Month: May 2021

April 2021 Illumicrate

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Illumicrate is a UK based fantasy and science fiction book box that has monthly boxes or just a monthly book only subscription. Before I was getting the book only subscription but the extra cost of the full box wasn’t that much more so I have switched to the full box. Each box also includes a selection of bookish goodies some more practical, others more decorative set around a monthly theme. April’s theme is Dearly Departed.

The items included in this box where a Book of the Dead book pot (planter shaped like a book), a canvas book organizer inspired by Nevernight, a Mason jar drinking glass from Jacques restaurant featured in The Beautiful, a set of magnets inspired by Gideon the Ninth, and a sickle keyring.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and has a letter from the author. Every month there is also an enamel pin that is inspired by that months book. This months book is In the Ravenous Dark by A.M Strickland which also has stenciled edges. In the world of Thanopolis those who have magic are assigned undead spirits to guard them. Rovan has been hiding her powers but after the death of her father she finds herself trust into a world of intrigue and deception. To escape she finds herself connecting to a rebellious princes and a handsome spirit but to save them all Rovan will have to start a rebellion and find a way to trust those who might just betray her.

May’s theme is Change Your Stars.

April 2021 Fairyloot

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Fairyloot is a Young Adult book subscription box focusing on fantasy based out of the UK. Each month you receive a new Young Adult hardback book and 5-6 bookish goodies. Like most book boxes the hardback are special editions and the items are a combination of both practical things and more decorative items. April’s theme is Hidden Identities.

The bookish items included this month are a set of metal bookends inspired by Lord of the Rings, handmade soap, a tote bag inspired by Blood and Ash, enamel pins from the Daevabad Trilogy, and a set of bookmarks inspired by multiple series. The monthly tarot cards are inspired by Serpent and Dove. They also included the foil art print that was missing in the March box.

All Fairyloot books come with exclusive covers and are signed by the author. The box also includes an author letter for each book. This months book is The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni and also came with sprayed and stenciled edges, artwork on the reverse of the dust jacket, and foiling on the hardcover. In The Prison Healer we follow Kiva who has been the healer at a death prison with the only goal of staying alive. When the Rebel Queen arrives Kiva agrees to take her place in the Trial of Ordeal in hopes of saving both of their lives though no one as ever survived the challenge.

May’s theme is Spellcraft.

April 2021 Wrap Up

On By AllieS.In Book Review, Wrap UpLeave a comment

In April I read nine books including two short stories, two graphic novels, and one audio book. Besides reading I have been playing Persona 5: The Royal and got through about 60 hours by the end of the month.

Books:

Siege and Storm and Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo are the second and third books in the Shadow and Bone Trilogy. I’m talking about them together as I don’t want to spoil anything that is in these books. In Siege and Storm I like how Alina grew as a character, and loved Nikolai. However, I absolutely hated Alina and Mal’s relationship and that made me not enjoy the book that much. Ruin and Rising I liked more but hated the ending and what happens to Alina. I didn’t think she would or even want her to end up with the Darkling but I her and Mal’s relationship is still very toxic. Though Nikolai made the ending better. I haven’t watched the Netflix show yet but I hope that some of the issues I had with the books have been fixed.

The Tailor was a short story at the end of Siege and Storm that tells some events from Genya’s point of view. I liked being able to see the world through Genya’s eyes and why she works for the Darkling. The Demon in the Wood was a short story at the end of Ruin and Rising that showed us some of the Darkling’s back story. I know the Darkling is the villain but his reasoning for wanting to expand the fold do make more since after this story.

Labyrinth Coronation 2 and 3 are the last volumes in this short graphic novel series. I like how this series show how the Goblin King became who he is and how his story connects to Sarah’s. I loved the ending and how everything turned out all right in the end. If you are a fan of the Labyrinth movie I think you will like these graphic novels.

You are a Badass Everyday by Jen Sincero is a self help book companion to Jen Sincero other books and is more a set of tools to help you live your best life. I’m listened to this as an audio book and liked it well enough. After I finished it I felt more motivated to do some things that I’ve been putting off. Good for those looking for motivation or self-help books.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir is Andy Weir’s newest science fiction novel. I received an early review copy from NetGalley and have a full review posted. In Project Hail Mary we follow Ryland Grace the only survivor of a space mission that’s goal is to save all life on earth. However, he doesn’t remember that but he’s earth’s last hope. After gaining an unexpected ally, Grace might be able to figure out what’s going on and how the save everything. Great for fans of Andy Weir’s other work and those who love hard science fiction.

The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm by Christopher Paolini is a short story collection with stories taking place after the events of the Inheritance cycle. I liked being back in this world with character that I love but I do think that I would have enjoyed these stories more if I had reread the series first.