Look, I’ll be honest—Lightlark and I have had a rocky relationship. I swore I’d never fall for BookTok hype again after several disappointments, but there I was, adding Alex Aster’s viral sensation to my cart after being bombarded by that Skyshade cover on every other scroll. Classic goblin behavior.
Was it everything TikTok promised? Not exactly. Did I still read it in one sitting like I was in some kind of literary hostage situation? Absolutely. There’s something about these viral books that has us in a chokehold, even when we’re rolling our eyes every third page. It’s a complicated relationship, to say the least.
But here’s the thing about being a book collector—sometimes, it’s not just about the content. Sometimes, it’s about the sprayed edges. And the upcoming Grim and Oro: Dueling Crowns Edition (releasing September 30, 2025, but available for pre-order now) has my collector’s senses tingling despite my reservations about the original story.
Pre-order today
The Lightlark Phenomenon: Beyond the Hype
Whether you’re Team Grim, Team Oro, or Team “I Have Some Issues With This Plot,” there’s no denying that Alex Aster’s #1 New York Times-bestselling series exploded from BookTok sensation to genuine cultural phenomenon. The series has sparked endless debates, fan theories, and yes, plenty of criticism too.
What kept me reading despite my frustrations? Two words: the characters. Specifically, Oro—the all-mighty powerful king who’s brutally honest, funny once you get to know him, but has to guard his heart to protect his power. He was like a mean Golden Retriever the entire book, and I ate it up. Even Grim, despite my initial eye-rolling at the generic “shadow daddy” tropes, gained some much-needed depth by the end.
Why These Novellas Might Actually Be Worth It
The Grim and Oro: Dueling Crowns Edition offers something the main series doesn’t: perspective. This premium volume contains two complete novellas bound together in one collector’s item, each told from the perspective of one of the rival kings.
The first novella pulls back the curtain on Grim’s mysterious past, potentially addressing some of the character inconsistencies that bothered me in the original. For those who found his motivations questionable (mind vandalization is never okay in my book), this might provide the context needed to make his actions more understandable, if not entirely forgivable.
Flip the book over, and you’ll discover Oro’s story—which, let’s be honest, is the main reason I’m even considering this purchase. His narrative promises to explore the complexity behind the “mean Golden Retriever” facade that made him the standout character of the series for me. Getting inside the head of the brutally honest, powerful king torn between duty and desire? Sign me up.
As a Collector
Here’s where my inner book collector completely overrides my literary critic—this edition is genuinely stunning. As someone who displays special editions prominently (even of books I had mixed feelings about), I can’t ignore the craftsmanship here.
The dual-sided slipcase features two distinct cover designs, each representing one of the rival kings. The premium production includes:
- Intricate die cuts and dual-color foil stamping on both sides of the slipcase
- A full-color case with stunning illustrations representing both characters
- Gorgeously stenciled edges in vibrant colors
- Full-color endpapers featuring exclusive, never-before-seen artwork
These premium features transform the book into an art piece that celebrates the duality at the heart of the saga. Even if you found the world-building “white people with different hair” reductive (as I did), the physical design of this edition shows genuine creativity and attention to detail.
Why I’m Still Pre-Ordering (And Why You Might Too)
As a compulsive completionist who’s already committed to reading the rest of the series (if only to give myself the opportunity to be annoyed by Isla and read more about Oro), this collector’s edition feels like a natural addition to my shelf.
Pre-ordering the Grim and Oro: Dueling Crowns Edition isn’t just about securing a copy before they potentially sell out—it’s about acknowledging that sometimes, we have complicated relationships with the books we read. We can critique a story while still appreciating aspects of it, or at least appreciating the beautiful object it comes packaged in.
For Collectors and Completionists Alike
Whether you’re a die-hard Lightlark fan or someone like me who had mixed feelings but couldn’t look away, the Dueling Crowns Edition offers something valuable: a deeper dive into the characters who actually made the series compelling.
For collectors, it’s a stunning addition to your bookshelf. For completionists, it’s another piece of the puzzle. And for those who found themselves surprisingly invested in Oro despite their better judgment? It’s a chance to spend more time with the character who somehow made all the eye-rolling worthwhile.
The Grim and Oro: Dueling Crowns Edition releases on September 30, 2025, but is available for pre-order now. Despite my complicated feelings about the original series, I’ll be adding this one to my collection—if only to give Grim a chance to redeem himself and Oro more space to shine.
Are you Team Grim, Team Oro, or Team “I Have Some Issues With This Plot”? Let me know in the comments below!
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