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.

May 2021 OwlCrate

On June 4, 2021June 3, 2021 By AllieS.In Book Box, OwlCrateLeave a comment

Owl Crate is a young adult book subscription box where every month you receive one new hardcover book and an assortment of bookish goodies connected to the monthly theme. Some of these items are very practical and some are better suited as décor or for a pin/bulletin board. May’s theme is Expect the Unexpected.

Each box includes different bookish goodies that fit the theme of the month and are connected to other books. This months items include a Rule of Wolves scarf, a corduroy bag with a quote from Obsidio on it, a Gilded Wolves vinyl Sticker, a metal tassel bookmark with quote on it, and the second book tin is the series inspired by the Shades of Magic.

Every month Owl Crate has a new young adult hardback book that has an exclusive cover, is signed and comes with a letter from the author. The enamel pin that is in every box is also inspired by that months book. This months book is The Ones We’re Meant to Find by Joan He which also comes with a foil design on the hardback. This book is being described as the YA thriller We Were Liars meets Black Mirror and add in a little Studio Ghibli which sounds really cool.

June’s theme is Go Your Own Way.

November 2019 Shelflove Crate

On February 10, 2020February 8, 2020 By AllieS.In Book Box, Shelflove CrateLeave a comment

This month I decided to try out several different monthly book box subscriptions. Shelflove Crate is a fantasy and science fiction subscription box that includes a new hardcover book and bookish items each month. November’s theme is Reading the Restricted Section.

The bookish items included are a storage box shaped like a book, a fabric bin printed with commonly banned books, a bookmark, a grocery bag inspired by the Handmaid’s Tale, and a pocket mirror inspired by Twilight. In 2019 Shelflove Crate was doing collectible chess pieces in each box, this months are Lazlo and Sarai from Strange the Dreamer. Some of these items are practical but its still a let down, as of right now I don’t think I will buy another Shelflove box.

The book included is Blood Heir by Amelie Wen Zhao. The start of a new series about a princess who is hiding a secret and a con man she has to trust to clear her name in the aftermath of her father’s murder. Shelflove also includes a letter from the author and a signed book plate.

Shelflove Crate didn’t do a box for December 2019.

As this post is going up late I feel like I should mention that Shelflove Crate had shipping issues and delays at the end of 2019. Now their boxes are not sent in actual boxes but bubble mailers.

Shelflove Crate Darkdawn Box

On January 8, 2020January 7, 2020 By AllieS.In Book Box, Shelflove CrateLeave a comment

When DarkDawn by Jay Kristoff was coming out I got sucked into buying multiple book boxes and ended up with five different copies of DarkDawn. Though I didn’t intend to buy that many copies each box included different items and I’m glad I order all of them.

The Shelflove Crate box was called GodsGrave Getaway box and include many high quality items and a US signed special edition of DarkDawn. This copy of the book included exclusive art and came with the extra scene Three bound in the book instead as a separate item.

The bookish goodies for the box where very well done and included a “passport” spoiler card, a gorgeous tapestry blanket, collectible chess pieces of Mia and Tric, a GodsGrave sticker, an enamel pin, tarot cards featuring eleven different characters, a booksleave, a coffee mug, a cat shaped spoon inspired by Mister Kindly, Mia bookends, a sleep mask, a decorative pillow case, a bookmark, and a bath crumble that turns the water red.

Each item was created by different artist and independent shops. All the item are of high quality and well thought out that it justifies the price for the specialty box. This was the first specialty box that I got from Shelflove Crate and based on just this I would buy other boxes from them. However, since this post is going up late I have purchased from them since and there were major shipping issues and I feel like the quality of the items was not worth what I paid. So I would caution anyone planing on buying from them in the future to read some posts about the issues that happen at the end of 2019 before giving them money.

July 2019 Owl Crate

On October 21, 2019October 20, 2019 By AllieS.In OwlCrateLeave a comment

Owl Crate is a young adult book subscription box where every month you receive one new hardcover book and an assortment of bookish goodies connected to the monthly theme. Some of these items are very practical and others are better suited as decor or for a pin/builtin board. July’s theme is Tournaments and Trials.

Each box includes different bookish goodies that fit the theme of the month and are connected to other books. This months goodies were a lanyard inspired by The Selection, a canvas coin purse inspired by the Hunger Games, a 300 piece puzzle with a quote and images form the Night Circus, there is also an art print with the same image as the puzzle, and a deck of playing cards with art work inspired by A Gathering of Shadows which showcases multiple artists.

The best and the biggest item for the month is the next Harry Potter mug form Cara Kozik who has done Harry Potter mugs for OwlCrate in different boxes.

The book this month is Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim which I have heard described as Mulan meets Project Runway though I don’t know if that is true. The story follows Maia, the daughter of a once famous tailor, who in a bid to become the next tailor for the emperor disguises herself as a boy to compete in a tournament. However, if she is discovered her life would be forfeit. All OwlCrate books are signed, come with exclusive covers, and a letter from the author. This month a matching bookmark was also included. Also the enamel pin that is included every month is inspired by the book.