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 featuring on any of our covers is the word LEGEND. I’ve selected Myths and Legends by Anthony Horowitz.
This edition was produced by Kingfisher in April 1994. I love the Medusan head glaring out at us, but that ugly blue textbox really spoils the whole effect – particularly as the font is so very boringly ordinary. It is entirely in the wrong place, blocking out too much of the cover design.
Published in November 2003 by Kingfisher, we still have the threatening glare by an angry female, but this time she is an Eastern princess. I love the box opening and all the creatures escaping. The title running up the side of the cover works well and allows the attractive design to be properly seen.
This hardback edition, published by Kingfisher in September 1985 demonstrates just what a difference a textbox can make. This version of the first cover is far more effective as we now can see those amazing snakes writhing around. I also prefer the green colour of the textbox as it merges with the overall design, rather than clashing with it – though given the choice I’d do without it altogether.
This edition, produced by Kingfisher in July 2007 has nailed it. Who doesn’t love a dragon – and what a dragon! The vibrant orange hues are glorious, snagging attention and begging for me to pick this one up. The artwork is beautifully detailed without any textbox AND the font has been bevelled and shaded to give an attractive 3-D effect. This is my favourite.
This edition is something of a mystery. Unusually, it appears on Goodreads with no other publication details alongside it, though it does look rather amateurish. The dark background doesn’t work with the deep blue font, to the extent that the author’s name is nearly invisible. That’s a shame, because the shading across the title works quite well. Which is more than can be said for the various creatures floating around the page, as they look like they’ve been selected from clipart and simply plonked there without any overarching design to pull them together. Which of these covers is your favourite?
I agree with your choice, Sarah. I would pick up that edition as well, since I love bright colors😊
Yes – I do think that glorious dragon knocks the others out of the park – but then I am a pushover for any draconic image!
I think the November 2003 by Kingfisher edition would be a lot better without the girl, but since she is there I agree with your pick!
Thank you for your choice – looking more closely at the Kingfisher 2003 edition, I think the creatures coming out of the box could be a lot more exciting and colourful than those washed out old skeletons.
The one with the dragon is my favorite too. It’s fantastic!
It is a fabulous dragon, isn’t it?
Definitely the dragon cover for me! I am not too crazy for the others, I’m just not feeling the retro style in many of them.
They are certainly a mixed bag, aren’t they?
Oh yes – the dragon wins. Great book choice.
Lynn 😀
This was a great theme, Lynn – it produced a really interesting spread of books:)
I like #3 – where the legs and empty space are covered with the text box. The text book could be lowered a little bit to show more of the main content though. The amber dragon cover is gorgeous. The last one is a mystery indeed 🙂
Yes – it was certainly a rather odd collection this week, which I suppose is appropriate for Myths and Legends… If it hadn’t been for that stunning dragon, that last one would have been my favourite.
I Definitely choose the dragon cover. It is gorgeous!
It really is a wonderful cover, isn’t it?
Hmm. I do love that dragon, but I have to go with a Medusa head–those snakes make my spine shiver! 🙂
Yes – if the text box wasn’t there, I would have had to agonise a bit more about choosing the dragon, too…
I LOVEthe first and LIKE the third. The others? Meh…
Those snakes are striking…:). Have a lovely week-end, Rae!
I’m torn between the green hardback edition (you’re right, the placement of the text box makes a difference) and the dragon one. The dragon one suffers from lack of contrast: the title is almost the same hue as the art, and I don’t think it’s working. But hey, it’s still a dragon!
Oh yes – dragons ALWAYS rock…