I think it looks harsh. The divide between the red and blue is very abrupt, the font styles and colours are very sharp-edged and the colours are very contrasting, but in a bad way. I also don't like the combination of red and blue, because even though they're not colour-opposities, they feel like they are but without the wonderful contrast that red-and-green or yellow-and-purple can have (blue-and-orange only works well when done really well, in my opinion, even though I love it).
It does look cheap, quick, rushed. Very simple, but not classy, timeless simple in the way that you can tell just by looking at it that time and effort went into making it look so simple. I agree with the many other commentors who recommend gold as a main colour. Gold and blue is a gorgeous combination that is contrasting but also invigorating, especially teamed up with some white.
Good luck, whatever you decide, but I think your design team needs another try. (And I pity you the book publishing process, especially when design is based not on what represents the book but on what will sell it immediately after it gets on the shelves, not what will make it a long-term bestseller. Still, I think the word of mouth will get yours selling decently enough to overcome that problem -- doesn't mean the cover shouldn't be as good as possible!)
Wolverine  |