Shelflove Crate Darkdawn Box

On January 8, 2020January 7, 2020 By AllieS.In Book Box, Shelflove CrateLeave a comment

When DarkDawn by Jay Kristoff was coming out I got sucked into buying multiple book boxes and ended up with five different copies of DarkDawn. Though I didn’t intend to buy that many copies each box included different items and I’m glad I order all of them.

The Shelflove Crate box was called GodsGrave Getaway box and include many high quality items and a US signed special edition of DarkDawn. This copy of the book included exclusive art and came with the extra scene Three bound in the book instead as a separate item.

The bookish goodies for the box where very well done and included a “passport” spoiler card, a gorgeous tapestry blanket, collectible chess pieces of Mia and Tric, a GodsGrave sticker, an enamel pin, tarot cards featuring eleven different characters, a booksleave, a coffee mug, a cat shaped spoon inspired by Mister Kindly, Mia bookends, a sleep mask, a decorative pillow case, a bookmark, and a bath crumble that turns the water red.

Each item was created by different artist and independent shops. All the item are of high quality and well thought out that it justifies the price for the specialty box. This was the first specialty box that I got from Shelflove Crate and based on just this I would buy other boxes from them. However, since this post is going up late I have purchased from them since and there were major shipping issues and I feel like the quality of the items was not worth what I paid. So I would caution anyone planing on buying from them in the future to read some posts about the issues that happen at the end of 2019 before giving them money.

Illumicrate Darkdawn Box

On December 11, 2019December 10, 2019 By AllieS.In Book Box, IllumicrateLeave a comment

When Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff was being released and preorders started I got sucked into buying multiple boxes which I’m glad I did. So I ordered three book boxes, one candle boxes, and two preorders which meant that I ended up with five copies of Darkdawn.

Each box included different items and each box will get its own post as this would be far too long to include all in one. First box is the Illumicrate Bloods and Blades box. This box included the book with is signed, has yellow sprayed edges and come with an author letter. Also included is Three a deleted scene from the book.

The bookish items are a mug featuring Mia and Ash, a wonderful Mr Kindly and Eclipse blanket, a booksleeve, a wooden map of Itreya, and enamel pins. Other items where a Mr Kindly bath bomb that smells like blood orange and tints the bath water red, a foil art print of Mia, a Corvere crest necklace, a Mia figure designed like a Funko Pop, a character bookmark set, a collectible coin, and art and an interview from the cast of the Nevernight short film by Piera Forde.

What I love about special boxes is that the items are all from a favorite series and I like if not love most of the items. The only one that I don’t care that much about is the figurine but that’s because I’ve never been a collector of figures and I don’t really like the Funko design. I love that some of the items are very useful and not just items to display because I like everyone I don’t have a ton of space to keep bookish things.

Illumicrate’s special edition boxes are amazing and I will order form them in the future for special editions. Their monthly boxes are also goo but if I don’t love everything the international shipping to the United States isn’t always worth it.

September 2019 Wrap Up

On December 7, 2019December 6, 2019 By AllieS.In Book Review, Wrap UpLeave a comment

In some ways I feel like I was in a reading slump the past few months. I wanted to read but nothing really caught my interest. Honestly, I think I was in a slump in general because very few things be they TV shows, books, or movies have kept my interest recently.

In September I ended up reading three books and only watched more mindless TV shows and movies.

Books:

36618537._SY475_ Empath: A Complete Guide for Developing Your Gift and Finding Your Sense of Self by Judy Dyer is a nonfiction book on Empaths and being empathetic. This was suggested to me by a friend who thought that I might see myself in this book and get something out of it. I read it as part of Amazon’s Prime Reading which I’m glad because I didn’t get much out of it but its a very fast read. It has interesting information but unless you believe that your are an empath the book is not that useful.

9361589 The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern follows two magicians competing in a competition at a magical traveling circus and the love story that must defy the odds. It book is beautifully written but very slow moving. I took me much longer that most books to finish but I think that was do to being in a slump as I loved the book. The story takes place over the course of many years and each chapter notes what year it is as the story is not told completely liner and there are section written in second person perspective to pull the reader into the magic of the story. The blurb on the back of the book makes it sound like a fast pace adventure but the story is really about magic and the magic of belief. This is one of my new favorite books.

11797136 101 Things You Though You Knew About the Titanic but Didn’t by Tim Maltin is a nonfiction book about the Titanic and the sinking of the ship. It was a very easy read with sections with major topics that all the information is connected to. The book is exactly what the title says its a list of information about the Titanic with explanations. Great for any one interested in learning more about the Titanic as the information is well presented and easy to understand. However, if you have researched the Titanic before you might know most of the information presented.

