Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Favourite YA Book Covers; UK Edition Vs. US Edition

~ Beth (Reading Every Night)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week there is a new topic for bloggers to choose and list their top ten. This week’s theme is an all about visuals freebie, and while it was supposed to be about graphic novels I haven’t read nearly enough to make a list so I picked Top Ten Favourite YA Book Covers; UK Edition Vs. US Edition instead.

For reasons, unbeknownst to most of us, sometimes there are different covers for the UK edition and the US edition of the same book. While with most of the books I own I have been more than happy with the UK cover there are still a few where I’ve looked on at the copies people in the US have brought and gotten very jealous. There have even been a couple of very rare occasions where I’ve gone onto the US Amazon site and paid the extra shipping just to get the US covers, but that’s very rare.

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UK Winners

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Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Granted both covers are beyond gorgeous, and if it weren’t for one specific detail in the UK editions I’d even go as far as saying I prefer the US cover over the UK one. However if you buy the UK hardcover edition, underneath the dust jacket, there is a secret cover. There are four different designs in all, and you never know which one you’ll get until you hold the book in your own hands.

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Alice by Christina Henry

I get that this is a horror story, and as such one that needs a creepy cover to go with it, but the US edition is just a little too creepy for my tastes. Before seeing the UK cover I wasn’t tempted to pick this book up at all, despite it being an Alice in Wonderland retelling which I always love reading.

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Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

This book is another case of me being unwilling to pick it up until I saw the UK cover. I’m not sure what it is, because plenty of people love the US cover and looking at it objectively I can see why they like it, but I think the girl on the front is a little too creepy for my tastes, kind of like with Alice.

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Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

While I’ve finally come to the conclusion that I prefer the UK edition over the US there wasn’t a lot to it if I’m being honest, but Strange the Dreamer is like Caraval in that it was the other details that I loved so much. The first edition prints will have blue sprayed edges, plenty of gold foil, and illustrations on the title page. It’s enough to push the UK cover way over the US one for me.

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Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

The main reason I picked the UK cover for this book is because of the colours. When it comes down to it there are a lot of similarities between both covers but the colours of the UK one just stand out so much more for me; bold and eye catching it was more than enough to get me to pick this series up.

Then again any cover design is better than the first edition UK print.

Under the Never Sky

US Winners

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The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

I love that both versions have illustrated covers, and both of them have their charms as well, but I prefer the US illustrations to the UK ones. It just seems to capture what the book is about more, plus I love seeing all the different Chosen Ones on the front cover alongside the normal characters we follow in this book.

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The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig

I’m not sure why the US and UK editions of this book are so different in terms of the cover design but looking at them both side by side, if you take away the author and the title, they don’t even look as if they belong to the same genre, let alone the same book.

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The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee

While I haven’t read this book yet, it’s on my to-read list for this month, based on the blurb The Thousandth Floor seems to be a book about people who have the most privilege and money in a new world, and in my opinion the US cover seems to get this across much better than the UK one. The UK cover is pretty much a design I’ve seen time and time again in the YA genre.

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A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

I have always always preferred the US editions to this series compared to the UK ones, and while the UK covers are amazing in their own way there’s just something about the US editions that stands out more. They’re gorgeous, uniquely illustrated covers that match the amazing content inside.

I’ve even gone as far as buying the US hardcover editions just so I can have them on my bookshelves alongside the UK covers.

Shades of Magic

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Heartless by Marissa Meyer

When the US cover for this book was released I didn’t think there’d be a different UK one, simply because The Lunar Chronicles had the same cover for both the US and UK editions. But then the UK cover was released and I just wasn’t as much of a fan of it as I was the US one. While it has it charms the design just seemed a little too crowded especially after seeing how clean cut the US one was.

So what do you think? Did you take part in this week’s Top Ten Tuesday, if so let me know what you picked for this week’s themed free-for-all, or what UK verse US covers you prefer if I haven’t mentioned them in this list already.

