Girl Gods

An atmospheric YA novel in verse about female rage, a missing high school student, and the girl who goes “missing” trying to find her from National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 honoree K-Ming Chang.

Seven days after Celeste’s grandmother dies, the otherwise perfect Stephanie Hsiao disappears.

The police have their theories. The school has its rumors. But Celeste has a password—guessed correctly—and access to Stephanie’s secret blog.

When Stephanie returns, seemingly unharmed, Celeste is the only one who notices something is wrong. The girl who came back is not quite the same as the girl who left.

Following the blog’s clues, Celeste ventures to find the real Stephanie. Deep in the woods, Stephanie exists in a different body. Stephanie has struck a deal with Mazu, a Chinese sea goddess, to alter the cycle of reincarnation. And Celeste now has an opportunity to make the same bargain.

Written in acclaimed author K-Ming Chang’s gorgeous verse, Girl Gods asks what it means to become divine, and what must be sacrificed to get there.

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