the Author
March
3
60 Comments

Cast in Flame: Cover

Posted in Elantra, covers, Shane Rebenschied.

So… thanks to the modern miracle of Junk folders, I did not actu­ally see the go ahead to post my cover until today.

Since I have been sitting on this cover for a month or two (it feels like TWO YEARS), I was surprised to hear that the cover had gone live on Amazon​.com. I emailed my editor to ask if I could post the pre-pub version that I had, since it was live on Amazon​.com, and she said…We sent you the cover link, because I was CCed on it. But, politely. And…she was right. So I have been waiting an extra four unnec­es­sary days T.T.

But, in the theory that late is better than never: Cast in Flame. This is the cover that I went to the photo shoot for. I had a rough idea of the design from that shoot because Kath­leen Oudit had the rough design with her; I watched Kath­leen and the photog­ra­pher, Glenn Mackay, work with the model to take a series of shots over a couple of hours, one of which graces the cover.

And then the photo itself was sent to Shane Reben­schied. And now: I have the finished cover. It is my favourite of the Cast covers to date, and I say that as someone who has liked all of her Cast covers.

Cast in Flame

60 Responses to Cast in Flame: Cover

  1. Genna Lee Warner (@GennaLee) says:
    March 3, 2014 at 9:43 pm

    The covers just keep getting better and better. I can’t wait to read this book.

  2. Alan Witty says:
    March 3, 2014 at 9:50 pm

    I am waiting to read Cast In Flame. I will reread all the other books at least once more before it is out’

  3. Chris G. says:
    March 3, 2014 at 10:04 pm

    I really like this one too. I wish that Kaylin’s face didn’t seem to change between books (though perhaps that’s just my percep­tion?) and I always imag­ined Elantra being more medieval in it’s archi­tec­ture (though that well could just be my percep­tion again), but in the bigger picture those are but quib­bles (and perhaps not even very legit­i­mate ones). 

    I do wish that your covers were entered in The Raven­heart Awards (The Gemmell Awards) for excep­tional artists and covers. It might be good to nomi­nate the author too. :D I’m glad that none of your series seem in danger, but increased expo­sure in awards would be nothing but bene­fi­cial in order to achieve world dominat, er, I mean get your work into the many house­holds world­wide that would undoubt­edly appre­ciate it. :)

  4. Marcy Kwiatkowski says:
    March 3, 2014 at 10:04 pm

    The cover looks great & so does your new pic. Can’t wait to read Cast in Flame

  5. Zia says:
    March 3, 2014 at 10:06 pm

    I was ridicu­lously excited to see this cover on Amazon, but loathing the fact I couldn’t really enlarge it so this is fantastic! Thanks for posting it.

  6. amergina says:
    March 3, 2014 at 10:11 pm

    I am so excited for this book!!

    It’s a fantastic cover. Utterly stunning

  7. Scorbet says:
    March 3, 2014 at 11:26 pm

    It really is a gorgeous cover, but the version I saw on tumblr without the text makes it look even more beautiful.

    I partic­u­larly like the non-medieval Europe aspect of the covers, in partic­ular the (possibly nine) dragon wall through the doorway.

  8. Karen L Durst says:
    March 4, 2014 at 3:28 am

    Was the model covered with the marks for the pictures or were t h e marks added later? Loving your new pic.

  9. hawkwinglb says:
    March 4, 2014 at 5:41 am

    That is a really lovely cover. I do look forward to reading the book.

  10. Debbie Holcomb says:
    March 4, 2014 at 8:09 am

    Counting the days now. Gorgeous cover. Just finished a re-read and will do so again. Really enjoy Kaylin’s world and am dying to see what happens next. Thanks Michelle.

  11. Rachel Montgomery says:
    March 4, 2014 at 8:44 am

    Beau­tiful cover, and while I’m always excited for the next book in this fantastic series, that back-cover blurb has me uber-excited! Cannot wait!

  12. Hilda says:
    March 4, 2014 at 11:05 am

    I love the cover of Flame in this message more than in Amazon. I clicked on it and it came “computer screen size”. It’s really very beau­tiful and… sugges­tive. It also looks oriental, with a dragon frieze behind a mirror and an Asian city. More inter­esting is Kaylin’s clothing; absolutely nothing she will like to wear (as the green dress in the West Marsh that she was forced to wear). I wonder if it’s a dress selected by Night­shade from the closet Kaylin seems to have in his castle. I also wonder if this is the mirror where Night­shade jumps in and goes… wher­ever he wants to go. And I wonder even more at Teela calling her to go to Night­shade’s fief. It’s hard to wait. “Cast In Flames”… Hmmmm !

