
I hate, I mean absolutely hate seeing the face of a character. Now, no matter how you describe it or how I would of liked to picture it…I’m stuck thinking of this pansy male model.
He doesn’t look evil, he doesn’t look bad ass…he looks like he belongs in some cologne ad.
It also makes me worried about the story. I mean the NA covers were awesome! So by copying them are you saying that you only have one awesome idea in your head? I really don’t think this is the case but it looks weak. I’m already wondering how many parallels to the NA universe there will be just based on someone not having an original idea for the cover.
If you can’t tell, I feel pretty strongly about this. Disclaimer: I’m a graphic designer.
The Night Angel series was one of the best set of books I’ve read in a long time. Absolutely awesome, that’s why I’m so passionate about this new book.
90% of the people saying they love the cover are just trying to kiss your ass. The other 10% just have bad taste, haha.
Don’t worry, I’ll still buy it and I’m positive my rant won’t change a thing but hey, at least I got it off my chest.
Kylar can take him no problem >D
As far as the cover goes…I don’t think I like the model. His face just is not working for me. He looks too happy to be in battle. That is, unless the character is some cynic who just wants to blast thing in the face.
Its fine then.
GIVE ME THE BOOK MR.WEEKS. I will win another competition for it.
Holy crapper’s! A new book! Forgive my spelling but this is the awesomist moment in my life!! I have been looking every where for a good book to read recently some romance and John Flannagan’s newest release popped out so I’m content but I am definitely putting this and the 4th book for the inheritance cycle on my must spend when I don’t have cash list!!!!! Love the cover and yeah i agree keeping the guys face covered gives the book an air of mystery and power. Still the cover tells what kind of book this will be…AWESOME!!! I would also like to know what do I have to do to have you come over in the midwest like Illinois for a book signing? I see you in Cali and the east coast but it would be nice to have you in the midwest!
All the luck in writing and peacie pie barn to you man!
K ya awsome you made a new book cover, but ya, I’m not going to be a total fag and say how much this is the best moment of my life. But yeah, the book has always been better than your cover. If you’re making a new book please make it like the others. Yeah the covers great but the book itslef is way better. Anyway, grats Brent.
CANT WAIT! I dont even read books often, and I cant wait to read this.
That cover immediately screamed trashy romance novel to me for some reason. I also think the less facial features you show on a cover the better. It obscures the readers imagination. But irregardless, I will buy it and read it! Keep up the good work!
dude i cant wait for the Black Prism to come out…if it is half as good as the night angel trilogy it will still b awesome…keep up the good work
i love the cover and i cant wait to read it. when are you releasing it and are you going to have a signing in WV?
Absolutely love this cover!!! Really looking forward to your next work.
Night Angel Trilogy rulezz!!
I think the cover looks ok, I really miss the cloaked figure, as opposed to the person on the cover of Black Prison. In the night angel series I could kind of make my own kind of kylar because of the cloak, but now the character is already set on the front cover. Really miss my imagination taking over.
Also it doesn’t quite look like someone in the time period of the Night Angel trilogy, it somehow looks more modern.
I have to say I like the kylars better, just some feedback.
After skimming through the first half of the comments, I think the general consensus is that showing his face is probably a bad idea. I agree. The hooded figures on The Night Angel books were great (That’s why I bought the first one after all), but I wouldn’t repeat it myself. Maybe just more shadowed. I think everyone loves to “draw” on the details themselves.
As for the color I think it should stay. EYE CATCHER! Maybe spread it out just a bit, and use a notch less contrast.
Oh wow nice, a new book ^^. Looking forward to it
I would have to agree with Sonny (above me) on both of his points. I think the person looks a bit too modern, I dont know why, he just does. I also dont like how the whole face is presented to me. I liked the cloaked Kylar so i could imagine most of him on my own. Even though I will, most likley, still create my own world and characters in my own mind, it’s still something to consider. The multi-color hand effect seems a bit much. I liked the one color thing you had going in the NA trilogy.
