This month's matchup features Elizabeth May's The Falconer. Instead of two covers, I'm featuring four because they were so different and highlighted different elements of the story. It's the US vs the UK, Italy, and Spain.
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| US Cover Italian Cover |
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She's a stunner. She's a liar. She's a murderer. She's a Falconer. Aileana is dedicated to slaying the fae before they take innocent lives. With her knack for inventing ingenious tools and weapons—from flying machines to detonators to lightning pistols—ruthless Aileana has one goal: Destroy the faery who destroyed her mother.
The US cover definitely conveys that the main character is a beautiful young woman of wealth you will stab you. And she has fabulous hair. In my opinion the UK cover is dynamic but less attractive, but does the best job of all of showing Aileana as a warrior and inventor. The Italian cover has a etherial dark fairy tale look to it, but nothing to visually hint at the warrior within. According to Google Translate, the title is "The Slayer of Fairies" which does kind of balance out the visual. The Spanish cover is lovely but seems the least true to the story. It says, "Look at me, I'm beautiful with hair worthy of a shampoo commercial. Come save me, for I am in love and might faint." Google Translate also says the title is "The Last Jacket" giving the book more of a historical romance centered on fashion feel then the murder and mayhem readers will find inside.
All of the covers highlight her beauty, but only two show off her strength, and only the UK cover features her intelligence.
Which one do you prefer? Is it important for covers to be representative of the story?
I prefer the US cover. I haven't read this yet, but I really want to!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, but I wish it showed her smarts as well. I think mixed together these would have made 1 great cover.
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