Category: Subscription Box

Subscription Box Review: A Court of Candles, ACOFAS Limited Edition Box

It’s been a veryyyyyy long time since I reviewed a one of my subscription boxes, so I thought it was time to dive back into doing that again. It’s also a really good time to do so, as I have started doing one time purchases from random ones in order to get a feel for which work for me the most.

My newest addition is the A Court of Candles Limited Edition A Court of Frost and Starlight Box. And I have to say that it exceeded my expectations for my first candle subscription box. This service offers two different sized boxes, Demi-Fae (which does not offer the shirt/tote option) and High-Fae which includes all items. I chose the High-Fae option so I could get a complete feel for this company.

  • Quote Shirt – Obviously this is the most famous quote from this series, which I totally love. If you ordered the High Fae sized box, then you got to choose between a shirt or tote bag option. I prefer tshirts because I wear the crap out of them, whereas I don’t find myself using all of the totes that I’ve accumulated over the past few years. I really like the color of the shirt and obviously the quote, however, the fabric is not soft at all and a bit stiff. I’m hoping a few turns in the laundry will fix that.
  • Diffuser Necklace – Not really my favorite piece in the box. It’s quite large and not my style at all. However, it’s a really interesting idea that I would never have thought of and I appreciate that kind of creativity. Also, the fragrance oil smells nice.
  • Art Print – I’m not gonna lie, I’m pretty obsessed with this gorgeous piece of Rhysand and Feyre by artist Salome Totladze. She also designed all of the character labels in this box as well. She’s super talented! This print is just too pretty not to frame and is actually a really good size. It’s nice that they made it bigger than normal prints you get in boxes.
  • Nessian Bookmark – Also designed by Salome, this bookmark is way pretty! Nesta and Cassian are one of my fave couples in this series, so I appreciate that I now have a bookmark of them! However, I wish the bookmark had been printed on sturdier paper and was just a little smaller. But it’ll be perfect for some of my larger books!
  • CANDLES!!! – As I’ve mentioned many times before, I’m obsessed with candles. I burn them pretty much every single day. Yes, I actually use my candles!! I always find it a little strange that people keep them and never burn them, but anyways… I love love love that all of the candles in this box actually have a strong scent. I hate when you get candles but then can’t really smell them, which isn’t a problem here! I can’t wait to get to burning all of these pretties! Scents are listed below.
    • Rhysand: Black Sea, Midsummer’s Night – softer than I thought it would be but I really like it.
    • Morrigan: Cherry, Citrus, Cinnamon – not really my favorite, as the cherry is pretty strong and I was hoping for more citrus.
    • Amren: Grapefruit, Cassis, Sidra – I love the smell of grapefruit and this one is mixed really well. Perfect for summertime!
    • Cassian: Leather, Vanilla, Bamboo – smells like a really strong man. So you basically get Cassian in a candle and I ain’t gonna complain about that! 😉
    • Azriel: Marine, Violet, Musk – this is probably my favorite candle in the box. It smells soft and mysterious with the musk standing out the most. Love it!
    • Winter Solstice: Wine, Crackling Fire, Pine – definitely has a wintery smell and makes me want to curl up with a book by the fire.
    • Frost & Starlight: Hazelnut, Chocolate, Pine Cones – DEFINITELY smells like chocolate, almost a little too much.
    • Feyre: Pear, Lilac, Ginseng – soft and floral which works really well now in the springtime.

All in all, I really enjoyed this box! The candles all have really distinct scents, rather than smelling the same. I also like most of the extra items in the box, especially the print and bookmark. I do plan to order from A Court of Candles again in the future, especially when I start to run low on candles again.

Have you ever ordered from any candle subscription boxes before? Have you purchased from A Court of Candles? If so, what did you think of them? What are some of your favorite subscription boxes?

Subscription Box Review: December Owlcrate, Book Boyfriend, and FairyLoot

Sorry for the late posts with this one, because I’m sure that by now y’all have already seen all of the unboxings. However, I’m gonna do it anyways… so ha! I’ve also decided to combine all of my unboxings into one post. For December I received 3 boxes – Owlcrate, Book Boyfriend, and FairyLoot!

Book Boyfriend

Book Boyfriend Box is a U.S. based bi-monthly subscription box. Each box will include a newly released hardcover book and a few other bookish items that are curated around a specific theme. One or more subscribers will also receive a bonus item with each box, which are selected at random. Boxes start at $29.99 per month.

The December theme was Love Letters and inspired by all of the amazing men from Jane Austen’s novels.

