Illumicrate Unboxing #17: The Final Frontier (May 2019)

This Illumicrate marks the final box of my three month subscription. I mentioned in the February unboxing that Illumicrate had changed how they worked, as well as how much they cost and that I would use the March, April and May boxes to decide if I was going to continue with my subscription. I will be talk about what I am going to do going forward at the end of this post, so let’s dive straight into the unboxing.

Unlike the April box, this month’s arrived on time. That’s why there’s not much of a gap between the two unboxings. I will say I do miss the yellow shredded paper that used to appear in the white box, it was a nice pop of colour. This brown screwed up paper, whilst great at making sure items survive in the post, is not the prettiest thing I have seen.

The contents of The Final Frontier (May 2019) Illumicrate box.

This month’s box contained five specially curated items, the featured book, a collectable magnetic coin, and two samplers. First up this month is the LUNAR CHRONICLES COOLER BAG designed by @po_jainter which would be great for keeping snacks cool for a mini picnic when you read outside. Next up is the ILLUMINAE PILLOWCASE the illustration was designed by @alice_duke and the quote was designed by @chattynora. Both designs look super cute and fun (I’ve only included the illustration in the photo) but I don’t think the pillowcase itself is cotton, which is a little disappointing. Then there is the HOWLER LUGGAGE TAG designed by @fableandblack which would stand out on bags if you do a lot of travelling, though I’m not sure how practical it would be. Next there’s the SQUAD 312 POUCH designed by @iparwing which I think looks super fun. The final specially curated item is the SPACE STICKY NOTES designed by @fableandblack which are super cute. The book of the month is AURORA RISING by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. It has an exclusive cover, pink sprayed edges, and it’s signed by both the authors. It also comes with a letter from them. This month’s magnetic coin is designed by @monolimeart and is of Kady Grant from The Illuminae Files. The final two items, the samplers, are for Emily Eternal by M. G. Wheaton (which was published on April 23rd) and The Furies by Katie Lowe (which was published on May 2nd).

In all honesty I think this is the end of the road for me with Illumicrate. This box, and the March and April ones, haven’t convinced me that the change in price and the increased amount of boxes are worth it. There have been some items in the previous three boxes that I have really liked, but most of them have just been ok and I can’t justify paying £31.35 a month for a box where I’m not excited by at least most of the items. I’m really sad to bring my subscription to an end, but that’s how it’s going to be. I hope you’ve enjoyed the unboxings and if you have any recommendation for book subscription boxes that could replace my Illumicrate subscription then please leave them below. They would be much appreciated.

Thanks for reading this so far. Until next time.

Illumicrate Unboxing 10 – Rise Up!

This box arrived on last Friday (2nd March), and I couldn’t wait to open it and share my thoughts on this quarter’s box. I’m sure you all know the drill by now, but for those of you who don’t: Illumicrate is a quarterly UK based subscription box. I signed up for the first box, and I’ve never looked back! And finally before we go any further just to be clear, if you read this post any further there WILL BE SPOILERS for this box.

This quarter’s box is late and in different packaging to normal because there is just so much stuff!!! I think this is the first time the box has a name – Rise Up! Which I have to admit did leave me super intrigued.

The first item I picked up is the Fight The Darkness Cushion Cover which is designed by @stellabookishart, and it’s exclusive to this box. I really like the colour of it, and it feels super soft.

The next item I picked up is the Phoenix Magnet which is designed by @hannahhitchmanart, it’s also exclusive to this box. The writing ties it to the Harry Potter fandom, but I also think it’s a lovely depiction of a phoenix all on its own. It’ll defo be added to the fridge.

The next item I picked up is a pocket mirror for The Truth and Lies of Ella Black by Emily Barr a young adult contemporary action and adventure that’s out now. The blurb sounds very intriguing.

The next item I picked up is a little notebook with pen for The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert which is the first book in a young adult fantasy that’s out now. You can find the blurb here.

Then I picked up this gorgeous Stranger than the Dreamer by Laini Taylor postcard.

Then I picked up a sampler for Restore Me, which is the fourth book in Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me series.

