The Alkahest

Still haunted by amnesia, alchemy student Amber Fallbrook must work with friends and enemies alike to eradicate an aurum plague turning citizens into metallic statues.

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Vincent (Soul Screamers, Shifters) pens a dark paranormal romantasy centered on alchemy magic—and those who dare harness it.

= Silver and Lockbox printed stained edges in first print run =

“Twisty… a complicated mixture of fantasy, romance, and mystery.”
—Publishers Weekly on Book One, The Alchemary

With distrust of alchemy at an all-time high, Amber and her Alchemary cohort must work alongside their rival school to find a cure for the ills of the kingdom of Aethermere. But the Alkahest campus, located deep inside a remote mountain, harbors as many secrets as their own institution.

While the traditionalist Toolkeepers inflame anti-alchemist sentiment across the kingdom, and the brothers who love her chart separate paths through the maze of deception and treachery, Amber tries to make sense of returning memories that threaten to upend everything she thought she knew.

But who can she trust as allegiances shift and dark shadows of alchemy take hold of students and professors alike? The closer she gets to a cure, the more of a threat she becomes to the secret force determined to usurp the entire kingdom. . . .

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