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  • Quill Pen – I wasn’t sure at first if I would like this pen as it looked heavy, but I pleasantly surprised to see that it wasn’t! I’ve already used this pen a few times and I love it!
  • Notepad – Who doesn’t love Captain Wentworth? I love this notepad designed by Drop and Give Me Nerdy, with it’s beautiful Austen quote. It’s the perfect size to carry around with you without weighing down your purse/bag. So pretty!
  • Loose Tea – This is a Pride and Prejudice  herbal tea blend from First Edition Tea Co.. Y’all should know by now that I’m the BIGGEST tea drinker. I’m not a real fan of coffee but hot tea is the love of my life. I’m so excited to try this blend because it smells divine.
  • Coaster – I’m kind of obsessed with this coaster from Favoring Brave  that is made from upcycled pages of Persuasion. Like how cool is that?! It will go perfectly with my cup of tea actually!
  • Soap – Okay, this soap made of goat’s milk is from The MacBath and smells AMAZING. It’s also insanely cute with a quote from Pride and Prejudice printed into it. I’ve actually already used it all up now – that’s how much I loved it.
  • Hardcover Book – The book in this month’s box was We Are Still Tornadoes by Michael Kun and Susan Mullen. I really appreciated that they chose a book that wasn’t super hyped like most boxes tend to stick with. I haven’t heard anything about this book yet but the synopsis sounds sooo good. I also love that it included some bookish swag, including a music playlist to listen to while you read it! If you love books written in letter form, the 80’s, and great music references then you’ll probably enjoy this cute love story.

It’s the summer of 1982, and for Scott and Cath, everything is about to change.

Growing up across the street from each other, Scott and Cath have been best friends for most of their lives. Now they’ve graduated high school, and Cath is off to college while Scott stays at home trying to get his band off the ground. Neither of them realized that their first year after high school would be so hard.

Fortunately, Scott and Cath still have each other, and it’s through their letters that they survive heartache, annoying roommates, family dramas, and the pressure of figuring out what to do with the rest of their lives. And through it all, they realize that the only person they’ve ever wanted to turn to is each other. But does that mean they should think about being more than friends? One thing is clear: Change is an inescapable part of growing up, and we share unbreakable bonds with the friends who help us navigate it.

For my first box from Book Boyfriend, I was pleasantly surprised and am really excited for this month’s box to arrive. The theme for February is Out of This World and is perfect for fans of Red Rising, The Lunar Chronicles, and Star Wars!

Owlcrate

Owlcrate is a monthly bookish subscription box that includes one new release YA hardback novel, as well as 3-5 other bookish items. Each month revolves around a different theme that ties in with the book and goodies. It is also one of the few boxes that ships almost anywhere in the world. Subscriptions start at $29.99 per month.

The theme for December was Epic was curated around epic adventure fantasy books.

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  • Funko Mini – 12 different mystery mini vinyl Funko! collectibles from Harry Potter were sent out in this month’s boxes. I received the always adorable and appropriate for bookworms, Hermione. She’s just too cute and is already gracing my bookshelf right now!
  • Pin – This really gorgeous enamel Lord of the Rings was created by Ideal Bookshelf. I’m a huge LOTR fan so I was pretty excited about this pin. I also got a really cool canvas duffle bag for Christmas that this will look perfect on.
  • Coasters – Okay, I’m kind of in love with these house sigils from Game of Thrones. There is a coaster for Houses Stark, Lannister, Baratheon, and Targaryen. Basically all of the main players are present and accounted for. I would’ve liked to have seen House Tyrell in there too, but I really can’t complain either way. Dark Horse Comics did a great job with these for sure.
  • Sticker – This crazy beautiful quote sticker from A Darker Shade of Magic was created by Miss Phi. I’m so glad to add this one to my sticker collection, as it’s one of my all-time favorite book quotes!
  • Greeting Card – The Chronicles of Narnia is such a classic and I think this exclusive design from Susanne Draws, captures the beauty and whimsical nature of it perfectly.  It’s so pretty that I don’t think I’ll be able to send it to someone but will probably end up hanging it on my wall instead. Oops!
  • Hardcover Book – This month’s book is a diverse fantasy read that includes an LGTBQA romance, Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst. I’ve heard some good things about this one so I hope it lives up to the hype!

Betrothed since childhood to the prince of Mynaria, Princess Dennaleia has always known what her future holds. Her marriage will seal the alliance between Mynaria and her homeland, protecting her people from other hostile lands. But Denna has a secret. She possesses an Affinity for fire—a dangerous gift for the future queen of a kingdom where magic is forbidden.

Now, Denna must learn the ways of her new home while trying to hide her growing magic. To make matters worse, she must learn to ride Mynaria’s formidable warhorses—and her teacher is the person who intimidates her most, the prickly and unconventional Princess Amaranthine—called Mare—the sister of her betrothed.

When a shocking assassination leaves the kingdom reeling, Mare and Denna reluctantly join forces to search for the culprit. As the two become closer, Mare is surprised by Denna’s intelligence and bravery, while Denna is drawn to Mare’s independent streak. And soon their friendship is threatening to blossom into something more.