Any revisions would be for new readers though. Because a fan such as myself would buy this book if the cover was hot-pink with flowers on it
I confess that i am 36yr old mum who untill twilight had no interest in reading, your books were one of my first reads after i got the reading bug and wow u really got me hooked.
So for newbe’s like me the cover is important coz we have no clue at first wot is good and wot is not we go for somthing that catches the eye
Keep up the smoke theme its hot and so is ur new cover u should try it with gold and silver on a cover also
I’ve done a lot of reading and I have to admit this is the best trilogy I’ve ever read, in my top 5 best series list. Keep up the good work, i’m a life-long fan now.
Love the cover. Hate the names of the characters in the blurb. I HOPE they’re not the names that will actually be used…
So the cover looks wicked, and I doubt this matters at all but really, the one bit of colour probably should be balanced out a bit more, (maybe the pattern?) but I like the uneven effect it has.
Well I don’t know any better, and you don’t really need some snazzy cover to sell a book.
Your writing is brilliant, your characters even more so, and I am forever envious.
Just doing my part to inflate your ego.
Alright man. Okay, while the cover is freakishly amazing, you have to notice one thing! It’s a copy of how the Night Angel books were made in their cover! (bad grammar, shh) If you wanna do that, fine. But you should find a way to make that your signature cover. That wasy if somebody sees it, they don’t need to check it closely to know you’ve written in! Is it posible to copyright it? I dunno. But I think if you publish any books outside the Night Angel Trilogy with that cover, you’re going to hav to do it all the time. Just a warning. If this book is even half as good as Beyond the Shadows, I will faint after reading it
Also! Sorry, I forgot to say this last time there.. If you keep this cover, I love the multi-colour thing going on there, but I think the red should be toned down. Maybe add a different colour, or enlarge the purple.
I think his face should at least be half hidden. It makes it more mystical (is that the word I’m looking for?).
Hello, I love your novels. Your covers are what grabbed my attention and your writing is what kept me coming back for more. As a professional artist, I think this is a start to a wonderful cover that will catch readers eyes; however, I do think the man looks like he is holding the blade a little awkwardly (Although that might be because the blade is going in front of the Best Selling Author. I think it should go behind it.) You may want to darken his face and clothes a little more and perhaps make the bags under his eyes less noticeable.
I like the contrast all of your covers have had being mostly white with a Black clothed character, kinda ying yang to me. However I can’t say that I ever identified the cover character from the Night Angel series. To me the character illustration looked created by someone that had not read the book,(books) The weapons didn’t make sense to me, I didn’t know Kylar ran around with a samurai sword. Also if your going to only have one character on the three covers and not hint to the world or other characters, why not show how the character evolves or deteriorates across the covers hinting to me the peril and triumph ahead? And also i’d say fight the good fight! I think the cover is the first opportunity for communication to potential readers, you should be involved with its look, finish, etc, as much as you are with writing the actual books. Just my opinion buddy, I loved your night angel trilogy and will be looking out for whatever you write in the future regardless of the cover!
Is the Black prism going to be based in the same lands? time? have anything to do with the night angel series?
I loved the night angel series but the ending was extremely quick and left me feeling like your fatalist.
I am a 24 year old South African …… well, let’s stick to female ……. i’m too young too be called a woman yet. That would imply being adult and my inner child still rules my body.
I came across the fisrt book of the trilogy by chance in a second hand book store and being a fantasy fanatic, loving to read new Authors and conciddering the price was just right i bought it. Let me tell you, i think i fell in love with Brent within the first 50 pages.
By the time i finished the book i had already planned an attack on all book stores in and around my area to locate the next 2 books!
Paying R156.00 for each of the new books put a pretty big dent in my budget but i’d do it again 1 000 000 000 times!
I really look forward to the next book and, slight of saying my life depends on it, i’ll settle for I MUST POSSES IT!!!!!
(I agree about the colors of the cover ….. everything else is pretty awesome!)