Category: Book Boxes

Book Boxes, Products I love!!

Unboxing and Review: April Illumicrate

Megan Nicole
  • Theme: Squad Goals
  • Overall: **
  • Cost: $52 shipped to the US
  • Shipping: ** Second month in a row that boxes have been damaged and items have been broken or missing.
  • Quality of items: ** A few of the items seem like free products you get at a convention and the print included is regular paper and not even stock or photo paper. I was also bummed to find that we only had a book plate vs a signed book this month, even though the edition is gorgeous.
  • Value for the money: ** Hopefully some of the items can be sold for enough to make up the cost, especially since I don’t want anything the box but the book

Sadly this was another disappointing box for me and all I want to keep is the book. Unfortunately due to US shipping there is only a few dollars difference between the book only and the whole box so I keep trudging on for those special editions :-).

Whats in the box:

April Illumicrate Unboxing Dangerous Remedy

Book Boxes, Products I love!!

Unboxing and Review: April Owlcrate

Megan Nicole
  • Theme: Full Moon Magic
  • Overall: ***
  • Price: $41 shipped in the US
  • Shipping: ***** Owlcrate is rocking with shipping and updates during COVID, they have not been more than a few days off normal schedule this whole time, where other boxes are months behind.
  • Quality of items: ***
  • Overall value for the price: ***

Owlcrate March Unboxing and Review

Whats in the box:

๐ŸŒ’A bamboo moon phase banner inside a canvas pouch featuring a quote by Oscar Wilde, both designed byย @paperbackbones
๐ŸŒ“A Shatter Me inspired tote bag designed by @unluckydesign
๐ŸŒ”Notebook featuring a quote from Oscar Wilde and artwork from @kimbeckerdesign.
๐ŸŒ•Winterwood inspired crescent moon bracelet designed by Team OwlCrate
๐ŸŒ–300 piece jigsaw puzzle illustrated by @atalienart featuring Remus Lupin
๐ŸŒ—A collectible postcard illustrated by @lovelyillustration
๐ŸŒ˜The book forย April is Boon Crier’s Moon by @kathrynpurdie! This exclusive edition features a shiny special cover and sprayed edges. It was also signed and came with a letter from the author
๐ŸŒ—The enamel pin of the month was designed by @whitewidewoods

Book Boxes, Products I love!!

Unboxing and Review: March Fairyloot

Megan Nicole
  • Theme: Break the Curse
  • Overall: ****
  • Cost: $42 USD including shipping
  • Quality of Items: ****
  • Value for the Money:****
  • Shipping: **** This box was late due to COVID but I don’t hold that against them. They do ship with Fedex and they are very unreliable and slow even within the US.

Unboxing and Review Fairyloot March

Whats in the box:

  1. Cursebreaker Book Sleeve designed by @eviebookish
  2. Raven Boys Headband illustrated by @taratjah
  3. Wonderland Passport Cover designed by @noverantale
  4. Queen of Nothing Tumbler cup by @noverantale
  5. Caraval Lanyard by @catarinabookdesigns
  6. Genie Notepad by @catarinabookdesigns
  7. Tarot cards of the month inspired by Throne of Glass by @Gabriella.bujdoso
  8. Bone Criers Moon with sprayed shimmer green edges and artwork on the reverse of the dust jacket by @dianadworak

Unboxing and Review Fairyloot March

Book Boxes, Products I love!!

Book Review: Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare

Megan Nicole

Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Claire- Book 3 in The Dark Artifices Series

  • Overall: ***
  • Romance: ***
  • Reading Rate: **
  • Pages: 912
  • Release Date: December 4, 2018
  • Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
  • I recommend if you liked: The Mortal Instruments, The Infernal Devices
  • Purchase on Amazon here

I am not sure if it was this story or if I have just read too much of the same storyline with the Shadowhuntersโ€™ novels. I have read and thoroughly enjoyed The Mortal Instruments and the Infernal Devices. I think this story was just too much a repeat of The Mortal Instruments and trying to push relationships in YA books. I had to take a break after reading the first two books in this trilogy and only started this one back up almost a year later because it was available on audiobook through Scribd.

I listened to the audiobook and while James Marten (LOVE SPIKE) was a great narrator there was just so much that was not needed. I would zone out while listening for a few minutes to realize what I had doneโ€ฆ and didnโ€™t even miss anything relevant to the story.

What I liked:

  • It was nice to see the world tie together with other books and see where prior loved characters are now.
  • While it was a little out there, I did like that things were shaken up with the alternate dimension.
  • Not to spoil too much but OMG there was a Shadowhunter wedding and I LOVED IT!
  • The ending was left open for another series and I am so hoping to see some of my all time favorite characters come back with less politics in this next series.