But with dangerous conflict brewing that makes the alliance more important than ever, acting on their feelings could be deadly. Forced to choose between their duty and their hearts, Mare and Denna must find a way to save their kingdoms—and each other.

The February theme is Run Away with the Circus!

FairyLoot

FairyLoot is a London-based monthly subscription box. It focuses exclusively on fantasy/science fiction YA novels. Each month will include a brand new release and 4-6 other bookish goodies as well. Subscriptions start at £26 + shipping.

The December theme was Sci-fi Adventure and was curated around some science fiction favorites.

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  • Pop Funko! – It’s a Stormtrooper vinyl character… Obviously I love it!
  • Bath Powder – This kryptonite bath powder was created by Geeky Clean, and smells like you just stepped into a bath full of cupcakes. I’ve already used some and laughed so hard when I saw that it turned my water completely green. Soooo fun!
  • Socks – These galaxy socks were created exclusively by FairyLoot and are so pretty. They’re also really silky and of good quality. They didn’t bleed either when I washed them, so that’s always very appreciated!
  • Bookmark – This beautiful watercolor bookmark was exclusively designed by LexyOlivia for this FairyLoot box. It’s a quote from The Starbound Trilogy by Amie Kaufman. I actually own the first book in this trilogy but haven’t read it yet. I plan to rectify that this year though!
  • Lunar Chronicles Art Print & Red Rising Buttons – Both of these were designed and created exclusively by Taratjah. I’m soooooo obsessed with both of these. I’ve always loved seeing her creations in boxes and all over bookstagram, and now I get to have a piece. I’ll definitely be picking up some more of her designs in the future.
  • Bonus Prints: Red Rising and The Long War to a Small, Angry Planet – Both of these art prints were added bonuses to this box and I love them both so much! I’m kind of a sucker for art prints, and being a Howler too, that Red Rising one is totally speaking to me. LOVE LOVE LOVE!
  • Hardcover Book – The book featured in this month’s box was Flashfall (Flashfall #1) by Jenny Moyer. This science fiction novel is the first in a planned duology and is giving me serious Red Rising vibes which I’m all about. I can’t wait to pick it up and experience it for myself!

Orion is a Subpar, expected to mine the tunnels of Outpost Five, near the deadly flash curtain. For generations, her people have chased cirium—the only element that can shield humanity from the curtain’s radioactive particles. She and her caving partner, Dram work the most treacherous tunnel, fighting past flash bats and tunnel gulls, in hopes of mining enough cirium to earn their way into the protected city.

But when newcomers arrive at Outpost Five, Orion uncovers disturbing revelations that make her question everything she thought she knew about life on both sides of the cirium shield. As conditions at the outpost grow increasingly dangerous, it’s up to Orion to forge a way past the flashfall, beyond all boundaries, beyond the world as she knows it.

The February theme is Emperors and Fugitives!

What did you think of the December boxes? What are some other subscription boxes do you subscribe to or recommend? Have you read any of the books that came in the boxes? What did you think of them?

Subscription Box Review: Authored Adornments – November 2016

Authored Adornments is an Etsy shop that creates bookish jewelry and knick-knacks. You can find anything from necklaces and earrings to bookmarks and keychains. They have recently begun selling one time monthly themed boxes, as well. You can visit their shop HERE.

The theme for the November box was Outlander. Hell yes!img_9052

  • Necklace – This necklace was created by Authored Adornments. I’m kind of obsessed with it because it says Jamie. And I think we can all agree that James Alexander Malcolm McKenzie Fraser is the best of all fictional husbands! He’s such babe.
  • Ring – The ring is also an Authored Adornments creation. It’s from a passage in the book that says, “…all love is, the speaking is unnecessary. It is all.” So beautiful.
  • Print – This gorgeous “dinna fash” wall print was designed by Copper Kettle Co.. I think it’s perfect and makes me smile. I always love it when Jamie says, “Dinna fash, sassenach.” Basically, I just love everything Jamie does – let’s be real!
  • Tote Bag – I’m a sucker for a good tote bag. I think I came back with 6 different ones from BookCon this year, I’m not even joking. If someone was handing them out, I grabbed it. I didn’t even care what it said or anything. I am a firm believer that you can never have too many totes! So when I saw this box included this handpainted one from Simply Grace Designs Co., I did a little happy dance. I’ve taken this tote to work every single day this week. I really wish Jamie would take me home to Lallybroch… 😦
  • Tea – I loved that you got to choose between getting sent tea or coffee. And y’all know how much I love my tea, so I think it was a pretty easy choice! This loose leaf English Breakfast tea came from All in the Leaves. I can’t wait to try it!

Overall, I’m really glad that I snagged one of these boxes. As soon as I saw the theme, I knew I had to have it! I can’t wait to wear my Jamie necklace everywhere and hang up my wall print. This was the perfect box to help soothe my Outlanderless life until the new season comes back in the spring. Though I guess I could continue on with the series.. I probably will finally pick up The Fiery Cross in the next couple of months.

