City of Blades

WORLD FANTASY AND LOCUS AWARD FINALIST • In a half-drowned city left ruined by the death of its gods, a grizzled general investigates a discovery that could upend the world—the second book of an epic fantasy trilogy from the nationally bestselling author of The Tainted Cup.

“Beautiful and satisfying . . . City of Blades takes everything that’s great about City of Stairs, and doubles it. Not only is it a rip-roaring study of epic fantasy, heroism, and godhood, but Bennett also explores warfare, the idea of service, disability, belief, morality, and more.”—Book Riot

A generation ago, the city of Voortyashtan was the stronghold of the god of war and death. Now, the city’s god is dead and the city lies in ruins. And to its new military occupiers, the once-powerful capital is a wasteland of sectarian violence and bloody uprisings.

This backwater posting is where General Turyin Malaghesh—foul-mouthed hero of the battle of Bulikov, rumored war criminal, ally of an embattled Prime Minister—is being put out to pasture. At least, that’s the cover story. The truth is that the general has been pressed into service one last time, dispatched to investigate a discovery only she's qualified to make sense of, one with the potential to change the world . . . or destroy it.

Don’t miss any of Robert Jackson Bennet’s Divine Cities trilogy:
CITY OF STAIRS • CITY OF BLADES • CITY OF MIRACLES

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