The Friday Face-Off: Cold and Crisp

September 4, 2020September 4, 2020 | proxyfish

Welcome to The Friday Face-Off, a 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. Check out Lynn’s-Books for upcoming themes!

White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi

Welcome to the Friday Face-Off where this week we’re comparing covers with a cold and wintry feel!

Fortunately, I had spotted White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi whilst writing another blog post and it was a perfect and beautiful fit for this week’s face-off.

This week’s offerings are the Picador 2009 cover versus the Picador 2010 cover with artwork by Jon Klassen. Take a look and see which one is your favourite!

Picador 2009 | Cover #1

Picador 2010 | Cover #2

Artwork by Jon Klassen

| The Friday Face-Off: Winner |

Both these covers are beautiful, simple and follow a similar theme. The Picador 2009 cover works in paper cut silhouettes with fruits, paintings and skulls hidden amongst the branches of the trees. The darkened house sits comfortably in the shade of the trees with the white trees shadowing the black in the foreground.

The wonderfully witchy typeface that graces both covers stands out in bold red on the Picador 2010 cover. The composition is a darker, more dramatic and more atmospheric version of the 2009 edition – The trees are tall, spiny and angular; the sky is a smokey, leaf blown off-white; and the house with its singular glowing window emerges from the dark, dark ground. As lovely as the 2009 cover is, it doesn’t come close to the more sophisticated and infinitely more creepy 2010 cover.

Which cover wins your vote this week? Have a cover of your own? – Post the link below!

Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Next week’s theme is:

Patterns

A cover featuring a pattern

Remember to check Lynn’s Books for upcoming themes

| Links |

Tammy @ Books, Bones & Buffy

Lynn @ Lynn’s Books

Mogsy @ The BiblioSanctum

Steve @ Books and Beyond Reviews

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

The Friday Face-Off: The Road Goes Ever On and On

August 28, 2020August 28, 2020 | proxyfish

Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchett

Welcome to the Friday Face-Off where this week we’re comparing covers featuring a dark road!

After last week’s edition took me to Discworld, I couldn’t resist going there again with Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchett! And with a wonderful collection of covers, it was difficult only choosing two to compare!

This week’s offerings are the Pocket 2011 French cover with incredible artwork by Marc Simonetti and the Collector’s Library edition from Doubleday with artwork by Joe McLaren. Take a look and see which one is your favourite!

Pocket 2011 | Cover #1

Artwork by Marc Simonetti

Doubleday 2016 | Cover #2

Artwork by Joe McLaren

| The Friday Face-Off: Winner |

The Doubleday cover is a nice addition to the Collector’s Library – block colours, a simple illustration working in silhouettes and negative space, and a dramatic vista. I love the lonely figure walking up a long and crooked road towards Lancre Castle, and I love the silhouettes of the witches on broomsticks as they fly across the sky.

The artwork for the French edition is incredible, however, and the more I look at Marc SImonetti’s artwork the more in love I am with it. It is, quite simply, breathtaking. I love the smokey blues and pinks as they rise up to Lancre Castle concealing another dark and crooked road. I love the slender figure of Mightily Oats, the powerful stance of the Witches of Lancre and the sword-swinging action of Verence II. This eye-catching and imaginative cover is most definitely my favourite.

Discworld artwork by Marc Simonetti

Which cover wins your vote this week? Have a cover of your own? – Post the link below!

Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Next week’s theme is:

Cold and Crisp

A cover with a cold and wintry feel

Remember to check Lynn’s Books for upcoming themes

| Links |

Lynn @ Lynn’s Books

Mogsy @ The Bibliosanctum

Steve @ Books and Beyond Reviews

Sarah @ Brainfluff

Tammy @ Books, Bones and Buffy

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

The Friday Face-Off: Hubble Bubble

August 21, 2020August 21, 2020 | proxyfish

Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett

Welcome to the Friday Face-Off where this week we’re comparing covers featuring potions!

And if we’re talking potions, there is only ever one set of books I would want to include: The Witches of Lancre sub-series from the Discworld universe. Fortunately, this series features covers with cauldrons, broomsticks, pumpkins and witches aplenty!

This week’s offerings are the Corgi 2012 cover with classic artwork by Josh Kirby and the Gollancz Collector’s Library edition with artwork by Joe McLaren. Take a look and see which one is your favourite!