Did you grab the Outlander box? What subscription boxes are you subscribed to? Please leave any recommendations in the comments! I’m always looking for new ones to try out and review for y’all!

Subscription Box Review: Owlcrate – November 2016

Owlcrate is a monthly bookish subscription box that includes one new release YA hardback novel, as well as 3-5 other bookish items. Each month revolves around a different theme that ties in with the book and goodies. It is also one of the few boxes that ships almost anywhere in the world. Subscriptions start at $29.99 per month.

The theme for November was Wonderland.

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  • Wonderland Elixir Tea – This Owlcrate exclusively designed tea blend is from Riddle’s Tea Shoppe and Adagio. This tea is a blend of decaf ceylon, peach, vanilla, marigold flowers, spice, apricots, apples, oranges, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves. I haven’t tried it yet but my dad did. He said it was alright and very light. I prefer my tea strong but I still plan to try some! And that tin is freaking gorgeous, right?!
  • Bookmark – When I found out that Authored Adornments was creating a piece for this box, I was a little hesitant because even though I love their jewelry, it’s not really my style to wear. However, when I opened up this box to see this amazing bookmark, I was so happy! I love, love, love it! I just hope it’s not too heavy and bends my pages.
  • Magnet – I’m kind of obsessed with all of the supremely talented Evie Bookish‘s designs, and this beautiful magnet is no different. I highly recommend her Society 6 and RedBubble shops if you’re looking for bookish items to purchase. I own lots of her goodies, including 2 pillows and a blanket for my Pride and Prejudice themed bed decor. 🙂
  • Paperback Book – Owlcrate teamed up again to bring the original Alice in Wonderland book with an exclusive cover from Rock Paper Books. The cover and matching bookmark were designed by the artist, Risa Rodil. I highly recommend checking out Rock Paper Books if you’re looking for a classic with a fresh and modernized artistic cover. Y’all, their books are gorgeous!
  • Hardcover Book – The Owlcrate book this month was Heartless by Marissa Meyer. This was cover edition was created exclusively for Owlcrate and can’t be found anywhere else! How cool is that?! It’s beautiful too. You can’t tell from the picture, but the colored areas are shiny! I’ve heard great things about this book, so I can’t wait to read it. If you love fairytale retellings – this book is for you! It really helps that retellings are Meyer’s specialty, as I’m sure you’ve heard of her other series, The Lunar Chronicles. And as always, there was a letter included from the author and an adorable quote card. Swoon!

Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland and a favorite of the unmarried King, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, she wants to open a shop and create delectable pastries. But for her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for a woman who could be a queen.
At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the King’s marriage proposal, she meets handsome and mysterious Jest. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into a secret courtship.
Cath is determined to choose her own destiny. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

Overall, this was a great box this month. I’ve always loved the very whimsical Wonderland and I think that the Owlcrate curators did a great job matching that. All of the items included were perfect and very high quality. What more can you ask for?!

The theme for the December box is Epic, and will feature a high fantasy novel starring some LGBTQA characters. Boxes are still available, but hurry and signup fast if you’re interested as they do sell out!

What did you think of the November Owlcrate box? What subscription boxes are you subscribed to? Have you read Heartless yet? What did you think of it?

Subscription Box Review: Owlcrate, October 2016

Owlcrate is a monthly bookish subscription box that includes one new release YA hardback novel, as well as 3-5 other bookish items. Each month revolves around a different theme that ties in with the book and goodies. It is also one of the few boxes that ships almost anywhere in the world. Subscriptions start at $29.99 per month.

The theme for October was Once Upon A Dream.

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  • Button Bookmark – This handmade bookmark was created by My Heart My Tribe. There were many different fabrics used to make these bookmarks and I ended up with a cute pastel polka dot one. I haven’t tried using my yet, as I’m afraid it might bend the pages a bit so I think I’ll save it to use for my planner.
  • Mini Notebook – The Oz Passport is actually a little notebook from The Unemployed Philosopher’s Guild. It’s pretty cute and I like that it actually includes lined pages. Each page includes a picture of the Cowardly Lion as well, which is a nice touch. I just wish I didn’t have so many of these pocket notebooks.
  • Bracelet – This charm bracelet was created and designed by The Geeky Cauldron. It’s inspire by Sleeping Beauty and includes a tiny spindle charm. I’m not the biggest fan of dangly bracelets, but it’s still pretty cute.
  • Beanie – This Peter Pan beanie is from Whosits & Whatsits. It’s super soft and slouchy which I really like! Honestly, this item is probably my favorite thing included in this month’s box. I’m pretty ready for colder weather so I can wear it everywhere and pretend like I’m really a Lost Boy. Adulting is hard and I wouldn’t mind never growing up right now.
  • Book – This month’s book is Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter. I was really excited when I first found out that this book was included in the October box, as it had been on my radar for quite a while. Unfortunately, now that the reviews have been rolling in, my excitement has turned to disappoint. I’ll still be giving it a chance but I’ve definitely tempered my expectations a bit.

