Back when Book Box Club existed they did “The Bear and the Nightingale” and “The Girl in the Tower” as one of their monthly books, and I absolutely fell in love with them.
Then there was an author visit and signing in a library and turns out there were only like 3 of us there, so we sat in barefeet on the floor and chatted with Katherine about books, the story and more to come. No lies here, it was one of my favourite book events ever, we had Pom Bears and Capri suns, and just enjoyed the time in the library.
And of course, my original paperback of back then, has one a great dedication:
So of course I had to get this edition from Illumicrate (I did not totally deviate from the original content intended, at all, promise).
It came with the stunning version of the book, a print, a necklace a bookmark (it’s so dainty, so perfect) and a spinning tealight holder (I find these so fun to watch). It was such a big win and just fit perfectly with my love for this series.
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, it usually features fantasy and sci-fi but not exclusively young adult, sometimes it features adult too. It usually contains a new release, a pin and several bookish goodies.
I have now given up on any semblance of order on my unboxings. I have lost the plot and will now just add them as I find them in my media library because I still want to share the contents of them. So let’s go!
Lord of the Rings cutlery kit, this was stunning, however I gifted it to a friend who loves Lord of the Rings because I already have other lovely sets from Illumicrate (but I do like the cutlery sets)
Godkiller by Hannah Kaner which I still haven’t read, because what is time, but the edition was stunning.
Lying card holder. It’s like a mini wallet and I love this one, it’s just quirky and fun.
Pen/brush/crochet hook holder, I like these they’re nifty for craft or art supplies.
Wooden map. I do wish these were heat proof and then I would have the most awesome trivets ever.
The leaflet of contents.
A bumbag that can also be turned into a shoulder bag, unexpected multi-use even if I am not huge on bumbags overall.
Most of the items are useful and well curated and the only miss for me is the wooden map in that it collects dust more than anything and I never really know what to do with them. Overall it was a good box.
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, it usually features fantasy and sci-fi but not exclusively young adult, sometimes it features adult too. It usually contains a new release, a pin and several bookish goodies.
I knew I had missed one box and finally found the picture for it, so here we go because it is a really cool themed box and I had to share it.
Starting the unboxing from the leaflet and going clockwise:
Leaflet with all the contents detailed
The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones with exclusive edges and it looks amazing!
Travel toothbrush holder in bamboo with a cool maritime design
Flow like a river water bottle, which I love the design but I am not big on glass bottles overall, so this is a weird one.
Straw set with a boba tea one which is awesome and each a different colour with a mini quote, and I have to say I have used them and they’re good.
Finally, as the background a towel, which I love the design for it, but find it doesn’t dry enough, which was a shame.
Overall the box is good, the theme is on point and I loved that, even if I didn’t love all the items, or rather the items aren’t all that useful sadly, but still, very lovely, well themed and fitting.
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, it usually features fantasy and sci-fi but not exclusively young adult, sometimes it features adult too. It usually contains a new release, a pin and several bookish goodies.
In this blog, you are never too late, you’re just travelling through time because I am totally not behind in my unboxings and my blog wasn’t offline for a while due to server issues outside of my control. Instead, you get you to enjoy what was inside this box and not feel like they are spoilers!
Starting from the leaflet at the bottom and going clockwise:
Leaflet with contents and makers.
The Whispering Dark by Kelly Andrew, with very pretty edges as usual.
Underneath, slightly bunched up but soft as anything and very pretty, Moth Amongst Dreamers blanket.
The next teacup and saucer set, this time for the Underworld.
There was also a papercraft design that did not come withe the box and was sent afterwards.
Cable ties, which are cool designs and not just cute.
Overall, I have a love of blankets, particularly in blue so this was one gorgeous and I am happy with it. The cable ties are handy, and I do like teacups and saucers even if I don’t have enough space for them which is a shame. I still live in hope of more dessert dishes like they sent last time because those I could use everyday or some cereal bowls, soup bowls, something like that. I admit that I have fear of ruining pretty things and haven’t tackled the papercraft yet, but I am slowly making my way through my hobbies pile and hopefully will get to it at some point.