81 thoughts on “Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Favourite YA Book Covers; UK Edition Vs. US Edition”

    1. Thanks so much. Overall it’s the same for me. I think knowing they’re the editions I’ll be buying means I kind of have some kind of loyalty to them more than the US covers, but there are a few exceptions here and there.
      Thanks for the link. I’ll definitely check out your TTT post! 😀

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  7. First of all, love your taste in covers. I pretty much agree with all your picks. I also get jealous when I see some of your UK editions. That Caraval hardcover secret under-cover surprise is also pretty cool. I mean, hardcore fans could definitely try and collect them all, but knowing that you might have a different one from people around you? Wahh. Pretty awesome! Really awesome choices for this top ten! 😀

    – Lashaan

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    1. Thanks so much. I will admit to buying a lot of books solely based on how pretty the covers are so this was an easy post to write.
      The secret cover for Caraval is amazing, and yeah I’m happy with just my one edition but if people want all of them then why not try and find them?
      Thanks again Lashaan! 🙂

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  8. Isn’t it interesting how covers can vary from place to place. I very much enjoyed reading this! To be honest some of them I had no idea it was the UK version (heehee 😛 ) like Heartless and the A Darker Shade of Magic. I just thought they were different US version because sometimes there are multiple covers!

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    1. Oh yes, definitely interesting. You get some books which have the same covers in the UK and the US but books like these where the covers range from vaguely similar to completely different.
      I’m glad you enjoyed this post, and yeah because I live in the UK I normally discover the US covers because they’re always released first, and then the UK ones because they’re the ones I end up buying! 😀

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      1. I would assume you would buy the UK versions. Are you able to buy the US version? Because I don’t think we ever get the different versions here … I could be wrong about that. (although technically I don’t live in the US, but I still get the US cover because you know Canada is close enough so why not)

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      2. I do buy US versions sometimes but only if it’s a special book or an all-time favourite series of mine because the shipping can be almost as expensive as the book itself!
        Canada I’m guessing would get US versions, makes sense as you’re close to the US. We don’t get different editions over here either, if I want to buy the US cover I order it from an American site (normally Amazon but the US one rather than the UK one.)

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      3. Ohhh that makes sense, yeah I feel you on shipping, even if I want something from the US and I’m a lot closer to it than you, it still costs an arm and a leg because we are still considered “international” for some reason.
        Yeah I think when they say US version they mean “North American” version since we part of that continent.

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      4. Part of me just isn’t sure why it costs so much to ship from certain countries, but then again I guess books are heavy and it’s got to go quite a distance as well. Still it would be amazing if there was a way to get books shipped internationally for free somehow. Like if you spend enough it offers free delivery.

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  9. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your UK picks. The covers are so gorgeous! I would have picked the US covers for both Caraval and Strange the Dreamer, too, if not for the smaller details. I love the idea of having secret designs underneath the book jackets. And blue-sprayed edges?? *Faints* I very much prefer the UK versions for both Nevernight and Alice. The US ones are kind of weird and off-putting. I actually really like the UK versions for ADSOM and was considering paying extra for them, but the US covers ain’t too bad. I’ll just be happy to have those books on my shelves haha. And I think the US version of The Thousandth Floor is SO pretty. Love the colors. Great picks, Beth! ❤

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    1. Thanks so much Azia. I think just taking the covers into account I prefer the US version of Caraval, but the secret UK covers kind of put the other edition in the lead for me. Also even without the extra details I preferred the UK edition of Strange the Dreamer as well but the extra details just add so much more on top of all that.
      Yes I feel the same way. I do think if the UK covers had been the same as the US covers for Nevernight and Alice I would not have picked either up, I’m shallow like that!
      I’m willing to pay extra for the US covers of the Shades of Magic series (I have the UK editions already). It’s my all-time favourite series so I consider it money well spent.
      Thanks so much Azia! 😀 ❤

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      1. Honestly, I think we’re all shallow like that haha. We say to not judge a book by its cover, but it’s SO hard not to, especially nowadays when the covers are just so eye-catching.
        No worries! ❤

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      2. Oh god yes. The covers are the first thing I see, the first thing everyone sees when it comes to books I guess, and it’s so easy to potentially pass by what could be an amazing book because the cover isn’t as amazing. I now I’ve probably done it in the past, we all have.

