Subscription Boxes

All the unboxings and details about subscription boxes (bookish or not)

Subscription Boxes

January Fantasy Leafer Box Unboxing

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This is the other cheap (as in price) book box out there and it is like a complimentary sibling of Wildest Dreams, as it doesn’t do the Young Adult genre.

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I usually get a combo of sci-fi and fantasy but this time I just felt like having Fantasy and not both. So let’s have a look at the contents:

  • Oak and Mistletoe by J.Z.N. McCauley. I like the cover and it looks interesting.
  • A celtic charm necklace
  • A shamrock/clover keychain, quite cute.
  • A tiny tartan bow badge/pin which I think was so quite charming.
  • Chocolate, this time a peppermint one that I devoured.

Not a bad box at all, so if you are interested in getting you can use code KESTREL10 to get 10% off.

 

Subscription Boxes

Into the Jungle, Wildest Dreams Unboxing

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If you haven’t heard of Wildest Dreams Box yet, it is created by Zoe and the aim is to be more affordable than the bigger book boxes (it is at the moment, the second cheapest box in my list of over 50 book boxes I have compiled).

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As you can see it is a more frugal box than the main boxes out there, but you can also see the love put into each one. Starting with the book and going clockwise, here we go:

  • The Extinction Trials by Susam Wilson. I had been looking forward to this book and once I saw the theme for this box I refrained myself from preordering the book as I was already subscribed. (I am all for supporting small businesses).
  • Personalised Note exclusive for us subscribers from the author!
  • A Tea-Rex room/fabric spray from Geeky Clean, it is a charming green tea jungle like smell, with an earthy tone to it.
  • Two chocolate coins, which show how much thought Zoe puts into her boxes and adds little extras.
  • A test tube Dino DNA tea, which I am loving. Also, absolute kudos (you’re my favourite) to Zoe for adding tea bags! I am always complaining that most people don’t have as many loose leaf tea props as I do so it is hard for them to use the lovely teas included in boxes, but both of WDB have had tea bags included.
  • Also we had a signed bookplate and a print out of the contents. Hopefully we will see a theme artwork postcard at some point once this grows more (Hint: I am an artist…)

All in all it is a lovely box, with lots of care put into it and I definitely recommend it. It is the cheapest “YA” box out there (Leafer Box does not have a YA genre).

 

 

 

Subscription Boxes

December’s LitJoy Crate Unboxing

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This was delayed due to me being a silly person and having it sent to work address so it arrived while I was on holiday so the unboxing was very delayeed, woops!

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I kinda guessed what book would be in this box as I follow the author on Twitter, but let’s go in order on the contents of this box, starting with the book of course:

  • Kat and Meg Conquer the World by Anna Priemaza.
  • Signed book plate and author letter.
  • Happy holidays postcard from the team.
  • Kat & Meg spoiler card (it includes all the items and why they were chosen).
  • Parabatai rune pin.
  • Spoiler card for January’s box (Batman!)
  • Epic Reads Look Book which is kinda like a fun activity book about books.
  • Inej and Nina print by Katherine Butler.
  • Lavender sleep mask which is a nice relaxing bit and quite unexpected.
  • Kindred Spirits candle by The Muggle Library. It smells nice and friendly.
  • Harry Potter Golden Trio tote bag by Sarah Conradsen, and I love the illustration on it.
  • Calm Yo Self anxiety roller by the Literary Apothecary. I tested it the day it arrived and have been using it at work and it is quite interesting, even when I am not the most fond of the lavender smell. It may be my favourite item from the box.

Now I can’t wait for this month’s box to arrive as it is curated by Marie Lu!

 

Subscription Boxes

Accio! Holiday Box (Ravenclaw)

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Accio! is a box based in the US. They sell Harry Potter Universe merchandise, usually from superior quality (I tried them out for 3 months when they first opened up for international subscriptions, and the only reason I stopped my subscription is that the customs were making it too expensive for me, otherwise I’d get it more often!).

Anyway, they made a special Holiday Box, and I had to get one (Ravenclaw).

