Reviewlets: The Beta's Test by Dessa Lux & A Thousand Perfect Notes by C. G. Drews

The Beta’s Test by Dessa Lux

The Beta’s Test by Dessa Lux ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

The third book in the Protection of the Pack series, like The Omega’s Pack, focuses on Nick and how he is coping. This book also introduces Brody, who Sam meets at work during Brody’s job interview. Like the previous two books in this series, there is a lot of sex in this book but it is also more plot focused. The Omega’s Pack got Nick to a place where he could start to heal and function, in The Beta’s Test Nick starts to learn how to be himself again. I really enjoyed following both Nick and Brody’s journeys through this book. Brody seems like a really awesome person, and I enjoyed the appearance of another geek. My copy of The Beta’s Test also included The Omega Learns a Lesson which is the fourth instalment of the series. I really enjoyed the return of focus to Sam and Rusty. The story is short, with just thirty-two pages but it packs a punch. I liked the fact that Lux shows in this story that even when things are going well that that little voice in your head can be real loud. I really enjoyed the fact that I got these two instalments together as they flowed well.

A Thousand Perfect Notes by C.G. Drews
(Illumicrate edition)

A Thousand Perfect Notes by C. G. Drews ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars)

Before I go into any kind of review I just want to warn you that this book contains domestic violence that is both mental and physical, as well as self-harm ideation. If either of those topics has the potential to trigger you, then this is almost certainly not the book for you. That being said, I do think that Drews writes a really good debut novel. At its heart, A Thousand Perfect Notes is about obsession, love, and music. Beck is an interesting main character, and the premise of the book is well thought out. Though this book very definitely falls into the three star category for me: I liked it, but that was it. I would have liked there to be more of this book, as I think a lot of things were glossed over but then A Thousand Perfect Notes is in many ways just a snapshot of Beck’s life.

Illumicrate #11 – Hidden Talents | Unboxing

The May Illumicrate.

The May Illumicrate.

I’m back with a post on my regular schedule. I hope you enjoy this unboxing of the May Illumicrate – I will be posting the August one soon, but I wanted to get the May edition up first. If you don’t want to scroll through the pictures you can watch me talk about the items here.


The card contains a list of all the items included in the box.

Let’s have a closer look at the items.

This is an exclusive advanced reader copy edition of Light Years by Kass Morgan [goodreads]. It’s the first book in a new young adult sci-fi series.

This is a sample of Holly Bourne’s first adult contemporary novel How Do You Like Me Now? [goodreads]. I’ve never read any of Holly Bourne’s young adult fiction, but I think the blurb for this book sounds interesting.

The postcard and badge are for I was Born For This by Alice Oseman [goodreads].

This #preferfictionalworlds Box is beautifully illustrated by @aliceosemanart. I think it looks utterly gorgeous.

This Camp Half-Blood Enamel Pin is designed by @fableandblack and whilst it might not be my fandom, I do think it looks lovely.

All bookworms/bookdragons should have a book sleeve. This Black Panther inspired It’s Your Time Book Sleeve is designed by @risarodil and will be fantastic for protecting my current read.

This postcard celebrates the release of Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir [goodreads] , the third book in the Ember in the Ashes series.

This dagger bookmark celebrates the release of Grey Sister by Mark Lawrence [goodreads] the second book in the Book of the Ancestor series. An ARC of the first book was included in a previous Illumicrate.

A postcard celebrating the release of From Twinkle with Love by Sandhya Menon [goodreads].

Another fandom I’m not a part of, but these Infernal Devices Cards by @taratjah are absolutely gorgeous! 😍

The penultimate item of the box are these lovely Elements Page Markers designed by @anotherstudio_ inspired by avatar: the last airbender.

And the final items included in the May Illumicrate are all to do with this quarter’s book – A Thousand Perfect Notes by C. G. Drews [goodreads]. The book itself is exclusive to this box, with red sprayed edges. Also included are a bookmark, a signed book-plate, and a letter from the author which also includes bookstagram tips on the back.

So that is it for the May Illumicrate. Overall I am very pleased with this box, and I’m looking forward to discovering what is inside the August one. I’d love to know your thoughts.