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  10. I seriously LOOOOOVE the U.K editions about 98% of the time Beth lol. I agree with you on the girl of the cover of Nevernight being absolutely creepy + I just love the bird on the U.K. cover. I also just per-ordered my copy of Strange The Dreamer from Bookdepository cuz THAT cover *heart eyes* and splayed blue edges? I can’t resist! I seriously NEED a U.K. copy of Caraval though lol smh. I know it’s coming in the Feb Owlcrate & you’re right, if it weren’t for what’s underneath the U.K. then i’d prefer the U.S. but yea *covers eyes* haha! great picks for TTT this week Beth 🙂

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    1. For me it depends on the book more than anything else. Sometimes I’ve gotten lucky and the UK editions are the ones I like best, I think living there and knowing they’re the editions I’ll be owning makes me more inclined to love them, but every so often the US cover is just even more gorgeous and I can’t resist it.
      I think the UK cover of Strange the Dreamer is just all around better, and worth the extra shipping if you live outside the UK too. I love books with splayed edges!
      The OwlCrate box will include the US edition won’t it? I guess there’s nothing stopping you from buying a copy of each, the secret covers are gorgeous and kind of worth the extra cost in shipping in my opinion. 😀
      Thanks so much Lilly! ❤

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      1. I completely agree & I am TOTALLY paying the extra $ for a copy of the U.K. edition of Caraval…can’t resist. won’t fight the urge. lol! & I cannot wait to receive Strange The Dreamer in all it’s blue glory <3!

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      2. Don’t even try and resist. There are books I’ve paid extra for shipping all the way from the US and if you love it it’s worth it! 😀
        I think both Caraval and Strange the Dreamer will definitely be worth it! 🙂

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  11. It’s interesting to see all the other covers, especially because Australia has a weird combination of US covers and UK covers depending on the book and publisher. I agree with you about the Nevernight cover, it looks so amazing with that raven on the front.

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    1. Yeah, I have noticed that in Australia you have some UK covers and some US covers, I guess in that aspect you get the best of both right? I love seeing different covers from around the world.
      The Nevernight cover was actually one of the first ones I thought of for the UK winners for this post! 🙂

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  13. You have amazing taste, Beth; I hadn’t seen most of the UK covers, and it turns out I agree with every one of your preferences. And wow, I had no clue that the UK edition of Strange the Dreamer is so stunning! If I like the book enough to buy it, I’ll definitely be getting that edition. =)

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    1. Thanks so much Liam, and that’s great to hear as well. I think overall there’s something to love about all the covers but the winners are the ones I just liked that little bit more in a lot of the cases.
      In that case I hope you like the book, but honestly if the books Laini Taylor has written previously are anything to go by Strange the Dreamer is going to be beyond amazing! 😀

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  14. I LOVE those Caraval hardcovers! I didn’t even know that they’ve got a variety of different designs – I have an ARC and the cover is just a placeholder, haha. I’m tempted to get the hardcover for myself now, even if I didn’t really love the story.

    And Shades of Magic – I used to prefer the US covers by a LOT but recently I’ve found a new appreciation for the UK covers. We get the UK ones in Aus as well and I recently got a copy for my friend, and since then I found myself kinda loving it. I think I’m still going to get the US hardcopies eventually, though; they’re just so beautiful.

