Welcome to Shelf Candy Saturday!!
This is my weekly feature
showcasing beautiful book covers!
It also provides information,
if available, on their very talented creators!
For more information
about Shelf Candy Saturday,
simply go HERE.
Here's my choice for this week!
A Wizard of Earthsea
(Earthsea Cycle #1)
Mass Market Paperback, 183 pages
Bantam, Reprint Edition
May 1, 1984
Fantasy, Science Fiction,
Young Adult Fiction
My Thoughts About This Cover
This stunning cover is as epic as the story inside! There's a sense of high drama, excitement and wonder throughout this image, from the towering, craggy peaks in the near distance, to the flying dragon, the turbulent sky which seems to be a backdrop to a war that has just erupted, to the poised, stoic wizard calmly surveying the whole scene.
The lake that stretches out to the mountain sparkles with a brilliant light emerging from its depths, and the water swirls with mysterious, magical patterns.
The cover image is divided in the middle. Usually, this is not considered good compositional design, but it works here because it turns out that the lower half of the cover is slightly larger than the upper half. The title is boldly placed right in the middle of the scene, its gleaming gold letters adding yet another layer of magic. They don't interfere at all.
The author's name is done in more subdued letters, located at the bottom of the page. I find this very effective, as well. In my opinion, a book's title should take up most, if not all, of a potential reader's attention. The title of this classic novel, of course, immediately attracts attention just from its wording. So it's great when a cover artist makes a unique title like this one really stand out!
I think this cover image also has a distinctly Tolkian feel. It could very well be the cover of one of the novels that make up the famous fantasy trilogy, The Lord of the Rings. Alternatively, it could be the cover of The Hobbit. Perhaps this is part of the intense love I have for this particular cover!
The illustrator listed by Goodreads for this book is named Ruth Robbins, but that can't be right, as there is another cover for this novel, mentioned on Wikipedia, that credits it to her. It's done in a completely different style, yet, an equally compelling one. I will most likely feature it in next week's "Shelf Candy Saturday" post, as I love it as much as this one!
So......I don't know the name of the brilliant creator of this cover. The Amazon reader has been absolutely no help in this case. I wonder who this artist might be.....
What do you think of my
choice this week?
Please leave a comment
and let me know!
Hi Maria - I have seen this cover before. I think that it has been around for a while. It is a great cover.
ReplyDeleteEven though the cover is divided, I like the way that the sun on top shines down on the lower part of the image.
On the book itself I have never read this but I think that it should have. I really like the Ursula Le Guin books that I have read.
Hi, Brian!
DeleteThis cover has indeed been around for many years, as the book was published in 1984. However, I had not seen it until recently.
I totally agree with you regarding the sunlight shining on the lower part of the image. It's very compelling! However, I also think that part of the brilliance comes from light shining from beneath the surface of the lake.
I've only read one of Le Guin's books -- "The Left Hand of Darkness". I don't remember much about the plot, though, so I think I should re-read it at some point in the near future. She is a terrific and very prolific writer, and the recipient of numerous awards. I need to get more of her books under my belt!
Thanks for the great comment!! : )
I love this cover -- it has a very Game of Thrones feel to it, very fantasy. The colors are beautiful, and this sounds so intriguing! I hope you enjoy it, and I can't wait to hear what you think about it. *huge hugs*
ReplyDeleteHi, Michele!
DeleteYou're absolutely right! This cover DOES have a "Game of Thrones" feel to it. I think it also has a "Lord of the Rings" feel to it. Either way, I know it will be a fascinating read, because of the author. Le Guin has a worldwide reputation as a great SF & fantasy writer!
I've only read one of her novels -- "The Left Hand of Darkness", but I definitely want to read more of her work!
Thanks for the great comment! HUGS BACK!!! : )