There’s something magical about a book cover—that perfect blend of imagery and intrigue that invites you to step into a world you’ve never known. Today, I am beyond thrilled to reveal the cover for my newest book, The Remnant, a companion novella in the Legion of Pneumos series. With its bold design and intricate details, this cover perfectly encapsulates the heart of the story: the journey of Inaba Bashira, an unlikely heroine rising to meet a destiny she never asked for.
Designing the Cross-Sea Lands
Creating the cover for The Remnant was a deeply collaborative and creative process. Natalia Junqueira of Dawn Book Design, the brilliant designer behind the previous Legion of Pneumos covers, returned to bring this vision to life. From the outset, we knew the cover had to reflect the rich and immersive world of the Cross-Sea Lands. This unique setting, with its towering vertical cities built to escape rising sea levels and its network of winding canals, is both breathtaking and precarious—a metaphor for Basha’s own story.
Natalia and I spent hours refining the look of the city. We drew inspiration from a blend of cultures in our own world to to represent the wide diversity of people that escaped the Ravaged Continent as refugees and made the Cross-Sea Lands their home, ultimately crafting a design that captures the verticality and elegance of this sinking island nation. The result is a cover that feels alive, as if the city itself holds secrets waiting to be discovered.
A Heroine in Focus
At the heart of the cover is Inaba Bashira. Natalia’s expert photo manipulation brought Basha to life with a model who embodies her strength and vulnerability. From her intense gaze to the intricate curved dagger in her hand, every element was carefully chosen to reflect the essence of her character. The dagger, a signature weapon forged from the Cross-Sea Lands’ rarest materials, gleams with an iridescent sheen that hints at the ancient magic woven into the story.
We worked meticulously to balance Basha’s poised determination with the softer nuances of her journey. One of the biggest challenges was ensuring her arm and dagger—key elements in the design—stood out against the intricate backdrop without overwhelming the composition. Natalia’s final adjustments, which included lowering the dagger and blending the foreground seamlessly with the background, created a striking and cohesive image that draws the eye to Basha’s captivating presence.
The Symbolism of Blue
The color palette of The Remnant plays a vital role in setting the tone for the story. While the other novella covers in the Legion of Pneumos series feature darker hues, this cover embraces a lighter, vibrant blue. It’s a color that evokes the swirling waters of the Cross-Sea Lands while symbolizing hope, mystery, and transformation—all themes central to Basha’s journey.
To achieve this, Natalia used a watercolor splatter texture to add depth and motion to the background, mimicking the flow of water and the turbulence of rising tides. The interplay of light and shadow within the buildings and canals further enhances the sense of a world in constant flux.
Why This Cover Matters
Every detail on this cover tells a piece of the story. From the ever-ascending buildings to the dagger’s intricate designs, it’s a visual representation of the trials Basha must face: the weight of leadership, the pull of forbidden romance, and the unraveling of ancient secrets that could reshape her world forever.
As a writer, there is nothing more exhilarating than seeing your story take on a tangible form. This cover is more than just a design; it’s an invitation to step into the Cross-Sea Lands and walk alongside Basha as she fights to reclaim her sister’s legacy and forge a path of her own.
The Remnant is a story of resilience, sacrifice, and the unyielding power of hope. It’s for anyone who has ever felt the weight of expectations or the fire of determination to chart their own course. I can’t wait for you to join Basha on her journey.
I’d love to hear your thoughts! What details stand out to you? Do you see yourself wandering through the canals of the Cross-Sea Lands or unearthing the mysteries hidden within its towering cities? Let’s talk about it in the comments below!