September 2019 Shelflove Crate

On November 13, 2019November 12, 2019 By AllieS.In Book Box, Shelflove CrateLeave a comment

This month I decided to try out several different monthly book box subscriptions. Shelflove Crate is a fantasy and science fiction subscription box that includes a new hardcover book and bookish items each month. September’s theme is The Witching Hour and is geared towards getting readers into the spooky season.

The bookish items included are a candle inspired by A Discovery of Witches that smells like lemons, a Grisha inspired spirit board aka a Ouija board, a necklace with the saying Hello Witchling, a magnet inspired by Practical Magic, and a cauldron shaped mug inspired by The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. This year Shelflove Crate is also including two character chess pieces in each months box, this month is Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy.

The book included in There Will Come a Darkness by Katy Rose Pool. In this world a prophecy was given that stated when the new prophet was born they would either be the worlds savior or cause its destruction. The story follows five character who’s paths are no a collision course and any one of them could save or end the world. The book also came with an author letter, signed book plate, and matching book mark.

This is my first monthly Shelflove Crate and I really liked everything in the box. I will use everything included in this box which most subscription boxes can be hit or miss on the items. Unlike other book boxes Shelflove informs customers which book is included in each box.

September 2019 Illumicrate

On November 11, 2019November 10, 2019 By AllieS.In Book Box, IllumicrateLeave a comment

Recently I have decided to try out several different monthly book subscription boxes. 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 High Stakes.

The items included in this box are a ceramic travel cup inspired by Children of Blood and Bone, a note pad loosely inspired by Good Omens, a Blackcliff Academy wooden postcard inspired by An Ember in the Ashes, a scarf inspired by Carry On, and a DNA lanyard from This Mortal Coil. Each month Illumicrate also includes a magnetic collectible coin this months features Katniss Everdeen.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month that is signed and has a letter from the author. This months book is Kingdom of Souls: The Last Witch Doctor by Rena Barron is a special edition with sprayed edges. The story follows Arrah who come from a magically powerful family but has never had her own powers. Shortly after she decides to sacrifice some of her life for magic children in the village start to disappear and Arrah is determined to find the culprit but she might find something much worse.

I have purchased Illumicrate boxes in the past and for me their specialty boxes are amazing and well worth the cost and shipping but the monthly boxes can be very hit or miss. Most of the items in this box I won’t use and are from series that I don’t care about. This can be a problem with any box that you don’t know what you will be receiving but Illumicrate is often just to expensive with international shipping. For me, specialty boxes will most likely the only boxes that I buy from them in the future.

October’s theme is With Great Power.

September 2019 Owl Crate

On November 1, 2019January 12, 2020 By AllieS.In OwlCrateLeave a comment

Owl Crate is a young adult book subscription box where every month you receive one new hardcover book and an assortment of bookish goodies connected to the monthly theme. Some of these items are very practical and some are better suited as decor or for a pin/builtin board. September’s theme is Fear the Night.

Each box includes different bookish goodies that fit the theme of the month and are connected to other books.This month bookish items include skeleton finger less gloves, caramel coffee from Bones Coffee Company, a ceramic trinket dish inspired by Frankenstein, and an art print inspired by Something Wicked This Way Comes. The coffee is very good and taste like a latte if you add cream and sugar. It smells like Starbucks to me.

This month Owl Crate included an extra book The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson to help everyone get into the spooky spirit before Halloween. Also a chapter sampler from the Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh was also included.

Every month Owl Crate has a new young adult hardback book that has an exclusive cover, is signed and comes with a letter from the author. The enamel pin the is in every box is also inspired by that months book.The book this month is The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones. It this world the dead don’t always stay dead due to a curse on the town. Ryn, a grave digger, must team up with Ellis, a map maker, must work together to figure out why this is happening, save the village, and maybe break the curse. This month an exclusive matching book mark was also included.

Octobers’s theme is Dawn of a New World.

August 2019 Wrap Up

On October 30, 2019October 29, 2019 By AllieS.In Book Review, Wrap UpLeave a comment

As I mentioned in other post I’m currently catching up on all the post the should have gone up earlier this year. However, the past couple of months have just been very busy and not all that great either so I just didn’t want to work on this blog. These things in my personal life have also meant until recently that I wasn’t reading very much.

Sometimes, I also review video games, movies, and TV shows. Lately, I haven’t finished any video games and have only been watching ghost hunting shows and documentaries. Mostly things that I don’t have to think about much while watching.

In August I read three books, two coffee table type and one audio book.

