bestie these book covers look suspiciously similar

More book cover design trends! We have glowing Fantasy girl, a lot of Mistborn and awesome 3D art. Cyber Month Deal! Go to nordvpn.com/itsdivya to get a 2-year plan plus 1 additional month with a huge discount. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this video.
In the first video we talked about why some books look the same, the dreaded YA book snake and other juicy trends: • bestie, all these book...
This time we're here to talk about when cover artists make very similar art, whether being inspired from others or even themselves. Because what greater inspiration than ourselves right?
This time we have e-book photoshopped-to-hell fantasy girl with a glowing hand, a lot of Mistborn look-a-likes, Charlie Bowater art, and this new 3D rendered cover art trend in fantasy.
Nothing wrong with looking like another cover - it serves a purpose in itself. Just pointing out some similarities and upcoming/past trends in publishing. The “suspicious” comments arent serious either I just wanted to make it slightly different from the previous video also alliteration.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - intro
00:20 - fantasy photoshopped girl
01:49 - same stock photo
01:58 - Mistborn and The Poppy War and The Girl King
02:40 - ad
03:40 - charlie bowater art
04:04 - teen illustrated ink lines walking away
04:29 - 3d fantasy
05:06 - outro
Here's some of the pioneers and biggest figures behind the trends.
Cover artists (that I could find)
Mistborn
- Sam Green: coppermind.net/wiki/Coppermin...
- Sam Weber: sampaints.com/
Poppy War
- JungShan: jung-shan.blogspot.com/
Hold Still/We Are The Wildcats
- Adams Carvalho: adamscarvalho.bigcartel.com/
Orpheus Girl
- Dana Ledl/ Myo Kard: www.myokard.com/
3D Cover Artist Inheritance Games/These Violent Delights/The Notorious Virtues/Ever Cursed
- Katt Phatt: www.behance.net/kattphatt
The Princess Will Save You/Cast In Firelight
- Charlie Bowater: www.charliebowater.net/
Sources:
The curious case of a shared database. James Morrison exposes the somewhat rather narrow range of book cover design: www.newsroom.co.nz/the-curiou...
Thanks to twitter followers:
HeartBleed : / 1462595403002662919
tabarsnack2 : tabarsnack2/statu...
jordansshelves : jordansshelves/st...
daybytuesday : daybytuesday/stat...
• • • • • • • • • • •
✶ MY LINKS ✶
BUSINESS ENQUIRIES
↪ [e-mail]
TWITTER
↪ / itsdivyag
INSTAGRAM
↪ / itsdivyag
TIKTOK
↪ / itsdivyag
GOODREADS
↪ / divya-g
(my account is set to private so to add me as a friend open up the page in a desktop setting if you are using a mobile device/tablet) ^ i also never use it
✶ VIDEO DETAILS ✶
CAMERA
↪ Canon 650D
VIDEO EDITING SOFTWARE
↪ Premiere Pro CC
THUMBNAIL
↪ Photoshop CC

[@itsdivyag]

NordVPN are having a cyber month deal! Go to nordvpn.com/itsdivya to get a 2-year plan plus 1 additional month with a huge discount with coupon code: itsdivya. We're back being a menace to society with MORE cover clones and trends. How do you guys feel about the 3D one? Or any of the other trends? Ty to my twitter followers for the suggestions too

[@johnsaxongitno4life588]

Happy Birthday 🥳 hope you have a great day and get spoilt rotten

[@notmyrealname4363]

Happy birthday G

[@middlemistgrey]

Honestly, I don't know if a book cover-tube exists, like you know, the widely known booktube community, but you absolutely dominate this topic and I love your funny yet sharp analyses sm, man.

