Welcome to The Spine Drop.
We built this newsletter because missing a special edition drop is a special kind of pain. You find out three days later, the listing says "sold out," and someone on Reddit is already asking $80 for it secondhand.
We're here so that doesn't happen to you. Every week: the drops worth knowing about, the ones already gone (and where to find them now), and what's coming so you can get ready. Issue #1. Let's go.
Shadows of the Tenebris Court Collector's Edition — Clare Sager
Brad backed this on day one. He's already decided where it goes on the shelf.
Clare Sager's fae romantasy trilogy — A Kiss of Iron, A Touch of Poison, A Promise of Lies — is getting the collector's hardcover treatment it deserves: foiling, custom edges, the works. Sager is a #1 Sunday Times bestseller. This isn't a risk. This is Brad being right, again, quietly, while you deliberate. 5 days left. Ends May 31.
Crate Expectations
The boxes you've been waiting on — themes confirmed, books revealed, waitlists noted. Your monthly crate check.
FairyLoot — June Romantasy: Bound by Night. Vampires, training sequences, and desire — FairyLoot is gearing up for a June box that knows exactly what it's doing. Exclusive foil cover, full character art on the hardcover and endpapers, triple sprayed edges, and a bound-in author letter. The waitlist is currently closed — but if you're already in, you know what to do.
See the box · Join the waitlist · Spoiler alertIllumicrate — June: Bad Reputation. A bad guy, a hero, and a fake feud that starts to feel real. Queer fantasy rom-com, nemeses to lovers, snarky as hell. The full box pulls from Assistant to the Villain, Sorcery and Small Magics, and V.E. Schwab's Villains. Subscription is waitlisted.
See the box · Join the waitlist · Spoiler alertAllurial — May: Sold Out. Next box opens June 1st. BOTM's romantasy-only box. Three limited edition picks each month, you choose one. May editions are gone, but June opens in six days and there's no waitlist. First book is $14.99.
Still on the shelf
The ones that stuck around. For now. Still out there. Still worth finding.
The Ballad of Falling Dragons by Sarah A. Parker. If you read When the Moon Hatched, you know. The sequel released May 19th after a delay from last fall. You can still get the Deluxe version on Amazon — but keep your eyes peeled for signed or special edition variants. Sprayed edge and signed copies have been circulating at select indie booksellers. As of 5/25/26, here are a few retailers who still have some in stock:
The Tattered Cover (Colfax Ave, Denver CO) — signed deluxe editions, in store
The New Romantics (Orlando, FL) — deluxe stock, available online
The Wings That Bind by Briar Boleyn. Dark academia, vampires, dragons, a betrayal that hits different in book 3. Bloodwing Academy has been a word-of-mouth freight train since book one — and if you haven't started it yet, you're actually in luck. All three are out, and the Deluxe Edition of The Wings That Bind (first printing only — stenciled edges, metallic jacket, custom endpapers) is still findable. As of 5/25/26:
The New Romantics (Orlando, FL) — Deluxe Edition, available online
Heartbound Book Shop (Anaheim, CA) — Deluxe Edition, available online + in-store
Blink and You’ll Miss ‘Em
Brad has read both. He won't tell you which one he liked best. He did, however, earmark several pages.
Blood Over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang. FairyLoot exclusive, in collaboration with Del Rey UK. Magic academy, conspiracy, two outsiders who probably shouldn't trust each other. The romance is there — understated, well-done, not the heat-seeking kind. M. L. Wang is an author people are starting to pay attention to, and this edition is a good reason why. Ships July/August, FairyLoot subscribers get early access June 11th — public gets whatever's left June 12th.
Details at FairyLoot
The Knave and the Moon by Rachel Gillig. Sequel to The Knight and the Moth, FairyLoot exclusive with Orbit Books UK. Reversible dust jacket, foiled hardcover art, foiled character endpapers, sprayed edges on all three. Digital signature. Ships November/December, previous Knight and the Moth owners get in June 15th, all active FL subscribers June 16th, public June 17th if anything's left.
Details at FairyLoot
Spotted in the Wild
Missed a drop? Here's what the resale market looks like right now.
City of Nightmares by Rebecca Schaeffer. Newham is a city where dreaming of a monster turns you into one. Tig Dearborn is still human — barely. Dark, atmospheric, horror-adjacent romantasy with genuine dread and real stakes. For readers who want the romance without losing the teeth. Available on ThriftBooks.
Find a copy
Sing Me to Sleep by Gabi Burton. Siren hiding as a soldier. Crown prince she's assigned to protect. She's also the assassin hunting him. Enemies-to-lovers YA romantasy with an all Black and Brown cast and a finale that earns it. Signed FairyLoot copies available. Search eBay
Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy. An impulsive sorcerer magically bound to obey his insufferable rival. A cursed forest. A very slow burn. MM romantasy, first in the Wildersongs trilogy — and yes, it's pulling double duty as part of this month's Illumicrate theme. Not a subscriber? FairyLoot Special Edition hardcover on the secondary market. Search eBay
The Wicked Sea by Jordan Stephanie Gray. Mermaid on the run, warlock who sentenced her to death, a magical bargain that binds them both until they find the heart of the God of Death. Dark, sultry, enemies-to-lovers with actual stakes. FairyLoot March Romantasy pick, signed copies surfacing on eBay. Search eBay
On Brad’s Radar
Things worth your attention. Some close soon.
Omens and Oaths by Heather Hildenbrand. Three books, one spine, foiling and custom edges. Immortal Vices and Virtues world — fated mates, dark heroes, spice. Clean entry point if you're new, long-awaited if you're not. Closes June 5th.
Back it on Kickstarter
Romancing the Realms by Jade Church and four authors. Five standalone romantasy specials in one campaign. Different worlds, same guarantee: swoon and steam, no cliffhangers. Closes approximately June 3–5 — verify before you sit on it.
Back it on Kickstarter
And if they aren't on your calendar yet, they should be. Brad has had these circled since the announcements dropped.
Sept 29, 2026 — new Empyrean novel from Rebecca Yarros
Oct 2026 — ACOTAR 6 from Sarah J. Maas
Special edition announcements for both will come fast and sell out faster. We'll be watching.
