January 2018 Owlcrate unboxing

Hello, biblios!

I realize an "unboxing" in a blog post is not quite as fun as it is in a video ... but I still wanted to share the excitement, muted though it may be! 😜

Owlcrate is a young adult book subscription box that sends you a recently released (within 45 days prior to shipping) hardcover YA novel, along with a bunch of other goodies: candles, tea, pins, mugs, art prints, jewelry, and so much more — many of which are exclusive to Owlcrate and made my independent artists. The books might be fantasy or contemporary, and what's really awesome is that Owlcrate procures editions with exclusive cover designs.

I've only been getting Owlcrate boxes since May 2017, but I absolutely adore it and from my experience with other YA book subscription boxes and from watching unboxings for ones I haven't tried, I really think Owlcrate is the best bet as far as what you get for your money, the variety and quality of the items — and the fun of opening the box every month!

If you want to try it out, be a dear and use my referral link? 😗

Now, onto the unboxing!

The first thing I pulled out of the box was this really lovely ceramic wax burner, designed exclusively by Owlcrate themselves! It was tough to get a good picture of the reverse side without my phone being reflected, but there are cute little star and moon cutouts on the back.

And of course, they sent along something to use in the burner, as well — these amazing little gingerbread-scented wax melts made by Spireside Candles. You place one of the wax cubes in the upper portion of the burner, and then set a tea light candle in the lower portion, and the wax will slowly melt and your home will smell God damn delicious.

Next was an item that is really cute but a tricky one for me, unfortunately. It's a handmade bracelet from Authored Adornments, with a faux (yay!) leather strap and a little glass charm featuring a quote from Rapunzel. Sadly, my wrists are way too skinny to wear most bracelets; even on the smallest closure, it still nearly falls of my hand when my arm hangs down. But what I might do is put it around a candle holder or a vase or something.

Then came this super cute art print, exclusive to Owlcrate from Anne Lambelet, inspired by Little Red Riding Hood. I absolutely love this kind of art, and can't wait to find a cute frame for this and put it up in my reading room.

Okay, obviously the book is the main event in a book box, but OMG this next item is AMAZING and I am just as jazzed about it as I am about the book. It's this incredibly beautiful exclusive pillowcase from Stella's Bookish Art, inspired by Sleeping Beauty! I mean ... just look at this!! Also, I am really glad it's a regular-sized pillowcase and not meant for a square throw pillow, because hell yes I want this on my bed.

And now for the book itself! I was pretty sure I knew which one it would be, based on the hints and theme, and I'm really glad I turned out to be right because this book sounds great. It's The Cruel Prince by Holly Black — and check out this fucking amazing exclusive cover design!!

(You can see the regular cover at the link above — it's also pretty cool, but personally, I LOVE the Owlcrate cover.)

And! It's just as amazing under the jacket, too. I looooove when publishers make the effort to do this:

I have not actually read anything from Holly Black before, but I know she is quite beloved, and the synopsis of this book grabbed me right away:

Of course I want to be like them. They’re beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.

And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.

Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King. 

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences. 

In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.

I mean ... seriously. I am a sucker for anything to do with faeries, and throwing in "palace intrigues" is like a big flashing neon sign: "ALISON! READ THIS BOOK!" It sounds like it will be a ton of dark and twisted fun and I am here for it.

Along with the book, you always get a letter from the author, a card with an amazing print that has the details of all the items on the back, a little booklet that includes an author interview and other fun things, plus a book-themed pin and a cute sticker:

And the very last thing in the box is always a card announcing next month's theme. For February, it's HIDDEN WORLDS:

I'm already perusing upcoming release to try to figure out what it might be. I know that kind of spoils the fun for some people, but I'm fucking impatient, LOL.

I am beyond thrilled with this box, and really looking forward to reading the book!

Do you also get Owlcrate boxes, or are you thinking of signing up? Have you read The Cruel Prince? What did you think of it? Do tell — with no spoilers!