April 2022 Illumicrate

On May 23, 2022May 15, 2022 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 Nothing But Thieves.

The items included in this box are an Art History book pot, a Song of the Sprits Papercraft Kit, a print album, and fa Gilded Wolves Bookmark set.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and most months a letter from the author. This months book is Portrait of A Thief by Grace D. Li which follows Will a senior at Harvard who is contacted by a Chinese benefactor to help steal back five Chinese sculptures. If the crew succeeds they earn fifty million dollar but it they fail they could loose everything. This edition also has sprayed edges, foiling on the hardback, and art on the reverse of the dust jacket.

May’s theme is In the Dark.

March 2022 Illumicrate

On April 29, 2022April 27, 2022 By AllieS.In Book Box, IllumicrateLeave a comment

The items included in this box are a Gideon the Ninth Mug, a Deathless inspired cushion cover, a Murderbot quote headphone case, a notepad, and a Howl’s Moving Castle motel keyring.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and most months a letter from the author. This months book is Gallant by V.E. Schwab. The story follows Olivia who is sent a letter to return home to Gallant. But secrets are hiding and she ends up in a place that is Gallant but not. Olivia might find out the truth that has been plaguing the family for generations but she might not like what she finds. This edition also has foil embossing on the hardback, artwork on the endpapers, and digitally printed edges.

April’s theme is Nothing but Thieves.

February 2022 Illumicrate

On March 21, 2022March 17, 2022 By AllieS.In IllumicrateLeave a comment

The items included in this box are A Memory Called Empire inspired tumbler, a fabric pouch, a Medusa trinket tray, a bath bomb, and a set of magnetic coins.

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 River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross which follows Jack who is returning to Cadence when girls start disappearing. With the help of Adaira, Jack’s childhood enemy they hope to find the missing girls and appease the spirits but darker secrets are lurking which could undo everything. This edition has an exclusive cover, foiling on the hardback, artwork endpapers and printed edges.

Mach’s theme is A Life of Its Own.

January 2022 Illumicrate

On February 28, 2022February 22, 2022 By AllieS.In Book Box, IllumicrateLeave a comment

The items included in this box are a We Hunt the Flame Puzzle, a set of fluffy socks, a phone holder inspired by The Prison Healer, and a spinning pendant inspired by The Never-Tilting World.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and most months a letter from the author. This months book is This Woven Kingdom By Tahereh Mafi which follows Alizeh, the heir to the Jinn Kingdom, who is hiding as a servant and Kamran the crown prince who is prophesized to die and doesn’t realize that a servant girl will change everything. This special edition has a exclusive naked hardcover and digitally printed edges.

This month Illumicrate also included a softback copy of The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman which has sprayed edges, an author letter, and is signed.

February’s theme is Bad Blood.

December 2021 Illumicrate

On February 14, 2022February 11, 2022 By AllieS.In Book Box, IllumicrateLeave a comment

The items included in this box are a mug with art from the Winternight Trilogy on it, a Ninthhouse book mark tin, a 2022 calendar featuring different star-crossed lovers, a pin banner, and a Nevermore sticker sheet.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and often a letter from the author. This months book is A Marvelous Light by Freya Marske which is a historical fiction fantasy where Robin Blyth becomes a civil service liaison to a hidden magical society due to an administrative mistake. Along the way he meet Edwin Courcey, Robin’s counterpart in the magical bureaucracy, together they find a plot that threaten all the magicians in Britain and secrets that others have died to keep. This edition also has an exclusive cover with a transparent overlay jacket and printed edges. The monthly pin is also inspired by this book.

January’s theme is Royal Secrets.

