The Friday Face-Off was created by Books by Proxy, where each week bloggers can showcase books with covers centered around a weekly theme. You can visit Lynn’s Books for a list of upcoming themes. Join in the fun each Friday by finding a book whose cover is based on the theme!
This week’s theme: “The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun. Go back to the Shadow!” – A cover featuring a fantasy beast.
I decided to go old school this week and feature a book I read looong ago, Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey, because sometimes you just have to go with a classic: dragons! I remember being mesmerized by this book as a teen, and it was definitely one of the early influences in my love of fantasy. Also, in the midst of the last season of Game of Thrones, I love the parallels with Daenerys and her dragons:-D Lots of covers, so here we go:
Del Rey edition 2005 | Del Rey edition 1979
Spanish edition 2008 | Corgi (UK) edition 1978
Del Rey edition 1977 | Polish edition 1991
Polish edition 1995 | Lithuanian edition 2002
I think I may have a copy somewhere of the 1977 Del Rey edition, so I do love that cover for sentimental reasons, but I have to say I’m also loving the bad-ass Lessa on the Polish cover, as opposed to all the scantily clad girls on most of the others! Also, that dragon is scary!
I think I like Del Rey 2005 the best because of the bright colors. But I’m curious about the Lithuania edition- is that really what dragons look like in Lithuania?! Lol
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Ha ha, I know, the Lithuanian dragon terrifies me!
I like the Spanish edition 2008 best and the one you picked second best, but they have very different feels to them
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They are quite different, it amazes me that they represent the same story!
Oh what a fabulous choice for this week’s theme, Tammy! Some of these are hilarious – WHAT were Del Rey thinking in 1977?? That girl reminds me of a very old TV advert for Nimble bread of a girl in a wispy dress – wouldn’t provide much protection against the dreaded Thread, now, would it? As for the Lithuanian cover – don’t think the cover designer read the book – I’m sure scales were mentioned in the story… My favourite is the Del Rey 2005 edition, which still has an old school feel without resorting to half-dressed women:)
I know, so many scantily clad women, but I guess that was the “thing” back then:-) I agree with you, I prefer the women with much more clothing!
I like the one you picked but I also like the Spanish version because that dragon looks like he is giving me the evil eye! 🙂
Yeah, I do like the Spanish edition too, that dragon is pretty cool looking.
I hadn’t thought of possible parallels with Dany and her dragons- interesting thought! And I love that classic green Whelan cover. The Del Rey 2005 and the Del Rey ’77 are favorites of mine too.
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The ’77 cover is sort of “babes on dragons,” but there is something about it I really like:-)
I like that soft pastel background color on that one, plus the red red sun in the background, but yes I see they managed to have the rider kinda flaunt her bare leg as well lol!
I prefer that Del Rey 2005 cover. I like the colors and that the dragons are most prominent on it.
I love that one too:-)
I’m a bit partial to the Del Ray 1979 cover, probably because that’s the one I read. I do love that dragon in flight. I miss Anne McCaffrey, and all her dragon books. I keep thinking I should try re-reading them, or maybe looking for any of the latter ones I might have missed. Great pick for this Friday!
I’d love to reread this series too, someday:-)
Man, I must be such a book snob because vintage covers do nothing for me, lol! Hmm, hard to choose out of this batch, but I would say yours is probably one I would choose too.
Yeah, this book is probably due for an update! The vintage covers aren’t my favorite either:-)
I would love to read that Spanish version. The dragon looks like Lucifer. He looks both scary and interesting.
Ha ha you’re right, he does!
That’s a ferocious-looking dragon you choose! 🙂
I also like the way the dragon in the Spanish edition looks: the look in that eye is both scary and intriguing…
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The Spanish edition does have a cool dragon, I love the focus on his head!
I had the Del Rey 1979 edition, that is the cover i remember.
Me too, I love that cover as well.
So many vintage dragon covers! I think the first one is my fave because those dragons looks so cool.
I agree, I do love those dragons:-)
Oooh, dragons! I love all of these but I agree with you about the Polish cover mainly because it feels very Game of Thrones to me, which I’m obsessed with.
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Yes, I love the GOT vibe!
Yes, love me some dragons! I think I’m always going to be partial towards those Pern covers.
Yep, dragons really are the best:-)
I have never read this author, but I will have to soon 🙂
I haven’t read her in years, I’d love to revisit these books:-)
Great choice. Del Rey 1979 is also the cover of the Finnish edition and so the one I read. I’ll go with that. I must admit that the Polish cover is also fierce and good.
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The fierce covers are so different from the others, right?
I love the Spanish edition – the dragon kind of reminds me of the dragon out of Shrek. LOL
Lynn 😀
I love books with dragons and I would like to read these nooks wow am excited already.
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