UK v US Cover ~ Night Life

How important is the cover of a book to you?

I'm sure I notice them more because I often see a book I like and go off to buy it, only to find the version I get had a totally different cover. I'm in the UK just in case the blog post title didn't give it away! So I thought I'd start up a feature on comparing UK and US covers (might bring in ones from elsewhere too if it takes my fancy!) (Quick disclaimer, I know this is not original but I can't remember where I've seen it so can't credit!)

This week I am taking a look at Night Life the first book in the Nocturne City series by Caitlin Kittredge.



Which cover of Night Life do you prefer?? 














And Me?

Okay my first comment to make is that the UK cover looks a funny shape for some reason! It's not really that wide!

These two covers look much more similar than the ones I've been featuring recently,  but they are far from identical! 

I like the inclusion of the wolf on the UK cover and the model looks like she could handle herself. It's a good cover but very much in the theme of how UK urban fantasy covers tend. 

The US cover I like, the model still looks like she can handle herself and the cover is purple!!!! I like the background too.

My choice this week then. Well I like both covers equally but the US one will have to win because it's purple :-)

UK v US Cover ~ Blue Diablo

How important is the cover of a book to you?

I'm sure I notice them more because I often see a book I like and go off to buy it, only to find the version I get had a totally different cover. I'm in the UK just in case the blog post title didn't give it away! So I thought I'd start up a feature on comparing UK and US covers (might bring in ones from elsewhere too if it takes my fancy!) (Quick disclaimer, I know this is not original but I can't remember where I've seen it so can't credit!)

This week I am taking a look at Unholy Ghosts the first book in the Downside Ghosts series by Stacia Kane. I recently read my copy which has been on my bookshelf forever, when I went to Goodreads I struggled to find my UK edition, well it doesn't exactly look like the other one now does it!!

US cover on the left and UK cover on the right!

Which do you prefer??

Me?

Wow, talk about the cover of a book looking different!!! This is why it fascinates me so much the different covers a book has in different markets!  I talk here about the US and the UK covers but often there are different covers in Europe or Australia etc too. If the book title wasn't on the two covers for Blue Diablo I don't think I'd even realise they were for the same book or anything like the same book!!

I like the US cover but it is nothing spectacular, it's like many great covers we see on similar books. I like the casual pose of the model but her power is belayed by the look on her face and the background to the cover.

The UK cover suggests a much darker book somehow to me. The deep colours and the tattoo on her arm seem to indicate the story will be dark in places and intriguing. I really like the UK cover as it seems mysterious in many ways.

Overall I think the UK cover just has the edge for me here.

What about you?????

UK v US Cover ~ Unholy Ghosts

How important is the cover of a book to you?

I'm sure I notice them more because I often see a book I like and go off to buy it, only to find the version I get had a totally different cover. I'm in the UK just in case the blog post title didn't give it away! So I thought I'd start up a feature on comparing UK and US covers (might bring in ones from elsewhere too if it takes my fancy!) (Quick disclaimer, I know this is not original but I can't remember where I've seen it so can't credit!)

This week I am taking a look at Unholy Ghosts the first book in the Downside Ghosts series by Stacia Kane. I recently read my copy which has been on my bookshelf forever, when I went to Goodreads I struggled to find my UK edition, well it doesn't exactly look like the other one now does it!!

US cover on the left and UK cover on the right!

Which do you prefer? 







Me? 

Wow what can I say - are those even for the same book!!!!!

Not sure I've seen a book with such different covers for the UK and US. If it wasn't for the title the books would not appear to have anything in common. 

The UK cover is very simple and having read the book I can see what it's getting at, but without reading the book or the blurb I must say it kind of looks like smoke coming out of the mouth rather than anything to do with ghosts!

The US cover is fairly standard urban fantasy stuff, all be it an excellent example. I like the colours and the sense of mysterious about the cover. The model looks good and I like the tattoos even if they are not how I imagined them while reading Unholy Ghosts!

Which do I actually prefer? Well the US cover is a great urban fantasy and the UK one is unique, so I think it's a draw this week!!!!

Do you agree?

UK v US Cover ~ Moon Called

How important is the cover of a book to you?

I'm sure I notice them more because I often see a book I like and go off to buy it, only to find the version I get had a totally different cover. I'm in the UK just in case the blog post title didn't give it away! So I thought I'd start up a feature on comparing UK and US covers (might bring in ones from elsewhere too if it takes my fancy!) (Quick disclaimer, I know this is not original but I can't remember where I've seen it so can't credit!)

This week I am taking a look at Moon Called the first book in the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. I recently read my copy which has been on my bookshelf forever, why on earth did I not read this book ages ago!! I have been missing out! Anyway back to the covers.....

US cover on the left and UK cover on the right!

Which do you prefer?

Me?

To me the two covers for Moon Called look very different, if it wasn't for the book title there is little to suggest this is the same book. The US cover is a good example of an Urban Fantasy style cover, the strong sexy lead female with a few tattoos, slightly wild looking so we believe she could really shift. I like the imposing iron gate merging into mist and her hair flying in the wind.