In the enchanted kingdom of Brooklyn, the fashionable people put on cute shoes, go to parties in warehouses, drink on rooftops at sunset, and tell themselves they’ve arrived. A whole lot of Brooklyn is like that now—but not Vassa’s working-class neighborhood.

In Vassa’s neighborhood, where she lives with her stepmother and bickering stepsisters, one might stumble onto magic, but stumbling away again could become an issue. Babs Yagg, the owner of the local convenience store, has a policy of beheading shoplifters—and sometimes innocent shoppers as well. So when Vassa’s stepsister sends her out for light bulbs in the middle of night, she knows it could easily become a suicide mission.

But Vassa has a bit of luck hidden in her pocket, a gift from her dead mother. Erg is a tough-talking wooden doll with sticky fingers, a bottomless stomach, and a ferocious cunning. With Erg’s help, Vassa just might be able to break the witch’s curse and free her Brooklyn neighborhood. But Babs won’t be playing fair…

I’m usually left fairly impressed each month by the boxes that Owlcrate puts out. Unfortunately, other than the beanie, the October box was a bit of a letdown. Maybe I’ve just gotten so used to each month being pretty awesome, that I’ve put too much expectations on them. I mean, this is actually a fairly decent box, there’s no denying that. But I would have preferred amazing instead of decent. Luckily the November box is Wonderland themed and is going to include an Owlcrate exclusive version of Heartless by Marissa Meyer. I’ve heard it’s one of their best boxes yet and I cannot wait!

Are you an Owlcrate subscriber? What did you think of the October box? What other bookish boxes are you subscribed to? Have you read Vassa in the Night?

Subscription Box Review: Book of the Month Club – October 2016

Here I am again, back with another bookish subscription box review for you. This time I will be focusing on my first box from Book of the Month Club. Book of the Month Club is a subscription service that has been around since 1926!

Each month on the 1st, BOTM’s 4 judges and 1 surprise guest judge each nominate their book choice for the month. Then, you have until the 6th of the month to choose which book you wish to be the one sent to you, or you can also skip that month if none of the options appeal to you! How great is it that you get to decide which book is sent to you?!  You also have the option to choose books from past months choices, as well as a special list of some of the judges favorite books from any genre. The monthly selections are typically literary fiction, so just be aware of that if that is a genre that doesn’t particularly interest you.

Subscriptions start at $14.99 per month, and you can also add up to 2 extra books to your box for $9.99 each. All books are hardback and have the BOTM logo on them as well. Each box comes with a letter from the judge explaining why they chose that book, a BOTM bookmark, and a little bitty gift as well.

If you are interested in subscribing to the BOTM Club, just click on the link HERE.

My October Box

  1. BOTM reading mints
  2. BOTM bookmark
  3. The Wonder by Emma Donoghue – my September BOTM choice
  4. The Girls by Emma Cline – add on
  5. A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles – add on

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In the latest masterpiece by Emma Donoghue, bestselling author of Room, an English nurse brought to a small Irish village to observe what appears to be a miracle-a girl said to have survived without food for months-soon finds herself fighting to save the child’s life.

Tourists flock to the cabin of eleven-year-old Anna O’Donnell, who believes herself to be living off manna from heaven, and a journalist is sent to cover the sensation. Lib Wright, a veteran of Florence Nightingale’s Crimean campaign, is hired to keep watch over the girl.

Written with all the propulsive tension that made Room a huge bestseller, THE WONDER works beautifully on many levels–a tale of two strangers who transform each other’s lives, a powerful psychological thriller, and a story of love pitted against evil.

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Northern California, during the violent end of the 1960s. At the start of summer, a lonely and thoughtful teenager, Evie Boyd, sees a group of girls in the park, and is immediately caught by their freedom, their careless dress, their dangerous aura of abandon. Soon, Evie is in thrall to Suzanne, a mesmerizing older girl, and is drawn into the circle of a soon-to-be infamous cult and the man who is its charismatic leader. Hidden in the hills, their sprawling ranch is eerie and run down, but to Evie, it is exotic, thrilling, charged—a place where she feels desperate to be accepted. As she spends more time away from her mother and the rhythms of her daily life, and as her obsession with Suzanne intensifies, Evie does not realize she is coming closer and closer to unthinkable violence, and to that moment in a girl’s life when everything can go horribly wrong.

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With his breakout debut novel, Rules of Civility, Amor Towles established himself as a master of absorbing, sophisticated fiction, bringing late 1930s Manhattan to life with splendid atmosphere and a flawless command of style.

