The Death Gate Trilogy
Fire Magic – Book One of The Death Gate Trilogy
Author: Leona Urbansky
Leona Urbansky came to me with a clear vision for her debut fantasy novel. She wanted her cover to reflect the intensity and heart of her story — an epic tale of fire, vengeance, and love. With such a powerful narrative, it was important that the design captured both the danger and the emotional weight her characters carry.
She opted for both a full wraparound cover and an ebook version, giving us the chance to build something immersive that would shine in digital and print formats.
Book Blurb (as published):
A veteran of the Mage War, Brenna Hunter vanished from the magical community so she could live a magic-free life and raise her daughter in peace. When her daughter is kidnapped by Kirra, a mage bent on vengeance, Brenna has to draw on her long-dormant magical skills to rescue her. Now, Brenna finds herself caught up in the fight between Kirra and the Belfries as she fights to find her daughter and bring her home.
As Brenna starts the hunt for her daughter, she finds herself being pulled back into the magical community. The further down the path she goes, the more she finds out that her daughter's disappearance is not about Brenna’s part in the Mage War, but instead is one piece of Kirra’s plan to destroy the world on her path for revenge. Drawing on new and old resources in the magical society of the Belfries, Brenna joins three brother mages who have been drawn into the plot, as well as her former lover from the war, to find out just how to stop the vengeful, power-hungry mage.
Creative Direction & Strategy
Our design process was deeply collaborative. We explored multiple sketches and visual concepts before narrowing in on a scene that Leona felt was pivotal to her story. The chosen concept highlights a powerful, symbolic moment from the book, using lava, flame, and mystical energy to visually pull readers into Brenna’s world.
The composition balances epic fantasy intensity with clear readability — strong typography and striking illustration work together to create a cover that feels both professional and emotionally resonant. Every element, from the sword-like divider in the title to the molten backdrop, was carefully chosen to honor Leona’s vision.
Final Deliverables
Custom full wraparound cover (front, spine, and back)
Ebook cover adaptation
Typography and layout design
Social media graphics for posts and promotional campaigns
Social media banners for author platforms
Kickstarter campaign design assets (in progress): mockups for merchandise such as bookmarks, t-shirts, and reader gifts
High-resolution artwork prepared for both print and digital publishing
Impact
Fire Magic launched with a bold, cinematic cover that draws readers in at first glance. By basing the illustration on a pivotal scene, the design resonates with the story itself, giving fans a visual anchor before they even open the book.
With additional graphics and Kickstarter-ready assets, the project is setting Leona up for a strong and professional debut, giving her both a compelling book cover and the tools to market her trilogy with confidence and consistency.
You can find Leona here:
