Comments on: Book Cover Smackdown! Salamander vs. The Quiet War

By: Ken Kim

Ken Kim — Thu, 21 May 2009 17:31:32 +0000

Salamander! seems to be fun.

By: Francisco G

Francisco G — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:01:43 +0000

I really think both covers are great examples of technical skill, but I feel that the Salamander cover is more inviting to read. My vote goes for it. I feel it has more action, a more “whats going on” kind of look to it. It drives me in. There is nothing particulary wrong with Sparths cover… It’s just that the spaceships are seen everywhere nowadays that it’s hard to impress a sci-fan with each year. I feel a bit more action would’ve helped this one a bit (but maybe could have defeated the purpose of the “Quiet War” title… hmmm maybe contrasts in the art could have worked).

By: gabor

gabor — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 23:45:42 +0000

Salamander. It radiates a mighty, scary and futuristic dynamism, and I guess that's a great visual synopsis, a "one still trailer" for the book's contents. The other image looks good as well, but seems a bit too generic to me: instead of making me interested in the book, it makes me make come up with brief and generic sf ideas of my own. Also, Salamander's type treatment seems to fit its cover illustration better.

By: Doyle

Doyle — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 01:11:45 +0000

This was supposed to be the original cover for Salamander according to the authors blog:

http://www.nickkyme.com/uploaded_images/WE_Salamanders_CB-BLK-712356.jpg

By: Travis

Travis — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:57:10 +0000

The Image on the Right! good feeling and open enough to draw the reader in without givign away to much storyline;)

By: Weyland Yutani

Weyland Yutani — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:49:50 +0000

Both are very cool covers that really allow the art to shine. Sometimes, it is frustrating to see the beautiful art on a cover get covered or marginalised by the text. Both of these covers allow the art to do the heavy lifting.

I'm a fan of Sparth's work and, while I don't think this piece represents his best work, it's still a gorgeous cover. I love the painting style.

...but who can ignore a big bot? Nice.

By: coins

coins — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 06:01:43 +0000

I got a lot of information from this site

By: Tim

Tim — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 04:25:04 +0000

Salamander interests the WH40K enthusiast in me, but I keep looking at The Quiet War. It reminds me of some of the art I saw for Homeworld early on. Since I can only vote for one, I vote for The Quiet War. Sorry WH40K - I still love you :)

By: Daniel Salvo

Daniel Salvo — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 04:24:27 +0000

They say: don´t judge a book by its cover. But what a cover you have! There is no such art(ists) in Peru, and even the mainstream covers are ugly and dull. You have a great gift with the covers art and the people who make it.

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 02:25:50 +0000

I'm digging The Quiet War.

By: TheAdlerian

TheAdlerian — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 02:22:07 +0000

You guys got me to read the 40k books, which I never thought I'd enjoy, and now I'm really enjoying them. So, the promise of a fun read speaks to me from the warhammer book.

However, the other does create a sense of wonder.

By: Matte Lozenge

Matte Lozenge — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 01:33:11 +0000

Pretty much agree with what others said. I like Salamander better as a piece of art and as an overall graphic design package. But The Quiet War looks more like a book I'd actually want to read.

Both artworks are very phallic - Salamander is all about The Object (armored suit, weapon raised from hip) vs. The Quiet War which is about a whole environment (spaceship flying down the center of a slot, other ships, planet and atmosphere). The Quiet War has a sense of wide open spaces beyond, of a journey, and the possibility of surprise and adventure, which is why it seems more like a story I might be interested in.

How much does a book cover affect your experience of reading the story? Sometime I ignore the cover, sometimes it really seems to set a tone for the reading experience.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:44:04 +0000

I love The Quiet War cover. But to be fair, I love spaceships and have been waiting for the US release of the quiet war for some time.

The Salamander cover is okay but Warhammer 40,000 is a immediate turn-off.

By: Karen Burnham

Karen Burnham — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 22:48:27 +0000

I'm all for "Quiet War." I like the cooler color palatte, and I like the way the spaceship leads you to the title instead of overshadowing it.

By: SF Fangirl

SF Fangirl — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 22:42:52 +0000

The Quiet War. It's prettier, and looks like a book I read. The fancy design around the title of Salamander makes it look like some fantasy series I wouldn't read even before I see that it's a Warhammer book which I definately won't read. Excellent design marketing to the right people.