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 being nurtured by Lynn’s Book Blog and this week – the first of 2021 – we are featuring WHITE covers. I’ve selected The One by John Marrs – see my review.
This is one of the default covers, produced by Edbury Digital in January 2017. It is my favourite cover, as I think the heart is eye-catching and clever and I also like the strapline. The detailing of the genetic sequencing around the edge in the blue also works well – a nicely subtle touch that finishes the cover with a pleasing border. It was always going to be a challenge to design a suitably appropriate cover that didn’t give the impression that this is a love story – and I think this one achieves that brief really effectively.
Published in March 2018 by Hanover Square Press, this design takes a variation on the previous cover, with the obvious main difference being the initial O becoming a splatter of blood containing a fingerprint. I do wonder if the blood spatter gives this design more of a horror vibe, which isn’t correct as this is more of a thriller. The border is still in place, though the use of the black rather than the pale blue gives the cover more of a grungy feel, I think.
This Romanian edition, published in 2019 by Editura Trei, is the least successful of my selection, I think. The knife dripping with blood gives the impression that this a murder mystery, rather than a techno thriller. While the fontsfor both the author and title fonts are plain boring.
Published by Hanover Square Press in April 2019, this is the only coloured cover in my selection. I think this one is strikingly attractive – and I like the red darts sticking out of it. The contrast between the blue and red works well. I also like the uncluttered look, though once again, I think the title font is overly plain and a tad boring, which is a shame given how successful the overall design is. This is a strong contender – I so nearly went for this one…
This Hungarian edition, published in June 2018 by Maxim, is also a contender. I really like how it has taken the default cover design and added His and Her. It gives the cover real interest – my only major concern is that it gives the impression that this is a romance. And while all the protagonists are searching for The One, the novel is more about the process that’s used. Which one do you prefer?
Brainfluff 
Yes, I completely agree with your choice for this one – the heart makes the cover really and Iove the little details that don’t at first catch the eye, such as the sequencing round the edges. Lovely choice.
Lynn 😀
Thank you, Lynn:)). However – I missed the fact that I was supposed to be looking for a vintage cover – oh well…
No no. There was no need to find a vintage cover. The month of Jan is Vintage Sci fi month so I put that in to link up so that if anyone wanted to include a vintage cover by way of taking part they could. I’ve also included other events for the same reason 😁. I probably need to be a bit clearer. I think everyone can read my mind. 🤣
I’m undecided between the first two covers: the first one has a good color balance, while I like the fingerprint-in-blood detail in the second one, although you’re right, it does look a bit… dirty and unkempt 😀 in comparison with the other one!
I’m glad that I’m not the only one who thought it looked a tad grubby! And I’m guessing (and hoping!) that places where they process one’s DNA are reasonably clean???
LOL One should hope so indeed… 😉
Yes… it would be awful to find one’s ideal partner was a dust bunny, wouldn’t it?
I don’t really know what this is about, but based on which cover would make me pick this up? I’ll go for the last one😁
Hmm…I wonder if the font used in the first cover were applied to the blue’n’red darts cover. I love that shade of blue, plus the smudging of prints up in the corner there.
That would look good, wouldn’t it? I often wish I could mash the best bits of two covers together and get something REALLY good!
All interesting covers, and I’ll have to go with the darts!
Thank you, Becky. They are very effective against the blue background, aren’t they?
Ooh, I like how you’ve analyzed each cover. In terms of relevance, I guess the first one with genetic sequences along the borders do make most sense, though my personal favorite is the one with the darts (Hanover Square Press 2019).
I posted rather late, but this looks like such a fun meme, couldn’t resist. Happy 2021 too!
~Lex
~My first Friday Face Off Post @Lexlingua
Thank you for swinging by, Lex! And yes, I tend to be a bit nerdy about book covers, partly because as a writer, I need to get involved in the design and I’m always fascinated by what goes to make up a really good cover:)).
And yes, those pops of red against the blue works really well, I think. And a very Happy New Year, to you!
I like the blue cover with the red darts the best but I’m not sure any of these covers would have me giving the book a second look.
I understand your feeling – it certainly wasn’t the cover that prompted me to pick this one up, Katherine…
The first one is my vote.
Yes, I do think it’s the best, Jennie:)).
😀