March 2023 Illumicrate

Illumicrate is a UK based fantasy and science fiction book box that has monthly boxes or just a monthly book only subscription. Each box also includes a selection of bookish goodies some more practical, others more decorative set around a monthly theme. March’s theme is Live Like Legends.

The items included in this box are a Greek mythology mini teapot, a book pot, a sticker sheet inspired by Greek mythology, and a lunch bag.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and most months a letter from the author. This months book is Lies We Sing To The Sea by Sarah Underwood. In Ithaca every year twelve maidens are condemned to die to appease Poseidon but when Leto does this she wakes on a island where a girl tells her that the death of a prince of Ithaca will save them all. This edition also has digitality printed edges, foil on the hardcover and artwork on the end papers.

April’s theme is Be My Enemy.

Video Game Review: Octopath Traveler

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Octopath Traveler is a HD-2D roll playing game from Square Enix originally made for the Nintendo Switch. You choose one of the eight characters to start the game with as a protagonist and journey through the world. Eventually you will met all of the eight character which all have different jobs that effect each characters play style. Though you can only have four characters in your party at any given time you can switch out characters to play though each characters four chapters.

The story of Octopath Traveler follows these eight characters with their own journeys such as revenge, hunting down a specific monster, becoming the best merchant, and so on. I enjoyed all of the characters stories but I do wish the game had found a way to connect all of the stories as there really isn’t a reason for these characters traveling together.

The game play itself is turn based with each character welding different weapons’ and having different weakness which changes how you will play the game. My starting character was H’aanit the huntress as I liked the concept of her story best but I don’t feel like she is the best character to start with if you are trying for the most optimum play through.

I did complete almost all of the side quest as they are a good way to level up the characters but I didn’t complete the game. The final dungeon and boss of the game require you to complete it in one go and while it is the one thing that tries to tie the character stories together its not something that I feel most people will finish. I attempted it and realized that I would need to be stronger and have a better strategy to beat this section of the game. Ultimately, this is one of those games that if you enjoy it I would recommend finishing all of the character stories but there is no need to beat that last dungeon.

March 2023 Fairyloot

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 4-5 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. March’s theme is Eternal.

The bookish items included this month are a ceramic plate inspired by the Winternight trilogy, a metal bookmark, a bookish sticker sheet, and a tarot card pouch. The monthly tarot card features character art from One Dark Window.

All Fairyloot books come with exclusive covers, generally signed by the author and include a letter from the author. This month the book is Seven Faceless Saints by M.K. Lobb which is a murder mystery in a dark fantasy world where a dark power threatens to devour everything. This edition also has digital sprayed edges, artwork on the endpapers, and foiling on the hardback.

April’s theme is Dare to Dream.