[@itsdivyag]

Honestly I’m still learning about the field in general so I feel a bit imposter sometimes but this means a lot tyy! Hopefully as time goes on I can bring better content hah

[@annejia5382]

true

[@aashitiwari2044]

the one book where u were like "is that mehndi?" BESTIE YES IT'S *SUPPOSED* TO BE MEHNDI BUT the author is a white woman who wrote this "indian fantasy" book series without doing much research on our culture, presenting it as a monolith with the excuse that she married an indian dude so when she has children they will be biracial (note: she isn't even pregnant with said children yet) and of course she hired a white artist who white washed the cover art and drew whatever the fuck that scribble on her arm is and the lehenga/saree (can't really tell what they were going for) might as well be an embroidered dress. worst part is literally so many south asian reviewers have voiced their opinions about the book being extremely offensive but the author and publishers couldn't care less and the sequel will be out soon. sorry for the rant lol- any mention of this book just boils my blood at this point

[@itsdivyag]

This is actually very insightful thank you for the context! I saw some comments on how the characters were meant to have darker skin and were then whitewashed for the cover which is truly awful. The mehndi swirls also do a huge disservice to mehndi art which is so beautiful and intricate

[@turquoisermain]

"a woman with a glowing hand that can slice, and grate cheese" yo I'm going to hire one of them to help my mum in the kitchen

[@itsdivyag]

They’re fighting demons and using their abs to grate cheese we love a multitasking boss

[@GinaLuciaReads]

Book covers that are similar completely mesmerize me. I weirdly love seeing them. It's like I've won a personal prize when I see the same stock image adapted for a different book 🥇

[@itsdivyag]

Hahah honestly it feels like you’re collecting points or unlocked something in a game

[@GinaLuciaReads]

@@itsdivyag Yes!

[@rhianx]

Divya: *posts a video* All of us: *stresses about what funny thing to comment this time around* 😭

[@itsdivyag]

your comments remind me what it is to be alive

[@sillywhimsyy]

no cuz why did u call us out like that

[@MsGloomyLamp]

'She looks like she's about to bully me and then call the manager' - SPOT ON!!

[@itsdivyag]

She’s so fierce I’m afraid

[@plutograyson4823]

Since it’s now ‘tis the season, can you make book covers look like hallmark Christmas movie posters?

[@itsdivyag]

I love this idea

[@jio5680]

Personally, I don't care how similar the charcoal/ink drawings on covers look. I just love them)

[@itsdivyag]

I love them too honestly

[@theblindking900]

They look so cool and artsy, and it can be hard to make ink drawings seem drastically different from one another.

[@queendsheena1]

I think the clone situation is a mix of diverse talent and marketing. Some covers get repeated because they sell. Maas and (Marissa) Meyer's cover artists continuously use a similar style for their individual line of covers and sell hotcakes. Sometimes these covers follow the 'if it sells repeat it' rule.

[@snowycryptids]

Which one of Meyer's cover artists? The one behind the original TLC covers, or the updated versions?

[@JayGTheAwkwardBookworm]

Omg yes mistborn and poppy war!!! When I saw poppy war I couldn’t put my finger on why I felt I’d seen them before AND NOW

[@itsdivyag]

Thought they were from the same author at first ! I love the cover sm

[@suprajasridh]

I'll proudly flex that I've been here since the redesigning trashy ya covers era. love to see our girl grow!

[@itsdivyag]

Ayyy ty for sticking with me for so long 💕

[@RubyDianArts]

Happy early (?) birthday! While the first section of covers are samey, it works for the targeted audience for those quick ebooks and readers who generally know what to expect when they pick up something with that style of cover. As it's a lot of self-published and independent artist works, I wouldn't be too harsh on them but it's definitely a whole vibe trend lol. Warrior's Assault is different in that it's painted and went that extra step, while the others were photoshopped, hats off to that. LOL the dunk on Mortal Instrument tho. "Siblings or Dating?" 😂

[@itsdivyag]

Yep! Thought it might be! I hope my comments didn’t come across too harsh cause even samey covers has it’s own reasons and merits (also like budget n resources… time!)

[@RubyDianArts]

@@itsdivyag Not to worry, the things you bring up are very valid and fair points!

