The Apothecary Diaries 13 (Light Novel)

A palace servant trained in herbal medicine finds herself at the heart of imperial intrigue in this enthralling period mystery!

Maomao finally returns to the capital with Jinshi's party to discover that life went on while they were away: Lahan's nose is glued to his abacus, Maamei ponders the future of both the Ma clan and her little brother Basen, and Yao and En’en pursue their dreams (to become a doctor and to geek out over Yao, respectively). Maomao had hoped that things would quiet down without locust swarms and succession crises to occupy her. Unfortunately, life winds up more hectic than ever as the apothecary reconnects with people and places she hasn’t seen in almost a year. Meanwhile, the seeds of a new mystery begin to take root.

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