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 meme is currently being nurtured by Lynn’s Book Blog and the theme this week to feature on any of our covers is the wind. I’ve selected Windwitch – Book 2 of The Witchlands series by Susan Dennard – see my review here.
This edition was produced by Tor Teen in January 2017. I love the autumn colours and the swirling cloak that gives a sense of movement and drama to this cover. That amazing sky full of lightning bolts and pouring rain also adds to the feeling of action in this accomplished and detailed cover. It is so nearly my favourite – but that font annoys me. Large and rather plain, it also manages to obscure details I’d like to be able to see.
Published in January 2017 by Tor, this cover is also featuring a cloaked figure in the middle of a windy forest, though I don’t like it quite as much as the previous one. However, this one has nailed that beautiful, eye-catching font, which nevertheless manages to avoid covering up any of the major artwork – unlike the previous cover.
This Romanian edition, published by Editura Nemira, in September 2017, is another beautiful cover featuring a cloaked figure in a forest. This time around, I particularly like the trails of magic wafting through the wind, which produces a rather attractive, surreal feel to this cover. That finely wrought cloak is particularly well done.
This Servian edition, produced by PUBLIK PRAKTIKUM in July 2018 is my favourite. This time we get to meet Merik face to face – and what a difference to see his angry determination. The storm around him is beautifully portrayed as something lethal. I particularly like the way that beautifully metallic font seems to be crafted by his sword. All in all, this is a delightful surprise. I had chosen this book because of my recollection of the Tor cover on the copy I had read – and assumed that would be my favourite. How wrong I was! Three of the covers depicted knocked that offering out of the court, even though it is a well crafted, attractive cover.
This cover, due to be published in October 2018 by Tor, is my least favourite. I don’t dislike it – indeed, it is a beautifully detailed cover with some lovely details, particularly that lovely swirling font. I also like the rich golden patina. But it simply doesn’t possess the drama and vitality of any of the storm-tossed figures striding through the forest in the middle of a self-induced tempest. Which is your favourite?
I think the Romanian one is particularly lovely. If only I loved the book. I abandoned ship. Then thought I was going to go back and finish it. And then never have. This be a good choice for the theme. Arr!
x The Captain
I can see why a number of folks had a problem with it – this instalment suddenly expanded the scope of the story and those who had really bonded with the two main protagonists from the first book felt a tad short-changed. It did take me a while to get accustomed to the more epic scale, but I did get sucked back into the world and ended up really enjoying it.
I am glad ye enjoyed it matey! Have a lovely weekend.
x The Captain
Thank you, Cap – I hope your weekend is wonderful, too:)).
I haven’t read this, but all this time I thought the “witch” was a female! So seeing that male figure on the Serbian edition has just shattered my thoughts about this book, lol. I love the 2nd Tor edition the best, it’s more “painterly” and atmospheric to me.
No… Merik is definitely the windwitch:). Yes – the second Tor edition was the one I thought I’d like – until I saw the Serbian edition.
I like the second cover best! I love the little bit of light filtering through and shining on the leaves and sword!
Yes – the light is well handled in that version, isn’t it? It looks good on the cover, too.
I like the first three. The first one, I like how he is floating above the wall but I love the font of book two. The third one, there’s something about the woods and the way his cloak is blowing that really speaks to me. So, I would take that cover, have him floating, and use the font from book two and it would be perfect!
I love the idea of being able to take elements from our favourite and design our ideal cover, Wanda. Someone should create an app for that:))
I love it and agree–someone should create an app for that!!
Absolutely!
Yay, we chose the same book! I went with the first one as my favorite, but I like yours a lot too!
I’m gratified to see you, too, have excellent taste, Mogsy:)).
I’ve seen the Tor Teen cover around but never looked at it closely and just assumed the figure was a woman! And WOW, that upcoming Tor cover is gorgeous. I’ve always loved the contrast of black and gold on covers, so that would be my choice! 🙂
Yes – Merik is all male:). Yes – it is beautiful and Himself is perplexed as to why it isn’t my favourite. Muttered something about being affected through spending so much time with my US blogging mates:))
I admit, I’m really torn here. I love the epic scope of that first cover the best, but Tor’s font is really beautiful. If those two could be put together, like that Servian cover, then that would be AWEsome. I agree that mysterious emblems like on that last cover can be neat, but if you can put the drama on the cover, put that drama on!
Wanda and I have already agreed that someone should design an app when you can smoosh together your favourite attributes of a number of covers to make a SUPERCOVER. I think booklovers all over the world would love it.
Oh gosh, yes! and then it can be something you can print onto tote bags and tshirts. 🙂
lol…
I definitely like the first one best. The second does nothing for me. The rest are ok, but only ok. My opinions.
And you are absolutely entitled to them, Rae:)). Have a great week, my friend.
The first two are my favorite. I’ve found that while I like figures on covers I don’t like to see faces. I guess it messes with how I visualize the characters in my head. Also, I think I’m scarred by too many clinch covers in romances!
That’s fair enough, Katherine. Yes… there are certainly plenty of examples of entwined couples on romance covers, aren’t there?
I really like the top Tor cover – it has a sense of real drama to it. Great choice.
Lynn 😀
They all are good covers, I think. Which means it comes down to personal taste – I find weeks like this absolutely fascinating as I can never forecast exactly which cover ends up being the favourite…