I like the brighter color scheme of the original better, but I like the way the text is less obtrusive in the v2. Also, the flames seem to sort of encase the character in the first one, whereas to me it feels like she's just "there" in the v2. But I might just feel that way because I'm comparing it to the v1. I can't speak to the technical aspects or composition, either.
What's the random-ish splotch near her elbow in the v2? I can't really tell if it's in the v1 due to the crystal overlapping the area.
Also, tvTropes is the devil. I wasted three years many hours days* of my life browsing that site.
*It honestly wouldn't surprise me, exaggeration or not.