Friday Face Off: The Raven and the Reindeer by T Kingfisher
17 July 2026
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Friday Face off, T Kingfisher, The Raven and the Reindeer
Today I’m returning to the Friday Face Off, originally created by Books by Proxy). This is an opportunity to look at a book of your choice and shine the spotlight on the covers. Of course this only works for those books that have alternative covers (although sometimes I use this to look at a series of books to choose a favourite). So, if you have a book that has alternative covers, highlight them and choose your favourite. If you’re taking part it would be great if you leave a comment/link so I can take a look at what you’ve chosen.
This week I’ve chosen a book by an author that I’m very much enjoying at the moment and seems to be having a few earlier books rereleased – deep joy! The Raven and the Reindeer is a retellling of the Snow Queen, originally published in 2016. I love this author and I’m a sucker for retellings so I’m pretty excited to read this one. Here’s the two covers.
My favourite:
I love this cover, in fact I really like both covers so it’s difficult to choose but, this one gives me gothic, almost Edgar Allan Poe vibes.
Which is your favourite this week?
Books and travelling with Lynn 
I think the first cover is my favourite, but I know what you mean about the Poe vibes on the second cover!
I do like both and definitely the first cover really does say ‘fairytale retelling’ doesn’t it.
Lynn 😀
I’ve just tried to request a physical arc for this. I don’t think I’ll get one but I’m keeping my fingers crossed. My favourites the new cover, I love how pretty it looks with that shade of blue and the thorns bordering it. You make a good point about the gothic vibes of the original though.
Yes, strictly speaking the first cover really does nail the whole ‘fairytale retelling’ vibe and as such is probably more appropriate for the story tbf.
Lynn 😀
I so agree that it gives off the Poe vibes in your pick, more than the other, that’s for sure!
Yes, it’s the crow for sure (or is it a raven??).
Lynn 😀
I like how unique the one you picked were. They’re both great, but the one on the right doesn’t look like anything else, which I love
Yes, it’s a much earlier cover and it really does feel quite strangely unique.
Lynn 😀
I think I prefer the first cover, but I love that they both have the same color palette.
I never thought of that but you’re spot on – they look lovely side by side.
Lynn 😀