What it is: A box by MIND to provide you with an activity for your mental well-being or me time and to also support their work.
Where to get it: The website is extremely basic, but you can donate/subscribe here.
Let me start this post by saying that this is the first box of the series they have made, and there is obviously a lot of effort into reducing costs or keeping it “simple”. Be aware of this and set your expectations because the point for me was to donate to MIND and also get a subscription box that would make me take some time from my routine and maybe do something for me.
When I subscribed it almost made me doubt since all I got was a direct debit confirmation email and nothing else. I also didn’t get a dispatch email or anything, so the box was a complete surprise. It arrived last week and I kept it aside to do whatever came in it during the weekend, as it was going to be a hectic one.
As much as there is a lot of simplicity, I appreciate it. The box was tidy, small and had a couple of cards with quotes and suggestions. In this particular one it is to READ a book which is an easy ask for me. It also comes with a little mini booklet about MIND and the box. There was a mini notebook to almost journal in it or something which I appreciated.
Then there was the actual “craft”. I will admit that before this box I had never made a pompom in this way (my approach would be more like a tassel) and so I was happy to give it a try. So I did and broke some scissors (they are the only thing pictured that wasn’t part of the box) because I read the instructions and apparently decided I had to do everything super ultra tight and therefore it was almost impossible to actually cut the yarn which is not a phrase I thought I’d use. It also didn’t help that by the time I was doing this, I had rope burn on my hands unrelated to the activity and they were seising a little. I guess that does tell you that the craft was good enough to do even on a bad health day.
I have to tell you that I find my pom pom bookmark so fun, it kinda bounces a little so I just use it almost like a whip with a “heavy” ball at the end and whack my table, the sofa, etc. It releases stress and hurts nothing and no one and just makes me giggle.
So where am I going with this? I think that for £7.50 it is a wholesome thing, it was a lot of fun, very simple but soothing and I have a stress relief bookmark that makes me smile. The recommendation is to not make it too tight on the yarn and there won’t even be any broken scissor handles.
Consider subscribing, as it goes to mental health charity and to your own wellbeing.
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, it usually features fantasy and sci-fi but not exclusively young adult, sometimes it features adult too. It usually contains a new release, a pin and several bookish goodies.
We knew Babel was going to be part of this box, and gosh, it did not disappoint, plus a dark acamdeia or “academia” kind of box can be a hit or a miss, so let us see what this had for us:
Babel by R. F. Kuang. You can’t see it in the picture but it has stunning edges, the box to keep it is absolutely amazing and it blew me away as an edition. One of my favourites.
Reading Journal Planner, design is stunning, however I am not big on reading journals or planners at all, so this was a bit like a miss in functionality but win otherwise.
Split apart, but a bookmark set for Babel’s characters which is nice but I am not huge on bookmarks of characters.
A writing workshop enamel pin which is very bunny themed and wen tot my sister who loves rabbits.
The monthly leaflet with all the details on what was inside the box and vendors.
Dark Academia stamp set which is one of those that I find odd in how the set is created, win for those who love journalling but not so much for me.
And finally a pen holder with a dark design which is a good win. I like them when you can extend them so they can be a holder while you travel.
Overall it was a mixed box for me. The book was the absolute winner here, but a lot of the content was focused on journalling and therefore not as much for me, however I can appreciate it being cool and therefore enjoyed it.
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, it usually features fantasy and sci-fi but not exclusively young adult, sometimes it features adult too. It usually contains a new release, a pin and several bookish goodies.
After a lot of delays (for the past few weeks WordPress keeps crashing my posts when I try to schedule or publish them so I had to resolve those issues first. But I am ready to get back into all the books and nice things I have been reading, doing and unboxing, so let us start from the top left and going clockwise:
We All Fall Down by Rose Szabo, which I still haven’t read.
Book Cover like a slip on jacket with a Library scene.
Author letter
Passport cover which is very very pretty and I like it a lot.
Leaftlet on contents and who made what.
