The Alkahest

Still haunted by amnesia, alchemy student Amber Fallbrook must uncover the cause of a plague turning citizens into metallic-toned statues. But the rot at the heart of the realm runs deeper than even she suspected.

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

After the shocking truths uncovered in The Alchemary, Amber Fallbrook has been forced into an uneasy alliance with an enemy. But her trials—both literal and personal—are far from over. The Alchemary has been ordered to work with its rival, the Alkahest, to find a cure for the aurum plague. To avoid derailing the third-year trials, the schools will host a combined Red Trial at the distant Alkahest campus, hidden deep inside a remote mountain.

With distrust of alchemy at an all-time high, a sentiment the traditionalist Toolkeepers enflame for their own use, Amber must work with new rivals and old friends to prepare for the Red Trial, design a cure for the plague, and make sense of returning memories that threaten to upend everything she thought she knew. As if that weren’t enough, the Alkahest has secrets of its own, and the two brothers bonded to her by love, friendship, and alchemy seem to have conflicting ambitions.

As allegiances shift and dark corners of alchemy take hold of students and professors alike, Amber isn’t sure who she can trust. And the closer she gets to a cure, the more of a threat she becomes to the secret force determined to take over an 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