A Gentleman in Moscow immerses us in another elegantly drawn era with the story of Count Alexander Rostov. When, in 1922, he is deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal, the count is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, a grand hotel across the street from the Kremlin. Rostov, an indomitable man of erudition and wit, has never worked a day in his life, and must now live in an attic room while some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history are unfolding outside the hotel’s doors. Unexpectedly, his reduced circumstances provide him a doorway into a much larger world of emotional discovery.

Brimming with humor, a glittering cast of characters, and one beautifully rendered scene after another, this singular novel casts a spell as it relates the count’s endeavor to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a man of purpose.

Are you a Book of the Month Club member? If so, have you enjoyed the choices for the months that you’ve been subscribed for? Which nominees have been your favorite? Have you read any of the books that I received? What book subscription boxes do you subscribe to?

Review: Owlcrate September 2016

I finally decided to renew my Owlcrate subscription as the September theme, Darkness, sounded soooo good. And I am extremely happy that I did, as this month’s box was filled with some pretty cool goodies!

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  • Scented Candle: I’m a sucker for scented candles, period. So when I saw that this month’s box was going to include a candle from The Melting Library, I did a little happy dance. Celaena’s Cake smells exactly like freshly baked vanilla cake. It’s a little too sweet for my taste but I’m pretty sure that our assassin friend would thoroughly appreciate it. I might be including this in a future giveaway so be on the look out!
  • Canvas Pouch: This canvas pouch is official merchandise for the Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children movie, created by Out of Print. It features a quote from the second book in the series, Library of Souls – “Strange, I thought, how you can be living your dreams and your nightmares at the very same time.”
  • Bath Bomb: This bath bomb from Da Bomb was extremely fragrant, it reminded me of blueberries and raspberries. These bath fizzers were actually fortune tellers! Ask a yes or no question and then wait for the answer to appear as soon as the bomb is finished. Such a clever idea! However, I hope you aren’t disappointed like I was because mine took forever to finish, only to say “Not gonna happen.” I need a do-over.
  • Bookmark: This gorgeous bookmark was designed by Evie Bookish, who is insanely talented. I’m obsessed with her creations and currently own two throw pillows and a blanket, excluding things she’s designed for different subscriptions as well. This bookmark is a tribute to Six of Crows and features two different quotes – “When everyone knows you’re a monster, you needn’t waste time doing every monstrous thing.” and “No mourners, no funerals.”
  • Passport Teaser: This passport is a teaser and introduction to a new series from P.C. Cast (the author of the House of Night series), called Moon Chosen. This will be the first book in a new series that is “set in a new world where humans, their animal allies, and the earth itself has been drastically altered – a world filled with beauty, love, forbidden secrets, and dark forces”.
  • Serial: Remade is a new mini serial that will come out in 15 installments or episodes. This series is written by Matthew Cody, E.C Myers, Carrie Harris, Kiersten White, Andrea Phillips, and Gwenda Bond.

You live. You love. You die. Now RUN.

Every minute, 108 people die.

October 14th, 2016, from 9:31-9:32 pm EDT, 23 of those deaths will be teenagers. Now they are humanity’s last hope for survival.

Awakened in a post-apocalyptic world and hunted by mechanical horrors, these teens search for answers amidst the ruins of civilization. Fate, love, and loyalty face off in this adrenaline-pumping YA adventure.

  • Book: This month’s book is the brand new release, Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake. I had a suspicion that this would be the book when I read some of the hints that Owlcrate was giving, and I’m so glad that I was right!! This book included a signed bookplate, a fortune teller, and a letter from Blake. I don’t think I’ll be using this fortune teller after my crappy luck with the other one.

Every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.

But becoming the Queen Crowned isn’t solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it’s not just a game of win or lose…it’s life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins. The last queen standing gets the crown.

If only it was that simple. Katharine is unable to tolerate the weakest poison, and Arsinoe, no matter how hard she tries, can’t make even a weed grow. The two queens have been shamefully faking their powers, taking care to keep each other, the island, and their powerful sister Mirabella none the wiser. But with alliances being formed, betrayals taking shape, and ruthless revenge haunting the queens’ every move, one thing is certain: the last queen standing might not be the strongest…but she may be the darkest.

The September box was pretty packed and I love it all. I’m so excited to start reading this book as I’ve been waiting for its release for quite some time now! Hopefully I can get to it later this month after I finish up the books already on my TBR for October. I can’t wait to see what October’s box will be!

If you are interested in signing up to receive your own monthly Owlcrate box, just click on their name link at the top of the page. This is an international box and they ship to pretty much everywhere, so don’t worry about missing out!

Do you subscribe to Owlcrate? What did you think about the September box? What subscription boxes are you a member of?

