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.
Changes is the twelfth book in the Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher and true to the title this is the book where many things change and the book ends in a cliffhanger. In this one we find out that Susan Rodriguez, Harry’s one time lover, who earlier in the series was turned into a partial vampire had a daughter with Harry and never told him before now. She has been kidnaped by Arianna Ortega, Duchess of the Red Court, in a bid to harm Harry and he will do what ever it takes to save his daughter.
Changes is where plot elements and information that both Harry and the reader have gained though out the series is brought together and we see how far Harry is willing to go for those he cares about. It is also clear with that ending that the series will be different in some ways going forward.
Personally, while I liked see how many things are coming back I overall didn’t enjoy this book. That is mostly because I was never a fan of Susan and her relationship with Harry. However, with how it ended I definitely will be continuing with the series.
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.
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. December’s theme is Better Together.
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.
In December I read five books most which were physical. I also work retail during the holidays so I’m surprised that I read that much.
Books:
The first book I read was Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir which was a reread for me and I have a full review posted. I liked this one much more on a second read as I understood so much more. Based on the format of this book it leans itself to multiple rereads as you will pick up on the hints that are sprinkled throughout the book. I plan to continue on with the series soon.
Final Fantasy VII Remake: Material Ultimania is a nonfiction book that contains art and other reference materials used during the devolvement of Final Fantasy VII Remake. I really like this book but its definitely a book for fans.
The Band that Played On: The Extraordinary Story of the 8 Musicians Who Went Down with the Titanic by Steve Turner is a nonfiction book about the Titanic. This book focuses on the band and the story that they continued playing until the ship sank. Provides great detail on who the band members were, how they ended up on the Titanic, and the memory of how they are remembered.
The Mistletoe Paradox is a short story collections that each story takes ideas about mistletoe and the traditions around it to write stories. As with most short story collections I liked some of the stories more than others but I want to see where these authors go next and the types of stories they will tell in the future.
The last book I read in December was Tales from the Hinterland by Melissa Albert. This is the collection of dark fairytales that are referenced throughout the Hazel Wood series. While I didn’t love The Night Country which was the second book in the series I was still interested in reading the fairytales mention in the books. Overall, I think that these dark fairytales are one of the best things in this series and I loved seeing where Melissa Albert took these types of fairytales.
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. December’s theme is Come One, Come All.
The bookish items included this month are a face towel, a set of Carousel bookends, the next mythology bookmarks, a Caraval book sleeve, and the monthly tarot cards featuring character art from Girls of Paper and Fire.
All Fairyloot books come with exclusive covers, generally signed by the author and include a letter from the author. This month the book is Cruel Illusions by Margie Fuston which is a standalone fantasy with a magical secret society, a deadly competition and vampires. This edition also has digitally sprayed edges 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. November’s theme is Some Kind of Monster.
The items included in this box are a sword replica from Priory of the Orange Tree, a scarf inspired by the Winternight trilogy, a tote bag, and a tea tin inspired by Only a Monster.
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 Luminaries by Susan Dennard. This is a contemporary fantasy that follows Winnie who wants to join the Luminaires, an ancient order that protects the town and humanity from the monsters and nightmares that reside in the forest. However, she and her ex-best friend jay discover danger that no-one is prepared for as not all monsters can be killed. This edition also has foil on the hardback, and digitally printed edges.
Night Owl Reviews 