When a friend from the UK recently posted Seraphina as to-read on Goodreads, I noticed something: the UK cover. (I know you're saying, well, yeah, but I tend to look into these things, and this time I was just so captivated by my cover - and the story inside - that I didn't.) Now, I always say on FFO that it's about the cover not the story - anyone can have an opinion on a cover without having read the book, and it's a judgement on whether the cover art is effective, whether it makes you want to pick up the book or walk on by. I also try to never give my opinion beforehand, lest I bias you.
So in keeping with that, I'll keep my opinions to myself and let these two covers duke it out. Which one makes you curious about the story inside? Which one would you reach for on the shelves?
Which one did it better?
(I would highly recommend clicking each to see it in greater detail)
Last Week on FFO: The hardback and paperback covers of Gabrielle Zevin's All These Things I've Done went head to head (or head to chocolate heart...) in what was a much closer race than I was anticipating. The anti-face-cover sentiment did when out in the end, but Anya's edgy hairstyle gave that chocolate & countdown list cover a run for its money.Winnah ----->
I'm very conflicted here. On the one hand, I love the UK cover. It's very striking with the red background and that creepy dragon eye. On the other hand, I love the detail of the black-and-white illustration on the US cover. I think I'm going to say the US cover did it better.
ReplyDeleteThe UK cover has two of my biggest cover pet peeves: A review quote (I'll read that back for that, thanks) and a model of the main character (let ME decide what she looks like based on the book. This isn't a movie poster). USA all the way.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the US cover. To me, the UK cover looks like it'd be just another fantasy-eque book, with dragons maybe, but it doesn't stand out as being special and different. The US cover catches my attention right away and says"I'm different! Read me!"
ReplyDeletefirst. I love seeing drawings on covers. reminds me of the lord of the rings
ReplyDeleteI'm U.S. on this one. It's just so different from the norm.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the new one :)
ReplyDeleteThe old one is pretty but doesn't get me excited to read.
Oops I meant the UK one.
ReplyDeleteUsually I find US covers to be more to my liking but not this time. The UK cover really intrigues me. Everything about it screams "buy me." Great face off picks.
ReplyDeleteThe US cover, hands down. I don't like models on covers, and the woodword image of the US one is so unbelievably gorgeous I'm flabbergasted that they would do anything else.
ReplyDeleteI really like the US cover! Even if I had no idea what the book was about, I would be interested, because it looks like an epic fantasy novel. The UK cover looks like just another YA book, it does not stand out to me. And I really don't like these overly photoshopped-looking girls on covers. It looks like a publisher really wants to jump on the bandwaggon and sell the book. The US cover is more unique, and from that I draw the conclusion that the story is so good, that it does not need a pretty girl on the cover to be bought. Does that make sense? I think so. ;)
ReplyDeleteThat makes PERFECT sense to me. They're not trying to mask the story or "girl" it up to get buyers who maybe otherwise wouldn't look at a novel with dragons in it. It's a more timeless and sexless cover that will have staying power, and they didn't feel the need to fall back on trends, and that is a HUGE compliment to the book, I think.
ReplyDeleteUS definitely. By far. I would never think to pick up the UK cover...sadly...
ReplyDeleteDefinitely U.S cover. The UK cover looks quite amateurish and messy to me x
ReplyDeleteUS cover for sure! It is such a beautiful drawing, I want it! These are the kinds of books I read as a kid, I was ALL OVER the dragons :)
ReplyDelete+JMJ+
ReplyDeleteI'm voting for the cover on the left because I like the woodcut design better than the more modern design with the model.
LEFT, LEFT, LEFT. The UK has had some serious cover missteps recently. When the US goes with something more like a UK cover, the UK tries to do the pretty model thing, and it's almost always bad. This reminds me of what they did to Shadow and Bone/The Gathering Dark.
ReplyDeleteAlso, how lame does the UK cover look? With the dragon's eye hovering in the top corner. Noooooo.
I know this is an old entry but I'm going to put my input in on it anyway.. I'm so conflicted! The left one draws my eyes more because it's cartoonish and so detailed but then my inner YA LOVER is liking the one on the right. oh dear.. I guess if I had to pick I'd pick the left!
ReplyDelete