The Friday Face-Off: Spectacular


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!


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

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The Friday Face-Off: The Staircase


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


The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud


Welcome to the Friday Face-Off where this week we’re comparing covers that feature a staircase.

The cover which immediately sprang to my mind was the first book in the Lockwood & Co. series by Jonathan Stroud, The Screaming Staircase; which, as luck would have it, almost always features a staircase!

The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud


Doubleday – UK Cover

The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud - UK.jpg

Cover Art by Alessandro ‘Talexi’ Taini

Disney / Hyperion Books | US Cover

The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud - US

Cover Art by Alan Ayers


| The Friday Face-Off: Winner |

The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud - Win.jpg

I really love both these covers. They’re atmospheric, feature dramatic lighting and manage to express the tension of the illustrated scene.

The UK cover is dramatic and eye-catching, bathing the scene in an intense blue light, which casts shadows into the corners of the page. I love that the two figures in the foreground appear frozen in action as the eerie spectral figure appears at the top of the staircase, and that the typeface is clearly an integral part off the overall composition.

The US cover is simlarly dramatic but rather than using light, uses a thick green mist which clings to a staircase deep in shadow. The two figures appear primed to face battle, as an unsettling red light falls upon them and they hold aloft their weapons. Although I prefer the typeface on the UK cover, there is nothing to distract from the beautiful and bold illustration on the winning US cover.

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:

 The only true wisdom is to know that you know nothing

A cover featuring something from Greek mythology

Remember to check The Friday Face-Off Feature Page for upcoming themes


| Links |

Lynn @ Books and Travelling with Lynn

S. J. Higbee @ Brainfluff

Mogsy @ The Bibliosanctum

Wendall @ Bookwraiths

Steve Smith @ Books and Beyond Reviews

Wendle @ MarvelatWords

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