It’s time for another unboxing of a monthly mystery box by De Boekenbuit! Last time, I unboxed their September box, this time, we’ll discover their October box called “Fairytales Retold”.
About De Boekenbuit
De Boekenbuit is a Dutch online company offering different types of book boxes. Each month, they offer 1 English and 1 Dutch box. One of them is always Young Adult, the other genre can differ. Next to these, De Boekenbuit offers seasonal boxes and specials (e.g. for Halloween, Valentine’s Day). The goodies are fitted to suit the theme, but there are multiple book options to choose from in these seasonal and special boxes.
The teaser
We got the following hints for the October book:
- Retelling of a classic fairytale
- Vivid, subversive & feminist
- American Bestselling author
The goodies
First item I found was a piece of Gemstone Soap called Spellbound by Forest Fragrances. It contains dried marigold, scent of pink grapefruit and May Chang, as well as a piece of carnelian which is supposed to have an uplifting and motivational effect. This mineral also represents self-confidence. In other words, it’s the Maria von Trapp of Gemstones ;). Quite like it, but, unfortunately, I’m highly allergic to solid soaps 🙁 so I’ve been very careful not to touch it, but my grandmother seemed pleased when I gifted it to her.
Next, a handmade metal bookmark with a rose charm and a spinning wheel charm, created by De Boekenbuit, and an Aurora Disney figurine on a keychain.
There was also a bag of tea called Once upon a Time that contains green tea, licorice, sage, and hibiscus by Letters & Lights.
And, last but not least, my favourite goodie: Artwork by Charlie Bowater, depicting Sleeping Beauty.
Based on these goodies, I’m positive you’ve guessed the classic fairytale that is retold in the featured book 😉
The book
The featured book is A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow, which is supposed to be a feminist reimagining of Sleeping Beauty. It’s the first in the Fractured Fables Series. Part two, A Mirror Mended will be a Snow White retelling and will be published in 2022.
A Spindle Splintered is about a girl with a rare condition that will prevent her to live past 21. Her best friend decides to give her a full “sleeping beauty experience” (which sounds kind of creepy, if you ask me :p) as her final birthday gift but then, she pricks her finger…
I was originally a bit disappointed with the choice of book because it’s so tiny (it only has 128 pages. That’s more a fat magazine than a book, no?). However, I’ve been struggling with House of Earth and Blood for over a week (800 pages, bible paper. Who does that??), and by now I YEARN for a shorter book. So it seems like everything does indeed work out in the end. Almost like a real fairytale 😉