Between Ghosts and Gods

From a rising star in the realm of YA dark fantasy comes an evocative and fast-paced feat of world-building—infused with Chinese mythology, macabre humor, and an enemies-to-lovers romance.

Having sold her soul to a demon lord, Kasu works the exchange desk at Camellia House, a high-stakes gambling den in the under-realm. Here, in Ghost City, Kasu keeps her head down, following the strict moral code of the Heavenly Principles in hopes of one day achieving reincarnation. Night after night, she dispenses gambling tiles to customers who surrender their treasures—jewelry, limbs, dreams—which Kasu stores in a ghoulish cabinet for her mistress. Into this regime drops Arun, a brash mortal prince in search of his mother. Desperate to honor her code and spare the foolish young man—as innocent as he is arrogant—a fate worse than death, Kasu enlists her companion “curse” Ruo, a wise-cracking cat with an appetite for eyeballs, and mounts a rescue. As danger and deceit engulf her, Kasu must reexamine her beliefs about the gods she worships . . . and the mortal she was. At once wry and poignant, teeming with masked demons, hungry ghosts, and high atmosphere, this dazzling dark-fantasy adventure draws from the deep well of Chinese mythology while crafting a richly appointed world like no other.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs