Astra Publishing House
Visitor
Visitor
Couldn't load pickup availability

Collapsible content
ABOUT
The human and atevi inhabitants of Alpha Station, orbiting the world of the atevi, have picked up a signal from an alien kyo ship telling them that the ship is inbound toward Alpha. Five thousand of the inhabitants of Alpha are human refugees from the now derelict Reunion Station. They have seen this scenario before, when a single kyo ship swooped into the Reunion system and, without a word, melted a major section of Reunion Station with a single pass. These refugees, who were rescued through the combined efforts of an allied group of humans and atevi and brought to safety at Alpha, are now desperate with fear.
Bren Cameron—brilliant human emissary of Tabini-aiji, the powerful atevi political leader on the mainland below, and also the appointee of the human president of the island nation of Mospheira—is the obvious choice of representative to be sent up to deal with both the panicked refugees and the incoming alien ship.
As a member of the spacefaring delegation who rescued the refugees, Bren has talked to kyo before—and even won their trust by saving one of their kind from a Reunioner prison. Because of his remarkable diplomatic and linguistic abilities, Bren managed to communicate with that grateful kyo individual on a limited basis, and he has evidence that that same kyo is on the ship heading to defenseless Alpha Station.
But no one can predict what an alien race might do, or what their motivations could be.
And Bren Cameron, the only human ever to be accepted into atevi society, is now the one individual with a hope of successfully interacting with the crew of the incoming ship. But Bren knows it will take putting himself in the hands of the kyo.
Can Bren count on the gratitude of one individual alien to save his life and the lives of thousands on Alpha Station?
PRE-ORDER
Secure the best deal by acting fast! Our Pre-Order promo offers unbeatable prices on must-have items. Be quick to lock in the lowest cost before the promo ends.
The best part? You won't be charged until your item is ready to ship. This means you can reserve your product at the best price without immediate payment. Whether you're first in line or just ahead of the crowd, you're making a smart choice. Reserve your item now and enjoy the benefits of being an early buyer, with the added flexibility of delayed payment!
STANDARD, PRIMARY, DM AND VARIANT COVERS
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.
PRODUCT TYPES
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