June 2024 Illumicrate

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. June’s theme is I Will Fly.

The items included in this box are a print album, a metal bookmark inspired by The Bone Shard Daughter, a set of mechanical pencils, and an enamel pin inspired by The Water Outlaws.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and most months a letter from the author. This months book is Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen. Of Jade and Dragons is a fantasy novel that follows Aihui who dreams of becoming an engineer like her father but after his sudden murder her life changes. By disguising herself as her brother Aihui inflitrates the guild’s male only appreticeship to avenge her father but secrets might come out. This edition also has a full color hardback, digitally printed edges, and a bound in author letter.

July’s theme is Magical Menagerie.

April 2024 Illumicrate

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 Magic VS Science.

The items included in this box are a bookcase puzzle, a bookmark tin, a set of reusable makeup remover pads, and a pair of gardening gloves.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and most months a letter from the author. This months book is To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods by Molly X. Chang. The story follows Ruying who has been blessed by death but when the enemy prince offers her an impossible deal she must decide if she will betray her people to protect those she loves the most. This special edition has artwork on the hardback, digitally printed edgesm and is signed.

May’s theme is Magical Bonds.

March 2024 Illumicrate

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 Fantasea.

The items included in this box are a book pot, a plant pot, a book jacket inspired by The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi, and a set of sticky notes.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and most months a letter from the author. This months book is Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan. This is Chan’s debut novel and is inspired by East Asian mythology. We follow Mira who is a half-siren and has become the captian of the border guard. Howerver, when Nami a water dragon is exiled to the city they must decided if the cost of change is worth paying. This editon has an exclusive cover, art on the hardback, and digitally printed edges.

April’s theme is Magic vs Science.

February 2024 Illumicrate

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 Caged Hearts.

The items included in this box are a Altan’s Trident replica from the Poppy War, a drinking glass inspired by The Serpent and the Wings of Night, a fairytale keyring, and pouch inspired by One Dark Window.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and most months a letter from the author. This months book is To Cage a God by Elizabeth May which is a Russian inspired romantic fantasy. We follow sisters Galina and Sera who have had gods grafted onto them and have been raised to overthrow the empire. But when Galina infiltrates the place and becomes friends with the princess she you make a choice on if she will bring the empire down or work within it. This edition also has foiling on the hardback and digitally printed edges.

March’s theme is Fantasea.

January 2024 Illumicrate

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 Murder Mystery.

The items included in this box are a reusable sticker book, a set of Crescent City bookmarks, an apron, a phone grip inspired by A Master of Djinn, and a library stamp inspired by the Wayward Children series.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and most months a letter from the author. This months book is Voyage of the Damned by Frances White which is a fantasy murder mystery set on a twelve day cruise. This edition also has foiling on the hardback, digitally printed edges, and bonus content.

February’s theme is Caged Hearts.

November 2023 Fairyloot

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. November’s theme is Alchemy of Us.

The bookish items included this month are a id case and lanyard, one of the secret books, a SJM inspired desk calendar, and a set of hanging storage drawers. The monthly tarot cards feature character art from These Violent Delights.

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 Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker which is a Asian inspired high fantasy where the main character wants to become a royal alchemist to provide for her family. This edition also has digitally sprayed edges and foiling on the hardback.

December’s theme is Artefacts of Power.

November 2023 Illumicrate

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 Anti-Hero.

The items included in this box are a mug inspired my the Murderbot Diaries, a set of Locked Tomb book ends, an ornament and a foldable 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 Starling House by Alix E. Harrow which is a a gothic tale about a small town haunted by secrets. This edition has a full color hardback and digitally sprayed edges.

December’s theme is In The Stars.

October 2023 Illumicrate

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

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

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. September’s theme is My Last Breath.

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.