Wouldn't you pick this up at first glance?

[rogueslayer452]

Day 19 - Favorite book cover (bonus points for posting an image!)



I chose this specifically because of the controversy surrounding the recently coverart change, as it is seen as racist because it seems Asian-themed covers won't draw a wider audience of readers. Which is ridiculous and utter bullshit, really. You can read more about this outrage here along with seeing the "changed" cover that is deemed more "appropriate" and judge for yourself which one is the better. Personally, I think this cover is gorgeous, and definitely eye-catching and even without reading it I know I would want to pick it up. This is marketing, not trying to turn it into something basic and thinking people will go for it. No, something that pops out to the eye and this cover does that exactly, not some badly photoshopped version. Also, to change the cover from an Asian-based story to something that is clearly non-Asian is not only misleading about what the story is about but also blatant racism whether they admit to it or not.

Someone also pointed out the Indonesian cover, which is also very beautiful.

Comments

[blualbino.livejournal.com]

Ugh, I had heard about this, it's so ragey ://// Shame on the publishers.

I hadn't seen the Indonesian cover, though. Way pretty.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I was so angry when I read what was happening, like how dare they? They are implying that Asian-themed covers won't get enough attention like Westernized ones do, which totally isn't true and even some of the best-selling novels out there have shown Asian-related subjects on their covers. Why should this beautiful cover be changed? I don't get it, I don't understand.

I honestly want to get both copies of the book with these covers. So pretty. :)

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

It's downright disgraceful, really. It sad that they try justifying their actions like that, when it's obvious what they're doing. It would be nice to see more recognition of Asian culture on book covers, which it really shouldn't be an issue to begin with, but then this happens. *sigh*

Love the style of that particular cover, very beautiful.

[mulder200.livejournal.com]

Yes! The original cover is far superior to the other one. Not to mention less dark.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

The story isn't even gothic as the "new" covers suggest. Plus as I said, the newer ones are atrocious in comparison to the original.

[secret-hotel.livejournal.com]

That is such bullshit. Although I take some major issues with the text design (of all the covers, actually), to change the covers to obviously Western models is completely ridiculous. The original cover model is absolutely gorgeous, and the image itself is much more stunning. The Indonesian cover is my favorite of all of them (aside from the really bad title text).

Sorry, when one is the long time girlfriend of a graphic designer, one gets increasingly bothered by poor design choices, lol. I didn't mean to distract from the huge and utterly ridiculous race issue. Just...the text...it burnssss our eyeses!!

I still don't understand how this is happening with the rising popularity of Asian cultures and media that's been going on for the past 10+ years. Then again my perception might be skewed as an East Asian Studies student who is constantly surrounded by pro-Asian...everything.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I've never really been bothered by texts, unless they are absolutely horrendous. But if you spent all that time around graphic design, I guess being familiarized with it would make you become a bit irritated, lol.

Yeah, I don't really understand what the issue is either. The fact that it needs to be dealt with kind of makes you realize just how much of a standstill we are on this issue still and it's just very sad. :(

[entangled-now.livejournal.com]

The original cover is lovely, the changed cover makes it look like generic Urban fantasy.

The Indonesian cover would absolutely make me pick it up too.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

It sort of looks like a crappier version of Laurell K. Hamilton book covers, just more photoshopped. I could do a better job in that department than whoever did those, however I wouldn't feel the need to because the original covers are too freaking gorgeous I wouldn't think of replacing them.

I honestly just want to pick up both covers, just because. ;)

[spoonerknife.livejournal.com]

I just looked at the covers and didnt read but the cover in your post is amazing/gorgeous...and I really love the indoesian one too..actually more probably than the original. the changed cover is lame and not interesting at all :/

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Exactly. It's such a horrible downgrade I don't see anything attractive of the "new" coverart. It's too bland, too dark and far from the description of the book itself (it's more of a colorful magical world than something gothic as those covers try to use). Never minding the whitewashing of the girl on the cover, because while you cannot see her face you can tell she's not Asian.

[noybusiness.livejournal.com]

"Nice" to know the industry hasn't made any progress since the time they were "whitewashing" A Wizard of Earthsea's cover.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

It's like we're moving backwards instead of forwards, or just in a standstill until something is done about this kind of thing. :/

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'You can read more about this outrage here along with seeing the 'changed' cover that is deemed more 'appropriate' and judge for yourself which one is the better.'
I remember that outrage! I still think the changed cover is is awful. Even if you ignore the fact that it tries to make the character look white (which still makes me angry), it's just a horribly designed cover. Like I said before someone really needed to step away from the photoshop and put the overlay tool.

'Someone also pointed out the Indonesian cover, which is also very beautiful.'
I'll say. I love the dragon at the top.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I know it's said don't judge a book by its cover, however why in the world would someone downgrade to that horrible mess? The original cover is not only beautiful but it will for sure get more people to give it a second glance and be interested, don't you think? The vivid blue and pink really draws your attention to the cover in the first place. The whitewashing is just inexcusable. :/

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'I know it's said don't judge a book by its cover, however why in the world would someone downgrade to that horrible mess?'
I have no idea. I get that chopping off the top of the main character's head was part of the white washing, but it just looks so cheap and bad (not to mention the dark, washed out colours). Who designed that new cover, the same people who design the promo stuff for the CW?