A mug for Girls of Paper and Fire series which is so dainty and gorgeous art.
Jade Bookends which are so stunning and amazing.
Overall a lovely cohesive box, maybe not my favourite book but the items are pretty good and I love those book ends and the mug, followed by the passport cover and the book jacket. Not a bad box at all.
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, it usually features fantasy and sci-fi but not exclusively young adult, sometimes it features adult too. It usually contains a new release, a pin and several bookish goodies.
I have to admit themes like the one for this month always give me hope for good items. The unboxing will go from the featured book a the top and clockwise:
The Book of Night by Holly Black, which is apparently the first adult book from her and I am still to read it but curious. This edition is utterly stunning.
A replica “Gravebone” dagger, I have mixed thoughts about these because they are cool but Id like them to be longer so I could use them as hair sticks or some other use beyond a fancy enamel looking blade. But they look cool.
I love fancy bookmarks and this one is stunning, plus it it for Monstress which rarely features as part of the merch and I am loving how graphic novels are being included more into fandom items.
Nyx, Goddess of the Night teacup and saucer. The photo does not do it justice but it is a gorgeous one again.
Dark the Night blackout journal which looks cool and gorgeous and I am hoarding it until I have a use for it. because that is how it is with notebooks and journals.
Overall the contents were very good, fitting the theme well but also being useful and probably my least favourite is the dagger, but the rest I am quite happy with and will get some use out of all of the even if I am precious about the teacups and saucers, because they are fancy.
Ownership: Subscribed on their 6 boxes option. If you are interested in purchasing a Tales by Mail subscription, you can do it on their website. They have a new owner and I did not resubscribe because I am curious to see what happens.
Tales by Mail is a bi-monthly middle-grade book box that comes with two books, some activity pages you can collect, or copy or use in various ways, a pin and one or two items.
I think this is their last box and so let us unbox starting from the left and going towards the right:
Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun promotional bookmark
Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun, which looks really awesome as a book and I am excited for it.
Underneath it there is a Tales by Mail patch
Powerful Me activity pages
Make Every Day Brilliant notepad, with little mood-boosting boxes to tick and fill, Cute idea and does help cheer up a bit or at least have a more positive spin on things.
The Unmorrow Curse, which looks intriguing and I am very curious about.
Promotional bookmark for The Unmorrow Curse
Promotional bookmark for Magicborn
The Light Thieves promotional postcard
and somehow missing form the picture, the collectible pin.
Overall, I think it was a lovely last box from their old way and I am loving the positivity and empowering look of this box.
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, it usually features fantasy and sci-fi but not exclusively young adult, sometimes it features adult too. It usually contains a new release, a pin and several bookish goodies.
Nevermind the fact that I accidentally scheduled April before March, because what is time? Instead let us look at what was inside the box, because with that colour scheme matching so well, you have to just go for it. Starting at the top left and going clockwise:
Theme leaflet, as usual, details the contents and makers.
Cushion cover, which honestly, the artwork is very pretty, but I genuinely do not like cushion covers like this one or actually 99 of the ones included in book boxes as cushion covers. They tend to be dark or have a quote on side or both sides, or just do not appeal to me. I don’t want cushion covers with faces of people. I want cute animals, nice patterns or maybe good quotes I relate to, but not the usual fandoms. And I mean this one is gorgeous, but damn, I do wish for less of these or a different approach to their design. Something I would actually display in my living room.
The main book, Gallant, which I read and reviewed a while back.
A notepad list type thing. I love these and usually magnetise them so they can go on my fridge for all the chaotic lists. Win 100
Gideon the Ninth mug, gorgeous, gorgeous.
A camera case? Not sure why this item since I haven’t used a camera that would fit here in almost a decade and it is such an odd size that you cant really fit anything else but I do like the case as a design choice just sad it is utterly useless.
Howl’s Moving Castle keyring. An odd choice of design but ok.
Overall, the theme was on point and I loved how cohesive it looks. I sadly didn’t like half of the items or found them useless which was a little frustrating. But points for the theme and content looking amazing.