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.
Octopath Traveler is a HD-2D roll playing game from Square Enix originally made for the Nintendo Switch.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.
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.
In February I read three books and to short stories and also watch Glass Onion.
Books:
Women of Myth: From Deer Woman and Mami Wata to Amaterasu and Athena, Your Guide to the Amazing and Diverse Women from World Mythology by Jenny Williamson and Genn McMenemy is a nonfiction book about different women from myth and folklore through multiple cultures. I received advanced copy from the publisher through Netgalley. I loved seeing myths that I’ve never learned about before and all the art work depicting these women.
Abhorsen by Garth Nix is the third book in the Abhorsen trilogy and follows Lirael and Sam as they try to save Sam’s friend Nick and stop the necromancer Hedge from awakening the destroyer. I also have a full review posted for this book. This book is very action/plot heavy and I think I would have enjoyed this series more if the second and third books had been combined. While I like the series overall to me I feel like the first book Sabriel works better as a stand alone then a series.
As Yet Unsent by Tamsyn Muir is a short story in the Locked Tomb series that follows the events of Harrow the Ninth. The shot story is Judith’s report on the Blood of Eden and their activities. I read to to be ready to read Nona the Ninth but I feel like I will need to either reread it and read an explanation of it to really understand this story.
A Dowry of Blood by S.T Gibson is a reimaging/retelling of Dracula through the perspective of one of the brides. I read this initially when it was self published and wanted to see if anything has changed which it hasn’t but I still enjoyed it and I have a full review published. The one thing that I’m still a little disappointed in is the fact that there is nothing but a quick mention of the events that happened in Dracula as I would have loved to read that from the brides perspectives.
An Encore of Roses by S.T. Gibson is a short story from Alexi’s point of view years after the ending of A Dowry of Blood. This story gives us a glimpse into the lives of Alexi, Constanta, and Magdalena and how they are still in love though living separate lives all these years later.
Movies:
I only movie I watched this month was Glass Onion which I loved but don’t feel like I have much to say. However, if you liked Knives Out or murder mysteries you should give it a try.
Abhorsen by Garth Nix is the final book in the Abhorsen/The Old Kingdom trilogy though there have been more books added to the series since this ones publication. This book follows Lirael and Sam as they try to save Sam’s friend Nick and stop the necromancer Hedge from awakening the Destroyer. As the Destroyer is the enemy of all life and must be stop which only an Abhorsen can do however, there has been no word from the current Abhosren Sabriel and King Touchstone.
In comparison to the second book which focuses more on set up this one is very action and plot heavy and ultimately feel like if the second and third books had been combined I would have enjoyed the full story more. This series is a reread for me though I haven’t read the series in many years because of that while I liked the series overall I feel like Sabriel works better as a stand a lone book. However, If you liked Sabriel I do think you should try the other books in the series.
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. February’s theme is Morally Grey.
The bookish items included this month are a Foiled mug with character art of From Blood and Ash, a pencil case, a foiled art print featuring characters from Once Upon a Broken Heart, and replica necklace pendant. The monthly tarot cards feature characters from Spice Road by Maiya Ibrahim.
All Fairyloot books come with exclusive covers, generally signed by the author and include a letter from the author. This month the book is City of Nightmares by Rebecca Schaeffer which is described as Gotham meets Strange the Dreamer where a girl finds herself in the middle of a conspiracy in a city where nightmares come alive. This edition also has digital sprayed edges, artwork on the endpapers and on the hardcover.
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. February’s theme is Into the Fire.
The items included in this box are a glass water bottle, a book shaped light inspired by Daughter of the Moon Goddess, a book jacket inspired by The Poppy War, and a zipper charm.
Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and most months a letter from the author. This months book is Song of Silver, Flame Like Night by Amelie Wen Zhao which is the start to new epic fantasy inspired by Chinese folklore and mythology. This edition has an exclusive cover, digitally printed edges, art on the hardback, bonus content and signed.
In January I read seven books/short stories, including multiple non fiction books. I also watched Gudetama: An Eggcellent Adventure which I enjoyed but don’t have really anything to say about it. Also as a heads up I’m in the process of changing the blog name from reviewsbyallies to NightOwlReviews so if you see that, that’s what’s happening.