  13. Tchula says:
    March 4, 2014 at 11:20 am

    Love the new cover! But even more than that, the blurb on the back has me super excited to read Flame. More Teela, Night­shade, and Annarion! Barrani family drama is so fascinating!

  14. michelle says:
    March 4, 2014 at 10:19 pm

    This is my favorite, to date, bar none.

  15. michelle says:
    March 4, 2014 at 10:19 pm

    It’s always a little amazing to know that there are readers out there who have read these books more often than I have.

  16. michelle says:
    March 4, 2014 at 10:22 pm

    I know of the Gemmell awards but I was under the impres­sion that they’re entirely reader-based — i.e. authors don’t submit anything, readers compose top lists and then also vote.

    This would prob­ably be true of covers as well; I’ll check on the covers :).

  17. michelle says:
    March 4, 2014 at 10:22 pm

    Thank you :)

  18. michelle says:
    March 4, 2014 at 10:23 pm

    For some reason, the colours on the Amazon cover are off — the posted cover here is closer to what the book will look like (this has some­thing to do with RGB and conver­sion, and things that the non-artist, non-designer author doesn’t fully understand.)

    And: you’re welcome :)

  19. Zia says:
    March 4, 2014 at 10:28 pm

    They are horribly off on Amazon. While I liked the cover I saw on Amazon I now can happily say I ‑love- it now that I can see it in more detail as well as front and back. 

    I cannot wait until July! Thank you again for posting the cover — and more impor­tantly for writing the entire Cast series!

  20. michelle says:
    March 4, 2014 at 11:00 pm

    You know how you have that: I think my readers will really like this? And that it’s followed by: but what if I’m wrong? I would love it if writing her an objec­tive, metric-visible job, some days 

  21. michelle says:
    March 4, 2014 at 11:22 pm

    Yes — the version on tumblr is the illustrator’s version — it’s what he sends to the publisher. I really, really, really love it — I also love the sense of the height of the whole image. He (usually) posts the image itself at about the same time the cover goes live (I think, this time, he posted it when they sent the finished file & permis­sion — and that went into my spam folder T_T)

  22. michelle says:
    March 4, 2014 at 11:22 pm

    The marks are added later. The model was wearing the bracer, but her shoul­ders and arms were bare.

  23. amergina says:
    March 5, 2014 at 12:47 am

    Yup. I know that, exactly. It’s…hard. Because there’s the words and the story and what you bring to it…and then there’s the words and the story and what the reader brings to it and it’s all so liminal once it’s out of your hands. Because you just can’t control that. 

    But that’s also what makes books so damn magical.

  24. michelle says:
    March 5, 2014 at 1:33 am

    In order to avoid spoilers, I will only say this: Annarion destroyed my novella. Yes, novella. I had hoped to write a novella about Kaylin looking for a new place to live. But events in Sorrow made this impossible.

  25. Elizabeth S says:
    March 5, 2014 at 4:59 am

    Posi­tively gorgeous! I sooooo cannot wait for the book to come out; a slightly belated birthday gift awaits!

  26. Cindy Daigle says:
    March 5, 2014 at 6:11 am

    Love it!! The colors are sooo vibrant and Flamey! I can’t wait for the book!

  27. Darbie says:
    March 5, 2014 at 8:55 am

    The braver is bigger than I thought it would be and I love the clothes though I always thought kaylin wanted to keep her marks covered up can’t wait to see why she uncov­ered them thks

  28. Tchula says:
    March 5, 2014 at 9:39 am

    So Annar­i­on’s like Duster, huh? While I’m sorry he caused you frus­tra­tion, I can’t say I’ll be sorry to read all the extra pages. ;-P

  29. Shay F says:
    March 5, 2014 at 4:44 pm

    Love the new cover — and I have to say how much I love that all the covers for the Elantra series have conti­nuity. It is so frus­trating when collecting a series over time that the cover style/artwork changes completely & they don’t match :/ so thank you for beau­tiful, matching cover art :) Love the series, will be re-rereading them in time for the new release — thank you!

  30. Deirdre Roeser says:
    March 5, 2014 at 6:26 pm

    I am so glad that I found you and Elantra. I love your stories and the covers are so appro­priate to them. You must be very pleased. It is hard to wait until the e‑book comes out, I am checking daily!! :o) Thanks again.

  31. Witchy says:
    March 5, 2014 at 11:36 pm

    I love the color and the bricks on the cover allot. But my favorite cover is from Cast in Sorrow. The girl, dress and foun­tain moved me more.

