What Defines a Good YA Fantasy Cover?

[SonicSouls]

What determines if a YA cover is good? I see so many that just look generic. It feels like they just picked two or three of the following elements and threw them together:

• Knight (or equivalent)
• Sword
• Hooded figure
• Magic
• Castle
• Dragon
• Weird Symbol

Published authors, what have you found that works? For people in general, what catches your eye? Are these the elements that catch your eye? Is there a reason for this? Or do you prefer more unique covers? Do you have a preference? Thanks.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

I'm told that having a human figure or two on the cover is almost essential.

 

[Stephen Palmer]

Published authors, what have you found that works? For people in general, what catches your eye? Are these the elements that catch your eye? Is there a reason for this? Or do you prefer more unique covers? Do you have a preference? Thanks.

The key is standing out, which is not on your list. Any artist worth their salt has an "eye" most of us don't. That's worth a lot...