It’s time for another Illumicrate unboxing! Last time, we unboxed their January box, featuring This Woven Kingdom (my review) and The Ivory Key (my review). This time, we’ll unbox the February box, called “Bad Blood”!
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:
- This month is all about rivalries, divided societies, and couples who begin as enemies but end as…more
- The first book of a Scottish-inspired adult fantasy duology
- Multi-POV book
- Content warnings: violence, loss of a parent, mention of stillbirths and loss of children, cutting, consensual sexual content
The goodies
The first goodie I found was a tumbler, inspired by A Memory Called Empire, with artwork by Forensics and Flowers. I had actually never heard of this book, but Goodreads gives it quite a high score so I might have to check it out someday. However, I’m drowning in tumblers already, so I wasn’t that excited about this item. Luckily, I managed to sell it rather quickly.
Next, I found a fabric pouch, designed by Chattynora and inspired by Crier’s War. If I’m honest, I’m not 100% sure what I’m supposed to do with this. Illumicrate says that it is “perfect for storage on the go” but I don’t think the size is all that practical. Another item to sell!
Luckily, I did like the next item I discovered: a trinket tray with artwork by Rachel Ross, depicting Medusa (inspired by Lore). It’s so very pretty! I’m sure it will come in handy in my Wicca room!
There was also a bath bomb, created by Little Heart Gifts and inspired by the poison Yelena is given in Poison Study. A wellness item inspired…by poison…and here I was thinking I had a bizarre imagination 😉
Last but not least, Illumicrate re-introduced a fan-favourite from a while back: collectible magnetic coins. Honestly…why? This set is inspired by the main characters of Red, White & Royal Blue (check out my review) with artwork by Monolime.
On the level of goodies, I think I have to say this is my least favourite Illumicrate box up to now. They weren’t bad, they just didn’t happen to be my cup of tea. Luckily, the book made up for it!
The book
Once again, the featured book is a stunning Illumicrate exclusive edition with a redesigned cover, embossing on the hardback, digitally printed edges, and artwork on the endpapers by @mistilteinn.art. The book is also signed by the author. Which book, you ask? It’s A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross, the first part of the Elements of Cadence duology.
It’s the tale of a Scottish bard who is summoned home when children start to mysteriously disappear. The heiress of the east, Adaira, asks Jack to help her draw the spirits of the island forth via his music so that they might discover the truth of the mystery. Gradually, the two find a way to look past their differences and work together. But the truth they are on the brink of unearthing might be more than either of them had bargained for.