Overall I’m a fan, as the series looks good as a whole.
Each book is colourful, and has a unique colour pallette. This means each one stands out and is recognisable, but at the same time they have the same art style and titles so they manage to form a cohesive series too.
They may still be a bit too modern for some – but they have to compete with new releases so it makes sense. I think they straddle the line really well. Modern without being overly cartoony. The children actually look like human beings for a start.
But let’s take a closer look at each one shall we?
The Island of Adventure
Admittedly this doesn’t quite capture my mental picture of the Isle of Gloom. It’s just not… gloomy enough. Gloom is rocky and spray-covered, not sandy and tree-covered. Also, there’s no big cave. This looks more suited to Kirrin or The Secret Island.
We do have the four children, though, and it’s obvious who they all are. Kiki matches the Stuart Tresilian depiction from the first editions rather than the text (which makes me wonder if the text is changed to match?). It’s just a shame the girls are running off into the distance.
The Castle of Adventure
This is supposed to be the castle of adventure, not the haunted mansion of adventure. And the hill’s not nearly big enough.
Aside from that, I like the colour scheme. And we get a much better view of the children. Jack and Lucy-Ann are obvious from their red hair. I think Philip and Dinah should have darker hair – and tufts! At least their clothes look fairly timeless though there’s a bit of Laura Ellen Anderson about the stripes.
The Valley of Adventure
I love the colour choice for this one too. It’s a very attractive cover though the aeroplane is all wrong, and where’s the waterfall?
I can’t remember them crossing the river anywhere apart from near the waterfall. I’m also wondering about the cave. Is that supposed to be the fern cave? If so… waterfall?
It’s a shame to have to criticize the cover as it looks so good. If only it was more book-accurate though!
The Sea of Adventure
Another lovely colour choice. This reminds me of The Adventurous Four which was also heavy on the red/blue (and a boat).
Of course it’s stylised and the islands wouldn’t have been so pointy, but it’s a great cover.
The Mountain of Adventure
I think I can forgive the inclusion of the ponies and the helicopter as covers often amalgamate story elements from through the book.
Somehow the story looks more like a fantasy than an adventure with a hint of sci-fi – with the green glowing light. Obviously inside the mountain does glow, but it doesn’t glow outside and it doesn’t have a whacking great obvious door. It’s very pretty, though!
Plus – where’s the helicopter landing? The pointy mountain top?
The Ship of Adventure
This probably has the least stylised colours of the series as everything a colour it might realistically be. It’s also the most similar (in my mind) to the first edition cover.
The scale’s fairly wild, though, if we’re supposed to believe that’s the Viking Star?
Still, it’s a good-looking cover.
The Circus of Adventure
My favourite book, but not my favourite cover. It’s attractive, but the red grass gives it a weird vibe. Like it’s post apocalyptic or something.
I also don’t think it captures the story particularly well? The children aren’t visiting a circus for frolics and fun. The four spend very little time there, and most of it hiding.
But the circus is in the title and has to be shown, and better four children than just Jack, I suppose.
The River of Adventure
I think this looks great – really pretty – and it does depict a scene from the book. It’s not too dissimilar to the first edition boards, with the palm-trees and the small boat from the final chapters on the river (though it’s travelling the opposite way).
The pink could give a fantasy vibe but to me it’s not, as it just about gets away with being the reflection of the sunset.
Sadly as far as I can tell these new books have no internal illustrations.
But what do you think of the covers?
Fiona
pippastef
worldofblyton
World of Blyton 