Review: March Best Damn Book Box

This was the last month of my subscription for this box. And damn, what a way to go out with this one! The theme this month was Magical Things and Magical Beings and I think they did a really good job with this one.

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  • Mini-Candle: This Lady Midnight themed scented candle is from Novelly Yours. It’s a pretty teal color and has this wonderful scent that smells like the outdoors, storms, forest, and a hint of citrus. It smells wonderful and I wish I had the full size version because I know I’m going to end up burning through it way too fast.
  • Ring: This mermaid ring is iridescent shades of blue, purple, and pink fish scales and comes from Sparks Emporium. It’s so cute and I love that the size is adjustable! I’ve been seeing her stuff all over Instagram and I’m really glad that I finally have a piece from her collection!
  • Locket Necklace: This Lady Midnight book necklace is actually a locket! I love that it looks just like a mini version of the book. Now, I’m not one of those people who puts pictures in lockets or anything but this still a great piece to wear no matter what. Crafting Call makes these lockets for all kinds of fandoms such as Rainbow Rowell, Percy Jackson, Lunar Chronicles, Peter Pan, and Alice in Wonderland. So there’s something there for everybody!
  • Bath Fizz: This fairy dust inspired bath fizz is from Enchanted Storybook Spa. It smells like lavender and vanilla, which I find to be a very relaxing scent for a nice long bubble bath.
  • Button Pin and Mermaid Stickers: Let’s be honest, everything that Evie Bookish creates is a damn masterpiece! I’m so obsessed with all of her designs and I love that they’re all literary inspired. I love her stuff so much, I got my new bedding from her site. And guys, it’s so cute! But I digress… She created these mermaid stickers and the dragon button. Adorable!
  • Book: Last but certainly not least, is a copy of Cassandra Clare’s newest addition to the world of Shadowhunters, Lady Midnight! I cannot tell you how excited I was to receive this because I’ve been eyeing it ever since it was released but just didn’t want to buy it until I finished TMI. Luckily, I didn’t have to worry! This is the first book in what I believe is going to be a trilogy entitled The Dark Artifices. Set after a few years after the ending of TMI, it follows adventures of some new Shadowhunters in L.A. I cannot wait to see where this goes! Pretty much every review I’ve seen of it so far, says that it may be Clare’s best work yet. SOLD!

So yeah, as you can see this was a pretty freaking good box this month. I was pleasantly surprised and I’m glad that my subscription to this service ended on such a fantastic note. It’s actually enough to keep me renewing my subscription but there are just so many great book subscription boxes out there that I kind of want to keep testing and shopping around. If you subscribe to any box that you absolutely love, recommend it to me in the comments!

Review: Owlcrate – March 2016

So this month’s theme for Owlcrate was Writer’s Block. I enjoy writing but I’m probably one of the few book bloggers, while it would be fun to be an author, is pretty much not ever going to seriously pursue that career path. I would rather own the bookstore than write the books in it. Too many deadlines and pressure and such for my taste. So while this was a good box like always, I think I would’ve enjoyed a different theme more.

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  • Banned Books Socks – These awesome socks are from Out of Print Clothing, which is this really cool literary themed online shop that has clothes, tote bags, accessories. These are the banned book socks and they’re so cool. One sock has all of the books marked out and the other has them all listed. Super cool idea! They seem pretty sturdy and well-made but I wish they were just a tad softer.
  • Custom Pins – I pretty much am obsessed with everything that Bookworm Boutique creates for her shop and so I really loved these pins. Y’all have probably seen all of her amazing creations all over bookstagram because she’s awesome. Her bookstagram account is gorgeous as well! But yeah, I love these pins. It’s so cool to me when items are created specifically for subscription boxes. I feel really special. I just wish I had something to stick them on. Maybe my backpack? Wait, do I even still have my backpack?! I should probably find that out before BookCon.
  • 642 Tiny Things to Write About Notebook – So I skimmed through this book from Chronicle Books and I have to say that it’s pretty freaking cool. Sometimes writers get writer’s block and just everything in your mind blanks, leaving you with nothing but frustration. Well, the prompts in this book are the perfect thing to get you outta that slump and those creative juices flowing. I’m actually considering doing a monthly post where I write a little short something from one of the prompts. Would anyone be interested in reading that or is it a waste of time?
  • Quill Pen (not pictured) – So I think there were different colors of these sent out but I received the white one and I love it. It’s basically just a long white pen made out of rubber to look like a feather, nothin really to it. However, this pen writes like a freaking dream. It just glides across the paper! You could say I’m a bit obsessed. If you want your own, you can find these over at Kikkerland. Trust me, it’s worth $2.50.
  • Book – This was the holy grail of this box this month, The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner. I have been looking at this book for ages and am so jealous of the people who have already gotten to read it. I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about it and I cannot wait to read it myself. I actually almost bought this book the weekend before last but I’m so glad that I didn’t because I came home and it was waiting for me in my Owlcrate. Like, talk about destiny! Also included with the book was an amazing letter from Jeff and a ‘column’ postcard. I just need to read the book now to find out what the reference is about.