  32. MikiS says:
    March 6, 2014 at 1:18 am

    Beau­tiful. Just beautiful.

  33. David Y says:
    March 6, 2014 at 9:05 pm

    This looks like another one that my wife will want me to wrap another cover around.
    (Started when someone looked at Cast in Court­light and asked “why is she taking her dress off?”)

  34. Michelle Sagara says:
    March 7, 2014 at 12:42 am

    I’ll take that bet — unless there were covers other than that one that she wanted a wrap-around for. 

    The style of clothing doesn’t imply disrobing. (I think, in part, the skin is exposed so that the runes can be made clear, because they’re the strongest fantasy marker on the cover).

  35. Sam says:
    March 7, 2014 at 4:10 am

    I looooove the oriental theme in this cover!!!! I want to make it into a poster ^_^
    Now I’m not sure how to make it until July, so many hints and so long to wait until we can read it T_T

  36. Astha says:
    March 7, 2014 at 6:53 am

    Novella? Hoped? Any chance of it returning? July is so far off :(.

  37. David Y says:
    March 8, 2014 at 10:03 pm

    Right now, the wrap is on Codex Born.

  38. kscappace says:
    March 8, 2014 at 11:08 pm

    I have to say I prefer the covers where Kaylin is dressed more as a Hawk than a civilian. It is a beau­tiful cover but I think the way Kaylin is dressed distracts people from her phys­ical abil­i­ties. And! Still no dragon on her shoulder!

  39. elleno says:
    March 9, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    The cover looks fantastic, really looking forward to reading this book. August + vaca­tion + your book releases really have become a summer tradi­tion for me!

  40. Susan E says:
    March 10, 2014 at 9:39 am

    That is obvi­ously to me not disrobing, but a gown similar to a sari. Surely court dress. Unless she is embar­rassed to be caught reading fantasy, I can’t imagine why any of these books in this series, would be embar­rassing. I love it when people ask me “what are you reading” that means the cover is doing its job, and I can be its ambassador.

  41. Terry D says:
    March 10, 2014 at 7:02 pm

    Slightly ticked because did not get an e‑mail about the cover and happened to see it on Amazon, but glad its coming out. Never soon enough for any of your books. Glad that the end of war is hundreds of thou­sands of words away but sad that the end is in sight. Yes I hope to be alive to read the end of it. Keep Jewel and Kaylin both alive by you writing your books.

  42. kscappace says:
    March 14, 2014 at 1:38 pm

    I’ve been thinking about the glass drag­on’s name since I saw the new cover, because I just started a new med and this is what happens on new meds. I think his name should be Regret.

    In Cast in Sorrow when Kaylin told him his story and what he meant to her she spoke of her regrets. All of the elements of regret were in the tale. Expe­ri­encing it, facing it, accepting it, and finally learning from it. She has grown stronger from her regrets and learning to live with them. He embodies that for her. So that is what I think his name should be.

  43. Stan Stanson says:
    March 16, 2014 at 1:35 am

    I am pretty certain I will enjoy Cast in Flame but, just to plant the seed for future books: Enough with the elves. Let’s see more Dragon story. :3

  44. Mya says:
    March 16, 2014 at 9:03 pm

    You can never have enough Night­shade! I love this cover though Cast in Ruin was my favorite. Can’t wait until the book comes out, I’ve already planned to take that day off work so I can read it as soon as I wake with no interruption.

  45. Mya says:
    March 16, 2014 at 9:06 pm

    I’m so excited we get more Night­shade. Love him! I really like this cover though Cast in Sorrow is my favorite cover. I’ve already planned to take the day off work when the book releases so I can read without interruption.

  46. Chris G. says:
    March 16, 2014 at 10:12 pm

    Imho it’s very easy to have too much Night­shade. I’d love to see him absent from the series for at least 3 – 4 books. Just my opinion though, and I respect that some others feel differently.

  47. Zia says:
    March 16, 2014 at 10:59 pm

    Person­ally I’d hate that. Imho we didn’t get as much Night­shade as we should have in Peril and Sorrow. For all his efforts to get her to the West March he was in the books a depress­ingly small amount of the time. And Night­shade has yet to overrun any book. He plays a small part if anything and that’s all.

    I am, however, looking forward to the Dragons returning since I have missed them immensely. 

    Severn, however, is free to disap­pear for a little while. I was super excited at the prospect of Kaylin going to the West March ‑just- because it seemed like there would be a chance of no Severn, but of course he followed. He’s much more of a constant than Night­shade ever is.

