It's no secret that here at Book Hero we love a special edition - preferably one with sprayed edges, beautiful artwork, and a breathtaking story within. Here are a selection that Book Hero Lizzy is currently lusting after.
It is so exciting to see new special editions popping up each week, the squeal of delight in the warehouse when we spot a new pretty book and immediately have to bring it out into the bookshop. I chat with customers regularly about how interesting it is that so many books are getting this treatment, and although it's primarily fantasy (my focus today) and romance, it's cool seeing it expand to sci fi and other popular fiction titles as well. My guess is that as we are reading in a bigger variety of ways the book object itself is shifting in how we use it, often more of a 'book trophy' then the item we grab to read for the first time (and in my case dog ear and annotate - that's a whole other blog post).
However - as much as I love the 'pretty books', it's really quite unfair that every day in our cute little bookshop I sit, staring at the table of special editions before me. How is one supposed to resist the allure of beautiful artwork, shiny covers, and my favourite stories but bound up more beautifully than before.
For anyone that knows me, consider this my wishlist. For the rest of you, I just need to share the temptation and show you a bunch of the fantasy books that I wish I could take home. Some are stories I already know and love, others are ones I know I would love, not just because they are beautiful but because customers regularly come in and rave about them to me. Let me know if you spot any favourites.
p.s. This was supposed to be a Top 5 but it was honestly impossible to narrow it down.
Powerless by Lauren Robert
One of those books that people LOVE and I am somehow yet to read, but when this special edition finally arrived it made it much harder to resist. This one is not just has a stunning gilded cover, but also heaps of beautiful artwork of the characters inside which I ADORE.
Powerless is the first in a hugely popular romantasy trilogy, one where we have trials, enemies to lovers, and sounds ideal for anyone who grew up obsessed with The Hunger Games.
The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig
I absolutely adored this book when I read it last year - the first in a gothic inspired romantasy where there's vengeful gods, a rebellious Knight and the world's best gargoyle.
This special edition is such a great find because it's a paperback which I love for the price point, but it still has the most beautifully detailed sprayed edges (featuring my favourite character!).
Enchantra by Kaylie Smith
"Welcome to Enchantra. There's only one rule: Never, ever trust your heart."
A spicy romantasy that has been on my TBR for far too long, and again has now arrived in the most beautiful book package. This one is about a cursed place in Italy, a game of hunt, hide and seek, and sounds like nothing I've read before.
The special edition has gorgeous sprayed edges, and such a beautiful dust jacket. It's stunning.
The Rainshadow Orphans by Naomi Ishiguro
This fantasy is described as Studio Ghibli in style, with incredibly beautiful writing but a tight storyline taking place over only days, in an amazing anime style world with bubble tea and nods to cyberpunk. This one is another beautiful paperback that for a limited time comes with gorgeous sprayed edges so time to grab a copy now while I can.
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
The OG Romantasy for many of us, this would make SUCH a great gift for anyone who grew up on Twilight, hoping a sparkly vampire might whisk them off into the woods.
This edition is one of the most beautiful books on our beautiful book table, with not only a beautiful floral design but also the most magical images of Edward and Bella that appear as you flick the golden gilded pages. Also, New Moon comes out soon (it's up for pre-order now!) and I really do think I need the whole set in this deluxe edition.
Rose in Chains by Julie Soto
As a big fan of anything that is slow burn, enemies to lovers, magical, and a little dark and spicy - Rose in Chains sounds right up my alley. The beautiful sprayed edges would look SO STUNNING on my bookshelf.
Fans of Dramione fan fiction will be stoked to hear that Book 2 is coming out later this year, along with hopefully another gorgeous edition to collect.
