More musings on cover art

[Albertosaurus Rex]

Yes it does give off an entirely different "feel." Much more like a classic fairy tale than an accurate representation of the story so in this case it could be misleading to a first time reader. They do lend an air of "timelessness," though, which I think can also be appreciated. On the other hand, many book covers don't convey what the book is about anyway.

That's an interesting point you bring up there. Being a marketing tool, isn't the cover artwork supposed to A) Draw in as many readers as possible and B) Convey the tone of the novel? If novels never meet the expectations that the artwork inspire, readers will lose faith.

This is the novel I'm currently reading, and the artwork is spot-on (Low quality scan, though. Sorry):

[Image: 51lMjADXwaL.jpg]

Okay, so the main character wears a yellow robe at the beginning of the story, but the look on her face tells you everything you need to know about the tone of the novel, while the city in the background relates the eastern-inspired setting. By the way, I'm only about 70 pages in yet, but so far it's pretty good, if quite dark and brooding.

EDIT: Oh, and I liked the Boudica covers.

[Farseer]

While cover art doesn't bother me too much, what does bother me somewhat is when the artwork changes within a series (despite the fact that I have all manner of copies of Robin's books...UK or US...talk about double standards! ). I had the first eight books of John Flanagan's fantastic YA Ranger's Apprentice series, and then the artwork was changed for books nine and ten (though the first eight books were also then made available, at a very reduced price, with the newer artwork style).

An example for the first book, The Ruins of Gorlan, is below. It's not that I like or dislike the second edition, it's just that the original covers were discontinued.

Fine to have new covers, but why not continue the old ones as well so that those collecting them can have a full set?

First Australian Edition:
[Image: rangers-apprentice-1-the-ruins-of-gorlan.jpg]

Second Australian Edition:
[Image: 391px-The_Ruins_of_Gorlan.jpg]

[Albertosaurus Rex]

Series switching cover styles is one of the most annoying things ever. It's an interesting example you've got there. My younger brother is a big fan of the Ranger's Apprentice series, but the Dutch covers look quite different:

[Image: 9789025745493_front.jpg]

"De grijze jager" actually translates as "The grey hunter", but Dutch doesn't really have a word for "ranger", so depending on the story different words may be used.

[Farseer]

Yes, the mid-series switch caused quite a stir among the faithful.

Ha, ha...I think "The Grey Hunter" is entirely appropriate to my favourite character in the books, though he would be somewhat miffed by my making that observation!

Actually, I think the Dutch title fits quite nicely overall, though there is something "cool" about the word 'ranger'. Even 'archer' doesn't quite do the job as fittingly.

Great to hear your brother is a fan...I am about to add Book Eleven to my to-read pile.

[joost]

The Japanese 'A song of ice and fire' covers:

http://feedthegamer.info/2011-05-11/wint...f-thrones/

There are some really beautiful ones in there.

[redchild]

I've stumbled across a company that deals mainly on aesthetics of classic books. Rarely have I ever seen so many books in one place with such strong design sense.

http://www.foliosociety.com/

[fool-ish]

Those Japanese ones are fantastic! They make my copies look utterly boring.

[Albertosaurus Rex]

I managed to get the cover of The Dark World posted on Good Show Sir, a blog devoted to horrible SF/Fantasy covers. You might notice I'm referred to as "Tim". That's not my real name. (That is my real hand, however.) I submitted the cover under the name "Tim Stakkerman", which is an atrocious pun on a Dutch singer dating back to my high school days. The webmaster, not being clued in on the joke, left out the "Stakkerman" part.