The Ruined

In the stunning conclusion to New York Times bestselling The Beautiful Quartet series, Celine fights for her right to choose as the deadly war between fey Courts approaches.

“The final showdown is a big one in its consequences both to the fey Otherworld and New Orleans . . . No one escapes unscathed.”—Kirkus Reviews

In the smoldering aftermath of the events of The Righteous—a deadly skirmish on the border of the Winter and Summer Courts—Bastien now finds himself entrenched among the Winter Court survivors hidden deep within the mountain. From this ancient seat of the Sylvan Wyld, he begins to truly understand the destruction wrought by the summer fey on his brethren. The dying wish of Sunan, the famed illusionist and hero of the Winter Court, is for Bastien to take his rightful place and assume responsibility for the Sylvan Wyld and bring an end to the war with the Summer Court and Lady Silla of the Sylvan Vale. To do this, Bastien will be granted access to the most powerful—and most coveted—artifact in all the fey realms. But it may come at a great cost. Taking on this role will put him at odds with his love, Celine, and her mother, Lady Silla.

Overwhelmed by loss, Celine wants nothing more than to return to an easier time and be among her friends and loved ones in New Orleans, safely ensconced within the Court of the Lions—not contemplating the possibility of taking her mother’s place as the queen of the Summer Court, the same court Bastien wants her to abandon to stand by his side in the Sylvan Wyld.

But she doesn’t believe she should have to give up her own power for anyone, even Bastien—putting them on opposite sides of a brewing bloody war.

May the bloodthirstiest one win.

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