The next item I picked up was also a sampler, this time for Clean by Juno Dawson which is out on the 5th April 2018. You can find the blurb here.

The next item I picked up is a Daggermark designed by @rdashjackdotcom, an exclusive to this box. A really neat looking bookmark.

I then picked up another bookmark, this time for Witchsign by Den Patrick the first in a new young adult fantasy trilogy out May 22nd 2018. You can find the blurb here.

Next I picked up the Lunar Lip Balm designed by @lovely_lip_balm, an exclusive to this box. I think it smells nice, and I’m looking forward to trying it out.

Then I picked up the Inimitable Mug designed by @abbieimagine, an exclusive to this box. This is a lovely mug that survived the post super well – Illumicrate have definitely improved their packaging since the last time they included a mug which I’m very thankful for!

The next item I picked up is A Rebel’s Command List designed by @howstoreofficial, an exclusive to this box. I think it looks cute and it should be super practical.

Now let’s move onto the book section of this unboxing.

The first book I picked up is an exclusive advanced reader copy of The Smoke Thieves by Sally Green, the first book in her new young adult fantasy series. Although you can’t see them in this photo, this book comes with lovely purple edged pages. This book will be published on the 3rd May 2018, and you can read the blurb here.

The main book of this Illumicrate is Blood and Sand by C. V. Wyk, the first book in a young adult historical series. The book came with a bookmark, pin, temporary tattoo and a signed bookplate. It’s actually a US edition, which really surprised me. You can read the blurb here.

This was another fantastic box by Illumicrate. I’m really pleased with it. I hope you enjoyed this image heavy post. Thanks for sticking around until the end, and I’ll see you next time.

Illumicrate Unboxing 9 – November 2017


Sorry this post is late, but I am looking forward to talking about the ninth box from Illumicrate. Illumicrate, for those who don’t know, is a quarterly book subscription box that I signed up to a couple of years ago. And I’ve really enjoyed all boxes I’ve received to date.

I actually got this box late November/early December and I did an unboxing video, but I wasn’t happy with it. So instead (a lot late) I’ve decided to do this blog post, I hope you enjoy it.


So this is what’s in the box, and I have to say I’m very pleased with it. The presentation of the box was lovely, as always. There’s also a huge variety of items, which I really love. It’s actually on of the reasons I choose to subscribe to this box.

The fist item I’m going to talk about is the Reading in Bed Candle by merakicandles which I think looks lovely. It’s exclusive to Illumicrate, and it smells really chocolatey. The candle itself is a pale yellow, with a sprinkle of pink glitter.

The next item is the gorgeous Moon and Stars Necklace by ohpandaeyes. It too is exclusive to Illumicrate. I think it looks really lovely, and I really like the little bag it comes in – they both look soooo pretty.

So this is a first for me. I’ve never actually seen this item included in a book box before, but I really like it. The Bookish Tea Towel is by evannaveillustration and it feels really nice.

This is a really pretty book quote. I think I might frame it. It’s  “The Right Book” Print by nutmegandarlo, and is exclusive to this box. I think the quote is probably very true too.

This journal is really quite clever, and I liked the fact that it was included in the last Illumicrate of the year – brilliant timing. The Unicorn Journal is by prismofstarlings and is exclusive to Illumicrate.

I think all fans of Pierce Brown’s Red Rising series would be pleased to get this in their box.

This sampler is great for a taste of This Mortal Coil by Emily Suvada.

The penultimate item, this exclusive advanced reader copy of The City of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty, sounds like it is right up my alley. I’m really looking forward to diving into this.

Artemis by Andy Weir is the final item in this box. It’s an exclusive edition to this box with black sprayed edges, it also comes with a travel brochure and bookmark. Sci-fi is always pretty hit and miss with me, but I think this book sounds interesting.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post. It’s a little more image heavy than my usual Illumicrate posts, so I’d love to know what you think of this format. Thanks so much for reading.

Illumicrate Unboxing 8 – August 2017

The August 2017 Illumicrate.

As you can no doubt tell from the date, I am late (and not just a little) getting this post up on the blog. I was ill from mid-June to September, and then I just kept putting it off.  As we are edging ever closer to box 9, I thought I should probably get on with it and put up my thoughts about this quarter’s box. If you are thinking of signing up for a box you can find out more details on the Illumicrate website here.

