So for those of you unfamiliar, FFO is a regular (in theory) feature here on The Book Rat, where I show you two or more covers that are either the same book/series, but redone, or two different books that have eerily similar covers. You look them over, and then vote in the comments on which one you'd reach for at the bookstore or library. Today's featured book is one that I just recently learned about (from my co-host, Bonnie, via a facebook thread of Jaclyn Dolamore's that we sorta hijacked...). It features what it possible THE fairy tale of my childhood, The Twelve Dancing Princesses, which I love beyond measure in that great nostalgic way you do...but it's set at a speakeasy during the Roaring Twenties! I'm not sure there's ever been a synopsis more calculated to win me over.
Here are two covers of the book, both very different in style and overall feel. Take a look, read through the synopsis if you want to see which you think is best suited, and then let me know in the comments,
Which one did it better?
From award-winning author Genevieve Valentine, a "gorgeous and bewitching" (Scott Westerfeld) reimagining of the fairytale of the Twelve Dancing Princesses as flappers during the Roaring Twenties in Manhattan.
Jo, the firstborn, "The General" to her eleven sisters, is the only thing the Hamilton girls have in place of a mother. She is the one who taught them how to dance, the one who gives the signal each night, as they slip out of the confines of their father's townhouse to await the cabs that will take them to the speakeasy. Together they elude their distant and controlling father, until the day he decides to marry them all off.
The girls, meanwhile, continue to dance, from Salon Renaud to the Swan and, finally, the Kingfisher, the club they come to call home. They dance until one night when they are caught in a raid, separated, and Jo is thrust face-to-face with someone from her past: a bootlegger named Tom whom she hasn't seen in almost ten years. Suddenly Jo must weigh in the balance not only the demands of her father and eleven sisters, but those she must make of herself.
With The Girls at the Kingfisher Club, award-winning writer Genevieve Valentine takes her superb storytelling gifts to new heights, joining the leagues of such Jazz Age depicters as Amor Towles and Paula McClain, and penning a dazzling tale about love, sisterhood, and freedom.
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Jo, the firstborn, "The General" to her eleven sisters, is the only thing the Hamilton girls have in place of a mother. She is the one who taught them how to dance, the one who gives the signal each night, as they slip out of the confines of their father's townhouse to await the cabs that will take them to the speakeasy. Together they elude their distant and controlling father, until the day he decides to marry them all off.
The girls, meanwhile, continue to dance, from Salon Renaud to the Swan and, finally, the Kingfisher, the club they come to call home. They dance until one night when they are caught in a raid, separated, and Jo is thrust face-to-face with someone from her past: a bootlegger named Tom whom she hasn't seen in almost ten years. Suddenly Jo must weigh in the balance not only the demands of her father and eleven sisters, but those she must make of herself.
With The Girls at the Kingfisher Club, award-winning writer Genevieve Valentine takes her superb storytelling gifts to new heights, joining the leagues of such Jazz Age depicters as Amor Towles and Paula McClain, and penning a dazzling tale about love, sisterhood, and freedom.
[Get It | Add It]
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The first one.
ReplyDeleteThe first one.
ReplyDeleteThe first one - mostly because it looks more historical to me, I'd be more likely to pick it up saying 'what's this'. While I do like the second cover, it probably would be written off by me as contemporary and I'd give it a pass.
ReplyDeleteI meant to say, too: It sounds like a really good book. I've been wanting to read more from the 1920's and 30's, so thanks so much for bringing this book to my attention.
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ReplyDeleteI actually really prefer the first cover, the illustrated one isn't quite as appealing to me.
ReplyDeleteThe Twelve Dancing Princesses + speakeasies??? You can bet I'll be looking to get my hands on /that/, now!
ReplyDeleteMy vote's for the first cover. Much jazzier. Cover 2 reads as too flat for me.
I'm with everyone else on this: the first cover, definitely! It portrays the historical atmosphere much more effectively than the other one in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteYAY for the return of FFO!
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely enamored of the first (lefthand) cover. It conveys the era beautifully. And while I do like a silhouette cover, "club" doesn't jibe with open, empty, branch-ringed space for me. So there's a battle betwixt the title and the cover there. The first cover has a gorgeous 20's-esque font AND that outfit is so 20's social flapper gal that I squee.
While I like the starry background of the second, I'm agreeing with everyone in that the first cover design better conveys the period feel of the story. But, what also cinched it for me is the Kelly Link cover blurb on the first one, heck yeah! (Also, yay for the return of FFO :)
ReplyDeleteCover on the left pops out at me, would pick it up and take it home.
ReplyDeleteI really like the blue cover. I think it is more simplistic which usually is what I like in book covers.
ReplyDelete