November 2021 Illumicrate

On January 24, 2022January 24, 2022 By AllieS.In UncategorizedLeave a comment

The items included in this box are a fabric book jacket, the next Greek Mythology teacup inspired by Nemesis, a Scorpio Races inspired book tin, a She Who Became the Sun metal bookmark, and a hanging ornament.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and most months a letter from the author. This months book is Little Thieves by Margaret Owen. This edition of this book has an exclusive cover, a full color printing on the hardback, sprayed and stenciled edges, and a signed bookplate. Little Thieves is a retelling of The Goose Girl where Vanja is the adopted goddaughter of Death and Fortune who plans to steal back her future by killing the Princess. However, as she leads this double life she crosses the wrong god and could loose not just her freedom but her life as well.

December’s theme is Cursed.

October 2021 Illumicrate

On November 15, 2021January 13, 2022 By AllieS.In Book Box, IllumicrateLeave a comment

The items included in this box are a book organizer, a candle inspired by Black Sun, a Witches Steep in Gold print, a Caraval inspired measuring cup set, and a Deal with the Devil mug.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and most months a letter from the author. This months book is Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao which I’ve seen described as Pacific Rim meets The Handmaid’s Tale while retelling the rise of China’s only female emperor Wu Zetian. Which is all I needed to know to want to read this book. This special edition has stenciled edges, foiling on the hardcover, art on the back of the dust jacket, and a digital signature. The monthly pin is also inspired by the book.

November’s theme is Death and Fortune.

Illumicrate Collections: The Night Circus

On November 1, 2021October 31, 2021 By AllieS.In Book Box, Illumicrate1 Comment

While I love Illumicrate’s monthly boxes their collections and special edition boxes for one book or a series I think are their best boxes overall. To celebrate the tenth anniversary of The Night Circus they created a wonderful special edition book and box that truly celebrates the wonder of The Night Circus.

The items included in the box were a book tin, a tea for one set with a cup and tea pot, an enamel pin, a Le Cirque Des Reves hanging banner, a metal bookmark, and a foiled print.

The main reason I buy boxes like this are for the beautiful special editions of the book included. This edition of The Night Circus has a silver cover, foiling on the hardback, black and white striped stenciled edges, a ribbon bookmark, an author letter on the front endpapers, and is signed. Illumicrate does some of the most beautifully designed books I own.

September 2021 Illumicrate

On October 25, 2021October 25, 2021 By AllieS.In IllumicrateLeave a comment

The items included in this box are a Percy Jackson sword replica, a Throne of Glass pouch, a Strange the Dreamer inspired shoe charms, a set of magnets with characters from An Ember in the Ashes, and a These Violent Delights inspired pin set. Though I like most of these items I’m surprised with the fandoms and books represented in the items are all Young Adult titles when the book for this month is very adult and shouldn’t be placed in a Young Adult section.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and has a letter from the author. This months book is Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff and this edition is my favorite off all the editions I’ve seen. It has amazing digitally printed edges, an exclusive cover, and foiling on the hardback. I’m not even going to try to summarize this book as I feel like any fan already knows and you’ve probably heard about the book even if your not a Jay Kristoff fan. I will give one warring if you know nothing about this book its very adult and you might want to take a look a Jay Kristoff’s gif review on Goodreads as that can give you an idea if this is in any way a book you might like.

October’s theme is Revenge is Sweeter.

August 2021 Illumicrate

On September 13, 2021September 9, 2021 By AllieS.In Book Box, IllumicrateLeave a comment

The items included in this box are a Book Pot (planter shaped like a book), an Athena Teacup and Saucer set, a set of page tabs and washi tape, and a reading journal/planner. The reading planner while made very well is my least favorite item. I already have a reading journal and planner system which I have no plans on changing and I absolutely hate undated planners. I know that this is the type of planner that I would never use so I do plan to pass it on to someone else.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month which come with a enamel pin inspired by the book. This months book is The Devil Makes Three by Tori Bovalino which also has a custom cover, foiling on the hardback, teal blue sprayed edges, and is signed. When Tess and Eliot find an ancient book that is hidden in a tunnel under the school library they end up releasing the devil who has trapped in the book. They must work together to trap him and force the devil back into the book before he finds away to kill everyone they care about. When fighting the devil school doesn’t sound too bad.