Below are several AI-generated images that perfectly represent what I imagined for Fear of the Sky. Click on each one to view its full-sized version and learn what I think about it. At the bottom of the page, you'll find a link to a second collection that includes images that just missed the mark and those for my work in progress, There Remain an Ember.
"Official" Fear of the Sky Images
This image got Iko just right. He has all the right physical characteristics, looks hungry, and isn't exactly happy. Given that he lives in hiding from the dragon Mizur and almost never sees his beloved daughter, that's how he should look.
The memory of watching the dragon Azoch kill her two young sons and husband will forever torment Zerah. But only those closest to her understand the depth of the grief buried beneath her obsessive hunt for a dragon-killing poison. I saw the grief and anger in this picture, and she looks as described in my words. My sister, Nichole, was generous enough to make her eyes green, as the original image colored them brown.
This was a very challenging image to create. Describing the inhuman Makus to the AI generator to get a good image took a lot of trial an error. I would have preferred it to look more like a painted portrait, like Iko and Zerah, but never quite got that result. In the end, you can still see who Makus is: a brute physical presence who isn't here to play, and there may be a hint of sorrow behind his giant purple eyes.
I loved how the image of the dragon in the moon appears slightly supernatural. Given that Fear of the Sky's dragons are part of an evil god's scheme and the story is paced by moon phases, this cover concept was perfect to me.
Behold the world of Fear of the Sky. Once great, now brought to ruin by dragons who've come out of nowhere. The crumbled Roman architecture perfectly represents the once-thriving culture brought to its knees. Given that the dragon named Mizur rules over the ruins of Jynsomn, this image could very well be from the novel's first chapter.
Another image of Jynsomn.
This map of Anuthura, where most of the novel takes place, took me countless hours and revisions to craft. If you've never used Inkarnate.com, give it a shot. It's easy and cheap!
The larger of two species referred to as "wretchers", ukori stand between seven and eight feet tall and are particularly fond of human flesh. There were several good pictures of these imposing villains, but, in the end, this one was my favorite because of the style.
Everything about this wreg is perfect except for the odd weapon its holding. But I liked it so much I had to keep it. These smaller wretchers keep close to the larger ukori. Alone, they aren't much of a threat, but in groups, they can be quite dangerous.