October 2023 Illumicrate

On December 8, 2023December 4, 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. October’s theme is Fairytale Forests.

The items included in this box are a sword replica of Nightfell from the Cruel Prince, a set of page tabs, a desk pad inspired by the Last Tale of the Flower Bride, and a notebook inspired by Once Upon a Broken Heart.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, includes a new hard cover each month and letter from the author. This months book is After the Forest by Kell Woods which is a Hansel and Gretel inspired story set 20 years after the events of the fairy tale that deals with the repercussions of a childhood filed with magic and what really come after “happily ever after.” This edition has a exclusive cover, a full color hardback, and digitally printed edges.

November’s theme is Anti-Hero.

September 2023 Obsidian Moon Crate

On November 24, 2023November 24, 2023 By AllieS.In Book Box, Obsidian Moon CrateLeave a comment

Obsidian Moon Crate is a 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 four to five other items. The theme for September is Vengeance is Ours.

The items included in this box are a Nevernight inspired T shirt, a Poppy War double sided bookmark, a Red Rising enamel pin, a Carrie inspired bath oil, and a Hell Followed Us inspired candle. The crystal this month was amethyst which was shaped like a skull.

The book included was a hardcover copy of The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White. This edition also came with an author letter, a signed book plate, and stenciled edges. Theis book is a historical fantasy/horror novel following Silas who is a medium who communes with spirits. After failing to escape an arranged marriage he is sent to a finishing school where the ghost to missing students start asking for help. I have also heard that you should look up trigger warnings before reading this book.

Overall, if you are interested in a darker aesthetic or darker book this could be the book box for you. The theme for December is Heathens.

September 2023 Illumicrate

On October 9, 2023October 7, 2023 By AllieS.In Book Box, IllumicrateLeave a comment

The items included in this box are a book pot, a window magnet inspired by Belladonna, a bowl cozy, and a If We Were Villains puzzle.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and most months a letter from the author. This months book is A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid which is a young adult fantasy following Effy who has always believed in fairy tales. When a contest to design her favorite authors home is announced Effy feels like this is her destiny but the truth may bring her ruin. This edition has an exclusive cover, color printing on the hardback, digitally printed edges and is signed.

October’s theme is Fairytale Forests.

August 2023 Fairyloot

On October 2, 2023October 1, 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 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. August’s theme is Reap What You Sow.

The bookish items included this month are a set of metal straws, a Gideon the Night bookends, a gothic sticker sheet, a glass tumbler inspired by Belladonna, and a set of page tabs. The monthly tarot cards have character art from the Bonesmith.

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 Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto which is a dark ya fantasy about a ghost fighting warrior who must journey to rescue a kidnapped prince. This edition also has a reversible dust jacket, digital sprayed edges, and foiling on the hardback.

September’s theme is Invisible Truths.

June 2023 Obsidian Moon Crate

On September 26, 2023September 26, 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, one crystal, one candle, and four to six other items. June’s theme is Queer AF 3.0: The Gays of the Dead.

The items included in this box are a desk planner, a Cemetery Boys glass tumbler, an enamel pin, an art print inspired by The Coldest Touch, a bath soak, a tote bag, the wood-wick candle, and a coffin shaped obsidian for the crystal. Also the note book that was delayed from the March box was included.

The book included was a hardcover copy of The Court of Undying Seasons by A.M. Strickland and came with an exclusive dust jacket, sprayed edges and a signed book plate. We follow Fin who takes her loves place in the village finding where the chosen are taken to Castle Courtsheart, a Vampire school where if humans succeed they become vampires. However, Fin wants to forge a different path by finding out how to kill the undead and get revenge for her mother. When she comes across a string of murders Fin must uncover the truth and find the killer before she too end up dead.

September’s theme is Vengeance is Ours.

August 2023 Illumicrate

On September 22, 2023September 17, 2023 By AllieS.In Book Box, Illumicrate1 Comment

The items included in this box are a Priory of the Orange Tree inspired mug, a bookmark set featuring characters from the Mortal Instruments, a book tin inspired by Sorcery of Thornes, and a set of washi tape.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover. This months book is Zhara by S. Jae-Jones which is set in a world where magic is forbidden. Zhara, a young woman who is hiding her magical gifts while also taking care of her blind sister, meets Han she finds out about a secret magical liberation organization and Zhara must help bring peace and harmony to the world. This edition also has full color art on the hardback and digitally printed edges.

September’s theme is My Last Breath.

July 2023 Illumicrate

On September 15, 2023September 14, 2023 By AllieS.In Book Box, IllumicrateLeave a comment

The items included in this box are a towel with art work inspired by the Hunger Games, a guess the character card game, a set of stemless tea cups, and an embroidered pouch for playing cards or tarot cards.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month often with an exclusive cover. This months book is The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem. Ten years ago the kingdom of Jasad burned and Sylvia the lost heir never wants to be found. But when her magic is discovered she must make a deal with her greatest enemy and she will soon have to choose between the life she wants and the one she left behind. This edition also has foiling on the hardback, digitally printed edges, and is signed by the author.

August’s theme is Hidden Magic.

June 2023 Illumicrate

On July 28, 2023July 22, 2023 By AllieS.In Book Box, IllumicrateLeave a comment

The items included in this box are a two-sided cushion cover, night and day shoe charms, a bowl set, and a set of coasters.

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 Sun and the Void by Gabriela Romero-Lacruz which is the first book in a new fantasy series inspired by South American history and folklore.

July’s theme is You Win or You Die.

June 2023 Fairyloot

On July 24, 2023July 22, 2023 By AllieS.In 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 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.

July’s theme is Cruel Intentions.

May 2023 Illumicrate

On July 10, 2023July 7, 2023 By AllieS.In Book Box, IllumicrateLeave a comment

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.