Corgi 2012 | Cover #1

Josh Kirby

Gollancz 2014 | Cover #2

Joe McLaren

| The Friday Face-Off: Winner |

Josh Kirby’s artwork is stunning and his cover for Wyrd Sisters is no exception. As ever, this cover displays a cacophony of interconnecting people, places, objects, animals and elements in a riot of colours. I love the swirling fog, the typeface and the bats in the aquamarine, and I will never stop enjoying the feeling of getting lost in one of these covers.

But the Gollancz Collector’s Library editions are something else. There is nothing I would love more than every single edition of this collection sitting happily on my bookshelves; fabric hardback covers in bright colours with beautiful illustrations staring down at me. I love the spindly trees, the bright moon and the gaggle of witches around the cauldron. I love the elongated shadows, the crackling flames and the looping handwriting. As much as I admire Josh Kirby’s artwork, I just adore these covers!

The Witches of Lancre Gollancz Collector’s Library Editions

Which cover wins your vote this week? Have a cover of your own? – Post the link below!

Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Next week’s theme is:

The Road Goes Ever On and On

A cover featuring a dark road

Remember to check Lynn’s Books for upcoming themes

| Links |

Lynn @ Lynn’s Books

Mogsy @ The Bibliosanctum

Steve @ Books and Beyond Reviews

Tammy @ Books, Bones & Buffy

Mareli and Elza @ Elza Reads

Kristi @ Confessions of a YA Reader

Sarah @ Brainfluff

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

The Friday Face-Off: Spectacular

August 14, 2020August 21, 2020 | proxyfish

The Fowl Twins by Eoin Colfer

Welcome to the Friday Face-Off where this week we’re comparing covers featuring glasses!

While there are a fair number of obvious choices to go for, or books with only one cover to choose from, it was much more difficult than I thought it would be to find a worthy comparison within the realms of science fiction and fantasy… but I really should have started looking at children’s book sooner!

This week we’re comparing The Fowl Twins by Eoin Colfer, published by Harper Collins in the UK and Disney Hyperion in the US. Take a look and see which one is your favourite!

Harper Collins UK | Cover #1

Disney Hyperion US | Cover #2

Cover Art by Goñi Montes

| The Friday Face-Off: Winner |

Both these covers draw the eye. The smouldering sunset of the UK cover, the focal point between the two, staring faces and the overall composition works really well. The typeface is punchy but clean and doesn’t draw the eye away from the illustration.

The swirling colours and chaotic action of the US cover makes for a beautiful piece of artwork where the characters almost leap from the cover. The only negative being the rounded, shiny typeface that distracts a little too much from the overall composition.

I can’t possibly choose between them…

Cover Art for Artemis Fowl by Goñi Montes

Which cover wins your vote this week? Have a cover of your own? – Post the link below!

Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Next week’s theme is:

Hubble Bubble

A cover featuring potions

Remember to check Lynn’s Books for upcoming themes

| Links |

Lynn @ Lynn’s Books

Steve @ Books and Beyond Reviews

Mogsy @ The Bibliosanctum

Tammy @ Books, Bones & Buffy

Sarah @ Brainfluff

Mareli and Elza @ Elza Reads

Kristi @ Confessions of a YA Reader

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

The Friday Face-Off: Action

August 7, 2020August 7, 2020 | proxyfish

The Empire of Ashes by Anthony Ryan

Welcome to the Friday Face-Off where this week we’re comparing book covers that depict action!

Amongst the many action-packed and bloody covers that grace the fantasy genre, I decided that it was about time some awe-inspiring and dynamic dragons featured on Books by Proxy. The Waking Fire by Anthony Ryan was one of my favourite reads of 2017 and it just so happens that the series, The Draconis Memoria, has some incredibly beautiful and action-packed covers to choose from – The Empire of Ashes being the third and final instalment of the trilogy.

With Orbit’s cover by Jeffrey Read going head to head with Ace’s cover by Leesha Hannigan, scroll down to see which one is your favourite!

Orbit | Cover #1

Cover Art by Jeffrey Read

Ace | Cover #2

Cover Art by Leesha Hannigan

| The Friday Face-Off: Winner |

The Ace cover is a dramatic and beautifully rendered image of two dragons in the midst of a battle. In a swirl of water and wings, the two dragons snap and snarl at one another in this action-packed composition. Despite Leesha Hannigan’s beautiful illustration, I feel this cover is let down by the blocky typeface and the flames that eat away at the page. This artwork, like the Orbit cover, deserves a clean, full-page spread to truly appreciate it.