[@notmyrealname4363]

1:36 This works because she HAS A HEAD, FACE AND 'MAKEUP' THAT FITS THE CONCEPT. It fits perfectly with the style and colour palette of the rest of her outfit and the cover concept of someone who has red wings and horns. The generic stock 2016 Instagram makeup isn't there to convey character and story- it's just there because putting a random pouty white lady's face on a cover is easier than finding something that expresses a sense of the character. I hate when book covers give you an uninspiring stock face. It doesn't give you anything to work with in your mind as you picture the character- it just makes it harder to imagine a more organic rendition of them in your mind. My rambling probably wasn't the best way of explaining what I mean but I don't have the energy to edit it and format it like an essay lol

[@itsdivyag]

True 😔 budget and resource constraints really limit the character styles which is a shame

[@notmyrealname4363]

@@itsdivyag When covers get new redesigns from shitty ones to illustrated commissions specific to the book it's like wow so that's what the book it about its so much more compelling than off-putting. Judging books by their covers is hard to ignore.

[@stella8519]

Divya is making me want to check out the artists of the fave book covers that I own

[@itsdivyag]

Dooo it those artists are talented !!

[@anoni6108]

The glow hand look reminds me so much of episode covers

[@junjunjamore7735]

I was thinking of Choices.

[@rebelske]

the mortal instruments diss.....iconic

[@itsdivyag]

That story line was haunting

[@rebelske]

@@itsdivyag truly a curse upon the ya genre that haunts it to this very day

[@gabrijela0978]

ur fit gives me preppy rich girl who studies law

[@itsdivyag]

going to be on Gossip Girl 2.0

[@shivangiverma7503]

also, the overly used slithering snake motif, some popular examples being forest of a thousand lanterns, ninth house.

[@mrmonkeyyy]

may i add: book covers where the cover is just some eye of a random guy or animal, like girlie pls stop staring into my soul i have a family 😭😭😭🙏🙏

[@muskaan3711]

Don't worry bestie you'll get the silver plaque very soon 💛

[@hugoleonardoamaral586]

Damn, Mistborn is a story so rich and with a crazy lore that it's almost an insult that this is one of their covers

[@teresaneves8839]

Thank you Divya, for all this hilarious, gorgeous and amazing content you’ve been giving us lately. The covers you make are just THE BEST! You are so good at this, it’s honestly a crime you aren’t making a living outta this 😭👑

[@ariff6367]

I’ve never been more happy seeing a video in my recommended videos😭

[@marianamauricio]

i love these videos so much i could literally hear you talk about book covers for hours

[@lofi-lila]

These publishers really be loving to see these women suffering 🕳️🏃‍♀️

[@francescakyanda9182]

"siblings or dating" is officially my new favorite game ever

[@manishajoshi7815]

Dude I just love your KZbin channel your intro and bloopers are always so so FUN

[@beatrizdontal3546]

Happy birthday!!! I hope you get your KZbin award soon, you deserve it!! I love your sense of humor and the hugs in the end!! byeee

[@vellichor10]

The time might be right for more of this kind of 3D cover. I'm old enough to remember some of the attempts at 3D cover art of yesteryear, so I usually shy away from it, but these examples have a level of richness in color and detail that I've never seen in the industry before. Usually books with rendered cover art look flat and unprofessional. It's also encouraging to see high quality digital paintings slowly creeping into the cover art world. They look a zillion times better than the photoshop/stock image look that too many books are still saddled with and recall the traditional paintings of the glory days of fantasy/sci-fi covers.

[@Aka-wy7iw]

i hate the "same face syndrom" in book covers smm-

[@elizaelise5192]

I'm rushing activities rn cuz the deadline is tomorrow morning, but I just had to pause for the queen

[@itsdivyag]

BEST OF LUCK FOR DEADLINESSS

[@elizaelise5192]

@@itsdivyag thank you! the power of the g compelled me to finish all my activities and now I'm free to lounge in bed

[@beepboopbeep5369]

Happy early birthday! I always look forward to you uploads and they always make my day!!

[@JordansShelves]

The production quality of your videos is just so good 👏🏼

[@iLiviesimone]

Happy birthday and early congrts for when you hit that 100K!!! Also this video is so much fun and you are doing so awesome with these videos on book covers we have to stan

[@Mario_Angel_Medina]

I hope you get that silver plaque, Divya 😁👍 ... I also didn't frame my college degree, I keep it the same way I would store a magic sword: in a box on top of my closet.

