0 historical-fiction-dark-gritty-book-cover-ideas-with-blood-sword-flames-runes-viking-helmet-478b5033e1 The visual composition of Design 1 captures the essence of the book's genre. The viking helmet symbolizes the historical aspect of the story, while the flames and blood splatters convey the dark and gritty nature. The inclusion of runic elements adds an element of mystery and mysticism. The typography choices complement the cover design, with the bold and rugged fonts conveying strength and masculinity, while the more elegant font adds a touch of sophistication. The layout ensures that the focal point, the viking helmet, is clearly visible and balanced with the surrounding elements. The choice of a textured and matte black paper for the cover material adds to the overall dark and gritty feel of the design.