The Red Scholar's Wake by Aliette de Bodard Full Box (Illumicrate 'Better Together' exclusive)

A sentient spaceship, mourning the death of her spouse who was the leader of their pirate fleet, makes a deal with a captured human. An arranged marriage occurs, with the intent of using the marriage as a cover for an investigation into the previous leader’s death. Between infighting amongst the pirate fleets, and as a war against piracy brews, will they uncover the truth, and will they develop true feelings while they do?

Our Illumicrate Exclusive edition is a Royal hardback with a signed bookplate by Aliette de Bodard, and features:

• Exclusive cover variant
• Artwork endpapers, different front and back, by Alyssa Winans
• Foil embossing on the hardback
• Ombre sprayed edges
• Bound-in author letter

The book at a glance:

• Adult science fiction standalone
• F/F romance, lesbian main character, diverse queer identities, Vietnamese-inspired and queer normative world
• You'll love this if you like... lesbian space pirates, sentient spaceships and Vietnamese-inspired galactic empire

Items included in the full box option:

• Paths of Fate mug inspired by The Song of Achilles with artwork by Rosie Thorns
• Griffin Antiquities jewellery case inspired by Crescent City, designed by Alice Maria Power
• Burning Kingdoms chain pin inspired by The Jasmine Throne, designed by Chloe @ no0nedesigns
• Multi-fandom Strike a Bargain desk calendar, designed by Chatty Nora with artwork by Po @ polarts

Tropes for The Red Scholar's Wake include: Space Opera, Marriage of convenience

Shortlisted for the 2023 BSFA Award for Best Novel, shortlisted for the 2023 Arthur C. Clarke Award!

Photo credit to @rebireads