[@makotokino2837]

happy early birthday !!! 🎂 and as usual, love your book covers + videos, it's amazing

[@itsdivyag]

Thank you 😊

[@mm5xo]

i love the mistborn and poppy war covers, and the books as well

[@peterxyz3541]

Happy bday! Love your stream of consciousness critic of covers❤️❤️❤️

[@LadyJenevia]

Happy birthday, Queen! You will hit 100K in no time! 🔥

[@74gould]

I love these videos. :) If I were a publisher, I'd hire you in a HOT SECOND to art direct cover designs!

[@gabbyreads]

Yessss lmao I love when you make book cover analysis videos like this!! 🙌

[@gryffinpuff4life111]

Nearly at 100k sis ur doing amazing 🤩 🥰

[@wackylahari1942]

I have never loved a KZbinr's vibe on watching just one video from their channel, but the first video that I saw of yours, I was totally hooked. You're so energetic and absolutely hilarious. I feel like I'm listening to one of my best friends talk when I watch your videos. I also love how concise your videos are even though I wish they would just never end because I am always absolutely enraptured by everything you talk about. You are my favorite KZbinr of all time and I hope you achieve your goal of having 100,000 subscribers. When you said "Is that Mehndi????" I absolutely lost it. I'm from India and that was pretty much my reaction to it too. Being desi as well, I connect to your videos a lot. Thank you for making me laugh so hard I cry and being so refreshingly different.

[@siouxsbanshee]

happy birthday bestiee

[@et7083]

happy early birthdayyy xx

[@aashitiwari2044]

HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY

[@Nebulousart]

love when divya calls out Charlie bowater same face art bc when *I* did it I got blocked by her on twt lol

[@itsdivyag]

😵‍💫 yikes! To be fair it could just be their style I guess but yeah some of the character design could be more different

[@a.r.tivadar]

The queen is back

[@neelamneelam1031]

BRO IF ONLY I HAD NOT HAVE HAD MY BOARDS EXAMS I WOULD HAVE SEEN IT RN BUT LEAVING THE 1st comment OMMENT LEL

[@neelamneelam1031]

Gurlll u osssssmmm divyaaaaaaa

[@itsdivyag]

Love this dedication I appreciate it! Best of luck on the board exams 💕💕

[@manicmuffin]

Happy Birthday! 💚🎈✨

[@HCSAgirl99]

Happy birthday ish time!!!!!

[@alienum77]

girl, happy birthday! whenever it is lmao i hope you have a great time!

[@coraliacries4209]

happy birthday just subscribed!

[@FHMS97]

lol the faces in those fantasy covers are very...yassified

[@itsdivyag]

😭😭 honestly the colours on the covers are amazing I think it’s just sometimes it’s the face that puts me off the most

[@mabryperry1829]

Happy Birthday 🎂 🥳 ! And thanks for the great video

[@hibaaj358]

I love you and your videos so much, thanks for keep making me happy :)) I wish you have the happiest birthday!

[@itsdivyag]

Thank u this is so sweet

[@hibaaj358]

@@itsdivyag and you're the SWEETEST

[@lanchile1483]

happy birthday!!! no wonder i like your videos so much it's sagittarius on sagittarius energy!!!!!!!!!!!

[@itsdivyag]

I don’t know what sag energy even means but it sounds like a compliment so I’ll take it 💕

[@Catitalaratoncita]

Happy early birthday!!

[@liliasu2890]

I love your videos!

[@alicebergonzi3802]

Happy birthday, Divya!

[@mariapilarnovoa8605]

happy birthday!

[@heywhat6676]

Yes I have been waiting!

[@UzayrKader]

Woahh you've done mad numbers so close to 100k shEEEEsh

[@heavenshaffer]

I hope that you get that KZbin award.