I was pleasantly surprised by this quarter’s box. The book was actually one I had been thinking of buying anyway, and I almost asked for it for my birthday. So I am really looking forward to reading it. I also really liked all the items in the box, and I’m curious about the ARC.

The contents of the August 2017 Illumicrate.

Doesn’t it look pretty?! I’m also really happy with the packaging, as nothing broke in transit. The box may have been a little battered and bruised, but the contents themselves were fine.

The contents of the August 2017 Illumicrate (part 1).

  • The Red Church Tea by T-ology, which was exclusive to the box.
  • A Shakespeare Zip Bag with artwork by Miss Phi, which was exclusive to the box.
  • The Wisdom Journal designed by Hey Atlas Creative, which was exclusive to the box.
  • The Alethiometer Coaster with artwork by Hannah Hitchman Art, which was exclusive to the box.
  • The Book Money Jar and Sticky Bookmarks were by Blossom Books.
  • Ringer (Replica 2) by Lauren Oliver bookmark.
  • After the Fire by Will Hill bookmark.
  • Harper 360 autumn releases postcard.
  • The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden bookmark.
  • Moxie badges/pins.
  • A Wonder Woman pin/badge, which was exclusive to the box.

The contents of the August 2017 Illumicrate (part 2).

  • An exclusive edition (with red sprayed edges) of Wonder Woman: Warbringer (DC Icons, 1) by Leigh Bardugo (Goodreads)
  • An exclusive edition advanced reader copy of Nyxia (The Nyxia Triad, 1) by Scott Reintgen (Goodreads)

Congratulations for making it this far down the post. Let me know in the comments if you’re thinking of signing up for an Illumicrate (you can sign-up here), and what your favourite item from this quarter’s box is.

Illumicrate Unboxing 7 – May 2017

The May 2017 Illumicrate before I started.

This quarter’s Illumicrate didn’t arrive until the beginning of June, hence why this post is so late. I’m not sure why this quarter was a month late; it just was. If you are interested in signing up for an Illumicrate, the next is due out in August I think, then you can find more details on the website.

Too long, didn’t watch: Overall I was pleased with the box, a little disappointed that it sustained damage whilst in transit.

The contents of the May 2017 Illumicrate. There is a full list below with links where possible.

If you want to see more pictures of the contents of the box then be sure to check out my instagram.

Contents of this quarter’s box:

Illumicrate Unboxing 6 – February 2017

Just in case this is not obvious from the title: this post contains ‼️spoilers‼️ for the February 2017 Illumicrate!

You can find out what I thought of the February 2017 Illumicrate (which didn’t arrive until March as Illumicrate had some problems) by watching the video below.

Too long, didn’t watch: I’m really pleased with this quarter’s box. I really liked the content, and Wintersong by S. Jae Jones sounds like something I will enjoy reading.

If you want to see what I thought of previous boxes you can find the play list here. Or if you’re interested in checking Illumicrate out for yourself you can find details here.

Contents of this quarter’s box:

  • Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones + letter from the author, signed bookplate and a bookmark.
  • Bare Necessities Pouch by Literary Lifestyle Company [exclusive]
  • Magic and Mischief Balm by Bookish Serendipity Co [exclusive]
  • A Darker Shade of Magnets by Her Bookish Things [exclusive]
  • Newt Scamander Bookmark by Jane’s Tiny Things [exclusive]
  • Following Ophelia by Sophia Bennett bookmark
  • Flame in the Mist by Renée A Sampler
  • Gilded Cage by Vic James postcard
  • ARC of Red Sister by Mark Lawrence

Illumicrate Unboxing 5 – November 2016

Just in case this is not obvious from the title, this post contains ‼️spoilers‼️ for the November 2016 Illumicrate!

Here’s what I thought of the November 2016 Illumicrate. If you want to see what I thought of previous boxes you can find the play list here. Or if you’re interested in checking Illumicrate out for yourself you can find details here.