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As you can see it was packed full of stuff (and the cracker had also goodies inside, see picture below) and I am utterly in love with it. Contents are listed this time in the picture so I won’t list them again.

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The cracker had the list of items inside, a paper crown, a mini lotion bar and a joke.

Of course, the ornament went directly to my tree, the mug has become one of my favourites (it is quite sturdy and big and it is so gorgeous!) and all in all it really is an amazing box and I was extremely pleased with the contents.

So if you are a HP fan, do please try them out, they are absolutely worth it.

 

 

Books, Subscription Boxes

Oh So Regal FairyLoot

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After the fiasco with Hermes and their bad delivery I was a bit scared that my Fairyloot would not arrive before Christmas, however I can say that it did!

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This was also an easy guess of the book for me, since I had already read it, but I had given my ARC copy away so it was nice to have a proper hardback version of it. Let’s start from the book and go clockwise:

  • Everless by Sara Holland. Just go read it, it is quite interesting and it left me with a book hangover. You can read my review here.
  • Prince Eric candle by A Court of Candles. It smells gorgeous and apparently there were 4 different smells to get.
  • Red Queen notebook by Stella’s Bookish Art, which matches the book of Everless which is pretty cool.
  • Theme card and theme bookmark.
  • Rosemarked sampler.
  • Keyring which I really liked and is now holding my keys, by Fiction Tea DEsigns.
  • William Shakespeare pouch by . Probably my least favourite item but it is still cool.
  • Promotional bookmark.
  • Simba Funko, there were supposed to be 6 different ones and all of the other options are princesses, so why do I get Simba? I did want one of the other princesses and would’ve preferred say Merida or Mulan over Simba as a choice. Oh well, can’t have it all.

Another nice wintery box to enjoy before Christmas (it arrived before, even if the post is after).

Books, Subscription Boxes

Winter FairyTales Book Box Club

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This year has brought us a cold prewinter (since officially winter starts on the 22nd) so it has lovely to receive bookish boxes that make you feel even more Christmassy.

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Book Box Club did not disappoint this time, so starting on the theme card and going clockwise:

  • Winter Fairytales theme card.
  • Baba Yaga wish bracelet by Charmed Delight Co. Last year they sent a different one which had three stars, so I am seeing a theme here, can we keep it up?
  • Hansel & Gretel’s Gingerbread Mallows by Bonboosh. They are the reason this picture was taken during nighttime using the lights in the room, as they didn’t make it to the next day.
  • Christmas Card, this was personalised to all the members of our house (sans the 9 chickens, but it’s hard to know all of their names!  PS. Cow, Big Mama, The Sweeties, Skittles, Scarface, Red 1 and Red 2, Pearl) including our puppy and it is now proudly being displayed alongside the other Christmas cards we’ve received.
  • Underneath it all is a super soft scarf with shiny golden trees that makes me want to get dressed up already for Christmas (by Hazel & Pip)
  • A bookmark featuring the two books in the box.
  • Fairy Godmother notebook by TJ Lubrano.
  • The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden. I actually guessed the books because I already had this one. The bonus is that the extra book is going to a good home and now I have a signed book plate for the book.
  • The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden. Second book of the series and yay to double books in the box.
  • Fairytales pencil.
  • Scrolled Clubhouse invitation.

All in all, a lovely box with a very wintery feel.

Subscription Boxes

December’s Fantasy + Sci-fi Leafer Box

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Just in case you didn’t know, Leafer Box are UK based and the cheapest book box out there (that is not just book). And for December, I collaborated with them and designed an exclusive bookmark.

