Cover Chat (Again)

Afew months ago, I did a joint blog with Rhys from Thirst 4 Fiction (here's my previous blog). Had such fun with doing it, I decided to do it again with Rhys.

Now, for those of you wondering what Cover Chat is, it's a "multiple-blog feature (or meme) where book bloggers talk about US vs UK book covers." (click here if you want to take part or want to know more...)

On Thirst for Fiction, we are talking about the covers for Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. But here, we are chatting about The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson.

Here is the UK cover:


And here is the US cover:


Rhys says: "I think, without a doubt, that the UK cover definitely takes the lead here- the high contrast, muted colour pallete really works well, and it really looks solid. Everything just works really well together to form a wonderfully dark and mysterious cover that is far superior to its American counterpart, which is rather disappointing. For a start, the overlay of the man in the top hat looks amateurish- but the text is badly placed and badly coloured too, and the washed out tones really do nothing for the book. The dark intruige of the UK cover really does triumph- which is why I can easily say that the UK cover wins hands down in this contest..."

I say: "I have to disagree with you, Rhys. I quite like the US cover. It seems simple, and hints at the plot. I'm quite intrigued over the red-haired girl. The UK cover, at first glance, seems a bit monotone. It's using a lot of pallete colours and it doesn't seem to grab and hold my attention. But after looking the cover a bit more, I think I realise why I dislike the UK cover - the typeface for the title. It seems so wrong! It's trying to be gothic and it fails. And why did they need to put the "Jack The Ripper Returns"? And in red? It jars out and it ruins the cover! I think it's the typeface that bothers me the most about the UK cover. I prefer the US cover, but I hope that, when I see it in the flesh, it just works!*"

I want to thank, yet again, Rhys from Thirst4Fiction for allowing me to take part in this! And for picking such interesting covers this time and last time (and hopefully next time. I am so doing this again!)

*I have seen it in the flesh. I prefer it now I've seen it in the flesh but I prefer the US cover...

Cover Chat

My first Guest Blog (kinda)! Am quite excited! And over an awesome idea from Rhys from Thirst For Fiction. Cover Chat is a "multiple-blog feature (or meme) where book bloggers talk about US vs UK book covers." I think it's a cool idea and if anyone wants me info (or fancies doing this with Thirst For Fiction, click here!)

So, Rhys and I did two of these. One of his blog (about Wintercraft by Jenna Burtenshaw) and one of mine. And, on mine, we are doing Virals by Kathy Reichs!

So, here is the UK Cover:


And here is the US Cover:


And now, our views and opinions of these covers.

Rhys say: When I received Virals from Random House, it had the US cover on it of a girl running away in a forest- and I assumed this was the UK cover also...but apparantly not. What I liked about the US cover was that it was very dynamic- and it reminded me a lot of the Maximum Ride covers, which also often feature a girl...and judging by the fact that they feature a James Patterson quote, they are obviously appealing to fans of Maximum Ride (of which I used to be one until I re-read the series and saw how Patterson had wrecked the great concept it began with). The US cover was one of the things that sold it to me, and I'm not sure I get quite the same vibe from the UK cover- it just doesn't have that dynamic of fluidity that the US one has...it looks more static somehow (probably because they're sitting in a boat rather than running through a forest!) that being said, I do think it is a good cover. The skeleton on the UK cover also gives a somewhat clearer definition of what Virals is about...but the blending with the rest of the image seems a bit hap-hazard to me, so I've going to choose the US cover as my favourite :D

I say: I like how both covers are similar to the Kathy's adult books, even though this is meant for a YA audience. Same typeface used for the author's name, same style of cover art. But I think the little differences help keep the two series seperate. It's interesting to see how each cover touchs on an element used within the book. The US has a fast, actiony scene that grabs and holds the attention. Who or what is the girl running from? Whereas, the UK cover focuses on the mystery side of the story, choosing dark sombre colours. Seeing as I haven't read Virals (unlike Rhys - jealous as hell, I am!), I can't say which best suits the story. So, I have to go on which grabs and holds my attention. I like the UK cover with its mystery, but the US cover has an edge to it. If the UK had the US cover, but with the UK typeface, the Uk publishers would be on a winner with me. But this time, I prefer the US cover.

I wanna give Rhys from Thirst For Fiction a quick shout out and thank you for allowing me take part in this. I would LOVE to do it again (just saying...)