Welcome to The Friday Face-Off, a new feature here at Books by Proxy. Join me every Friday as I pit cover against cover, and publisher against publisher, to find the best artwork in our literary universe.
| The Friday Face-Off: Dragon Hunters by Marc Turner |
As soon as I saw the stunning covers for Marc Turner’s Dragon Hunters, a book which has a premise just as captivating as its wrappings, I knew this second novel in The Chronicles of the Exile belonged at the top of my to-read list – and that it had to feature on The Friday Face-Off.
Published by Titan in the UK and Tor / Forge in the US, we have two incredibly evocative pieces of artwork to ogle. With both covers capturing the drama and scale of this imaginative work of fantasy, this week’s face-off is sure to prove a tough choice. Take a look and see which cover comes out on top.
Titan – UK Cover
Tor / Forge – US Cover
Artwork by Greg Manchess
“Wow, that is stunning! I saw some pencil sketches of the cover a few months ago, but kudos to Greg Manchess for producing a final image that really captures the drama and threat of the book. I love how the waterline view makes the dragon loom higher. I also love how the creature seems to be staring at you rather than at the unfortunate souls on the ship. Hard to believe, looking at that cover, that the dragon is the one that’s being hunted. Perhaps someone should remind the creature of that fact.”
| The Friday Face-Off: Winner |
Both of these covers are ridiculously stunning and highlight one of the most appealing aspects of this book – the sea serpents! Whilst both the UK and the US cover capture two wonderfully dynamic images of dragons intent on dealing some damage on the high seas, both offerings remain distinct in their style and excecution.
However, despite the wonderful artwork of Greg Manchess, this week’s face-off has to go to Titan’s UK cover. The colours and lighting which play across the stormy skies and seas are so dramatic and so eye-catching that they bring out my inner magpie at just a glance. Plus, that is one awesome looking dragon. Titan? More please!
Which cover wins your vote this week? And stay tuned for the upcoming review!
Amazon | The Book Depository | Goodreads
From Friday 11th March, The Friday Face-Off will be a weekly meme! Each week will follow a loose theme – which should of course spark a veritable cornucopia of visual delights – just post and compare your favourites from across the globe and link back to that Friday’s post.
The master list is currently being compiled and will be posted in the next few days. If there are any themes you are eager to see just drop me a comment or message! Happy cover hunting bookworms!
Books by Proxy 
Yay to a book cover meme. Colour me happy and count me in!
Both of these are great but the UK is the one for me.
Lynn 😀
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Yay! I can’t wait to get started. I only wish this week hadn’t been such a busy one so I could get stuck in! Hurray for weekends!
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Once more – a stunning choice for your face-off this week! Though this time around, my vote goes with the US offering… Both are fantastic, but what edged it for me was the way the serpent is staring out at us. I love the darker colours, too.
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I love the blues in the US cover and, as well as the brilliantly rendered sea serpent, those little sailors climbing the rigging are a nice addition!
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They are both fantastic though! I really love this weekly blog of yours:)
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Thank you! 😀
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I love both! Though I like the balance and colors of the UK cover, I dig the dramatic angle of the US cover.
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Yeah the US cover throws you right into the action! Love those little men and/or women climbing the rigging! And that dragon really means business.
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I agree, I like the UK cover better. The picture just captures my interest better. I also like the fonts better.
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Oh yes the typeface on the UK cover is much nicer. It’s a bit more refined and goes with the artwork much better!
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The cover by Greg Manchess is stunning. I’ve loved all the covers by him for The Chronicles of the Exiles series – but I just saw that UK cover for the first time earlier this week, and whoever this artist is for that UK, they managed to blow the US cover away. It is more detailed – which I do like better – but what really does it for me, is the color scheme.
Does anyone know the name of the artist?
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I’ve had a hunt around and couldn’t find the artist anywhere! Whoever they are they’re ridiculously talented!
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As always, the UK cover is my pick. Both are amazing however.
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They are! It’s always good to see amazing artwork from both sides of the pond.
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I agree both covers are stunning but I think the UK cover just pips it too. I prefer the colour scheme, font and the centralised image.
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It was definitely a close one this week. Obviously some very talented artists involved!
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