By Its Cover: Game of Thrones

I find it harder to form a critical opinion of a cover when it's ubiquitous. Even if you haven't watched the show or read the book, you've probably seen this cover.

At first, I found it distracting, because I'm a huge fan of the Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings trilogy, so all I saw was Boromir sitting on a scary-looking chair. When I started reading, I had to verify with someone who had read the book that Sean Bean was Eddard Stark, because otherwise, I was going to spend every page wondering.

That said, I think this image encapsulates the story very well. Much of the book is spent discussing all the reasons Ned Stark should have an expression like this: his family's problems, his new position, difficult decisions, etc.

The titular throne is imposing and dark and kind of terrifying (not to mention uncomfortable, as Robert himself admits - both literally and figuratively) and it's a great symbol of the story.

Before HBO picked it up, the cover of this book looked like this:

Still accurate, but not as effective. This cover says to me, "There are swords in this book, like in most fantasy. Enjoy." There isn't much there.

The first time I read Game of Thrones (and even this time), it was an eBook.  But I saw a lot of the blue cover around and, I have to agree with Alex, that it doesn't tell you much.  In fact, I can't even figure out what sword that's supposed to BE, if it's supposed to be anything.

And I also agree that the "TV Cover" gives us a little more to go on.  All the shit hits the fan for Ned in the first book, and he looks exactly like that in the "TV Cover."

However, and this is probably something that most of you don't care about, I usually hate the "Movie Cover" for books (because, let's face it, it's usually a movie that the book has been made into.)  I like the original covers, especially for a series because none of the other covers in GoT have been changed!  So my books won't match up and, aesthetically, that's just not ok with me.

I really don't have a desire to see the actors on my cover either.  The actors aren't a part of the book, they're a part of the movie/tv show.  And while I can appreciate both, I don't like it when they mix.

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