I like the simplicity of the UK cover, the setting black and pale blue suggesting the scene is by moonlight, very appropriate. The moon is large, there are animals and countryside. The crouching female looks like she could be ready to pounce, I like that.

Overall I think I'll go with the simplicity of the UK cover in this case :-)

One final point, the cover on my edition is no longer the current UK cover. The new cover is different again, new style and very simple. Actually its typical of the style publishers are adopting for urban fantasy books in the UK recently.

Maybe you prefer this cover?? I think this is my favourite.

UK v US Cover ~ Hit List

How important is the cover of a book to you?

I'm sure I notice them more because I often see a book I like and go off to buy it, only to find the version I get had a totally different cover. I'm in the UK just in case the blog post title didn't give it away! So I thought I'd start up a feature on comparing UK and US covers (might bring in ones from elsewhere too if it takes my fancy!) (Quick disclaimer, I know this is not original but I can't remember where I've seen it so can't credit!)

This week I am taking a look at Hit List book #20 in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series by Laurell K Hamilton. I'm fairly sure everyone who has been reading in the paranormal genre for any length of time will be aware of this series, this post is about the covers I will not be entering into a how the series has changed over the years discussion!!!

US cover on the left and UK cover on the right!

Which do you prefer?

 Me?
My first comment is to wonder if I'm even looking at the same book! If it wasn't for the title and author I would never have thought these two covers were for the same book at all!! How do two publishers come up with such different looks for the cover. In the UK the whole Anita Blake series has been re-released with the same red frame style and just the picture different for each book.

I like both covers for this book but they are saying quite different things to me! I like the powerful red heart image on the UK cover, simple and effective, did I mention I like red?

I like the US cover too, seems like we are getting a glimpse through all the yellow. I'd like this cover more if was well less yellow, sorry it's just not my favourite colour (except on flowers!)

Overall then I think I'll go with the UK cover on this one.

UK v US Cover: Love Bites

How important is the cover of a book to you?

I'm sure I notice them more because I often see a book I like and go off to buy it, only to find the version I get had a totally different cover. I'm in the UK just in case the blog post title didn't give it away! So I thought I'd start up a feature on comparing UK and US covers (might bring in ones from elsewhere too if it takes my fancy!) (Quick disclaimer, I know this is not original but I can't remember where I've seen it so can't credit!)

I've picked out this week a book from a series which has only really come to the UK in the last couple of years despite it being around in the US for a while - that's fairly typical by the way!!!

Love Bites is the second book in the Argeneau series by Lynsay Sands.

Also for interest I've included the original US cover, changed a bit don't you think!!


Below the current US cover is on the left and the current UK cover is on the right!

Which do I prefer?
Firstly it seems amazing how much the cover of the current US edition is different from the original, so much less cute and promising a much more raw and sexy story.

From the current cover I much prefer the UK cover, I like the blue/green used on the titles and the guy on the cover is kind of good looking isn't he :-) I like the simple but effective design.  The current US cover looks like so many other books, there is little special about it, but there isn't really anything wrong with it either if you understand me!

Which is your favourite??

UK v US Cover: Succubus On Top / Succubus Nights

How important is the cover of a book to you?

I'm sure I notice them more because I often see a book I like and go off to buy it, only to find the version I get had a totally different cover. I'm in the UK just in case the blog post title didn't give it away! So I thought I'd start up a feature on comparing UK and US covers (might bring in ones from elsewhere too if it takes my fancy!) (Quick disclaimer, I know this is not original but I can't remember where I've seen it so can't credit!)

I've picked out one which has always stuck out in my mind as being different in the UK to the US. Not only is the cover quite different but the book also has a different title!! I ask myself why and have no answer, if anyone does know....

Succubus On Top or Succubus Nights is the second book in the excellent Georgina Kincaid series by Richelle Mead:

Which do you prefer? Why?

Me?

I think it's kind of a tie for me this time. I like the red but I like the green and black too. I like the fancy lettering on the UK cover as it is more eye-catching than the type used on the US cover. To be honest though, neither cover is one of my favourites, it's just sort of there!! The reason this book caught my attention as being different is largely due to the title - anyone?

I'd love to know what you think. Also do you think it's right that the same cover (and title!!!!) is not used worldwide?

UK v US Cover: Lover Reborn

How important is the cover of a book to you?

I'm sure I notice them more because I often see a book I like and go off to buy it, only to find the version I get had a totally different cover. I'm in the UK just in case the blog post title didn't give it away! So I thought I'd start up a feature on comparing UK and US covers (might bring in ones from elsewhere too if it takes my fancy!) (Quick disclaimer, I know this is not original but I can't remember where I've seen it so can't credit!)

A classic example of covers being different is the Black Dagger Brotherhood series! The 10th book in the (excellent) series is recently out but which cover do you prefer?

US left UK right












Which do you prefer? Why?

Me?

In this instance I like the UK cover best, I prefer the colours :-) It definitely looks more like it would appeal in a UK bookshop, don't ask me why it just does! I've often preferred the US covers for previous books in the series!

I'd love to know what you think. Also do you think it's right that the same cover is not sused worldwide?