What I struggled with:

  • I didnโ€™t like the way some of the older characters like Clary and Magnus were portrayed, it seemed to take them down a notch from the prior series where they were the MCs
  • While I get that CC is trying to make a statement about inclusion in her writing there was a lot that just was not necessary for the story. She also had too many independent storylines running. I feel like she could have had some great short stories or standalone spins offs rather than trying to cram it all into this one trilogy.
  • While I liked the idea of the blight and Thule, the fact that narrow minded Shadowhunter who never learn from their mistakes caused all of their own issues is so frustrating, especially when you are on about book 13 of reading it.
Book Boxes, Products I love!!

Unboxing & Review: Illumicrate Glamour and Gold Special Edition

Megan Nicole

Unboxing & Review: Illumicrate Glamour and Gold Special Edition

Illumicrate Glamour and Gold Special Edition

  • Theme: Special edition for the release of Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare
  • Overall: ****
  • Cost: $ USD including shipping
  • Quality of Items: ****
  • Value for the Money:****
  • Shipping: *** This box was expected to ship in March around the release of the book was late due to COVID-19 which I dont hold against the company and they communicated well about. One of the items will need to be reprinted and sent out. Due to factory closures there is no estimated time for that replacement. Because they are based out of the UK the cost of shipping to the US

Whats in the box:

  1. Cortana Inspired Letter Opener by @fableandblack
  2. Infernal Devices triglyph with art by @rosiethorns88
  3. Tea for One set with art by @chattynora
  4. Shadowhunter Playing cards designed by @merwildandco (these are actually having to be reprinted due to a misrepresentation of a few characters)
  5. Mortal Instruments Blanket by @yoshitani
  6. Black and white art prints by @arz28
  7. Exclusive Edition of Chain of Gold with Cassandra Clare stamped signature. I didn’t realize this was only going to be stamped and not signed until I received it so was pretty bummed there, but the book is gorgeous and the sprayed edges are done perfectly.

Illumicrate Glamour and Gold Special Edition

Overall I was not super satisfied with this box and the only thing I plan on keeping is the Cortana letter opener. Time after time i am finding myself dissatisfied with llumicrate and their customer service and shipping experience, but FOMO of their special edition books has me hanging on. The only thing that is a saving grace is their items usually resell for enough to recover the money I feel I wasted.

Illumicrate Glamour and Gold Special Edition

Illumicrate Glamour and Gold Special Edition

Book Boxes, Products I love!!

Unboxing & Review: March Illumicrate

Megan Nicole
  • Theme: Worlds Collide
  • Overall: **
  • Cost: $52.68 USD including shipping
  • Quality of Items: *** I really felt like some of the items this month were rather cheap and not well done. For example the printing on the mug made the art difficult to make out. The necklace and keychain were also very low quality items.
  • Value for the Money:**
  • Shipping: *** This months box was late due to COVID-19 and while I don’t hold that against the company the box was also not well packed. Items were unwrapped and rolling loosely around the box and my mug was broken.
    • Ilumicrate did respond quickly to the request for a replacement but it will be several weeks before it arrives.ย Illumicrate Worlds Collide Unboxing & Review

I have yet to be impressed with the box items for Illumicrate but I buy for the special edition books. With UK shipping and conversion it is only a few dollars more to get the whole box and hopefully can sell a few items to even out a bit.

Whats in the box:

Illumicrate Worlds Collide Unboxing & ReviewIMG_0795IMG_0796

 

If you are in the UK this box is probably the way to go, but for us US peeps Owlcrate and Fairyloot have way more bang for your buck.

Do you even purchase book boxes? Which one do you feel is the best value?

Book Boxes, Products I love!!

Alchemy + Ink March Candle Cult Unboxing and Review

Megan Nicole

Alchemy + Ink March Candle Cult Unboxing and Review

  • Theme: Star-crossed- Luxe Level
  • Overall: ****
  • Price: $58 USD including shipping
  • Quality: ****
  • Value for Money: ***
  • Shipping: **** Boxes ship around the end of the month and you receive a confirmation email. They go through USPS but box arrived quickly and in good condition.

When I saw that Alchemy + Ink was launching a subscription box I knew I had to get in on it right away! This is the very first month for this box and I the first purchase was well in advance so I was super excited to get it.

I was pretty surprised by how small the box was for the cost, and really thought there would be a little more to it. But its really the extra $12 in shipping that kills it, $45 for the amount of product in the box does make sense. Not something I will be purchasing every month though.

My cost concerns aside, what you receive is well packed, gorgeous and smells heavenly. There is attention to detail in each of these high quality items, anyhow goofy is it that I think the matches might totally be my favorite thing lolol.

Alchemy & Ink Starcrossed Candle Cult Unboxing and Review

Whats in the box:

Alchemy & Ink Starcrossed Candle Cult Unboxing and Review

Book Boxes, Bookish Merch, Products I love!!

