Cruel Instincts

A grieving teen uncovers her family’s twisted secrets when she’s drawn into the orbit of a charismatic and privileged clique—Cruel Intentions meets The Birds in this daring speculative thriller from the author of Natural Selection.

Tesla Wilde barely escaped the horrific car crash that killed her mother. Now she’s been sent to live with an aunt she’s never met in the Aviary, the Wilde Family’s sprawling estate in Montana. No cell service. No internet. Not another soul for miles, except her eccentric aunt, Robin.

That is until Tesla’s cousin Arden and his privileged, impossibly beautiful friends descend upon the Aviary, uninvited. Robin begs Tesla to stay away from them, but they’re magnetic. And a convenient distraction from her all-consuming grief. Especially their leader, Vida, an aggressively free spirit who swears her tarot deck never lies. And who knows a suspicious amount about Wilde family history.

As Tesla's confusion grows, Vida and her cards promise answers Aunt Robin refuses to give. Then Robin disappears and Tesla starts hearing voices as birds follow her around the Aviary. And she can't help but wonder, is someone actually trying to communicate with her from beyond the grave? Or are her cousin and his friends playing an elaborate game with deadly stakes?

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