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 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 Dare to Dream.
The bookish items included this month are a bowl cosy, an art print of character art from the Shatter Me series, a pair of ankle socks, a Daughter of the Moon Goddess book sleeve, and the next mythology bookmarks. The monthly tarot cards feature character art from Daughter of Smoke and Bone.
All Fairyloot books come with exclusive covers, generally signed by the author and include a letter from the author. This month the book is Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken which is a Arthurian legend retelling following rivals on a deadly quest. This edition also has digital sprayed edges and art on the hardcover.
In March I read four book and finished playing Octopath Traveler.
Books:
The first book I finished was Side Jobs by Jim Butcher. This is a collection of short stories set in the Dresden Files world that mostly happen between the main events of the books, including several stories not told from Harry’s perspective. I liked the focus of other characters and expanding on some things that have happened throughout the series but I didn’t love all the stories. The most important story to the Dresden Files series overall is the last one which is an novella told Murphy’s point of view in the imitate aftermath of the ending of Changes. I’m looking forward to see where the series goes next.
Next I finished Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir which I also have a full review already posted. This is the third book in the Locked Tomb series which is a hard series to discuss. We follow Nona as she lives her life but she might be someone else and she has no memories. Personally I feel like this book was a lot of set up for events that will take place in the final book. If you enjoyed Gideon the Ninth and Harrow the Ninth I would recommend reading this but know that none of these books have similar reading experiences.
The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw is a short horror novella that is very loosely inspired by the original little mermaid tale. We follow a Mermaid who’s daughters devoured the kingdom and a Plague Doctor who stumble upon a village of children and their “Saints”. These “Saints” both kill and bring these children back to life and the Doctor wants to destroy them because he know what is really going on. Beautifully written while also being gruesome.
The last book I finished in Mach was The Magic of MinaLima: Celebrating the Graphic Design Studio Behind the Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts Films. This is a coffee table book that looks at the team behind the graphic design of the Harry Potter films. Great for Harry Potter fans, especially of the movies, and those interested in the behind the scenes of graphic design for movies.
Games:
The only video game that I finished this month was Octopath Traveler which I also have a full review posted. This is a role playing game following eight different heroes as they travel to find their own path, get revenge, and help save people. If the games sounds interesting I would recommend trying it out as I didn’t think I would love this game as much as I did.
Obsidian Moon Crate is a newer book box based in the US that focuses on adults with interest in the darker elements of life and books. Each box comes with a new hardcover book, one crystal, one candle, and several other bookish items. March’s theme is Courting Death.
The items included in this box are a coffin phone holder, a set of coasters with character art from A Dowry of Blood, a notebook, a Ninth House inspired candle, an enamel pin, and the monthly crystal. The notebook was delayed and will be sent in the next box.
The book included was a hardcover copy of Seven Faceless Saints by MK Lobb. This edition has red sprayed edges, a signed bookplate, and a letter from the author. The story follows Rossana Lacertosa who’s father was murdered by the military and she is now willing to do everything she can to dismantle the corrupt system. However, with a killer stalking the streets she will have to team up with those from her past to save the city from evil.
June’s theme is Queer AF 3.0-The Gays of the Dead.
Nona the Ninth is the third book in the Locked Tomb series and follows shortly after the events of Harrow the Ninth. We are following Nona, who might be someone else but has no memories of her past, living with Pyrrha, Camilla, and Palamedes and just trying to live her life. The planet that they are on is controlled by the Blood of Eden who have surrounded the Last Cohort facility and are waiting for the Emperor to come. However, Nona’s memories are slowly coming back which will change everything.
I read this book in March and I’m writing this review in June mostly because I find this book hard to talk about and explain. I liked the book but also felt that there was a lot of setup without much payoff. What I loved most about the other books is Gideon and Harrow and their relationship and interactions which isn’t in this book. My favorite aspect with Nona the Ninth is getting the back story of “god”/the emperor and finding out that he really was just a guy who doesn’t deserve his power or position. I did enjoy the ending with the hints of where the story is going.
Ultimately, while I liked this book it felt to me like I will understand and appreciate it more when we have the full series and I can understand where this book fits in the larger story.
Night Owl Reviews 