Addressing Fourth Wing Print Issues

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Post on Jan 22, 2025

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Addressing Fourth Wing Print Issues: A Reader's Lament (and Solutions!)

Okay, so I'll admit it. I'm a total bookworm, bordering on obsessed. When Fourth Wing came out, I pre-ordered the physical copy immediately. I mean, immediately. I even bragged about it to my book club – big mistake. Because, let me tell you, the initial print run was… a nightmare. My copy? Pages were stuck together, the cover felt cheap (for the price!), and the font? Don't even get me started on the font. It looked like someone had used Comic Sans on a typewriter. Seriously, I'm still traumatized. It looked nothing like the beautiful cover art I'd been ogling online!

The Initial Frustration: Stuck Pages and a Cheap Feel

I was so hyped. I literally counted down the days until it arrived. Unboxing it was like Christmas morning, only... it was a major letdown. The pages were stuck together in multiple places, requiring a delicate (and slightly stressful) separation process. I almost ripped pages trying to get them apart! Talk about ruining the mood. I felt totally ripped off. The printing quality was absolutely atrocious for a book that cost, what, $20? Twenty bucks for a book that felt like it was printed on printer paper? Absolutely bonkers!

My (Failed) Attempts at DIY Repair

Initially, I tried to fix it myself. I used a bone folder (a book lover’s essential, I swear!) to carefully separate the pages. It helped a little, but there was still a weird stiffness to the pages, plus a few small tears from my overly enthusiastic efforts. I'm not gonna lie, I almost cried a little. I even tried a hairdryer on a low setting (don’t do that, by the way. It's a terrible idea!). Don’t be like me. My initial reaction was just to accept that I was stuck with a crappy copy.

Finding Solutions: Contacting the Publisher and More

But then I remembered— I had a voice. I wasn't going to let some poorly printed book win! I contacted the publisher, Tor Books, using their customer service email address. They were actually really good about it! They apologized for the problems and offered a replacement. The replacement arrived in pristine condition.

Pro Tip: If you're having issues with a newly-released book, ALWAYS contact the publisher. Many times they’ll exchange your copy. And it will be worth it.

Beyond Publisher Contact: Investigating Print Editions

Now, here’s something important I learned in my book-buying journey. There's more to a book than just the story. There are several print editions to consider:

• First Edition: Often highly sought after by collectors, and sometimes contain special features or mistakes that later editions correct.
• Second Edition (or later): These usually address initial print problems and offer a better printing quality.
• Mass Market Paperback: These are cheaper and usually printed on thinner paper with a smaller page size and binding than the larger hardcover editions. But, the quality is generally better than some of the first print issues.

Preventing Future Print Disasters: Checking Reviews Before Ordering

So, what did I learn? Beyond contacting the publisher, my best advice is to check online reviews before you buy. Seriously, read reviews from multiple sources. Don’t just rely on Amazon. Look at Goodreads, book blogs, and even social media to get a better sense of the quality.

Second Pro Tip: Be mindful of the publisher. Some publishers have a better reputation for quality than others. My research shows that Tor Books generally does a decent job, although the Fourth Wing initial print run was clearly an exception.

The whole experience was a rollercoaster: initial excitement, crushing disappointment, and then finally, triumph! Don’t settle for a subpar reading experience; you deserve better! It was a costly lesson, but an effective one. I know you can avoid my mistakes.