{Cover Wars} Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff

It’s Wednesday and you know what that means, it’s time for Cover Wars!! The place where we compare the then and now of covers and sometimes international editions, but we always talk about the same one book that has been given different faces.

Last week you guys voted on Perdido Street Station by China Miéville and we all know we can only have one winner and that is…

Conspiracy theories accepted cover

Now that the winning cover has had some time of the glory it deserves, let’s move to this week’s book, Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff the first installment of the Lotus Wars series. For those of you that don’t know what this book is about here we have the book blurb:

Griffins are supposed to be extinct. So when Yukiko and her warrior father Masaru are sent to capture one for the Shogun, they fear that their lives are over. Everyone knows what happens to those who fail him, no matter how hopeless the task.

But the mission proves far less impossible, and far more deadly, than anyone expects – and soon Yukiko finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in her country's last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled griffin for company. But trapped together in the forest, Yukiko and Buruu soon discover a friendship that neither of them expected.

Meanwhile, the country around them verges on the brink of collapse. A toxic fuel is slowly choking the land; the omnipotent, machine-powered Lotus Guild is publicly burning those they deem Impure; and the Shogun cares about nothing but his own dominion. Yukiko has always been uneasy in the shadow of power, when she learns the awful truth of what the Shogun has done, both to her country and to her own family she's determined to do something about it.

Returning to the city, Yukiko and Buruu plan to make the Shogun pay for his crimes – but what can one girl and a flightless griffin do against the might of an empire?

After taking the time to know a little about Jay Kristoff's Stormdancer we must move to what you guys have been waiting for the faces that have represented Stormdacer.

First off we have the UK cover, one that shows a more traditional Japanese setting for this steampunk book, this book seems more peaceful and not as dangerous as the contents of the book, it’s as if the designer wanted to give a tranquil vibe before diving into action.

Next up we have the US cover, with more aggressive colors and a Yukiko that seems ready for action. This is the type of cover that give the feeling of movement and it hides more behind the strong colors.

Now that the contestants have put their faith in your hands it’s time for you guys to vote in the poll and to comment on your favorite cover. Let us know which cover you would love to have in your bookshelf, in your read list and please share the why you liked or disliked each cover.