Books by Proxy

Steve @ Books and Beyond Reviews

Tammy @ Books, Bones & Buffy

Mareli and Elza @ Elza Reads

Kristi @ Confessions of a YA Reader

The Friday Face-Off: Shoot For The Moon

June 2, 2017 | 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.

Luna: New Moon by Ian McDonald

Welcome back to the Friday Face-Off! This Friday we’re comparing covers which feature the moon.

If there’s one book that immediately springs to mind when it comes to moon-related-cover-goodness, it’s this one. Published by Tor in the US and by Gollancz in the UK, Luna: New Moon by Ian McDonald has two out of this world covers which immediately catch the eye. Scroll down and take a look at these stellar beauties!

Tor – Cover #1

Cover Art by Victor Mosquera

Gollancz – Cover #2

Cover Art by Blacksheep

| The Friday Face-Off: Winner |

Two different artists, two beautiful covers and one impossible decision. The Tor cover depicts a skyline emerging from the dusty moon rock glowing against a backdrop of infinite space. The subtle play of colour, the simple yet elegant typeface and the central flare of dust come together to create a beautiful and eye catching cover.

By comparison the Gollancz cover uses a bold theme to attract attention. A vivid image of a moon painted in blues and greys, a star scattered sky and a bold and brilliant title make it difficult to choose an overall winner from these two epic covers. Luna: New Moon – let’s call this one a draw.

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

Drew @ The Tattooed Book Geek

Next week’s theme is:

It shuffles through the dry, dusty darkness

A cover which features mummification

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

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The Friday Face-Off: Of All The Words of Mice and Men

May 26, 2017May 31, 2017 | proxyfish

The Builders by Daniel Polansky

Welcome to the Friday Face-Off! For this week’s comparison we’re on the look out for covers which feature mice (though all rodents are welcome!).

Published by Tor globally and by Acheron in Italy, The Builders by Daniel Polansky features two incredibly striking covers that just beg for you to turn the first page. Take a look at these two artistic beauties and see which one is your favourite.

Tor – Cover #1

Cover Art by Richard Anderson

Acheron- Cover #2

| The Friday Face-Off: Winner |

I’d like to say the choice was incredibly difficult this week – the runner-up is, after all, an absolutely amazing piece of art – but I can’t help but be seduced by the sheer beauty and atmospheric qualities of Richard Anderson’s artwork. Needless to say, due to my quite clear bias, it was an unfair contest from the start.

But let’s not overlook the details. The Tor cover is dramatic, gritty and gives the reader an immediate feel for the dark (if humorous) writing within while the Acheron cover speaks of comic western violence with its bold, selective palette and blocky typeface. I love the ink-like splatters and watercolour wash of the former and the styalised figures of the latter. But most of all, I love that both covers have instantly recognisable characters and that both transport you instantly into Polansky’s writing. Amazing covers. Amazing book.

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

Next week’s theme is:

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars

A cover which features the moon

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

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Ronyell @ RabbitEarsProductions

The Friday Face-Off: The Airplane Takes Off Against The Wind, Not With It.

May 19, 2017May 31, 2017 | proxyfish

Retribution Falls by Chris Wooding

Welcome to the Friday Face-Off! This week we’re comparing covers which feature planes… so naturally I chose very loosely and went for a cover and artist that I absolutely love!

Published by Gollancz, Retribution Falls by Chris Wooding, the first book in his Tales of the Ketty Jay series, has (at least one) cover to die for. Take a look at this quite radical comparison to see which one is your favourite. For me, it’s not contest.

Gollancz – Cover #1

Cover Art by Stephan Martiniere

Gollancz – Cover #2

| The Friday Face-Off: Winner |

With this Face-Off there truly is no comparison. Although the second cover has a flare for the dramatic with its vivid colours, bold border and dramatic figure (who almost steps out of the screen!), the cover by Stephan Martiniere is unbelievably beautiful. The attention to detail, glorious palette and beautiful typeface come together to frame an impressively colossal airship. This is an incredibly awesome cover for a ridiculously good book!

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

Next week’s theme is:

Of all the words of mice and men, the saddest are, ‘it might have been’…

A cover which features mice

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

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Louise @ Bookasaurus

The Friday Face-Off: Don’t Use The Phone

May 12, 2017May 31, 2017 | proxyfish

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

Welcome back to the Friday Face-Off! It’s been a while since I took part in this meme – thank you so much to those of you who kept it afloat – but I’m so glad to be back!

Where phones are concerned, there is literally only one book that came to mind. The signature edition of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie. Published by HarperCollins, I’m pitting this phoney cover against the beautiful Fontana/Collins edition from 1993. Take a look (at these somewhat lacking in crispness images) and see which one gets your vote.

HarperCollins – Cover #1

Fontana/Collins – Cover #2

| The Friday Face-Off: Winner |

The HarperCollins edition is another example of their simple but eye-catching signature Christie style. The typeface and colours work brilliantly together and the phone – eerie shadow included – makes a bold and slightly sinister statement. By comparison, the Fontana/Collins cover goes for silhouetted detail in pink and black with their beautiful but dark image of a graveyard. This is the detail which at first glance made me lean towards the Fontana/Collins cover but, upon review, the striking HarperCollins cover won out for its bold imagery.

