It’s time for another unboxing! In May, Illumicrate included an absolute hit in their monthly box (unboxing). Therefore, I was extra curious to discover which book would be featured in their Fight For Your Future box of June 2022!
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:
- YA urban fantasy
- First in a duology
- White genderfluid main character, biracial trans woman main character, white butch lesbian main character, biracial queer/questioning cis man main character
- Inventive worldbuilding
- Cast of characters you can’t help but root for
The goodies
The first item included in the box was inspired by one of my favourite novels I read last year: Girls of Paper and Fire. Unfortunately, it was a mug. These mugs are always beautiful, there’s no doubt about that. But really, I’ll keep repeating it: how many mugs can one girl own? This particular one has artwork by rosiethorns88.
Next, I found a book jacket, inspired by The Dark Artifices, with artwork by Pauhami and which was officially licensed. This is absolutely stunning! I’m not in the habit yet of using book jackets, but I definitely should start <3
The box also contained bookends inspired by Jade City (designed by Stacey McEvoy-Caunt) and a passport cover inspired by A Closed and Common Orbit, designed by Allie Oldfield. I have to admit I didn’t love either of these. So in general, this was not my favourite box ever goodie-wise.
The book
The featured book is one I had never heard of before: We All Fall Down by Rose Szabo. In the meanwhile, I heard there’s quite a bit of commotion about the representation in this novel, so I’m curious to discover what the issue is. I refuse to participate in any form of cancel culture, so I’m going to make up my own mind 😉
Illumicrate summarized the book as follows: “A hidden city, where magic once thrived and is now almost non-existent, crumbles day by day. Four young people with inextricably linked fates have been chosen to fulfill four roles: the hero, the maiden, the monster, the witch. Should things play out correctly, magic will be restored to the city.” Doesn’t sound bad, does it? I’ll keep you posted on what I thought about it later on.
The Illumicrate edition has an exclusive cover, digitally printed edges, and a digital signature. Furthermore, it came with a letter from the author.