Hey, Guess What, Need Feedback Again.

So in my quest to create cover art andfigure out how to use Gimp, I came up with a new cover design for my next book and I would really love some feedback. For example, should the background be darker, ligher, should the image be darker or ligher? Which is better, the one without the shine or the one with the shine? That kind of thing (and ignore the dragon's tongue. I'll render that better when I design the final image). Input would be much appreciated.( Images under the cut... )