The votes are in and the winner of the 2013 Debut Author Challenge COVER OF THE YEAR is Romulus Buckle and the City of the Founders. The cover is by Eamon O'Donoghue. The author is Richard Ellis Preston, Jr. and the novel was published by 47North.
In a post-apocalyptic world of endless snow, Captain Romulus Buckle and the stalwart crew of the Pneumatic Zeppelin must embark on a perilous mission to rescue their kidnapped leader, Balthazar Crankshaft, from the impenetrable City of the Founders. Steaming over a territory once known as Southern California – before it was devastated in the alien war – Buckle navigates his massive airship through skies infested with enemy war zeppelins and ravenous alien beasties in this swashbuckling and high-octane steampunk adventure. Life is desperate in the Snow World – and death is quick – Buckle and his ship’s company must brave poisoned wastelands of noxious mustard and do battle with forgewalkers, steampipers and armored locomotives as they plunge from the skies into the underground prison warrens of the fortress-city.
Captain Romulus Buckle must lead the Pneumatic Zeppelin and its crew of never-do-wells on a desperate mission where he must risk everything to save Balthazar and attempt to prevent a catastrophic war which could wipe out all that is left of civilization and the entire human race.
The results:
Cover Wars started as a way to recognize and celebrate the talented individuals who bring books to life with their eye-catching covers. While I may not judge a book by its cover, a terrific cover will certainly make me want to know what is on the inside.