    Great choices, Beth! I think I agree with you on pretty much all ten counts. 😛

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    1. They are gorgeous, and yeah there are some people who I think are going to try and collect them all but I’m happy with the one I have. ARCs are good but they can’t really compare with the real physical copy of the book once it’s been released can they?
      Oh I do love the UK covers as well, I just think in terms of which ones are better the US wins that round. I have the US copies on pre-order and it’s costing me so much money alongside the shipping but it will probably end up being well worth it! 😀
      Thanks so much Reg, and that’s great to hear as well. 🙂

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  16. I completely agree with all of these, except Under The Never Sky. I prefer the US covers for that series 🙈. I didn’t know all of that about Strange The Dreamer. Now I want the UK edition even more. I love sprayed pages and it just sounds like it’s going to be an all around gorgeous edition. Plus, I’ve loved that cover over the US one since I saw it. And I am completely with you on Nevernight. I ended up buying the UK edition because of the cover and wasn’t a fan of the US one at all. I feel like the UK one even seems to fit the book better. I heard that it was designed around the book itself. Although, I haven’t read it yet so I can’t say for sure. Great take on this weeks topic, Beth!! 💕😊

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    1. To be honest Under the Never Sky was one where I was kind of even on both the UK and the US ones, it’s only really the colours that pulled me more to the UK cover.
      I’ve had my UK one ordered for ages now but with every little bit of information released I just get more and more excited about it.
      I’ve had to do that with books, luckily for me the version of Nevernight I have is the UK cover so that worked out well. I hadn’t actually heard that, I think in their own way both covers fit the book well there was just a lot more about the UK cover I preferred over the US one.
      Thanks so much Melissa! 😀 ❤

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      1. I’m going to have to try to order my copy soon. Is the sprayed edges edition a special one or can you order it from Book Depository? That’s where I usually order UK editions from just because free shipping lol.
        I remember seeing this video the author posted on twitter about the cover process and I think that’s where I heard about how it fit the book. But yeah, there’s also the inside of the book and all the details. It’s really gorgeous.
        You’re welcome, Beth!! 😊💕

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      2. I’m not sure, online it said first editions but there was no link or anything. I ordered mine from Amazon and the only link for Strange the Dreamer was the one I ended up ordering. I guess just search for it on Book Depository and if there’s only one version chances are it’s that one.
        I haven’t seen any videos or anything but I think both covers fit the boo quite well actually, the UK one is just a little more aesthetically pleasing to my eyes I guess! 🙂

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  18. Love this post!! I didn’t even know that some of these books had alternate UK covers, like Heartless & The Thousandth Floor! I agree with almost all your choices too. I’m so jealous of people with the UK Caraval cover, I’m hoping to order a copy for myself!! Any suggestions on where I might be able to ship a UK edition to the US? 😅❤

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    1. Thanks so much, and oh yeah it’s not every book. I have more editions where the US and UK covers match but there are a fair few out there with different covers depending on the country.
      I think the UK edition of Caraval is well worth the extra cost, the hidden covers are gorgeous. Normally when I buy US books for myself over in the UK I use Amazon, I just go into the US site instead of the UK one, so it should work for you the other way around. The shipping is a lot more expensive though, just FYI. 🙂

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  19. Awesome post Beth! I agree with all of your picks even though with your UK winners I really loved both covers on a lot of those. I am super jealous the UK editions of Caraval have designs on their naked covers! I’d definitely pay extra for that, for some reason I’m a sucker for designs underneath the book jackets! 😁

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    1. Thanks so much Heather, and that’s great to hear as well. Some of the UK covers I loved both of, mainly Caraval and Strange the Dreamer, it was only really the extras in the UK editions that kind of pushed them in the lead.
      I have the circus tent on my Caraval edition and it’s definitely gorgeous. Worth paying extra for if you ever decide to go for it! 😀

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  22. I didnt know strange the dreamer is going to have blue pages, I have to preorder it now jeez. I got the dress cover of Caraval in fairyloot and i was so happy because that was the one i wanted I was worried I would have to swap

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    1. I’ve had it pre-ordered for ages now, but every day I just seem to get more and more excited for its release.
      I honestly didn’t really have a preference for the Caraval cover, I would have been happy with any, but it’s great you managed to get the one you wanted without needing to swap! 😀

