Swallowing Darkness

Pregnant with the heirs to the Unseelie throne, Meredith Gentry must confront the treachery of kings, courts, and ancient magic to protect her children or die trying—in this pulse-racing installment of the Merry Gentry series.

Meredith Nic Essus, princess of faerie and wielder of the Hands of Flesh and Blood, is finally with child—twins fathered by her royal guard—bringing her closer to claiming her aunt’s throne and ruling the Unseelie Court.

But her uncle, Taranis, King of Light and Illusion, who abducted and assaulted her, now falsely claims to be the father of her unborn children, branding her guards a danger to the heirs she carries.

As conspiracies rise from every court in faerie, enemies seek to strip away her lovers and protectors through treachery or violence. Though she finds unexpected allies among the goblins and the sluagh, the nightmares of faerie. Meredith must fight to survive long enough to see her children born and secure her crown. To protect what is hers, she is prepared to sacrifice anything, everything—even if it means waging war against her darkest foes and making the most fateful choice of her life.

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