Welcome to The Friday Face-Off, a new weekly meme 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.
Mayhem by Sarah Pinborough
Welcome to this week’s Friday Face-Off! This week we’re looking at covers which feature birds!
Monstrous crow you say? How about a teeny tiny one instead! Published by Jo Fletcher Books in both the US and the UK, this week we’re taking a look at the cover for the first book in the Dr. Thomas Bond series by Sarah Pinborough. Take a look and see what you think!
Jo Fletcher – UK Cover
Jo Fletcher – US Cover
| The Friday Face-Off: Winner |
Both covers for Sarah Pinborough’s Mayhem are inherently creepy, using the same striking colour palette of blacks, creams and reds, but with entirely different results. The flaming skull and the city map of the US cover are eye-catching and convey the book’s character but the typeface isn’t quite as effective as it might have been. By comparison the UK cover is much more paired back, showcasing some wonderful lettering amongst the swirls, blood spatters, gents and birds which come together to create a simple but effective winner!
Which cover wins your vote this week? Have a cover of your own? – Post the link below!
Amazon | The Book Depository | Goodreads
Next week’s theme is: Renewed Shall be Blade That Was Broken
A cover which features the word ‘blade’ in its title
Remember to check The Friday Face-Off Feature Page for upcoming themes
| Links |
Drew @ TheTattooedBookGeek – Fool’s Quest by Robin Hobb
Lynn @ Lynn’s Books – Bellman & Black by Diane Setterfield
S J Higbee @ Brainfluff – Fool’s Quest by Robin Hobb
DJ @ MyLifeMyBooksMyEscape – The Last Mortal Bond by Brian Staveley
Books by Proxy 
This is so tough! I have always been a fan of both these covers… The smoke skull is badass, but the cover design, font style, and color choices are simple too good! I’m UK too 🙂
Here is my link: http://wp.me/p53gyJ-3bi
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Yea it was definitely a tough choice! I think the typeface definitely pushed me over to the UK camp! 😀
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I also prefer the UK cover – the skull in the US cover is too full-on and lacking in any finesse. And Sarah Pinborough is an accomplished, smooth writer.
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It is lacking a little something! I can’t wait to read these books though – with the beautiful UK covers of course!
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No contest for me this week – absolutely agreed. I love Sarah Pinborough and for me the UK cover is the essence of the book. Did you read Murder??
Lynn 😀
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No I haven’t read it yet! I’ve not even got around to reading The Death House which I picked up at the signing last year – oops!! This series definitely looks like one I’d love and have been meaning to read ever since I saw it on your blog!
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I took a break on blogging so I’m behind on these.
I agree with your choice though I like the other cover as well. The effect of the skull with the shadow behind is so creepy that I’d probably pick up the book out of curiosity. The UK design is more to my liking though.
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Haha I’ve been taking a break too! The UK cover is definitely more appealing but I think the US cover would catch my eye from the shelf… or at least that skull would!
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I have to agree, the UK cover is the best for me. I like the London map in the background of the US cover but the skull and black figure are a bit too much for me. I prefer the simpler, more romanticised gothic style of the UK cover.
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As do I! I think the US cover probably doesn’t do Pinborough’s writing justice. And though I don’t dislike it, it doesn’t quite do it justice!
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This is the first time I see the US cover and even though it’s an effective one, I still prefer the UK cover: it’s more attuned to the historical period of the story, IMHO
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You’re right – the UK cover definitely feels like a better fit!
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I’m aware you’re very buried at present. Drew, Lynn and I were thinking if we got together and suggested some other subjects to enable you to wind the handles on the Friday Face-off meme until you’ve a bit more time – my 3 ideas are: covers featuring blood; the moon and a cover with some sort of luggage on it… Hope you’re okay and we really want you to be able to continue with this one as we thoroughly enjoy it:)). Take care.
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Thanks Sarah, I’ll update the list properly this weekend with your fantastic suggestions and will be jumping back onto posting tonight! Thanks for continuing with the meme! 😀
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You’re welcome – it’s one of my favourite days of the week, thanks to your fabulous meme:)
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Hi!! I love the Friday- Face Off meme and would like to start featuring it on my blog.
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