36068753._SX318_ The first book I read was Harry Potter: A Journey Through A History of Magic. This book gives information on the history of magic in our real world and things that inspired J K Rowling. It beautifully illustrated and includes some new and interesting information that I didn’t know. However, this book specifically feels more geared to younger readers and includes activities for kids.

39983687._SX318_ The next was Harry Potter: A History of Magic which is almost the same book as A Journey Through A History of Magic. However, this one is written for a older audience as there is more general information. Its better organized with wonderful photos and artwork to add to the experience of the book. Both of these books are more coffee table books designed for their aesthetics more than the information contained within. However, they are wonderful books for any Harry Potter fan.

reid_9781524798628_jkt_all_r1.indd The last book I read in August was Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I read this as an audio book which is not my preferred format for reading but works very well with this story. Daisy Jones and The Six is setup in an oral history/interview style of writing and follows the story of the rise of the band The Six and their album with Daisy Jones. Beautifully written the story feels like a real band from the 70’s and all the things associated with being in a rock band. The interview style allows the reader to get both the general information and story as well as deep insight of each of the band members feelings and how everyone perceives events differently. Daisy Jones is both an amazing and tragic character and I loved her interactions with the rest of the characters especially Billy Dunne and Karen. 5_Star_Rating_System_4_stars

August 2019 Owl Crate

On October 28, 2019October 27, 2019 By AllieS.In OwlCrateLeave a comment

Each box includes different bookish goodies that fit the theme of the month and are connected to other books.This months bookish items include bath salts inspired by the Little Mermaid, a wooden tassel bookmark inspired by Daughter of the Pirate King, a tea light candle lantern, a metal pencil case inspired by The Scorpio Races, and some loose leaf tea inspired by the Sea Witch.

Every month Owl Crate has a new young adult hardback book that has an exclusive cover, is signed and comes with a letter from the author. The enamel pin the is in every box is also inspired by that months book.The book this month is House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A Craig. Flowing a family living in a manor by the sea when several of the families daughters die the rest of the family feels like they are cursed. House of Salt and Sorrows is a retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princess fairy tale that add in a ghost story and murder mystery elements. Our main character Annaleigh is starting to believe that the deaths of her sisters were not accidents and she must find out truth before the darkness of her family claims her. This month a matching book mark was also included.

September’s theme is Fear the Night.

Artemis by Andy Weir

On October 25, 2019October 24, 2019 By AllieS.In Book ReviewLeave a comment

34928122 Artemis by Andy Weir is a science fiction novel where Jasmine (Jazz) lives on Artemis, Earth’s first and only lunar colony. When her get rich quick plan falls apart she learns how the colony is truly run and what she has to due to try to save her friends and family while also not getting crested. An interesting story on how a lunar colony would be run though not as funny as the Martian its entertaining.

Jazz doesn’t feel like a very realistic character but her personality and the high jinks she is involved with are very entertaining. The blurb on the book makes it seem like the heist would be the main focus of the story but it happens about half way though the book and the rest of the story is Jazz dealing with the fallout and things not going to plan. I don’t think Artemis would work as a real city as there is no real police force just Rudy who gets to beat people up or whatever he wants to keep everyone in line and everything running like it should.

I like Andy Weir’s witting connecting both science fiction with science fact but at times it felt far more technical that it needed to be which lead parts of the book to be boring. I personally liked the premise of the story more than the story that is told. The main thing that I didn’t like which caused me to rate the book lower is the fact that Jazz begins and ends the story at the exact same place and there is not much character growth.

July 2019 Wrap Up

On October 23, 2019October 20, 2019 By AllieS.In Wrap UpLeave a comment

So the last couple of months have been very busy and I haven’t had the time or energy to work on this blog even when I’ve had things to post. Because of this I have a long list of post that should have been posted way before now which will be appearing in the next several weeks or months.

In July I read 3 books, two graphic novels and a coffee table book.

Saga volumes 4 and 5 by Brian K Vaughan and Fiona Staples continues the story of Marko, Alana, and Hazel as they try to live as a family on the run. These volumes are rereads for me but I don’t remember how I felt about these issues when I first read them. Volume 4 is my least favorite so far mostly because of the conflict in the issue and the issues Marko and Alana are having in their marriage. I understand why the marriage issues was added in but the story just felt like filler. Volume 5 is better as I like where the main story is going that is the main focus of the issue. Though I do think that some of the sexual content is more for shock value then to add to the story.

42281686._SX318_ The Nice and Accurate Good Omens TV Companion by Matt Whyman is a coffee table book about the Good Omens TV show created by Amazon. This book includes interviews with the cast and crew, pictures, and behind the scenes information about the series. I feel like the book helps show case how unique and special this TV show is and is something that anyone interested in the show should look into.