Subscription box: Illumicrate
Theme/Month: Power of Death, January 2026
Ownership: Subscribed on their 6 boxes option. If you are interested in purchasing an Illumicrate subscription, you can do it on their website.
Illumicrate is a book subscription box that usually features fantasy and sci-fi, and curates a wide range of books, including both young adult and adult fiction. It usually contains a new release and several bookish goodies.
And we have finally caught up to the current year of boxes. Starting the year with a theme on the power of death (they do say winter is about death and rebirth). So let's see how strong the start of the year was, starting from top left and going clockwise:
Bowl set (two of them, I covered one with one of the other items included in the box). Look I LOVE their dishware, and this is not the exception. Great win because I use them frequently for meals.
Underneath the bowls, we had a set of bowl covers (which fit delightfully and I had to use on one of the bowls), also a win with a Persephone theme that look perfect in the kitchen and also are very usable.
Power of Death monthly leaflet.
The featured book was The Poet Empress by Shen Tao. Not read it yet but it is on my list to be read and the book itself looks stunning.
A storybook setting magnet for Arcana Acdemy (the magnets are also a win for me as they hold recipes on my fridge).
And finally a pair of ankle socks, which are still going strong and get used very often.
I think overall, every single item of this box has been in use and is an item I like, that isn't just going to gather dust or need to be gifted, so it was a strong start of the year. I also liked that the power of death theme was subtle but everywhere in all the items. Plus you had items that go together (the bowl and bowl covers, perfect win here). The only item I haven't used is the book, meaning I haven't read it, but overall not bad for a box that is a good win.
