March 2023 Illumicrate

On May 15, 2023May 10, 2023 By AllieS.In Book Box, IllumicrateLeave a comment

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.

April’s theme is Be My Enemy.

February 2023 Fairyloot

On April 19, 2023April 18, 2023 By AllieS.In Book Box, FairylootLeave a comment

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.

March’s theme is Eternal.

February 2023 Illumicrate

On April 14, 2023April 4, 2023 By AllieS.In Book Box, IllumicrateLeave a comment

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.

March’s theme is Live Like Legends.

January 2023 Fairyloot

On April 7, 2023March 29, 2023 By AllieS.In Book Box, FairylootLeave a comment

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.

February’s theme is Morally Grey.

January 2023 Illumicrate

On April 5, 2023March 29, 2023 By AllieS.In Book Box, IllumicrateLeave a comment

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.

February’s theme is Into the Fire.

December 2022 Obsidian Moon Crate

On March 31, 2023March 29, 2023 By AllieS.In Book Box, Obsidian Moon CrateLeave a comment

Obsidian Moon Crate is a quarterly 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 either YA or Adult Fantasy or Science Fiction, one crystal, one candle, and four to five other items. December’s theme is Darker than the Deep.

The items included in this box are a Empire of Storms unisex t-shirt, a mixology drink, a candle inspired by Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse, a bath bomb with a crystal inside it, a Skin of the Sea inspired enamel pin and a set of foil bookmarks inspired by the Shades of Magic. All the items are high quality and the only one I won’t use is the mixology drink but I like the idea behind it.

The book included was The Syren’s Mutiny by Jessica S. Taylor which follows Brigid who stowaways on a ship to escape being married off, but when she is discovered she is thrown to the ocean. However, she is saved by becoming a Syren and Brigid now has the ability to seek revenge on those who wronged her. Based on the summary it sound to me like a dark fantasy horror with some possible romance. This edition also has an exclusive dust jacket, art on the hardback and end papers, and painted edges.

Overall, if you are interested in a darker aesthetic or darker book this could be the book box for you. I do plan to order other boxes from them in the future. The next quarterly boxes theme is Courting Death.

December 2022 Illumicrate

On March 24, 2023March 21, 2023 By AllieS.In Book Box, IllumicrateLeave a comment

The items included in this box are a mug inspired by the Song of Achilles, a 2023 desk calendar featuring couples from different series, a jewelry case inspired by House of Earth and Blood, and a chain pin set inspired by the Jasmine Throne.

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 Red Scholar’s Wake by Aliette De Bodard. I have read some of Aliette De Bodard’s other works and loved them so I have a feeling that I will enjoy this book. The story follows Xich Si who is a scavenger whos ship has been captured by the Red Banner pirate fleet. Rice Fish the leader of the pirate fleet, who is a sentient ship, proposes an arranged marriage between Xich and herself as Rice Fish needs help who killed her wife, the Red Scholar. While an odd premise De Bodard’s work is generally well written and makes the characters easy to connect to. This edition of the book has an exclusive cover, sprayed edges, and foiling on the hardback.

January’s theme is Journey’s End.

November 2022 Fairyloot

On February 3, 2023February 2, 2023 By AllieS.In Book Box, FairylootLeave a comment

The bookish items included this month are a Kingdom of the Wicked mug, a book review notebook, a letter opener inspired by Serpent and Dove, a spellbook enamel pin, and the monthly tarot cards.

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 Ones We Burn by Rebecca Mix. This edition also has Ombre sprayed edges, art on the back of the dust jacket, adn foiling on the hardback.

December’s theme is Come One, Come All.

October 2022 Illumicrate

On January 25, 2023January 19, 2023 By AllieS.In Book Box, IllumicrateLeave a comment

The items included in this box are a Strange the Dreamer inspired blanket, a Greek mythology teacup and saucer with Hades and Persephone, a Ninth House papercraft kit, and and set of cable ties.

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 Whispering Dark by Kelly Andrew. This edition also comes with art of the reverse of the dust jacket and on the endpapers, stenciled sprayed edges, and foiling on the hardback.

November’s theme is Some Kind of Monster.

October 2022 Fairyloot

On January 20, 2023January 14, 2023 By AllieS.In Book Box, FairylootLeave a comment

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 5-6 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. October’s theme is Sell Your Soul.

The bookish items included this month are a canvas basket, a pair of socks inspired by the Raven Cycle, a Howl’s Moving Castle foiled art pint, and the monthly tarot cards featuring character art from the Arc of the Scythe series.

This month also included an extra paperback book, Princess of Souls by Alexandra Christo which is a Rapunzel inspired romantic fantasy. This edition has a redesigned cover and sprayed edges.

All Fairyloot books come with exclusive covers, generally signed by the author and include a letter from the author. This month the book is One Dark Window by Rachel Gilling. This is a gothic fantasy with a tarot inspired magic system. This edition also has sprayed edges, art on the reverse of the dust jacket, and art on the hardback.