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 several 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. June’s theme is From the Depths.
The bookish items included this month are a ceramic plate, a Daughter of the Pirate King inspired tea strainer, the next mythology bookmarks, reusable cotton face pads, and a cushion cover. The monthly tarot card have character art from Song of Achilles.
All Fairyloot books come with exclusive covers, generally signed by the author and include a letter from the author. This month the book is Sing Me To Sleep by Gabi Burton which is a dark fantasy where a siren must choose between following her heart or protecting her family. This edition also has digital sprayed edges, foiling on the hardcover, and art on the endpapers.
May was a bit of a hectic month so I only read two books, both which were early copies from Netgalley. I did also finish playing Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion.
Books:
The first book I finished was Mister Magic by Kiersten White, which I also have a full review posted for. Mister Magic is a horror book were 30 years after an accident on the children’s TV show Mister Magic the cast is coming back together. However, Val doesn’t remember the show or what happened but weird things are going on and to save those she cares about she must remember. A little confusing at times but overall a very good horror. I you want to know my full thoughts please read the full review.
The only other book I read this month was The Exorcist Legacy: 50 Years of Fear by Nat Segaloff which is a nonfiction book about the creation of the Exorcist movie and the sequels that came after it. While I enjoyed this deep dive into the history of the Exorcist with a title like Exorcist Legacy I was expecting more discussion on the impact the Exorcist has had on the horror genre as a whole. I feel like this book is best for super fans of the movie but over might enjoy it as well.
Video Games:
The only game I finished was Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion which I also have a full review posted for. This game is the remastered edition of the 2007 PSP game Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII with updated graphics, voice acting, and controls. This is a prequal to the original Final Fantasy VII focusing on Zack Fair and the events leading up to the Nibelheim incident. I loved this game and anyone who has an interest in the Final Fantasy VII Remake Project I fell should play this.
Mister Magic is the newest horror novel from Kiersten White, 30 years after an accident on the children’s show Mister Magic the cast is coming back together however there is no record of the show ever existing though some people remember it.
Val has no memory of her time on the show and is using this reunion to find out what happened and why she forgot about it. The vibe that I got about what Mister Magic as a show was Barney mixed with the friend group of Are you afraid of the dark with a sprinkling of analog horror elements such as Candle Cove. As a reader you are on the journey with Val as she struggles with learning what really happened and the cult that is involved. As we get to the ending it gets more confusing with what seems to be a rip in reality that a god/demon resides in that the cult uses to create the show and the children help control how the show manifests. The cult wants to use the show to impart specific ideals and values to the viewer but they need to use their own children as essentially sacrifices to get it done. Val figures out that the only way to stop more people from getting hurt is to take over Mister Magic both the character and the show.
Overall I enjoyed this book but at times it felt like I was never going to understand what was happening. After reading the authors note that explained that Kiersten White was raised Mormon you can see that this book specifically is her way of working through her experience/trauma with the church through fiction.
Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion is the remastered edition of the original 2007 PSP game Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII. Story wise this is the exact same game as the original with update graphics, models, new voice acting, and changes to the controls which make it look and feel more like the Remake project.
The story is a prequal to the original Final Fantasy VII, set seven years before, following SOLIDER Third Class Zack Fair as he wants to achieve a higher rank and become a hero. We find out early on the First Class Solider Genesis has left Shrina and that he is attacking the company for some reason. As the story progresses we see how Zack meets Aerith and Cloud and the events that led up to the Nibelheim incident. I don’t want to say more about the story as I feel like it should be experience without many spoilers and will have an impact of the future of the Remake project. Square Enix has made it clear with the ending of Final Fantasy VII Remake that Zack has a bigger part to play but to truly understand everything you need to see his story.
I loved this remaster not just because I love Final Fantasy VII. I did play the original Crisis Core on the PSP but I never finished it. I wanted to finish it for the story but in the original I never found the controls intuitive and would get to a point where I would just give up. Though this remaster hasn’t changed much the changes to the game play that make it more inline with the FFVII Remake makes it so much better to play. The game is set up with a liner story that will just take you from beginning to end. However, the game also allows to you take on missions at every save point and the is where the bulk of the game play is and how you level up.
I loved this game but I also love Final Fantasy VII as a whole. Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion is a game that I feel many will enjoy and those interested in the Final Fantasy Remake Project should play.
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. May’s theme is What Lies Beneath.
The items included in this box are a book organizer, a House of Hollow inspired plant pot, a phone grip, and a metal bookmark inspired by The Witch King.
Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and most months a letter from the author. This months book is The Witch King by Martha Wells which is a fantasy about power, friendship, trust, betrayal, and found families. Kai wakes up after being murder and trapped to find a lesser mage trying to harness Kai’s magic for himself. Kai doesn’t remember what happened but will need to gather all his allies to find out the truth which might be answers he won’t like. This edition has bonus content, stenciled edges and foiling on the hardback.
In April I read three books which is less than I read in most months but I was very busy throughout the month so I was expecting it to be a slower reading month.
Books:
The first book I read was A Dance with the Fae Prince by Elisa Kova which is a fantasy romance inspired by the tale of Psyche and Eros with hints of Cinderella. Katria is married off to Lord Fenwood but is not allowed to see him. However, the power to save both herself and the Fae World is in her hands and she might just fall in love as well. An enjoyable read but very slow to start. If you enjoy other books by Elisa Kova you probably like this one.
Next I reread Every Heart A Doorway by Seanan McGuire which is the first book in the Wayward Children series. We are introduced to Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children where all the students have gone to portal worlds and have ended up back “home.” Nancy is the newest student but when others end up dead they must find out who is responsible. I love Seanan McGuire’s works and reread this book because I plan to reread and catch up with this series in the next several months.
The final book I read this month was The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo which is a collection of short stories/fairy tales that would have been told in the Grishaverse world. Beautifully written and illustrated and one can see how these tales are supposed to be from a different world but have similarities with fairytales many of us have grown up with and how they inspired these new tales. Personally, I would read these even without them being connected to the Grishaverse.
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. April’s theme is Be My Enemy.
The items included in this box are a Sword of Truth replica, a pin banner inspired by Realm of the Elderings, a papercraft kit inspired by The Poppy War, and a Tumbler inspired by Iron Widow.
Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and most months a letter from the author. This months book is Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh which follows Kyr who has been trained to avenge the murder of Earth but she ends up in a universe more complicated and wondrous then she ever imagined. This edition also has digitally printed edges and foiling on the hardback.
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.
Night Owl Reviews 