  48. Chris G. says:
    March 17, 2014 at 7:10 pm

    It’s of course your right to have wanted Night­shade more involved in Peril & Sorrow. I very much felt differ­ently. I don’t agree about how much time he “should” have had, it’s ulti­mately up to Michelle and imho we have to respect what­ever she decides. His part is always bigger then it meet seem, because his pres­ence demands that Kaylin pay atten­tion to him, regard­less of what she may or may not want. 

    I missed the Dragons too. 

    Severn does appear more than NS, but he doesn’t try to demand Kaylin’s atten­tion in the same way, and I always believe that he would respect her wishes any time she asked that he leave.

  49. Zia says:
    March 17, 2014 at 7:38 pm

    I’d have to disagree with Night­shade demanding Kaylin’s atten­tion, but that’s the beauty of different opin­ions :). Severn’s the one who has been pushing her lately — Night­shade, on the other hand, backed off. 

    I’m also just happy with any book — no matter where the story goes. Though the two new Barrani do have me slightly worried.

    Still…I just want more Dragons now lol. As long as they appear I will be thrilled.

  50. Donna says:
    March 17, 2014 at 7:46 pm

    Pre-ordered on Book Depos­i­tory!! Yah!

  51. Chris G. says:
    March 17, 2014 at 9:02 pm

    We’ll have to disagree about Severn too then. I really don’t see his approach as compa­rable to Night­shade’s, as imho NS took an “I’m treating you like prop­erty unless/until you can stand against me” tactic which is some­thing Severn never did. Night­shade did back off, but again imho, that’s because he’s figured out that his previous approach won’t work and doesn’t know how to treat anyone other­wise. I really believe that NS is worse for her, but would happily see them both out if that were possible. 

    I’m looking forward to the next too. The new Barrani will undoubt­edly be inter­esting, though person­ally I’d love for Kaylin to get a break from all of it for a book or two (leave NS, S, etc. etc and go inves­ti­gate the Human Court, the Aerians, or the other race that I believe exists but we haven’t seen yet). I’d hoped that the last two books would be more of a break from those we already knew then it was. 

    I’m sure the Dragons will be there, lots of catching up to do, and lessons and Bellusdeo. Not too much longer. Unlike Oracle, which I’m much more eager for, and is sadly taking a lot longer than the Chronicles.

  52. Ashley says:
    March 30, 2014 at 3:14 pm

    Is there going to be an excerpt posted on your website soon? I am dying here, and just re-read all the books up to the last two parter for the journey to the West March.
    Excerpt Pretty PLEEEEAASE!

  53. Tickle says:
    April 17, 2014 at 6:03 pm

    Love the cover and love the blurb on the back. I’m so excited for the release. I also can’t wait for Oracle. I re-read all of your Sun Sword and Cast novels at least 3 times a year. You are one of my favorite authors and I always recom­mend you to anyone who notices that I read. Keep doing what you do!

  54. Mandi says:
    April 23, 2014 at 6:50 am

    The cover is awesome! I love the colors! I can’t wait for the new book! I can defi­nitely see Kaylin complaining about having to wear such a dress. My first thought about the dress was that it had to do with the elemental fire and that fire had dressed her, like water had dressed her in Cast in Secret. I can’t wait for you to post the first chapter. I know that is over a month away, but yay! Latent magic in Night­shade is waking, huh? I wonder if Castle Night­shade will end up with an avatar after all? I also hope Kaylin takes Annarion to meet Tara; that would be inter­esting. Well can’t wait for more! Hope you had a great holiday with your family!

  55. Farrell says:
    April 23, 2014 at 10:29 pm

    I love the cover too. I just finished listening to the entire series up to this point. Even after reading the books a few times I always pick up a little some­thing new when I listen. And Khristin Hvam is a fantastic reader! To all the other comments, person­ally, I love Severn. Thank you for your wonderful books.

  56. Julienne Gray says:
    May 18, 2014 at 3:03 am

    I agree, I am dying for a sample chapter (or two)… Please give a dog a bone :> Anything to stave off my Kaylin cravings.

  57. Trish says:
    May 20, 2014 at 2:37 am

    Love the cover and the blurb — just finished re reading the whole series so am ready for the next book

  58. EllenO says:
    May 24, 2014 at 9:07 pm

    So looking forward to this book! Just about to re-read the last one.

  59. Lydi says:
    June 2, 2014 at 6:58 pm

    Just finished re-reading the books — still love them. I so wish there was more of them to love :)

  60. Jayleen says:
    June 19, 2014 at 2:59 am

    I love this world… This series. I can’t wait to read it. I do hope kaylin get a happily ever after soon. Well as happy as kaylin will ever get. I just want her to have an illicit affair with night shade, or one of the dragons..

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