Red the River Rises

"Extraordinary historical YA." —School Library Journal (starred review)

From an award-winning storyteller comes a sweeping historical tale of honor, star-crossed lovers, and loyalty, set during the violent Viking invasion of York, England

Tor is the youngest son of the mighty king of Norway, whose prowess is the stuff of legend and whose hundreds of ships and thousands of Vikings are now set to invade the great city of York, England. Eager to prove himself, Tor is sent ahead to scout, using his charm and guile to gather information. Meanwhile, in an Anglo-Saxon village south of the city, Kata yearns for something beyond her small world of planting and harvesting. When Kata and Tor meet, their hearts are set alight. As the eve of battle draws closer, fear, resentment, and prejudice swell; Tor watches the cruelty of his beloved kinsmen as they advance toward the city while the local earls descend into unscrupulous political machinations. Caught in the middle, Kata and Tor must question everything they thought they knew about fate, choice, and belonging. Where do their loyalties lie—heart or home? Love, military strategy, and a lush historical setting are woven into this passionate and painstakingly researched tale.

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