The Orbit cover on the other hand is, for me, as close to perfection as possible. Jeffrey Read has captured a dramatic and suspenseful scene as two figures throw up a glowing shield as they are wreathed in flames. The dragon is menacing and terrifying, a true vision of a ‘monster’, and the bright colours of magic and flame provide a stark contrast to the dark and smokey backdrop. The typeface is clean and simple and only complements this simply stunning cover.

I highly recommend that you check out Jeffrey Read’s website too, his concept art is truly second to none.

Cover Art for The Draconis Memoria by Jeffrey Read

Which cover wins your vote this week? Have a cover of your own? – Post the link below!

Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Next week’s theme is:

Spectacular

A cover featuring glasses or spectacles

Remember to check Lynn’s Books for upcoming themes

| Links |

Lynn @ Lynn’s Books

Steve @ Books and Beyond Reviews

Mogsy @ The Bibliosanctum

Tammy @ Books, Bones & Buffy

Sarah @ Brainfluff

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

The Friday Face-Off: White

July 31, 2020July 31, 2020 | proxyfish

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

Welcome to the Friday Face-Off!

This week we’re comparing book covers that are predominantly white and oh my were there a lot to choose from! In order to narrow down the wealth of possibilities, I decided that I would have to go for a book I had read and loved, a book which just so happens to have two absolutely stunning covers – enter Nevernight by Jay Kristoff.

With Tor’s Nevernight cover by Jason Chan against Harper Voyager’s cover by Kerby Rosanes, take a look and see which one is your favourite!

Tor | Cover #1

Cover Art by Jason Chan

Harper Voyager | Cover #2

Cover Art by Kerby Rosanes

| The Friday Face-Off: Winner |

The Tor cover is beautiful and eerily atmospheric, the solitary figure of Mia Corvere with a blooded blade making for a dark, dramatic composition. Further to this, the winged shadow against the pale stonework make for an arresting backdrop which is set off by the twisting and swirling typeface.

By contrast, the Harper Voyager cover is bold and eye-catching, and the beautifully detailed bird against the blood red sun makes for a striking image. This is a Face-Off that I simply cannot choose between.

Concept Art for Nevernight by Jason Chan

Which cover wins your vote this week? Have a cover of your own? – Post the link below!

Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Next week’s theme is:

Action

A cover that depicts action

Remember to check Lynn’s Books for upcoming themes

| Links |

Lynn @ Lynn’s Books

Tammy @ Books, Bones & Buffy

Mogsy @ The Bibliosanctum

Steve Smith @ Books and Beyond Reviews

Sarah @ Brainfluff

Mareli & Elza @ Elza Reads

Kristi @ Confessions of a YA Reader

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

The Friday Face-Off: Framed

July 24, 2020July 31, 2020 | proxyfish

The Mortal Word by Genevieve Cogman

Welcome to the Friday Face-Off!

This week I have been mired by deadlines that have eaten into all my free time – books have been unread, blog posts have been left half written and I didn’t even manage to finish this Friday-Face Off post in time! But hurrah! It’s finally the weekend and at least I cobbled enough images together to put on a post this evening!

This week I decided to go for a book that has a frame-like illustration – and none come to mind more than Genevieve Cogman’s Invisible Library series! With Ace providing Cover #1 and Pan Macmillan providing #2 these two provide very similar entries to the Face-Off!

Take a look and see which one is your favourite!

Ace | Cover #1

Pan Macmillan | Cover #2

| The Friday Face-Off: Winner |

As beautiful and elegant as the Pan Macmillan covers are for this series, they hold no bars to Ace. The symmetry, the thick, patterned border that loops and weaves so elegantly around the page, and the subtle use of colour really make this cover stand out. I adore the typeface, the scrolling foliage and the little Eiffel Towers that book-end this frame, and the single red-eyed cat taking centre stage is just the cherry on the cake!

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:

White

A cover that is predominately white

Remember to check Lynn’s Books for upcoming themes

| Links |

Lynn @ Lynn’s Books

Mogsy @ The Bibliosanctum

Tammy @ Books, Bones & Buffy

Sarah @ Brainfluff

Mareli & Elza @ Elza Reads

Steve Smith @ Books and Beyond Review

Kristi @ Confessions of a YA Reader

Nat @ Natrosette

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

The Friday Face-Off: Just as it Seems

July 17, 2020July 31, 2020 | proxyfish

Shadow’s Edge by Brent Weeks

Welcome to the Friday Face-Off!

