This meme was started by Books by Proxy, whose fabulous idea was to compare UK and US book covers and decide which is we prefer. This week we got together in Proxy’s absence and decided to find covers featuring a hooded character – and very frustratingly, I found myself staring at Insatiable, the first book in Meg Cabot’s series I highlighted last week! After a great deal more searching, however, I came up with this offering – The Summoner – Book 1 of the Chronicles of the Necromancer series by Gail Z. Martin.
This cover was released by Solaris in April 2007 by Solaris. I really like the way that we only get half the hooded character, adding to the air of mystery. I also like the colour, which is a welcome change from all those dark, brooding covers that abound in this sub-genre.
This French publication was released by Milady in 2014, and they clearly didn’t appreciate quite so much mystery as the hooded figure is now fully revealed, albeit still off-centre.
This edition was published by Double Dragon in 2007. Not a hooded anybody in sight – but there is a real sense of menace as that doglike/demon face stares out at us over the luminescing ball of light. I really like this one – it’s certainly different as well as being beautiful.
This Czech edition was produced by FANTOM PRINT in 2007. The hooded character is replaced by a grim-looking king that reminds me of the ringwraiths from Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films. I think the effect is both beautiful and menacing with the fine detail on the armour and muted colour palette. However, my favourite is the previous cover – the Double Dragon edition. Which one do you prefer?
Brainfluff 
Second one down for me, I think!
I’m intrigued that there are two slightly different versions of the original cover available… It was one of the reasons why I decided to chose this.
I think I prefer the first one (Solaris version). If I saw the book in a store with any of those covers, the Solaris one would draw my attention more than the others. I like the colors and air of mystery it has, just like you mentioned.
It certainly has that – the nice thing about this book is that I think all the covers are of a high standard. So it’s more about personal preference, rather than because one cover is plain bad.
Great choice, think I’ll do the usual manly thing though and pass on making a decision! 🙂 Because, if I saw any of those covers they’d pique my interest in the book and make me look at it.
Thank you for swinging by Drew – it’s a good book as well. Have you read this one?
I haven’t no, definitely a book I’ll have to check out in the future though. 😊
I like the second Solaris one – I think because the text is at the bottom and so it reveals more cover. I like your choice – isn’t that dog like character wearing a hood though? It looks like it has a cloak on to me for some reason!
Lynn 😀
Oooh! I like the Double Dragon 2007 version. So intense. My second place is the French one Milady 2014. I like that more of the hooded figure is revealed.
Yes – I think this one is really dramatic and I do love the vibrant colours. Thank you for swinging by Loreen.
I like the Solaris version, but I really do love the Czech one. For me the Double Dragon one is the weakest — seen it a thousand times before.
This selection of covers seems to have really split opinion this week! Many thanks for taking the trouble to let me know your thoughts.
I like #1 and #4 equally, but I definitely don’t like #2, especially the arch on the top of the page that looks so out of place. #3 is great, but not for this kind of the book. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for swinging by and giving your opinion. Have you read the book?
No, I haven’t but I will buy the book. Right now I am in the process of stuffing my Kindle with reading material 🙂 I have two long flights ahead.
Do let me know how you get on with it, won’t you? Bon voyage:)
Thank you! 🙂
I like the first one the most: it gives a clear feeling of what the book is about and what genre it is (and it did make me to pick up the book off the bookstore shelf years ago).
I appreciate Double Dragon’s attempt for originality, but the cover feels too empty (especially at the bottom) and also gives more of a horror feel than the adventure fantasy The Summoner really is.
The Czech version would be my least favorite, but I can see some slavic influences in it, which would make me think this book cover would sell the book over in Czech.
I’m fascinated that this particular cover selection has probably split people more thoroughly than any other of my Friday Face-offs – thank you for taking the time to comment, Joanne.
I like the first one. I love the color scheme. I love that the hooded person is hidden. I love that he’s off-center. It’s all very mysterious and foreboding.
Thank you for taking the time to comment, Wanda:). I agree that of the two similar ones, the first one best conveys the sense of mystery.