Ages ago I posted a couple of these UK vs US book cover posts, and I had a flashback to them the other day. I always really enjoyed doing these posts, so I thought I would take a look at some of my TBR books to see how the covers for them differ across the pond!
I’ve picked my own favourite, but then I also did a poll on my Instagram story for each one, so there is an Instagram winner too!
(UK covers on the left, US on the right)
I do actually really love both of these covers. Even though I’m not a huge fan of the shade blue, I think these look really beautiful. I love the nature aspect of the UK cover but the texture of the branches of the tree makes my skin crawl a little bit – but maybe that’s the point? I think the US cover correlates with the title more! What I prefer: US
Instagram results: 72% (128) UK v 28% (50) US
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I really love both the covers for this book and it’s been really difficult to pick which I prefer. I like the moodiness of the UK cover but I like how the US cover looks like an old school nature book illustration more. What I prefer: US
Instagram results: 49% (86) UK v 51% (88) US
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These two covers are exceptionally similar, however so different at the same time! I really love the colours on the US cover as those cold tones are my favourites, however there is something about the UK cover that grabs my attention better. What I prefer: UK
Instagram results: 74% (134) UK v 26% (47) US
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I do love simple book covers but I think the UK cover is the clear winner for? It’s seriously beautiful! What I prefer: UK
Instagram results: 64% (115) UK v 36% (64) US
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Again these ones are quite similar but the UK cover has a bit more decoration to it and a lack of a swan head. I think the weirdly bent swan neck is kind of offputting to be honesy. What I prefer: UK
Instagram results: 78% (142) UK v 22% (41) US
The Instagram polls were very positive towards the UK covers, the only US winner won by just 2%. I was a little more on the fence with 2 votes for US covers and 3 for UK ones.
To be honest, all the cover featured in this post are lovely, some of the choices were tough! Which covers do you prefer?
BookBum 
What a fun post! I think I actually answered these on your Instagram story ha-ha! I was about 50/50 on being with the majority for results and not being with the majority ha-ha!
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Thanks! I love pulling these posts together 😀 We were about the same on the Instagram results then 🙂
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I like the detail of the UK ‘The Glass Woman’, but I really dig the silhouette effect of the US. US for the win.
UK over the US for ‘In the Night Wood’, but only marginally. I want to vote for the US version because I like the line drawing, but it just seems to be lacking something. Perhaps a border would help?
UK over the US for ‘The Binding’. The US is too dark.
UK over the US for ‘The Familiars’. I like the colours and the placement of the authors name. The patterns for the UK version convey movement and three-dimensionality. {That is a very well accepted and established term I just made up.} The font placement is unimaginative on the US, but is cleverly worked into the artwork on the UK cover.
Don’t do that to a swan. UK over the US. I like the florals better and the authors name placement/sizing. I do not care for the authors name to overpower the book cover. Also, the promotional blurb is distastefully prominent in the US version.
Thanks Zuky, that was fun! I am normally shy about sharing criticisms, but apparently, expressing an opinion on a book cover is something with which I am comfortable. Who knew?
Happy Trails!
~Icky 🙂
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Thanks for playing along!! We’re always told not to judge a cover, but sometimes it can be fun, ey?
“Don’t do that to a swan” – hahahaha, agreed!
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I would vote for UK covers for most of them! The first book was amazing, I personally love blue and they both look incredible ❤
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I really want to read The Glass Woman! 🙂
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I love seeing how different the covers are in different countries – I wonder if it is just down to individual designers or publishing houses or whether it is based on market research etc!
I’m afraid that I prefer the U.K. cover for pretty much all of these, but I guess that I am the target audience as I live in the U.K.!
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You’d think it’s based on market research to maximise sales, but half of my IG followers are from the US and still the UK cover triumphed! 🙂
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How fascinating! I wonder why they don’t just use the same cover? Still I know readers on both sides of the pond who order from the other side because they prefer the other country’s cover!
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Yep! I certainly do that too! 🙂
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It’s UK for the first three and US for the last two for me… Although there are some tough choices involved. Great line-up!
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Thanks! I found some of the choices really tough too 🙂
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UK covers win every time for me on those above, a bit more care for designing a cover to catch your eye has been taken. Also it looks like the US publishers think the audience can’t handle too much detail in a cover. how odd.
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I definitely agree, there seems to be a lot more detail in the UK covers, especially when you compare The Familiars covers!
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I have never even been able to seriously consider reading Once Upon A River, and it’s ALL BECAUSE OF THAT SWAN’S NECK. The UK cover is much better on that one for sure.
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Hahaha the swans neck is pretty distracting!
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All the pretty covers ❤ My choice is basically all the same with yours (and the polls). I think for the Binding, the copper (orange?) color is just more eye catching as it contrasts the dark background more 😀 Also, it gives the ~historical~ vibe for the book 😀
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You’re right, it definitely gives it a more historical feel!! 😁
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Some of the choices are SO tough, but I I tend to be pretty mixed on which covers I prefer. The only book here on my TBR is The Binding, and I love the UK cover actually, even though they’re both pretty similar.
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Yeah there is something especially nice about the U.K. cover!
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