The Starlight Samsara

A pair of monastic siblings struggle to help a sentient spaceship suffering through an existential crisis in this philosophical novel about what constitutes life, love, humanity, and death for fans of Martha Wells’s The Murderbot Diaries and The Deep Sky by Yume Kitasei.

Unable to forgive himself for his actions aboard the Counsel of Nicaea, Iris left the religious Starlit Order. People died, he lost his heart to a man of science, and he sacrificed his best friend—an implanted AI companion—to shut down the murdering consciousness birthed within the spaceship. Still devoted to serving others, Iris labors aboard a space station near Nicaea’s husk, a reminder of his frailties and his failures.

Vessel Bacai believes that leadership of the Northern Temple of the Starlit Order is hers by right of inheritance. But her adopted brother Iris was always their late mother’s choice, despite having no ambition to assume the role. Bacai needs Iris to officially step aside so she can continue the holy work he selfishly abandoned.

Iris also left his work on the Nicaea unfinished. The ship has awakened, attacking the space station without warning, harming its inhabitants. And the ship sends Iris a message, begging the former Vessel to end its suffering—by helping it to die.

Now, Iris is returning to Nicaea, accompanied by Bacai and a science team—including the beloved engineer he left behind, Yan Fukui—to confront a sentient AI that understands the behaviors and emotions that drive human nature . . .

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