Scary Fantasy Book Cover Design (Featuring man, shadows, and mist)

An eerie hilltop setting with a brown orphanage, its windows shattered and roof slightly crooked, looming in the backdrop. Illuminated by the faint orange glow of a crescent moon, the orphanage portrays a worn, haunted feel. At the center of the foreground are four children in black hooded robes standing stoically, their faces unnervingly hidden in shadows but their stances exuding a sense of defiance. Behind them, partially obscured and almost blending into the night, a sinister man in crimson clothing, a tall top hat cutting through the moonlight, is depicted with an unsettlingly wide, evil grin. Texture overlays hint at fantasy as swirls of mist curl over the hill and across the figures.

The title “Only the Strongest” in bold, sharp serif font, with claw-like embellishments on some letters, rendered in a rusty orange gradient. Below that, the author’s name “Miriam Quino” in a crisp, elegant small caps font, set in a lighter shade of burnt orange.

The book title is positioned at the top-center of the cover, aligned sharply with the crescent moon. The author’s name is placed centered at the bottom with a generous margin, offering balance between main illustrations and typography. The main imagery—the orphanage, kids, and man—dominates the middle and lower sections of the composition, creating depth. Light gradients transition across the background for visual intrigue, blending brown and orange elements.