Friday, October 7, 2011

Friday Face Off: Clarity


I came across this one recently through a tweet from Kim Harrington (at least I think that's how I became aware of this).  It seems the paperback of Clarity is going to have a slightly redesigned cover.  For the most part everything is the same, but you will notice one big difference: the model.   Yep, they booted the blonde and went with someone with more obviously red hair.  Now, normally I am hesitant with a redesign, however, I did actually flip back to the cover when I was reading this because I was like, 'Wait, is the model a redhead? But Clare...."  It didn't bother me too much, and you can tell they did try to get some reddish tones in the coloring, but the fact is she doesn't quite match the description.
Still, I'm torn on this one.  The new model more closely resembles Clarity's description, but there is just something in the old model's face - there's something slightly otherworldly and knowing in her expression, and something just a little not quite the norm, and I find it really appealing and really in line with the book.  So...I don't know.  I think what it comes down to for me is the really neat, artsy style of the first one, which is lessened in the new cover.  I liked the not-quite-realness of the first cover, the torn paper overlay look of the hair and the birds.  And I liked the lack of background detail, and loved the light reflections.  But I'm happy to have my hardcover for the former cover, and I'll be happy to have the new model on my copy of Perception when it comes out.   What say you?  Whether you've read the book or not, which would you reach for?
Which one did it better?



Don't forget, you can check out my review of Clarity here 


Last Week on FFO:  The US and UK versions of Maria V Snyder's upcoming Touch of Power went head to head, with the UK covers cool blue and lightning-hand winning easily over the softer, flowery look of the US version (and though I like both, I agree).
Winnah ----->


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17 comments:

  1. UnknownOctober 7, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    I actually really like them both. I think I'm a little more drawn to the red haired girl but that could just be because I have red hair :) I LOVE the cover for perception, so I'm actually not that upset about this cover redesign. usually cover redesigns make me go all stabbity with rage, but these are both really beautiful.

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  2. UnknownOctober 7, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    And sidenote, I just discovered face-off friday and I LOVE this meme! I recently did a series of cover pet peeves and cover redesigns are one of them, so I love the fact that face-off friday exists. I'm going to start doing my own now, you rock!

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  3. Tales of WhimsyOctober 7, 2011 at 11:32 AM

    I think I like the new one better :)

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  4. vvb32 readsOctober 7, 2011 at 3:46 PM

    i like the right with the bubbles ;-D

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  5. AnonymousOctober 7, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    At first glance I wondered if the old cover was for a comic book version, because it looks more like an illustration.

    I prefer the newer cover, for a few reasons. For one, the model on the original cover looks like a child - and a ghost child, at that. 12 years old, tops. The new model looks like a young woman (she has boobs, unlike the other one), and she could pass for a 16 year old with makeup on. Her skin also has a warmer tone, and the image treatment just looks more inviting.

    From a design and illustration standpoint, I still think the new cover does a better job. The details make it look less like a comic book, and the new placement of the figure and the birds balances the composition more. Having more orange tones in the image also balances out the blue and white, so the stronger hair, skin, and lip colors, along with the sky, make the blue of the water and the title pop. (Orange and blue are complementary colors, after all.) Say what you will about the models, but the new cover is a much stronger composition all around.

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  6. Heather G.October 7, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    I do like them both. The older one looks a little edgier while the new one adds more of a softer touch with long hair and curls and more of the red hair. So...I think I'll go with the old since I just like the edgier side of stuff!

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  7. Bookish BrunetteOctober 7, 2011 at 6:55 PM

    I really like them both! But the second is my fav!!!

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  8. RebeccaOctober 7, 2011 at 8:33 PM

    I love the old one better. There's something about the expression on the new girls face that I just find a little off.

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  9. BrittanyGaleOctober 7, 2011 at 11:21 PM

    For some reason I'm not that into either. But I'd choose the second one.

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  10. ham1299October 8, 2011 at 4:15 PM

    I like the new one better.

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  11. Sierra AbramsOctober 8, 2011 at 4:42 PM

    Definitely the newer one. Her hair is GORGEOUS and I LOVE the way the sun is shining...most definitely the new one. :)

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  12. NinaOctober 9, 2011 at 1:39 PM

    I like both, but the girl with the read hair looks more real. So that one, the cover at the right. :)

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  13. UnknownOctober 9, 2011 at 6:10 PM

    I would just like to vote for the paper back. The hardcover never really did anything for me. I have yet to pick it up as well. :(

    MS

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  14. VioletteOctober 11, 2011 at 11:48 AM

    I totally agree that the new cover is much better. The first cover has a young girl on it who looks 12, and thus would make me think this book is geared towards a more Elementary school audience. Also, I do love the new hair.

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  15. PaigeOctober 15, 2011 at 11:59 AM

    I think i like the first one better =)

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  16. KrysykatOctober 17, 2011 at 3:17 AM

    I like the old cover the most, but I like the model on the new cover better.

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  17. UnknownOctober 28, 2011 at 4:20 PM

    the one on the left though a bit pale nevertheless I like it :D

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