What’s in the box:

  • I’ll Be Home for Christmas gift tag
  • Sparrow + Wolf Coffee Cosy [exclusive]
  • Holding Up the Universe/All the Bright Places cards
  • Unconventional postcard
  • Wolf by Wolf and Blood for Blood tattoo transfers
  • Caraval by Stephanie Garber postcard
  • The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr sampler
  • Evil Plans Notebook by House of Wonderland
  • Replica by Lauren Oliver poster
  • Happy Sock Company – socks
  • Six of Crows cardholder
  • AIDAN Candel by Meraki Candles [exclusive]
  • Blood for Blood by Ryan Graudin
  • The Diabolic by S. J. Kincaid + letter from author, signed bookplate and bookmark

Are you subscribed to a book subscription box? If so, which one do you use and what do you think of it?

Illumicrate Unboxing 4 – August 2016

Surprise! Despite everything going on at the moment I have actually managed to get this out on time – go me! My Illumicrate arrived last Wednesday and I thought you might like to see what’s in it. So I’ve done an unboxing video you can watch if you want, and I’ve also included photos of the items in the box. Needless to say there will be !Spoilers! beyond this point if you haven’t got your box yet.


If you’ve never heard of Illumicrate before it is a UK based subscription service. It is a box that contains a book and some other bookish goodies. It costs £29.99 (plus P&P if you live outside the UK). You can find out more information and sign-up for updates about the next box here: http://www.illumicrate.com/ . Needless to say I’m not  affiliated with them, I just enjoy the boxes!


The video for those who want to watch:

 


The items in this quarter’s Illumicrate are:

  • A gift card from MyBOOKMark
  • Drink Me Strawberry Tea by Post Tea
  • Jay Kristoff signed bookplate
  • Laure Eve signed bookplate
  • Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir sampler
  • Red Rising inspired artwork
  • Temporary Tattoos based on The Graces
  • A letter from Laure Eve
  • Postcard about Unboxed by Non Pratt
  • The Graces by Laure Eve
  • Nevernight by Jay Kristoff bookmark
  • Coloring Quotes by Ashley Poston
  • Trio Coasters by Taratjah Art
  • In Omnia Paratus tote bag by Colorful Geekiness
  • Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

I hope you enjoyed this unboxing. I really enjoyed this quarter’s box, and I’m curious to see what the next Illumicrate will bring.

Illumicrate Unboxing 3 – May 2016

This post has been one I’ve wanted to write for a while, but unfortunately I managed to tweak my right arm which has made typing challenging. So, sorry for the delay.

The video of my unboxing for this quarter’s Illumicrate is a little different from the previous videos. If you decide to watch it I would love to hear your feedback – did you like it? If you want to skip the video then there are pics below it.


So for those of you who haven’t heard about Illumicrate before:

Illumicrate is a UK based subscription service. It is a box that contains a book and some other bookish goodies. It costs £29.99 (plus P&P if you live outside the UK). You can find out more information and sign-up for updates about the next box here: http://www.illumicrate.com/



The items in the May 2016 Illumicrate are:

  • Book Club Mug by The Art of Escapism
  • To Read List Note Pad by Goodnight Boutique
  • Bookworm Clip by My Bookish Mark
  • Ex Libris Stamp by Little Stamp Store
  • Readers Gonna Read Pin by Literary Emporium
  • When We Collide by Emery Lord + signed book plate
  • Jenny McLachlan Badges
  • The Square Root of Summer Recipe Card
  • Mystery and Mayhem Postcard
  • Strange The Dreamer by Lani Taylor Sampler

I think this is a complete list, please let me know if I’ve missed anything.

Illumicrate Unboxing – February Box

Illumicrate is a UK based subscription service. It is a box that contains a book and some other bookish goodies. It costs £29.99 (plus P&P if you live outside the UK). You can find out more information and sign-up for updates about the next box here: http://www.illumicrate.com/


The second box from Illumicrate arrived in the post on Monday, and like the first one I thought I would do an unboxing video of it. I have also included photos of the boxes contents below, as well as links to the people who made them. Let me know in the comments below what you think.

The items included in the Illumicrate are:

*The book also came with a signed bookplate and a postcard.

You can find my review for The Girl Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick here.