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: Grimdark
I’m not a big fan of grimdark, which often emphasizes “grim” over story, but I did enjoy Peter McLean’s Priest of Bones. I found three different covers, take a look:
Ace Books 2018 edition. This is the cover I’m most familiar with, and it’s probably my favorite. I love the gloomy buildings and the blood splatters.
Russian edition 2020. This is my second favorite. It feels like more of a standard grimdark fantasy with the figure in the center, but I just like the mood, for some reason.
Italian edition 2021. This isn’t bad, but it doesn’t have the same impact as the other two.
I think the second one is the most striking for me. It’s giving me serious Henry Cavill/ Witcher vibes and I love it!
I love the original edition but was trying to figure out if it’s because I’m most familiar with it! But, I think it’s the most striking.
The concept of “Grimdark” is totally new to me but I really like the sound of it. These are some great covers and my favorite is also the first one. Thanks for sharing!
The original is my favorite too. Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend!
Yeah that second one!!!!
I like that first cover the most. I usually enjoy covers with swords or other weapons on them, and I like how it also includes the town street and blood (and falling snow. :-)).
Oo, I like that Russian edition. Talk about grim!
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These covers are all so different. I have to say the Ace Books edition is probably my favorite, too. Whenenever I see it I do tend think it’s a pretty great cover, haha. Classic and captures atmosphere wonderfully.
The first one as the image has greater depth
The first cover is my favorite!
I’ve kind of fallen out of love with grimdark. Not that I was ever a huge fan, but … anyway I like the first and third ones
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I really like the first one.. the second is not so good but is still a strong image.. the third is a little confused.
Oh I love this series! And I like all the covers you showed us, but my favorite is the first one!
Ace cover is my favorite, too.
I really like the first one. Love how atmospheric it is overall but that it also has those vibrant pops of color with the blood spatter.
I like how all these have a similar motif. I will have to go with the first one, the art style is fantastic.
Love the cover of the first one!
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Definitely the first cover for me – I’m not totally sure whether it’s because thats the one I’m most familiar with – but I really like it.
Lynn 😀