One of the things I like best about Illumicrate is that they frequently pick books which I would never choose myself. This means that I get to discover many new genres, authors, tropes…and I am loving it! This month’s pick is one of those cases.
About Illumicrate
Illumicrate is one of the best known UK book boxes that ship internationally. They offer both a full box and a book-only subscription, and the books they feature are generally YA fantasy, but they also include other genres and adult books. Next to their monthly subscription, they also have special edition boxes and exclusive editions.
The teaser
This is the info we received upfront:
- Standalone
- Adult
- Science fiction
- Arranged marriage
- Lesbian Vietnamese main characters
- F/F relationship between main characters
- Asexual side character
The theme is inspired by the following quotation: “Shall we make a bargain, me and you? Whether that’s a personal or professional agreement, we are always better together”.
The goodies
This box contained one collectible item, namely the final mug of the year. This one was inspired by The Song of Achilles and depicts Patroclus and Achilles (design by @rosiethorns88).
Next to this, the following goodies were included in the box:
- A travel jewellery case inspired by Crescent City (my review) (design by @alicemariapower)
- A chain pin inspired by The Jasmine Throne (design by @noOneDesigns)
Finally, the box also contained the yearly Illumicrate calendar. This year, they opted for a desk calendar, with art by @polarts_ and designed by @chattynora. Each month features a well-known book couple, who are “better together”.
The book
The featured book of the month is The Red Scholar’s Wake by Aliette de Bodard. This book features a sentient spaceship who is mourning the death of her spouse who was the leader of their pirate fleet, and who makes a deal with a captured human. This is very far out of my comfort zone, I cannot wait to discover it!
The Illumicrate edition comes with a signed bookplate and has an exclusive cover variant, artwork on the endpapers, foil embossing on the hardback, ombre sprayed edges, and a bound-in author letter.