Friday Face Off is a meme created by Books by Proxy, now hosted by Lynn’s Books.
The idea is that you find different covers of the same book, dump them all into a gladiatorial pit, and see which comes out on top (Lynn’s explanation sounds much more professional). And since this week’s theme is “horror” I thought it’d be the perfect time to join in!
I wasn’t sure whether “horror cover” meant a horror novel cover or a horrific cover, but I went with the former interpretation.
And I chose Josh Malerman’s Bird Box because the Netflix adaptation is slated to drop before the end of the year. A few days before Christmas, to be exact. Because nothing says “holiday bonding” like watching a film about people turning crazy and murdering their friends and families.
Ecco Edition ; Turkish Edition ; Hungarian Edition
These three are all slight variations of the same thing. White typeface, grunge wood background, two birds. Well, I like grunge. And I like birds. And I very much dig the claustrophobic look of it all.
Thai Edition ; Ecco Reprint (paperback)
I dislike these ones for different reasons. The Thailand one just looks…strange. Blurry typography isn’t my favourite thing and I have no idea what anything on the cover has to do with the story. And I think Eco Reprint gives the wrong impression that the book is a slasher horror or a domestic thriller.
Harper Voyager UK
More grunge! And our blindfolded protagonist! And overall, it’s…okay, I guess?
Bulgarian Edition ; Special Limited Edition
I love the surrealism of both of these but the Special Edition is hands-down my favourite (and I’m super tempted to nab a copy).
I love everything about it. The blindfold grading into the river, the tree roots taking the place of Malorie’s hair, and the fact that it adds colour while still keeping that muted, gloomy look. It teeters between harsh and beautiful which, in my opinion, represents the story to a T.
Also, it’s a wraparound cover and the whole thing is just so brilliantly constructed: 
Swoon ❤
Pages Below the Vaulted Sky 
I’d pick the same one. It looks (and sounds) super creepy…I kind of want to read, but im kinda too scared to 😋
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You should read it!! It’s not too scary! Okay, maybe it’s a *little* scary, but it’s more psychological horror than anything else, and it’s done really, really well.
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I adore the special edition, is it Subterranean Press? Very tempting…
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It’s from Dark Regions Press! I haven’t heard of them before but now they definitely have my attention 😀
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The special edition is perfection!! I just finished the Italian version, and the cover is basically the first one, but they translated the title with “La morte avrà i tuoi occhi” (The death will have your eyes)
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Ooh how did you like it? And wow, I LOVE the retitling. It’s so poetic! ❤
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Agree 100% with your pick. that’s gorgeous!
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This is a great book for this week’s theme, Kathy! And you’re absolutely right – that special edition blows the rest of the covers out of the water… Brilliant choice!
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I’ve been telling myself I don’t *need* a special edition copy of the book, but that cover makes it so, so tempting. 😀
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Hm… books and need always seem to go together – a bit like stawberries and cream…
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Wow, that is all. Okay, maybe that isn’t all. That’s an amazing cover.
This is a book that I’ve owned forever and I think have been too scared to read. I’ll have to pick it up soon though as I prefer to read the book before seeing the adaptation.
Lynn 😀
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You should absolutely try it, it’s not too scary!! (she says, when she couldn’t even move out of bed after reading it :P)
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I agree with your pick and that wraparound is really cool ❤
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I really want a poster of it! 😀
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I love your pick! It’s gorgeous 🙂
And I did not know this was going to be a Christmas movie. Strange. Though I’m definitely going to watch it!
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It’s an interesting decision for sure. Maybe they didn’t want to compete with Haunting of Hill House? I’ll probably bully my family into watching it with me. 😀
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This is such a fun meme, and I love this post! I was getting into it thinking about which is my favorite, and when it came down to it, I feel the same as you. That one is the most emotive and artistic to me. I do not like the blurry words on a couple of the other ones- maybe because I already have a headache, but not my thing either. Loved this, Kathy! Happy weekend, my friend! ♥️
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So many kudos to the artist! I already own a copy of the book but I’m super tempted to pick this one up! My wallet is furiously shaking its head 😀
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My favorite is the Ecco Reprint! I don’t typically go for the movie/Netflix covers, but I like the retro feel of this one!
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As just a front cover I like the Bulgarian one, but the full wraparound of the special edition is striking! And also a little terrifying. I know nothing about this book but just that art has convinced me it’d too scary for me to actually read.
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I want to say you should read it because it’s a really, REALLY great psychological horror, but it also had me too scared to go to the bathroom at night, and I don’t know how enjoyable you’d find that. 😅
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Agreed! That special edition looks awesome ❤
Also, i really need to read this book finally 😀
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You totally shooooulld! I also recommend reading it at night so you can get the full “I’m afraid to move out of my bed” experience. 😛
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Oh, I really love that special edition cover. So gorgeous.
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I know!! I so wish they had posters of it
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Ouuuh the wrap around cover is so cool !!
I do like the Ecco reprint; though I don’t have any idea of what this book is about x) So I can’t tell if it is fitting or not. also soooo many different covers !!
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I know right?? And I had no idea there were so many different covers for this book. And the Ecco reprint does look kind of cool on its own! 😀
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I’m defintitely with you on this one! That special edition wraparound cover is phenomenal!! 😍😍
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I know right?! I am seriously tempted to get the special edition just for the cover!!
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Some great covers there and a great post!
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Thank you!
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