All in all, this was a great box. It’s hard to dislike anything that comes from Owlcrate, I mean come on, they’re the best. I’m much more excited about next month’s box because they just released the theme for April and it’s going to be Dystopian!!! So yeah, I’m interested in finding out what book I shall be receiving for that.

If you are interested in signing up to receive your own monthly Owlcrate box, just click on their name link at the top of the page. This is an international box and they ship to pretty much everywhere, so don’t worry about missing out!

Do you receive Owlcrate boxes? What subscription boxes do you get?

Review: The Best Damn Book Box, February 2016

After the January box, I had planned to cancel my subscription to this service because I just wasn’t impressed with how it was packed and handled. Two of my items broke within the first few days and that is pretty awful. Unfortunately, I had forgotten that I had prepaid for 3 months so I could try and get a full idea on whether or not I wanted to continue with my subscription to The Best Damn Book Box. Luckily, this month’s box came with some goodies that I’ll actually get to enjoy! The theme for February was Sleeping Beauty’s Lazy Sunday and I must say, I will really appreciate that this weekend.

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  • Candle: Sleeping Beauty inspired tea candle from From The Page. It’s pink and smells of red velvet birthday cake and vanilla A little too sweet for me so I might give it away or something. I would have preferred a relaxing scent like lavender to go with the theme but that’s just me.
  • Earrings: Dainty and lightweight earrings in the shape of angel wings created by The Best Damn Craft Shop. This shop is actually the same group that curates the boxes, in case that wasn’t obvious hehe! I’m interested in seeing how long these last since the two items they created for the last box were the ones that broke so quickly. They’re not my normal style but they’re nice for a casual look.
  • Bath Bomb: Now this is what I’m excited about! I love bath bombs and think they’re amazing. They’re like the adult version of a bubble bath and everyone enjoys a good bubble bath! This bath bomb comes from Sugar and Soy and is rose scented. I think I even spotted some dried rose petals in it which is wonderful. I’m really looking forward to using this one!
  • Soap Bouquet: This rose scented soap bouquet is from Ready Made Gifts. The scent is really strong and so I’m interested in seeing how it holds up once it’s in water and being used. My dad actually thought it was a big lollipop and tried to steal it from me so I had to assure him it was just soap hahaha! I think there were 4 soaps total in the bouquet which is nice and should last a while.
  • Lip Balm: Red velvet scented lip balm courtesy of Enchanted Storybook Spa. This is a really small container of it and I could barely get any on my finger when I tried using it which may become a bit of a problem. But it has a nice scent that isn’t so strong that it overwhelms you and I appreciate that. Maybe I can scoop it out and put it in a new container?
  • Book: This month’s book is a debut novel from indie author, Krystal Wade. Asleep is a twisted retelling of Sleeping Beauty set in an insane asylum, and with an average rating of 4.35 stars on Goodreads, I’d say that’s a pretty great debut. I’m thinking of bumping this one to the top of my TBR pile for this month just to see if the hype is worth it. I mean just check out the synopsis for yourself and try and tell me that you’re not interested after that!

“To cure fear, you must use fear.”

Rose Briar claims no responsibility for the act that led to her imprisonment in an asylum. She wants to escape, until terrifying nightmares make her question her sanity and reach out to her doctor. He’s understanding and caring in ways her parents never have been, but as her walls tumble down and Rose admits fault, a fellow patient warns her to stop the medications. Phillip believes the doctor is evil and they’ll never make it out of the facility alive. Trusting him might be just the thing to save her. Or it might prove the asylum is exactly where she needs to be.

 I will say that I’m really disappointed that I didn’t even receive the box until March. It’s shipped from Colorado and that’s only a 3 day shipping timeframe to Texas. On their website, it states that all boxes will ship between the 20th and 25th of each month. Well, I hate to break it to you but that’s a lie. The shipping label for mine wasn’t even created until the 28th of February and didn’t actually ship until the 29th. I don’t mind if there’s an issue or something but I think it’s only common courtesy to let your buyers know that the boxes will be late. It’s not a big thing but I find it a tad unprofessional.

I think overall this month’s box was a much better deal compared to the January Alice In Wonderland box. These are items that I’ll actually use, with a much lower chance of breaking. (And no, I’m still not over that). I think the overall quality of the items was much better than before and that’s good to see. The theme for the March box is Magical Beings and Magical Things and is being really hyped up on Instagram. I’m looking forward to seeing how it turns out because it will be my deciding factor on whether or not to renew my subscription or find a different service.

Do you have a subscription with The Best Damn Book Box? What are your thoughts on it? Are there any different book boxes that you recommend?