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  24. Ah, I love the US edition of Heartless and the UK edition of Caraval! I think the U.K. did the sane thing with Three Dark Crowns, where each book cover represents a different sister. And I prefer the U.K. edition of Strange the Dreamer as well. 😍

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    1. Yeah I think both of those books are definitely where the other country got the better deal in terms of the covers. Also I saw that with Three Dark Crowns as well. I’m wondering if the UK editions will do the same thing with the covers for the next two books so you can get book one, two and three (I think it’s a trilogy, correct me if I’m wrong) each representing a different sister. That’d be amazing to have on my bookshelves! 😀
      I can’t wait to get my hands on Strange the Dreamer, the gorgeous cover just makes me want it all the more now. 🙂

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      1. Oh, yep, it’s definitely a trilogy! Now that I think about it, I don’t know what the second US book cover looks like, but it would be interesting if there were three different editions for each book. And, yes, SO EXCITED for Strange the Dreamer. I’ve been waiting for it since they said it was originally supposed to come out last year, and then they pushed back the release date (which was torture). 😂

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      2. Then they can do a UK cover for each of the sisters and you can create a set that way! It’s what I’ll likely be doing if I ever get around to ordering this book. Although yeah I am still curious as to what the second US cover will look like.
        Oh god that push back was horrible. I was so excited for it to come out last year then one day the date just changed to March this year and it just felt like too long.

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  25. The fact that I agree with every single one you chose is hilarious! Lol! I love the secret covers of Caraval. I love the cover of Nevernight UK because like you said, the girl is just creepy. Strange the Dreamer, the blue pages!!! OMG! I want it, it looks so beautiful. Heartless US speaks volumes to me and I really don’t like the UK cover at all. Heartless US has that dark feel of what the book is. Amazing books and choices love xoxo!

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    1. Ha, what a coincidence right? The secret covers for Caraval just made me all the more excited to get my hands on my copy to see which one I ended up with (I got th circus tent), and yeah it was only when I saw the UK cover that I added Nevernight to my to-read list, apparently I’m shallow like that. 🙂
      Everything about Strange the Dreamer is calling to me, the blue pages, the illustrations, even the cover itself! Also that’s a great way to look at it for Heartless, the UK cover just seems to make it out to be a lighter story and in the end that’s not what it is at all.
      Thanks so much Gretchen! 🙂 ❤

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      1. I want the circus tent!!! I’m sorta jealous lol!! I cannot wait to read Strange the Dreamer, although I didn’t finish the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series, I still really enjoy her lyrical writing

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      2. You can always try ordering a copy from the UK, it’s what I’ve done with the US covers I prefer to the UK ones.
        Do you plan to finish the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series? It’s a favourite of mine so I’m just so so excited for more from Laini Taylor. 🙂

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  26. OKAY, THAT SECRET COVER THING IS SERIOUSLY COOL.

    I’m definitely with you on the Nevernight US cover! (I’m not actually a huge fan of the UK cover either, idk why.)

    I LIVE IN THE US AND TBH I WAS SO BITTER ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO GET THE UK COVER OF THE GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE. I absolutely love the UK cover – it was what drew me to the book in the first place – whereas the US one is one of my least favorites.

    Really? I’m the exact opposite with Heartless and A Darker Shade of Magic! I really dislike the US covers, but I find the UK covers gorgeous.

    Ellie | On the Other Side of Reality

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    1. That’s exactly what I thought as well, and it made me all the more excited to get my hands on my own copy of Caraval. I got the circus tent on mine! 😀
      I actually like the UK cover for Nevernight, it definitely made me want to pick the book up more than the US one did.
      I am literally the opposite way around. I wasn’t a fan of the UK cover of The Girl from Everywhere at all, and same with Heartless and A Darker Shade of Magic too. Although I do like the UK covers for A Darker Shade of Magic there’s just something about the US editions I prefer. 🙂

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  27. I love this post! I agree 100% with you about Heartless, the UK edition is cute but I think the US edition is so much better- simple but beautiful.

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