[@pipersolanas3322]

I love this type of content

[@KingdomOfLosers_]

Girl if you had a podcast I would listen to it, and I don't listen to podcasts😂 You're amazing and beautiful and hilarious, keep it up!!! 🔥❤️🔥

[@TomEllisLovesU]

It's always a good day when Divya posts

[@qutiev9457]

3:40 You’re telling me those aren’t in a series?!!

[@wheredidpebblego]

This one would have bullied me and called the manager 🤣🤣🤣

[@athenalester7594]

"Outfit repeater" got me 😂

[@Ekami-chan]

Daughter of the moon goddess, six crimson cranes and Descendant of the Crane books feel like being part of the same universe based on covers...I don't mind because they're gorgeous and maybe made me buy them but I haven't found have they been done by same cover artist...it's fun anyway. :'D

[@uchechukwuunigwe6520]

Happy early birthday!

[@ariff6367]

HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY WISHES

[@m.v.f.3209]

Happy birthday!! I know it's not today but meh Hope you'll have an amazing day

[@rebecca7856]

Happy bd, Divya!

[@mena4397]

Happy (early) birthday bestie !!!

[@itsdivyag]

Tysm 💕😭

[@avainspired]

YEAH EHEN I SAW THOSE COVERS I 2WS LIKE THATS TOO.SIMILAR

[@kstjshin]

Similar covers, yes. Sus? Not even close. Saying they're suspiciously similar implies that the designers are copying and stealing, but it's just a popular trend right now. A boring trend at this point and I wish it would change. I agree with everything else you said, just not the sus part. I love the typography covers you showed at the end. I wish there were more of those and of object-centered covers. :D

[@itsdivyag]

That’s fair! Tbh I only called it susp because I wanted it to differentiate it from my previous video on the same topic of design trends :p

[@bobbi1477]

that shadowhunter reference i cant breatheee

[@aditimallik5312]

haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaappy bday!

[@elevatorsgoup]

Do you think the fantasy photoshop girls went through the yassification process?

[@KazeRyuTrey09]

Awww Happy Birthday!!! And I honestly hope that isnt Mehndi smh

[@dazaimaru5799]

Someone explain to me why every time she does the hug at the end my heart squeezes a bit and i feel such a sadness

[@manmoy4104]

hpbd 👑

[@pippasanderson9153]

That copy of the Hawthorne legacy looks waaaay nicer than mine

[@tamara10]

Now I need a Betty Suarez goes to Bradford spin-off

[@Disgrace_917]

I really want to see Charlie Bowater cover art that doesn’t make it look like all these characters from vastly different stories come from the same novel omniverse.

[@itsdivyag]

To be fair it could just be their style but I’ve heard a few criticisms about this issue mostly for their older works. Some of the newer covers seem to be a bit more diverse

[@cakepop918]

Cool!

[@841-zainabshanafarook7]

My birthday was yesterday lol (November 29th) Sorry you couldn't get the silver plaque, but I hope you have/had a good birthday :)

[@itsdivyag]

Happy belated 💕💕 silver plaque will happen soon (I hope haha)

[@elihewsonsgf]

1:15 was yassified

[@kasperwithanak3853]

Yoooooo, is that a NordVPN sponsor? Congrats brittish citizen, you are part of the KZbin club now 🎉🎉🎉

[@itsdivyag]

😭😭💕💕

[@_noctivagus_]

Posted 9 minutes ago? sis I'm early

[@MsAdlerHolmes]

If the artist for that Sarah Henning book didn't also do a lot of the pics in the ACOTAR and TOG colouring in books, I'll eat my bloody hat. Because I stg they only know how to draw one face.

[@100mgchillpillprescription9]

god I love your content even if you are about to become a senior citizen

[@itsdivyag]

Need that retirement pension 😫

[@helenaborges1329]

The problem with this video is that it ends

[@snehapradhan5591]

❤️

[@Jade-zm2tg]

can i just say i love your outfit and your so pretty and uhm *lesbian panic* have a nice day bye

[@kasperwithanak3853]

Hmmmmmmmm that's sus

[@tapititytap]

Not the urban fantasy romance books at the start lmaoooo

[@itsdivyag]

They’re iconic