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

Next week’s theme is:

When everything seem to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it…

A cover which features a plane

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

| Links |

Drew @ TheTattooedBookGeek –Gunpowder by Jack Kelly

The Friday Face-Off: In The Beginning There Was Nothing, Which Exploded

June 4, 2016May 31, 2017 | proxyfish

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.

TBA!

Sorry for the late post! I’m away for the weekend but the blog should be back in full swing next week! I will update this post when I return but in the meantime, here are this Friday’s linky delights for covers which feature an explosion!

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Lynn @ Lynn’s Books – The 5th Wave Series by Rick Yancey

S J Higbee @ Brainfluff – Hilldiggers by Neal Asher

DJ @ MyLifeMyBooksMyEscape – Firefight by Brandon Sanderson

Nick V. Reys @ ThePaperDragon – Three Moments of an Explosion: Stories by China Mieville

Next week’s theme is: All That Is Gold Does Not Glitter

A cover which features gold

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

The Friday Face-Off: Renewed Shall Be Blade That Was Broken

May 27, 2016May 31, 2017 | proxyfish

The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie

Welcome to this week’s Friday Face-Off – and apologies for the lack of posts, it’s been a crazy few weeks! This Friday we’re looking at covers which feature the word ‘blade’ in their title.

And there’s one book which immediately came to mind! The Blade Itself, the first book in the First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie, is a firm fantasy favourite. Published by Gollancz, this week I’m taking a look at the two wonderful UK covers (as the US edition is incredibly similar to the original UK cover!) Take a look and see which one gets your vote.

Gollancz – UK Cover #1

Artwork by Laura Brett

Gollancz – UK Cover #2

Artwork by Chris McGrath

| The Friday Face-Off: Winner |

Chris McGrath’s artwork for the Dresden Files has made me a fan of his for life – and his work on the recent covers for The First Law Trilogy is unquestionably stunning. Atmospheric and full of character, this simplistic but gritty cover for The Blade Itself is an excellent addition to Abercrombie’s ever expanding repertoire. However, though the balance almost swings in McGrath’s favour, I can’t help but love the Laura Brett covers for this trilogy – every time I see the burnt parchment and blood spatters I’m reminded of the first time I opened this book and began my love affair with this bloody and brilliant world. So two wonderful covers but this week I have to reminisce – Gollancz #1, this week’s heart-shaped-trophy-thing goes to you!

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

Drew @ TheTattooedBookGeek – Traitor’s Blade by Sebastien de Castell

Next week’s theme is: In The Beginning There Was Nothing, Which Exploded

A cover which features an explosion

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

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Lynn @ Lynn’s Books – Traitor’s Blade by Sebastien de Castell

S J Higbee @ Brainfluff – The Fell Sword by Miles Cameron

DJ @ MyLifeMyBooksMyEscape – A Dance of Blades by David Dalglish

Nick V. Reys @ ThePaperDragon – Heirs of the Blade by Adrian Tchaikovsky

The Friday Face-Off: Just Then Flew Down A Monstrous Crow

May 20, 2016May 31, 2017 | proxyfish

Just Then Flew Down

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!

Drew @ TheTattooedBookGeek – Fool’s Quest by Robin Hobb

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

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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

Nick V. Reys @ ThePaperDragon – Spirit Gate by Kate Elliot

The Friday Face-Off: Which Witch is Which?

May 13, 2016May 31, 2017 | proxyfish

Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

Welcome to this week’s Friday Face-Off – apologies for being on the late side! This week we’re looking at covers which feature either witches or witchcraft… and I must say that for a while I was stumped!

Published by Tor in both the UK and the US, Truthwitch is the first book in The Witchlands series by Susan Dennard. This Face-Off features two bold and watery covers which are similar enough to be recognised as counterparts, but are executed in their own unique styles. Take a look and see which one is your favourite this week!

Tor – UK Cover

Artwork by Justine Anwieler

Tor – US Cover

Artwork by Scott Grimando

| The Friday Face-Off: Winner |

This week, the US cover takes the Face-Off crown after something of a close call. Although I absolutely love the typeface used for the title on the UK cover – and which I’m certain is stunning in real life – the artwork itself does not capture my attention as well as it might. The central figure is bold in both colour and stance whilst the crashing wave succeeds in framing the composition, drawing your eye towards the centre of the artwork. However, first impressions are everything and this one certainly failed to grab me from the start, though it improves considerably upon closer inspection.

The US cover, whilst not in a style which usually appeals to me, succeeds in bringing a bit more drama and atmosphere to the artwork and just manages to tip the balance in the US’ favour. The typeface is bold and eye-catching – though not nearly as sumptuous as the UK cover – and the blend of smoky blues and turquoises, along with the close-up composition, draw the eye almost immediately. This immediate attraction (for good or ill) makes this cover, in my humblest of opinions, the more successful of the two options this week.

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

Drew @ TheTattooedBookGeek – The Time of Contempt by Andrzej Sapkowski

Next week’s theme is: Just Then Flew Down a Monstrous Crow

A cover which features a bird

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

| Links |

Lynn @ Lynn’s Books – The Tiffany Aching Series by Terry Pratchett

S J Higbee @ Brainfluff – Witch Week by Diana Wynne Jones

Nick V Reys @ The Paper Dragon – Industrial Magic by Kelley Armstrong

Cate + Karen @ MidnightBiblioBlog – The Witches by Roald Dahl