Cover Illustration with artist, Shan Jiang
THE DESIGN TEAM AT BONNIER WERE KEEN TO ESTABLISH A STRONG VISUAL IDENTITY THROUGHOUT THE CELESTIAL LORE SERIES.
JIANG’S ART IS THE PERFECT BLEND OF CONTEMPORARY AND TRADITIONAL INFLUENCES, LENDING ITSELF TO BOTH THE HISTORICAL THEMES OF ‘WHEN THE BLUE MOON WAKES’, THE LYRICAL EXECUTION, AND THE PACEY, PAGE—TURNING STORYLINE.
THE ‘BAEKHO’ KOREAN WHITE TIGER IS A HUGE EASTER EGG FOR WHAT’S TO COME IN THE BOOK. IT WAS SELECTED AS THE HERO ELEMENT AS IT TIES TOGETHER THE POLITICAL MACHINATIONS THAT CULMINATE IN THE CLIMAX OF THE NOVEL.
“JIANG’S ILLUSTRATIONS CAPTURE A SENSE OF MOVEMENT AND EMOTION. EVERY ELEMENT IS BEAUTIFULLY EXECUTED. THE DESIGN TEAM AT BONNIER CAME UP WITH A BRIEF THAT HAS PERFECTLY CAPTURED THE ESSENCE OF SHIN-YOUNG’S ORIGIN STORY—
HER INTERNAL
AND EXTERNAL WORLDS.”
In the lead up to When the Blue Moon Wakes cover reveal, I collaborated with author, Megan Chee, whose debut science-fiction novel was also illustrated by Shan Jiang and is coming out with Bindery Books in 2027.
We created a side-by side visual of our work to showcase Shan’s art and to also give insight into our publisher’s design briefs and concept discussions.
Here is a snippet from my raw reaction to seeing the cover for the first time (taken from emails with my editor). I think it says it all! :D
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Kellyyyyyyyy!!!
It's taken me all morning to be able to formulate the words to express how much I love this cover. And to know how thoughtfully it was designed and executed by the team at Bonnier alongside the incredible Illustrator Shan Jiang! What a beautiful collaboration. Thank you to everyone involved. My author heart is bursting. I have done nothing but stare at it ALL MORNING in a dream-daze. Every time I look at it, I notice something different and even more evocative about it. It's the gift that keeps on giving!
The expression on the tiger's face. And his eyes and body are so emotive! Hopeful, angry, sad, scared, broken, powerful and so much more. I love the colour of his eyes. They draw attention to his gaze looking up at the words. I love how he is in black and white, and stands out because of the detail and stippling. Everything is bursting with movement, life, mystery, questions and story. JUST SOOOOOO GOOD.
I love the flavour of the artist's inspiration: anime/manga, surrealism, ancient Chinese Meticulous art, Ukiyo-e, Durer art and how the figures float upwards like this. I can FEEL all these elements coming together to blend is such a perfect way. To give a nod to both the historical themes, the lyrical language, but also the pacey commercial storyline too.
I love the delicate interplay between the title and the petals with a little flow and overlap between them. I love the choice of colour scheme. Pink and blue. But still not too masculine or feminine. I think the tiger balances out the flowers perfectly! Even the touches of green are perfectly placed. Ohhhhhhhh I can't get enough of it! haha
Above is an image of the final proofs which were sent out to advance readers in the form of ARCs. This was equally exciting to see Moon packaged for early readers! The team did such an amazing job!
