April 2023 Illumicrate

On July 3, 2023June 28, 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. 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.

May’s theme is What Lies Beneath.

April 2023 Fairyloot

On June 30, 2023June 27, 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 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.

May’s theme is Feuding Gods.

March 2023 Obsidian Moon Crate

On June 16, 2023June 9, 2023 By AllieS.In Book Box, Obsidian Moon CrateLeave a comment

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.

March 2023 Illumicrate

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

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.

March 2023 Fairyloot

On May 8, 2023May 8, 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 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. March’s theme is Eternal.

The bookish items included this month are a ceramic plate inspired by the Winternight trilogy, a metal bookmark, a bookish sticker sheet, and a tarot card pouch. The monthly tarot card features character art from One Dark Window.

All Fairyloot books come with exclusive covers, generally signed by the author and include a letter from the author. This month the book is Seven Faceless Saints by M.K. Lobb which is a murder mystery in a dark fantasy world where a dark power threatens to devour everything. This edition also has digital sprayed edges, artwork on the endpapers, and foiling on the hardback.

April’s theme is Dare to Dream.

February 2023 Fairyloot

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

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.