Friday Face-Off

Friday Face Off: Noir

PerfectlyTolerable

This is a weekly meme created by Books by Proxy, but currently run by Lynn’s Book Blog.

“He sounded like a man who had slept well and didn’t owe too much money.”

This weeks theme: A cover that is ‘noir’

Alright I have no idea what “Noir” means so I had to google it.

noir

That still doesn’t help me much, so I tried googling “Noir Book Covers” and this is what I got:

Noir2

Usually I try not to look at anyone’s Friday Face Off posts until I have written mine, but again I still don’t really know what “noir” means.  Here are some covers that have been chosen by other bloggers this week:

Noir3

Lynn’sBookBlog | TheBibliosanctum | BooksBonesBuffy

Bookwraiths | BooksandBeyondReviews | Jackiesforgetmenots

So there seems to be a lot of old fashioned crime novel covers. (I think they are considered “pulp” covers) And a few newer books that seem to fall into the “cynicism, fatalism, and moral ambiguity” category.

My Choice: The Cruel Prince

I chose this book because it is the first thing that comes to mind when I think “cynicism, fatalism, and moral ambiguity”  I don’t know if it technically fits the “Noir” category because it isn’t a crime novel, but I don’t think I have read any crime novels that fit the bill.

Covers:

Original Cover | B&N Exclusive

Owlcrate Exclusive | Serbian Cover

Least Favorite:  Owlcrate Exclusive

I just don’t like the throne.  I think it is super ugly and not at all appealing as a book cover

Winner:

Cruel02

I love this cover! I like the black background so much better than the white and I feel like it better reflects the story.

Which is your favorite? Do you agree with my choice? Let me know in the comments!!

35 thoughts on “Friday Face Off: Noir”

  3. Noir is a tough one. I am not a big lover of the Noir Genre, but have been working my way through the Bragg series by Jack Lynch. Of the covers above, I think I like the Serbian Cover the best.

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    1. I am not a big fan of mysteries and crime books anyway and morally ambiguous ones sound even worse 😂😂 I’m not sure I have ever even read a book in the Noir genre 😂 I like the idea of the Serbian one, but the way the sword is sticking into the ground the angle or something just seems off and it is really bugging me 😂

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  8. Hah, love this post. Noir to me always makes me think of those old black and white films from the 40’s that were crime thrillers. Or something like Casablanca maybe, a guy in a trench coat who is a PI. (A lot of Urban Fantasy has a noir element, especially Dresden Files.) I do love the choice you made for this one! People keep bringing this book up, I have added it to my list. Happy Friday!

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    1. After I did the post I did stumble upon what noir means in films and you are absolutely right. Its the old timey black and white 40’s crime thrillers 😂😂 but I don’t read books that fall into that category haha I hope you love it if you end up reading it!

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  12. I agree that the B&N Exclusive cover is the best. I love the way the font stands out amongst the branches. It’s so subtle and yet gripping!

    I appreciate all the research you put into deciding what was noir. XD It always think of Dick Tracey and the campy monster movie posters. That said, this fits your definition well. Great job!

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  13. I love your choice of book – what a good way of checking out exactly what the genre was about… And I also agree with your cover selection – that is gold on black looks both classy and threatening at the same time.

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