July 2019 Owl Crate

On October 21, 2019October 20, 2019 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 others are better suited as decor or for a pin/builtin board. July’s theme is Tournaments and Trials.

Each box includes different bookish goodies that fit the theme of the month and are connected to other books. This months goodies were a lanyard inspired by The Selection, a canvas coin purse inspired by the Hunger Games, a 300 piece puzzle with a quote and images form the Night Circus, there is also an art print with the same image as the puzzle, and a deck of playing cards with art work inspired by A Gathering of Shadows which showcases multiple artists.

The best and the biggest item for the month is the next Harry Potter mug form Cara Kozik who has done Harry Potter mugs for OwlCrate in different boxes.

The book this month is Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim which I have heard described as Mulan meets Project Runway though I don’t know if that is true. The story follows Maia, the daughter of a once famous tailor, who in a bid to become the next tailor for the emperor disguises herself as a boy to compete in a tournament. However, if she is discovered her life would be forfeit. All OwlCrate books are signed, come with exclusive covers, and a letter from the author. This month a matching bookmark was also included. Also the enamel pin that is included every month is inspired by the book.

The Theme of the August box is Storms and Seas.

Owl Crate June 2019

On July 6, 2019July 2, 2019 By AllieS.In OwlCrateLeave a comment

This time there where fewer bookish goodies but they were a higher quality and I assume more expensive for this month which I prefer. I would rather get fewer high quality practical items than more items that are cheap and I don’t know what to do with them. The bookish items included a gel pen shaped like a key, a coaster set with quotes about libraries on them, a tote bag inspired by Strange the Dreamer, some coffee from Book Beau Brew inspired by Bell’s Library, and a set of metal bookends inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia. Over the months that I’ve received Owl Crate most of the boxes get better each month with better items.

Each monthly box includes a new hard back book that has an exclusive cover, an author letter, and the book is signed by the author. Also the enamel pin included with each box is inspired by the book. This months book is Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson. Sorcery of Thorns follows Elisabeth who works at a library that contains magical and dangerous grimoires where she attempts to complete her apprenticeship. When she is thrust into a plan to sabotage the library she must team up with a sorcerer and his demonic servant on a journey to save the library while questioning everything she knows. This is Margaret Rogerson’s second book and it sound very interesting.

July’s theme is Tournaments and Trials.

May 2019 Owl Crate

On June 29, 2019June 27, 2019 By AllieS.In OwlCrateLeave a comment

Lately Owl Crate seems to be including more practical items that fit the months theme. For Epic Adventures the bookish goodies included a vinyl sticker from Howls Moving Castle, a sleep mask with a quote from A Court of Mist and Fury, a passport wallet featuring a quote from the Hobbit, and a water bottle inspired by Stardust. The largest item was a full sized pillow cover inspired by A Darker Shade of Magic.

The book this month was We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal. Which follows Zafira a hunter who disguises herself as a man to brave the cursed forest to find food for her people and Naisr the Prince of Death. If their secrets are found out everything will be in jeopardy but when their paths collide the prize they seek may be the biggest threat of all. I don’t know much about this book but it sounds like a fantasy story that I will like. All Owl Crate editions of books come signed with exclusive covers. This month, character art work was also included and the enamel pin each month is inspired by the book.

June’s theme is Libraries of Wonder and if the book is what I think it is this should be a very good box.

Owl Crate April 2019

On June 22, 2019June 21, 2019 By AllieS.In OwlCrateLeave a comment

The bookish goodies include in this months box where a pair of Six of Crows inspired socks, a Grishaverse Darkling inspired scarf, a hard cover note book with a quote from the Throne of Glass series, a pin banner for the included enamel pins, and a phone holder/pop socket inspired by Vicious. The phone holder was not sent in my box but I was able to replace it with an item from Owl Crates past items shop. This box also included a Finale by Stephanie Garber chapter sampler.

The book this month is Wicked Saints by Emily A Duncan which follows Nadya who can speak to the gods and take their magic joining forces with a prince and a blood mage to assassinate the king and end the war plaguing their world. I’ve been hearing a lot of things about Wicked Saints and I hope to read it soon. Owl Crates’ books all come signed with exclusive covers and a letter from the author. The enamel pin each month is inspired by the book. This month also came with a fabric map as an extra with the book.

May’s theme is Epic Adventures.

March 2019 Owl Crate

On April 1, 2019March 30, 2019 By AllieS.In OwlCrateLeave a comment

Given the theme of Murder and Mayhem some of the bookish goodies are from series that are definitely not classified as Young Adult but I love these series anyway. The goodies include a gorgeous ceramic travel mug inspired by the Nevernight Chronicles by Jay Kristoff. A canvas drawstring backpack with skulls on it that is not specifically inspired by any series. A wooden bookmark quoting the Stark family from Game of Thrones. A candle inspired by the monsters from This Savage Song with three possible scents. The one I got is the Sunai which smells like Green Apple. To me the candle smells exactly like sour green apple candy such as Jolly Ranchers or suckers. Finally, there was a sticker inspired by Three Dark Crowns.

The new hardcover book is Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte. The story follows Keralie, a thief, and Varin, a good upstanding citizen, who inadvertently become entangled in a conspiracy that leaves all of Quadara’s queens dead. This murder mystery causes them to go on the run to save themselves and try to find out who killed the queens. As all ways Owl Crate books have exclusive covers, signed, and come with a letter from the author. This box also included some extras with the book: a character art print and a pencil. The pin for this month is also inspired by this book.

April’s theme is The Dark Side and the box will include an exclusive scarf.

February 2019 Owl Crate

On March 14, 2019March 13, 2019 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. February’s theme was Whimsical Beasts.

