The Witch Queen

Pay the price of blood and snow: Snow White’s wicked queen rises to her destiny in the second book of a queer, witchy duology that’s hailed as “an alluring, vengeful origin story that brings tremendous dimension to the classic fairy tale” (Chloe Gong)—from the author of Malice.

The wicked queen’s story did not end with a happily ever after. And she wouldn’t have it any other way.

With the king bound to her magic mirror and Princess Blodwyn, the rightful heir, hidden away in the countryside, Queen Ayleth has the kingdom entirely at her command.

Despite her ultimate power, Ayleth finds herself consumed: With fears that the witches from her former coven will return to depose her. With the dread that someone at the palace will discover her secret. With her own deepening dark magic.

And with thoughts of her lost love, Jacquetta—the witch whose betrayal still haunts Ayleth as stubbornly as the lingering scent of juniper.

But Ayleth’s carefully built world begins to unravel when Blodwyn returns from exile accompanied by Margaret, the king’s scheming sister, and reveals a plan of her own: to invoke Braxos’s Trials, a contest of bravery, wisdom, and justice that could allow Blodwyn to retake the throne. Ayleth suddenly discovers she is in danger of losing the crown she sacrificed everything to win—and she will do anything to retain control.

And Ayleth isn’t the only one struggling with her altered position. Blodwyn’s homecoming soon proves more difficult than she imagined. Embroiled in Ayleth’s viperous court, Blodwyn is surrounded by enemies and plagued by rumors of a long-buried curse come to life. As family secrets resurface, the princess isn’t sure who—or what—she can trust. Especially when she may be falling for one of her rivals in the trials.

As the battle for the realm intensifies, both Ayleth and Blodwyn find themselves fighting not only for the throne but for the truth of their own souls. Soon, they must each decide: What price are they willing to pay to wear the crown?

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