Hello! Hello! Hello!
Today is Tuesday so you know what that means! It’s time for Top Ten Tuesday! Top Ten Tuesday is a bookish weekly meme that is currently run by Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.
This week’s (January 28th, 2020) topic: Today is a Book Cover Freebie so I decided to compare US & UK covers. Allons-y!
The covers on the left are all US covers while the ones on the right are all UK covers.
The Girl King by Mimi Yu
I have to say that there is something on the US cover that I don’t really like. I think it’s the way that the girl is painted. It feels a bit heavy to me and the background is a bit too simple. It looks like something is missing for me. As for the UK cover, I think it’s just perfect for this story. The artwork on it is stunning.
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
I have to say that the US cover of Strange the Dreamer is one of my most hated covers. I get what they are going for but the story is so amazing I think it deserves better. The UK one is so prettier to me and feels more like the book.
Renegades by Marissa Meyer
I am so torn on this one. I was really pleased with the US cover until I saw the UK one. I think, though, that the UK one looks more superhero-y. I like both but the UK one just slightly more.
The Kingdom by Jess Rothenberg
Tough one. I think both fit the story but the US one is more my aesthetic. But I do like the upside-down castle.
The Devouring Gray by Christine Lynn Herman
Honestly, I love both of these. I have both editions. The US one is very The Gray while the UK one is on your way to Four Paths.
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
When I first saw the UK cover I kind of hated it but I have to say it is growing on me. I do feel like the US one is more fairytale-ish and works better with the story.
Enchantée by Gita Trelease
I’m going to say it, I hate the UK cover. It looks like an old 70s cover to me. If I saw this on a shelf I wouldn’t pick it up. The US cover, on the other hand, compels me to pick it up. It’s just so punk.
Blood Heir by Amélie Wen Zhao
I am not a fan of the US cover. I think it’s the colouring. The greys with the light blue background just don’t work for at all. The UK cover is everything!
All the Bad Apples by Moïra Fowley-Doyle
The UK cover wins this one, hands down for me. Looking at the US cover I don’t get what the book is about. I would probably presume it’s a contemporary and wouldn’t go past that. The UK one now that’s a cover. I’m so intrigued and need to know what this book is about.
My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows
Ok I don’t know if I should laugh or be outraged, lol. Someone seriously decided on that UK cover? Though I find it absolutely brilliant it is horrendous. The US cover of My Lady Jane is so much better. It feels very contemporary to me and reminds me of movies like Marie-Antoinette. A contemporary take on a historical story.
The Exact Opposite of Okay by Laura Steven
On first look, I thought the UK one had a bit too much bright colours on it for the type of book it was. Looking at it more, I started to see the little elements that are hidden on it and it made a bit more sense. But I like the US one better. I think that the zipper that is shaped like lips shows how the character will not be silence.
Let’s chat!
What do you think of these covers? Which are your favourites? Leave me a comment.
I like the UK cover better for almost all of these, but what were they thinking with My Plain Jane? I really don’t like the UK one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my gosh it’s so horrible isn’t it. What the serious frak were they thinking.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think there’s a strong favour for art, patterns and illustration over faces in UK covers which I think is because they are encouraging the reader to imagine the characters rather than project whilst US covers seem to feature a lot of faces (especially at middle grade I find!) is that to lure through identifying with the characters passions or experiences? I don’t know but it’s interesting as many people over here find it almost jarring to have full face on books!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very interesting point. I know that a lot of the US covers usually have brighter colours as UK will be a bit more somber. But I do like what you pointed out. It would be something that publishers think about.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely, it’s interesting the perceptions of different markets and styles!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did something similar to this for this prompt, too! xD I’m always fascinated by how different the covers can be. Normally, I prefer UK covers, but I’m surprised to find some US covers I prefer. I definitely love the UK version of The Girl King! But I like the US versions of Renegade, The Devouring Gray, and the Bear and the Nightingale.
Here’s my TTT post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do find that some UK covers are better. I do like that this enables us to buy multiple copies of the same book lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This feels like a trap. xD But also really smart marketing LOL.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This post is fantastic, Mir! I really live the UK Blood Heir cover, I had never seen it before😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you so much. I really like it a lot. I have the Illumicrate edition with has a sprayed edge design of dripping blood which is super cool.
LikeLike
Oh, this post is awesome! Most books seem to have the same cover in the U.S. and Canada, so sometimes I forget that covers are changed in other parts of the world.
My TTT .
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yeah definitely. I am always surprised when I find one
LikeLike
I love seeing these side by side. I’m always about half and half on which ones I like better. But I actually like more US covers this time. Great post for the cover freebie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was curious how I would feel putting them one next to the other. I think I’m pretty split in the middle .
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s always cool to compare them. 🙂
LikeLike
I like both sets. It’s hard to pick which I like more in this post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah for me too on some of these.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh I like comparison posts like these! Always fun to compare covers. 🙂 I seem to be about half and half on these- I like the UK Strange the dreamer a lot more, I’m conflicted on Devouring gray lol, and The Girl King UK is great too.
LikeLike
I just looooove to see cover comparison posts!!! thank you!!
LikeLike
Such a great take on this topic! I love seeing how different covers are from country to country. I usually really love the UK covers, but sometimes we get great ones here in Canada.
LikeLike
I’m still dipping my toe into reading sci-fi and fantasy, and a couple of these titles look really interesting (both the cover and synopsis). So thanks for bringing them to my attention! And I really like the take on the freebie!
LikeLike
I think the UK edition of My Lady Jane better represents the story, but I’d rather have the US edition on my shelf.
LikeLike
I think the UK covers edge out the US ones in this list for me — except Strange the Dreamer covers both are very similar. This is a greatidea for a list !
LikeLike