Hagrid’s Trunk Dark Arts- Unboxing and Review

Megan Nicole
  • Theme: Dark Arts
  • Overall: ***
  • Cost: $37 USD including shipping
  • Quality of Items: **** All but one of the products were really high quality, it was just a high price to pay for a box with no book for me.
  • Value for the Money:***
  • Shipping: * Since they are based out of the UK they ship untracked and to get to the U.S. it takes about 3 weeks… so the next month is about to ship before you receive the one before.

This was my very first Hagrid’s Trunk. I watched an unboxing online and decided to give it a try. Admittedly if I knew about shipping prior to trying I probably would not have given them a shot at all (hopefully they can find a better option soon).

Their themes and months also run a little strange. The February theme was Dark Arts for example, but does not ship until early March, so for the US we get it about the first of April. I do have to say the items were extremely unique and high quality with the exception of the notebook. If I were in the UK I would 100% be getting this box every month as the in country price is fairly cheap compared to other sub boxes.

  • Because of this I was charged for a second box before I received the first one to decide how I felt. So I will be getting another box to give another chance.

Whats in the Box:

  1. Death Eater T Shirt- This shirt was great material and the art work is amazing! Personally wish it were black or green (not a purple fan) so will most likely rehome.
  2. Diary of Tom Riddle Notebook
  3. Draught ofLiving Death Candle- I love the container and the little wooden spoon!
  4. Drink of Despair “Potion”- This company seriously goes over the top on their small details!
  5. Death Eater Mask Wooden Pin

Hagrids Trunk Dark Arts Unboxing and Review

Book Boxes, Products I love!!

Fairyloot Rulebreakers February Unboxing and Review

Megan Nicole
  • Theme: Rulebreakers
  • Overall: ***
  • Cost: $42 USD including shipping
  • Quality of Items: ***
  • Value for the Money:***
  • Shipping: ** While I enjoy the lower shipping costs for the US, the vendors are terrible and it actually takes me longer to my box now than it did when it shipping internationally. My book was also damaged due to the way it was packed and shipped *Twice this month for book damages from Fedex*
    • Fairlyloot responded right away to my email about the damage but advised it will by 15-20 days for replacement book * After a month I followed up and du eco shipping delays it will be another few weeks.

Normally I am pretty impressed with Fairyloot but this month i just was not feeling the box, or the redo of the cover for the book. I bought this as a one off box and wish I had saved the money, I probably will not keep anything that came in the box.

Whats in the box:

Fairyloot Rulebreakers Unboxing and Review

  1. The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller with a purple color swapped cover and artwork on the reverse
  2. Serpent & Dove mug
  3. Foiled scarf inspired by Sorcery of Thorns
  4. Wicked Saints lip balm
  5. Mordor luggage tag
  6. We Hunt the Flame Art print
  7. Nevernight filed bookmark set and sticker
  8. Strange the Dreamer tarot cards

 

Do you have a favorite bookish box? Let me know in the comments below!

Book Boxes, Bookish Merch, Products I love!!

Bite Me Box- February Unboxing and Review

Megan Nicole

Bite Me Box- February Unboxing and Review

Bite Me Box Dystopian Romance Unboxing and Review

  • Theme: Dystopian Romance
  • Overall: ***
  • Cost: $55 USD shipping included
  • Quality of items: ***
  • Shipping: *** They struggled a bit with shipping for this months box. They ship with Fedex which is a down side for me as I always seem to have challenges with them. My box arrived damaged and they responded very quickly at first saying they would get replacements out. I reached out to follow up over a week later and the request had not yet been put in, but was successful this time and I received the replacement items in a bubble envelope a little over a week later.
  • Value for the money: **** While the box did come with three books that are exclusive prints most of the books chosen for the boxes I have found can be read for free through Kindle Unlimited. So while it is neat to have them in print and often with a signed book plate it is quite costly in comparison.

Whats in the box:…. once you get past that steaming lid…

  • 3 Books with book plates- all Bite me Box Prints
    • Taken by the Alpha by
    • Lawless by Crytstal Ash
    • Wolf Hollow by Nikki Jefford
  • Bio hazard themed lip balm
  • Recyclable Pen with plant seeds
  • Bullet themed metal reusable water bottle
  • Bag of provisions (Tootsie rolls)
  • Bite me box charm
  • Packet of extra content from the authors
  • Signed book mark from Crystal Ash

Bite Me Box Dystopian Romance Unboxing and Review

Bite Me Box has decided to take a hiatus like many other bookish companies due to concerns and shipping delays due to COVID-19. They advised they also plan to do some revamping and come back ever better than before. While this box was not a 5 star for me, I enjoyed others that I have seen and will for sure be giving them another try when they come back.

Have you tried Bite Me Box? Or are there other adult boxes you think I should try out?