The bookish items this month are amazing, primarily practical items that I will get good use out of. These include a key chain inspired by Spirited Away, a travel umbrella featuring creatures and beasts from Harry Potter, a pixie dust gem soap, and a beanie inspired by Harry Potter. All of these this I will use at some point but the umbrella is the best as it has been rainy in Texas. Also I won’t be able to use the beanie just yet as it is far to warm where I live at the moment but will be great for next winter.

The books this month included an extra graphic novel, The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O’Neill which looks very cute. The new hard back is Crown of Feathers by Nicki Pau Preto which is set in a world where warrior queens rode on the back of phoenix and the bonds of sisters through a story of survival and war. All Owl Crate books have exclusive covers and are signed but this one also as stained edges and includes a letter from the author and a feather bookmark. The new enamel pins that they include in each box also is inspired by the book.

March’s theme is Murder and Mayhem. So far I’m enjoying Owl Crate and I will continue to subscribe to it.

January 2019 Owl Crate

On February 1, 2019February 1, 2019 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. January’s theme is Magical Artifacts. I really love this months box and the book.

The bookish items for this month include an antler bracelet inspired by Shadow and Bone. A wooden letter opener carved to look like Bilbo’s sword, Sting from The Hobbit. A pair of Harry Potter socks with the Deathly Hallows symbol on them. A zipper pouch inspired by A Darker Shade of Magic. My favorite item is the wall tapestry inspired by The Golden Compass which I need to find a place to hang it. As always there is a booklet with information about why the items were chosen and an interview with the chosen book’s author but Owl Crate has changed their monthly pins to be enamel pin instead of buttons. I greatly appreciate this change as I didn’t really care for the buttons but I love the design for this pin.

The book included for this month is The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi which I have been hearing amazing things about. In 1889 Paris the wealthy treasure hunter Severin must accept a mission from the Order of Bable to gain his inheritance. Together with a band of misfits they must hunt down the artifact the Order seeks. They might just change history if they can survive. All Owl Crate books come with an exclusive cover, are signed and come with a letter from the author. This month a luggage tag was included as swag with the book.

As I said before I really like the items in this months box and I look forward to reading the book. For the next month February’s theme is Whimsical Beasts.

December 2018 Owlcrate

On January 27, 2019January 28, 2019 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. Decembers theme was Power of Illusions. Last month’s box was a let down for me as I didn’t love most of the items but this box is back on track.

img_0179_moment The bookish items this month included a Queen Levana inspired candle from Flick the Wick. Queen Levana is a character from the Lunar Chronicles by Marrisa Meyer and the candle is described as blackberries, vanilla, and fresh greenery. When I smell it I get a berry and a light vanilla scent but not any of the fresh greenery. Candles are very personal so I can see some subscribers not liking the scent. It’s a 2 oz candle which seems a little small to me.

There was an ornament with a castle/city on it inspired by The Crown’s Game, a magnet with a quote inspired by The Night Circus, and a tote bag inspired by Caraval. None of these books mentioned I have read so the items are not as exciting for me but they are beautifully designed and practical items that I will use. There is also a button included in every box, I’ve never been a pin or button collector so I give these way or donate them. This box also included an extra chapter sampler of King of Fools by Amanda Foody.

The big item for the box besides the book is a custom reading planner which I don’t like and probably won’t use. I like idea of including a reading planer and I’m not sure if anyone else is like this but I have a very specific way I like planners to be laid out which this is not. Personally, I prefer planners to already have the dates and months included because I won’t bother to do it myself though it is good if you don’t start using the planner at the beginning of the year. The other thing that bugs me is that all of the monthly planner sections are at the front and the weekly at the back so that more troublesome to use both than it needs to be. I completely understand that Owl Crate can’t cater to every subscriber but I surprised that they didn’t used a more traditional set up for the planner. If I use it at all it will be supplemental to my main planner.

The signed book is Amber & Dusk by Lyra Selene which came with a letter from the author and an amber pendant necklace. Amber & Dusk follows Sylvie who has the power to create illusions but was taught that her powers were a curse. She travels to the Amber City to joining the court but things are not what they appear and she must train and learn more about her powers to survive. This is not a book that I’ve heard anything about but it sounds interesting and I’m always up for trying new things. dscn1210

The theme for January’s crate is Magical Artifacts and if it the book that I think I could be than I feel like it will be a very good box. Owl Crate like any subscription box can be hit or miss but it is fun to get a surprise every month. I think I’ll keep Owl Crate for a few more months or until another box interests me more.

November 2018 OwlCrate

On December 21, 2018December 21, 2018 By AllieS.In OwlCrateLeave a comment

DSCN1191 OwlCrate 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. November’s theme was Rise from the Ashes. So far I’ve been loving OwlCrate but this box didn’t feel as curated to me, some of the items it felt like they were added because the creators didn’t know what else to add to the box.

The bookish items included this month were a skull shaped planter, a wax seal kit, a pillowcase inspired by An Ember in the Ashes, a craft kit to make a Wishing Bracelet, and a Harry Potter sticker with Dumbledore and Fawkes. I prefer items in subscription boxes to be practical and many of the items in this box I have no idea what I’ll do with them. However, the wax seal kit is amazing and something that I’ve always wanted to own.

The book for November is Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan. Girls of Paper and Fire is fantasy book where every year eight girls are taken by the Demon King to be his concubines. However, this year Lei is taken and forced to be the ninth Paper Girl. The book follows these young women as they struggle to survive the palace and their roles as slaves, and Lei as she falls in love. Every Owlcrate book also comes signed and with a letter from the author.

Girls of Paper and Fire is a book that I have been hearing great things about and was interested in pickup at some point. Though OwlCrate doesn’t always have the best stuff I do intend to keep my subscription for a while as I love the surprise at the end of every month. December’s them is the Power of Illusions.