Books:
The Legacy of the Crystal: An Unofficial Guide to Final Fantasy by Darryl James is a non fiction book about the history of the Final Fantasy franchise that I helped kickstart. As a fan of the Final Fantasy franchise I loved this book and reading about the history of the franchise.
Changes by Jim Butcher is the twelfth book in the Dresden Files series. We find out that Susan Rodriguez had a child with Harry and never informed him that they had a child. She has been kidnapped by Arianna Ortega, Duchess of the Red Court to hurt Harry and those connected to him. This one was not one of my favorite in the series but the ending definitely will change things in the coming books. I also have a full review for this book.
The Nazi Titanic: The Incredible Untold Story of a Doomed Ship in World War II by Robert P. Watson is a nonfiction book about the history of the German ocean liner that was used in a German propaganda movie filmed in World War II about the sinking of the Titanic. I had heard mention of the Nazi Titanic movie that portrayed Bruce Ismay and others on the ship as “evil and money hungry Jews that let people die on the Titanic” and wanted to know the reason behind using the Titanic in this very unhistorical way. The history of the ocean liner is more interesting and tragic than the movie that it was in but I also will not watch the movie if it is still out there. The ship was used as floating barracks and troop transport. In the final days of the war the ship was packed with concentration camp prisoners and was mistakenly bombed by the British Royal Air Force and most of the prisoners were killed. I feel like this book uses the fact that this ship portrayed the Titanic as the main selling point even though that is not the main focus of the book.
The Titanic Disaster Omens, Mysteries, and Misfortunes of the Doomed Liner by James W. Bancroft is a nonfiction book about all the omens and mysteries reportedly connected to the Titanic and how people “knew” something was going to happen. I liked this book overall but felt like the author sensationalized/made things sound true when there is now evidence that the information was false or exaggerated. I received an early review copy from the publisher through Netgalley.
Spare by Prince Harry is Prince Harry’s memoir about his life starting shortly before Princess Diana’s death through his military career, his romance and marriage to Meghan and finally their decision to leave royal life. This is really an account of someone with a dysfunctional family who has been traumatized and is working through that trauma. While readers will never know 100% what is true, I do feel like the media the royal life is more toxic then we like to believe. I feel like this memoir gives Harry’s perspective of events that other have other perspectives on but at the same time I feel like this is his truth.
A Deal with the Elf King by Elise Kova is a fantasy romance without too much spice inspired by Hades/Persephone and Beauty and the Beast. For years the elf’s have taken a woman to be their human queen but the next chosen one is missing. When it comes out that Luella is meant to the next human queen she goes with the elf king to save both of their worlds and maybe fall in love. I enjoyed this and is good for fans of other Romanic fantasies.
The Mysterious Study of Doctor Sex by Tamsyn Muir is a short story set in the Locked Tomb series. It follows Palamedes Sextus and Camilla Hect at age 13 when the academics of the Sixth are about to open the study of Donald Sex. I liked seeing more of this world and some events with other character even though I often don’t understand everything in this series.
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. January’s theme is Hidden Worlds.
The bookish items included this month are a secret book, a hair scrunchie inspired by We Hunt the Flame, a Stardust Thief enamel pin, and a sleep mask. The monthly tarot card have character art from Once Upon a Broken Heart.
All Fairyloot books come with exclusive covers, generally signed by the author and include a letter from the author. This month the book is Spice Road by Maiya which is an Arabian inspired epic fantasy series. This edition also has digital sprayed edges, a reversible dust jacket, and foiling on the hardback.
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. January’s theme is Journey’s End.
The items included in this box are a Daevabad wooden map, a bag inspired by The Book Eaters, a cutlery set inspired by Lord of the Rings, a pencil wrap for art supplies though I feel like it could also be used for makeup brushes, and a cardholder featuring Lying Cat from Saga.
Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and most months a letter from the author. This months book is Godkiller by Hannah Kaner. Kissen’s family were killed by the followers of a fire god and she now makes her living by killing gods. Until she meets a god she can’t kill, Skedi, a god of white lies who is bound to young noble on the run from assassins. Together this group mush travel to a ruined city where the last wild gods are to each beg a favor while also learning about the danger to their world and how they are the only ones that can stop it. This edition has an exclusive cover, art of the hardback, digitally printed edges, and foiled endpapers.
Night Owl Reviews 