Comments on: Book Cover Smackdown! Terminal World vs. The Alchemy of Stone

By: euphrosyne

euphrosyne — Sun, 31 May 2009 17:12:57 +0000

I like the original cover of Alchemy, which fit the mood of the story perfectly. This cover doesn't really have anything to do with the story, and I find the over-accentuated buttocks to be rather creepy (not to mention that the character doesn't even have buttocks as such...). But I guess robot ass sells better than sensualized heart keyholes; more's the pity.

By: weyland yutani

weyland yutani — Sun, 31 May 2009 05:29:26 +0000

I am very much looking forward to Terminal World, but would agree that, even though it's nice art, as a cover it seems a bit cluttered. I'd love to see what other concepts they might have come up with. Becausethe novel supposedly adds some steampunk to Reynolds usual storytelling, it might have been a nice change to see the art go in a different direction. A closer look into the city would have been nice. Show us some punk.

I'm not a fan of the practice, but Reynolds' track record of goodness sort-of justifies marketing his name on the cover. If it was a first novel, yeah, a little overkill, but less informed people need to know who the rockstars are.

The Alchemy of Stone is the winner here. It's a very nice take on the main character. Unique to look at and posed in a very interesting way. I'd prefer some more muted tones for the atmosphere of the novel, but the colorful cover does make it look a lot more accessible. I liked the old cover, but this one is an improvement.

By: A_Z

A_Z — Sun, 31 May 2009 01:10:07 +0000

I like the Alchemy of Stone and I agree with those who've said the author's name should never be larger than the title. It's quite offputting to me, especially if I've never heard of the author. Makes me take on the old condescending voice: What, am I supposed to know you? Of course, I understand the design rarely involves the author.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Sat, 30 May 2009 06:28:30 +0000

Kaz, I do agree with you.

By: ces

ces — Sat, 30 May 2009 05:39:37 +0000

The font used for Alchemy of Stone is wonderful! Does anyone know anything about it?

Thanks!

By: Kaz Augustin

Kaz Augustin — Sat, 30 May 2009 03:22:46 +0000

Both covers are wins for me but I sense that Mr Reynolds is probably starting to get bigger than his books, judging by the font size on his cover...? Can I say that, when I see this starting to happen, I wonder about the quality of the book. It's as though the publisher is saying, "Look it's a [whomever]! You don't need to know what it's about. It's a [whomever]!! Just buy the damn thing already." Rachel (above) will probably agree with me on this, but does anyone else get the same impression?

I do want both covers as wallpaper though!

By: Lynnet

Lynnet — Sat, 30 May 2009 01:46:55 +0000

Alchemy of Stone wins for me. Terminal Worlds is beautiful as a piece of art, but as a cover it just screams "generic sci-fi cover." I'd pick it up because I read sci-fi, but it wouldn't be because the cover drew me in. I also really don't link the font of the author's name. Alchemy of Stone, on the other hand, promises something original and thought-provoking. I have no idea from the cover what it is going to be about, but I really want to find out.

By: Dennis S.

Dennis S. — Sat, 30 May 2009 00:47:51 +0000

The Terminal World cover is a bit cluttered, isn't it? The airships just.. I don't know. I like the cover, especially the colors, but don't love it. (The concept of the book is so very cool though and I love Reynolds).

I love the art (and the colors) for The Alchemy of Stone but the size of the title font annoys me quite a bit.

I'm not sure I think any of these covers really speak to me, but I'm on a mission here, and the winner is:

The Alchemy of Stone.

(Can't wait for 'steampunk' ala Reynolds though)

By: izanobu

izanobu — Sat, 30 May 2009 00:00:40 +0000

Terminal World, though I think the title should be bigger than the author's name... But airships are awesome.

And doll faces are creepy, though I like the color scheme and the raven.

By: Daniel Plate

Daniel Plate — Fri, 29 May 2009 23:46:35 +0000

Alchemy of Stone. The contrast of the title and the image (not of a stone) makes me wonder, which might make me pick it up.

By: ces

ces — Fri, 29 May 2009 22:10:22 +0000

You mean “Alastair Reynolds” isn’t the title of the book ?

Neither cover grabs me or induces me to buy the book.

By: bryant

bryant — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:51:56 +0000

They're both very, very strong covers. The first of these side-by-side comparisons where I didn't have a clear favorite. Both have well chosen palettes, intriguing subject matter and clear, well composed typography.

I'd be inclined to pick up both on the strength of their covers!

A tie!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:03:05 +0000

Alchemy of Stone wins it for me. I couldn't even find the title for Terminal World for a few moments, which is more than enough for me to loose interest in the book. Plus the author's name is so overwhelming I found it hard to focus on the image.

Alchemy of Stone, on the other hand, has a nice balance between the title, author name and image. Plus I love the broken down doll/robot and it's different enough that I want to see what the story is about. I agree with Johnathon that the cover of Terminal World seems like something I've seen too many times before.

Ok, so I just went back and looked at the link for the Terminal World cover, and I must say that as a painting it is amazing. I love the different colors on the city (and I might have to use it as my wallpaper for a while). However, on the cover you can't see the detail necessary to understand the beauty of this image, and as a cover it doesn't work, especially when paired with the overpowering author name.

By: Jonathan Wood

Jonathan Wood — Fri, 29 May 2009 19:20:59 +0000

There is no doubt that Terminal World has a lovely cover, but this one's a hands down win for Alchemy of Stone.

The thing about the Terminal World cover is I feel I've seen it before. It may be better executed here in many other places, but the "cool vehicle heading towards cool city" thing has been done.

The Alchemy of Stone cover is striking in its freshness (fitting considering the book). There's a great air of melancholy and mystery to it. And, yes, there is something awesomely sinister about that raven.

By: neth

neth — Fri, 29 May 2009 19:06:47 +0000

The Alchemy of Stone is so creepy it's gotta win. And ravens always make a cover better.