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I get a custom box, which bundles up sci-fi & fantasy and only gives me one chocolate and one of any item that may be repeated, clockwise starting at the chocolate:

  • Chilli Dark Chocolate, Leafer Box always has chocolate.
  • Witches’ Curse incense sticks (Fantasy Box)
  • Pegasus 1, which looks interesting and I like the cover. (SCi-Fi)
  • Space keyring, which is already on my keys (Sci-Fi)
  • Saturn/planet patch. I love this one! (Sci-Fi)
  • Star & Planet earrings (which I have been wearing since I got them and have received a lot of compliments). (Sci-Fi)
  • Exclusive Moon Kestrel Designs colouring bookmark.
  • Harry Potter nail decals (Fantasy)
  • I put a spell on you bookmark. (Fantasy)
  • Mulled Wine tea. I can’t wait to make a cup of tea with this. (Fantasy)
  • The Living Curse Novella (Fantasy)
  • The Witch’s Kiss, which ironically, the day before I got this box, I had been saying that I needed this book and should buy it. They read my mind! Witchcraft 😉 (Fantasy).

As per usual, an amazing box.

Also, I am giving away one of the theme of your choice on my twitter @themoonkestrel, if you’re interested. it ends on Boxing Day (26th of December).

 

 

Subscription Boxes

Best of YA 2017 Wildest Dreams Box

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I present to you Wildest Dreams Book Box, a new UK based box with low price as part of their aim (the box is £18 so they’re the second cheapest one available at the moment, and it has free shipping to the UK).

This is their first ever box and I was lucky enough to get hold of one.

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So here we go, clockwise unboxing, starting with the book:

  • The Nowhere Girls by Amy Reed. This is a brutal book to my understanding and I do really want to read it.
  • Sorting Bath Bomb from Geeky Clean. I love anything by Steph, so this is always a great way to start a book box. And so so bookish.
  • Spoiler Card explaining why everything was chosen. Also, as a note, there was a special note from Amy Reed that I left inside the book.
  • Book of Fire bookmark and postcard, and the bookmark is signed.
  • After The Fire tea. I squealed and reacted very much to this as After The Fire is my absolute favourite book of the year and having a tea made for it was just the best!

So my veredict is that the box has potential and it looks interesting. I am currently on a 3 month subscription to trial it a little more and see how it pans out.

Also, as a note, this box has new releases that are more mainstream than what Leafer Box offers, so I’d recommend both of them depending on what you want out of your box.

Books, Subscription Boxes

November’s Fantasy PageHabit

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The biggest downside to PageHabit is the shipping but they gave me $5 credit, however it is still such high cost I ahve had to cancel my subscription which is a shame.

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To avoid repeats, I chose the Fantasy box, and somehow I still kind of did (can’t complain though). Starting on the book and going clockwise:

  • The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty. This is what made me laugh, because I got an ARC for it in Illumicrate and now I have an annotated finished copy!
  • Author’s Letter.
  • The usual quote bookmark they tend to send.
  • The card that says where they send extra books and which books were featured this month (or rather last month).
  • A short story.
  • A study tote bag which I liked since it looks and feels quite strong and good.
  • A magnifying bookmark, which was a great unboxing prop.

My favourite thing about PageHabit is that the books are annotated by the authors and they are such a gem.

 

Subscription Boxes

Bookish Teas Writerverse

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It is no surprise to anyone that I like tea (I mean, even the customer support of Fairyloot knows this about me!), and that my two favourite places to get tea is Adagio Teas and Bookish Teas.

Zilan (Bookish Teas) is a lovely lady that lives in Germany and makes wonderful tea mixes that are a delight to drink. She is also very careful in making sure her ingredients are fresh from farms and places like that, so the tea is very high quality.

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The Writerverse box was the last one of the year, but they tend to do special boxes frequently and they have all been a delight. This one included several lovely things:

  • Four tea blends.
  • Signed book plate from the author of Stalking Jack The Ripper and Hunting Dracula.
  • Goodies from the Corr sisters.
  • A Darkling bookmark by .
  • A Godsgrave ribbon bookmark by .
  • A comic page art postcard by
  • A postcard inspired by Stalking Jack the Ripper.
  • A Tric perfume by behindthepages (it smells delicious).
  • The Bookish Teas Tealicious “zine” with recipes and details about the box.

We were spoiled in signed and exclusive goodies in this box and the teas are all so delicious I can’t choose my favourite one (though I admit my most favourites have been the London teas inspired by ADSOM).