Now I know that a multitude of covers exist which display a graceful hand holding an ominous, powerful or fruit-like object. I, however, cannot for the life of me find them – especially not after a bottle of wine. So this week I’ve settled for a small, yet deadly, contribution to the Face-Off with a blade, both hidden and otherwise.

The first cover for this week’s ‘object’ edition was published by Orbit in 2008 and features artwork by Calvin Chu, and the second was published by Bragelonne in 2009, featuring artwork by Frédéric Perrin.

Take a look and see which one is your favourite!

Orbit | Cover #1

Cover art by Calvin Chu

Bragelonne | Cover #2

Cover art by Frédéric Perrin

| The Friday Face-Off: Winner |

As much as I love the Orbit edition of the Night Angel Trilogy; the smoke-like splashes of colour, the bold and graphic typeface, and the solitary figure looming ominously out of the white, I cannot help but feel that this is hardly a contest at all, especially considering the fact that Kylar’s hidden blade is all but concealed by Brent Weeks’ magnanimous name.

Bragelonne have a reputation for producing beautiful and powerful pieces of artwork to accompany their published titles and Shadow’s Edge, or Le Choix des Ombres, is no exception. The drama and perspective of the artwork is beautiful and arresting, and the muted colours of the backdrop set off the eye-catching splashes of red and luminous eyes that emanate from the figure. Frédéric Perrin has captivated the essence of the novel almost effortlessly which is why, almost without contest, it is this week’s winner!

The Night Angel Trilogy. Cover art by Frédéric Perrin

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:

Framed

A cover featuring a frame, a picture within a cover, or a murder mystery set up

Remember to check Lynn’s Books for upcoming themes

| Links |

Tammy @ Books, Bones & Buffy

Lynn @ Lynn’s Books

Mogsy @ The Bibliosanctum

Steve @ Books and Beyond Reviews

Nat @ Natrosette

Kristi @ Confessions of a YA Reader

Sarah @ Brainfluff

Mareli & Elza @ Elza Reads

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

The Friday Face-Off: At the end of every light, is a tunnel of darkness.

July 10, 2020July 10, 2020 | proxyfish

Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett

Welcome to the Friday Face-Off!

Having racked my brain for even a hint of tunnel, hole, burrow or mine, it became abundantly clear that this week’s Face-Off was not going to be easy! Luckily I had just finished Going Postal by Terry Pratchett, and you can always count on the myriad of Discworld novels to display one, if not several, of the weekly themes. Enter Raising Steam.

This week we are comparing two very similar covers of Raising Steam, illustrated by artist Paul Kidby; one published by Doubleday in 2013 and the other published by Corgi in 2014. Take a look and see which one is your favourite!

Doubleday | Cover #1

Cover art by Paul Kidby

Corgi | Cover #2

Cover art by Paul Kidby

| The Friday Face-Off: Winner |

While similar in overall style, colour and type, the illustration of these two covers is distinctly different; with the Doubleday cover emphasising a feeling of chaos and speed and the Corgi cover creating a strong focal point as the train emerges triumphant from a plume of steam.

I love the feeling of movement on the Doubleday cover, from the the winding train and the flying axes to the varied and distorted facial expressions of the passengers. This is a cover that delights in emphasising movement. As evocative as this is, however, I find that my eyes can’t quite focus and it loses some of the refinement where the lines have been blurred.

By comparison, the train in the Corgi cover has a powerful presence – lights streaming in the dark, steam rising, a dark and rugged stone wall dominating the backdrop as the train speeds ahead. The composition and darker contrast present in this cover are also much more appealing which is why, despite being a close run thing, it is this week’s winner!

‘Raising Steam’ by Paul Kidby – 2014, Acrylic on Board

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:

Just as it seems.

A cover featuring a person holding an object.

Remember to check Lynn’s Books for upcoming themes

| Links |

Lynn @ Lynn’s Books

Mogsy @ The Bibliosanctum

Steve @ Books and Beyond Reviews

Tammy @ Books, Bones & Buffy

Sarah @ Brainfluff

Brittany @ Perfectly Tolerable

Natasha @ Natrosette

Kristi @ Confessions of a YA Reader

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

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