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!
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