Sweet Hearts

A powerful story of siblings, love, and the legacy of loss.

In this unforgettable novel, Melanie Rae Thon fuses family myth with the cross currents of American history, exposing the violence that shapes individuals across generations.

At sixteen, Flint Zimmer has already spent eight years in juvenile detention. Now he’s escaped and returned home to the one person he loves and trusts: his little sister, Cecile.

Together they rob a local doctor, steal their mother’s car, and flee south toward the Crow Indian Reservation, where their ancestors once lived. Is Cecile Flint’s hostage, or his accomplice? What kind of devotion binds two children to one another when the world has given them almost nothing else?

Only Marie, their deaf aunt, seems to understand the strange logic of their crimes—and the fierce love beneath them. Through a language of signs, memory, and imagination, Marie weaves the Zimmer family’s past into its troubled present, revealing the buried histories that bind the living to the dead.

Haunting and passionate, Sweet Hearts is a searing novel of family, abandonment, and the possibility of atonement.

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