# Is "The Quiet Pools" by Michael P. Kube-McDowell a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Quiet Pools by Michael P. Kube-McDowell (Ace Books, New York, 1990) is identified by: Ace hardcover, boards, 371 pages; first edition stated on the copyright page as 'First Edition: May 1990'. The US Ace 1990 hardcover is the true first edition (ISBN 0-441-69911-7 / 9780441699117), identified by the 'First Edition: May 1990' statement on the copyright page.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Ace hardcover, boards, 371 pages; first edition stated on the copyright page as 'First Edition: May 1990'
- The dust jacket carries an illustration by Chris Moore with jacket design by Michael Storrings, and its printed price should be present on the flap
- Publisher imprint reads Ace Books, New York
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Michael P. Kube-McDowell |
| Publisher | Ace Books, New York |
| Year | 1990 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Ace hardcover, boards, 371 pages; first edition stated on the copyright page as 'First Edition: May 1990' |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Ace hardcover, boards, 371 pages; first edition stated on the copyright page as 'First Edition: May 1990'. The dust jacket carries an illustration by Chris Moore with jacket design by Michael Storrings, and its printed price should be present on the flap.

## Is this the true first?
The US Ace 1990 hardcover is the true first edition (ISBN 0-441-69911-7 / 9780441699117), identified by the 'First Edition: May 1990' statement on the copyright page.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions exist; they are typically identified by an unpriced or clipped jacket stating Book Club Edition and lack the 'First Edition: May 1990' statement.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Quiet Pools* by Michael P. Kube-McDowell a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-quiet-pools
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.