Bulgarian Cover Themes

[Smye]

Hey all,

I was just perusing the covers selected for inclusion in the upcoming release of ROW by Artline Studios. I don't know the details of what instructions entrants were given, but I note that all 4 covers feature Shallan in a crystalline forest in Shadesmar (confirmed by one of the artists). In two of the covers she appears to be accompanied by a young man with a sword, a blond man in the final cover. Could this possibly be Adolin with his mixed Alethi hair? Do we know anyone else with blond/blond-ish hair? Or have any thoughts about the bright light in the distance they face? I have confirmed that the past 3 Bulgarian covers have indeed featured major scenes from within each text.

[+Hoiditthroughthegrapevine he/him]

Nice find @Smye, those covers are beautiful and I agree that it definitely looks like Shallan and Adolin in Shadesmar.

The sun should appear as a black disc, but it looks like (in the Peter Penev cover especially) that all of the covers are depicting the Cognitive Realm manifestation of either a passing Highstorm or a passing Everstorm.

@ChickenLiberty, thsee covers seem like a mini confirmations of your group 2 pairing being Adolin and Shallan.

I see two distinct possibilities as to what the Nature of Shallan and Adolin's journey into shadesmar would be for.

The first, and most probable, would be to find Sja-anat, who in OB told Shallan through a corrupted spren proxy that she wants to defect, and who also the Ghostbloods tasked her with finding 

The second still probable scenario is that Adolin and Shallan are investigating Cultivation's perpendicularity from the Cognitive Realm. This seems far less likely because of the extreme danger of this mission, and the likely fact that only two POV characters would be going on this mission. Seems like a job for a larger group of Radiants.

I'm really excited we're going to get more Shadesmar in RoW!

[Hen she/her]

I agree that it looks like a high storm is passing. I’m just glad because (if it is indeed Adolin) this means they didn’t grow apart in the one year gap. 

Or maybe they did and during their mission they reconnect. Who knows? But they haven’t given up on each other yet. 

Also in one of the comments on the Reddit page you linked the artist mentioned the dress was an illusion and she was wearing something else underneath. Probably not important but worth some note. 

Edited July 14, 2020 by Hentient

[Harbour he/him]

I guess we will see Shallan and Adolin on their Shadesmar adventure for the large chunk of the book. Good way to explore their post-wedding relationships.

Edited July 14, 2020 by Harbour