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. September’s theme is My Last Breath.
The items included in this box are a book pot, a window magnet inspired by Belladonna, a bowl cozy, and a If We Were Villains puzzle.
Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and most months a letter from the author. This months book is A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid which is a young adult fantasy following Effy who has always believed in fairy tales. When a contest to design her favorite authors home is announced Effy feels like this is her destiny but the truth may bring her ruin. This edition has an exclusive cover, color printing on the hardback, digitally printed edges and is signed.
In August I read seven books, including three comics, and went to the Barbie movie.
Books:
Grimm Rose by Kasi Blake is the start young adult fantasy fairytale retelling series with some interesting twists. The story follows Shayne a half-ling servant of the Ivory Queen who inadvertently and by force is going to marry the Ivory Queen’s son unless she steals Cinderella’s glass slipper. Overall, an interesting take on a fairytale retelling and I have a full review posted as well.
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden is the first book in the Winternight trilogy. We follow Vasillisa who can see spirits but as evil creatures from the forest threaten the village she must use her gifts to protect her family. Beautifully written and I loved the inclusion of Russian folk tales. I do plan to continue with this series.
The Tea Dragon Society, The Tea Dragon Festival, and The Tea Dragon Tapestry all by Kay O’Neill is a cute comic book series about dragons that grow tea leaves on their horns. Society follows Greta as she meets people involved in the world of Tea Dragons and learns more about them. Festival follows Rinn who has grown up around Tea Dragons but finds a young real dragon asleep in the forest and she helps him find out why he has bee asleep for so long. Finally, Tapestry follows Greta as she struggles to create something to impress a blacksmith for an apprenticeship while Minette starts to deal with her past. This is a very cute comic series that is great for those wanting something lighthearted.
Heiresses: The Lives of the Million Dollar Babies by Laura Thompson is a nonfiction book about the lives of heiresses throughout history and their struggles finding love and trying to trust those in their lives. Great for those interested in this topic and reads in a way that non historians would enjoy.
Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire is the second book in the Wayward Children series. In this book we follow Jack and Jill as they go through their door into the world of the Moors and we find out what happens to them while they are there. I love this series and I’m making my way though all the books to catch up with the series.
Movies:
I also went to the movie theater and saw Barbie with my mom. Since there are so many reactions and reviews out now all I’ll say is that I loved it and if you haven’t seen it you should.
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. August’s theme is Reap What You Sow.
The bookish items included this month are a set of metal straws, a Gideon the Night bookends, a gothic sticker sheet, a glass tumbler inspired by Belladonna, and a set of page tabs. The monthly tarot cards have character art from the Bonesmith.
All Fairyloot books come with exclusive covers, generally signed by the author and include a letter from the author. This month the book is the Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto which is a dark ya fantasy about a ghost fighting warrior who must journey to rescue a kidnapped prince. This edition also has a reversible dust jacket, digital sprayed edges, and foiling on the hardback.
Night Owl Reviews 