FairyLoot - July 2019

Theme: Magic in the City

Items: 

• Shadowhunters Ceramic Mug by @taratjah
• Nine-tailed Fox Mug Rug by @obsidiayan
• Princess of Disi Candle by @acourtofcandles
• Pin Banner by @inkandwonder.designs
• Diagon Alley Enamel Necklace by @bookmarkd.tattoos
• Bravado Coin Purse by @nutmegandarlo
• Fortune Cookie
• Exclusive Tarot Cards by @loweana.art
• Wicked Fox by Kat Cho

Review: 
The first item that I came across in the FairyLoot box was the Shadowhunters mug. I absolutely love this mug, I love that it is ceramic because these mugs keep a lot warmer than the tin ones in my opinion. I also love that the main characters from Cassandra Clare's 3 main series; Will, Jem, Tessa, Clary, Jace, Clary, Julian and Emma were included on the mug. With their specific institute behind them. It was such a lovely design eventhough it was a touch on the dark side.

The next item I discovered was the fortune cookie. This was such a unique item and I've never known one to be in a box before, so I was super excited about this and I loved the idea of it. The wrapped that the cookie was in was really pretty it was a shiny pink wrapped that said discover your destiny. This was super fitting and was such a cool idea. My fortune inside the cookie said 'with great power... comes great need to take a nap'. This is a quote from the author of the Percy Jackson books, I can't remember which book or whether it was actually the Percy Jackson series. But I thought it was a really cool idea to include a book quote, it sort of acts like a book recommendation which I loved.

Princess of Disi candle was the next item, this candle was based on the book, A Curse so Dark and Lonely. I've not read this book and I don't think I plan to sadly. The candle smelt okay, not a smell that I'd usually choose, at first it was over powering but then it got weaker.

The next item was a necklace which was diagon alley. Obviously, this was based on Harry Potter. I really love the design of it as it has colour, but I don't really wear necklaces that often so I feel this is slightly wasted. But I honestly do love the item itself and it'll be more use to someone else.

A mug rug was my next discovery, I thought this was a badge at first but it sort of makes sense now that it's a coaster. The design on the front is a nine-tailed fox. The colours of the design are quite light and pale but in my opinion they don't really go with each other. The actual design is nice though. it would just look better in different colours. This item was based on the actual book for this months box so I will look forward to understanding this item more once I've read the book.

The next item I discovered was a little purse, it was inspired by Melissa Grey's book, The Girl at Midnight. It has a quote on it, 'When in doubt, bravado always bravado'. I have no clue what this means but maybe the people of this fandom understands it. To be honest, I've never heard of this author or book. It's quite a unique design and the colours are nice. I just wouldn't use it because I don't carry cash.

The unicorn pin banner was the final item in the box before the tarot cards and book. This was such a pretty design and so much better than just a plain banner but I just feel like this was too soon after the other one and I've not actually received many enamel pins since the last one. This pi banner was based on the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan, I've not read this series and I think there's potentially more series out there that are much further ahead than this one.

The next item in this box was the two tarot cards. These were such a pretty design and I love them so much. They are Luna and Ron. Ron's card confused me a bit, I knew it was a Weasley and my first thought was Ron but then I thought that he never had an owl but then I rediscovered that he was given one by Sirius Black in book 3, Prisoner of Azkaban. So this now makes sense and I'm super happy with them and I am really looking forward to see who the final two of the series is going to be.

I also received the replacement scarf from a past box within this box. I really loved this and I just requested the replacement so I could have a correct one on the wall in my study for display.

The book in this box was called Wicked Fox by Kat Cho. The design of it was super pretty even-though I really don't like pink. I just love how the sprayed edges matched the actual cover of the book, it was such a good idea and I really hope that I will like this book and it'll keep me out of my reading slump. Keep an eye out for the review of this book, hopefully this will be by the end of the year.

Check out Sammie's video review: https://youtu.be/GmSNjFdWS30

Check out Sammie's review of Wicked Fox.

Written by Sammie.

FairyLoot - July 2019

Theme: Magic in the City

Items: 

• Shadowhunters Ceramic Mug by @taratjah
• Nine-tailed Fox Mug Rug by @obsidiayan
• Princess of Disi Candle by @acourtofcandles
• Pin Banner by @inkandwonder.designs
• Diagon Alley Enamel Necklace by @bookmarkd.tattoos
• Bravado Coin Purse by @nutmegandarlo
• Fortune Cookie
• Exclusive Tarot Cards by @loweana.art
• Wicked Fox by Kat Cho

Review: 
The first item that I came across in the FairyLoot box was the Shadowhunters mug. I absolutely love this mug, I love that it is ceramic because these mugs keep a lot warmer than the tin ones in my opinion. I also love that the main characters from Cassandra Clare's 3 main series; Will, Jem, Tessa, Clary, Jace, Clary, Julian and Emma were included on the mug. With their specific institute behind them. It was such a lovely design eventhough it was a touch on the dark side.

The next item I discovered was the fortune cookie. This was such a unique item and I've never known one to be in a box before, so I was super excited about this and I loved the idea of it. The wrapped that the cookie was in was really pretty it was a shiny pink wrapped that said discover your destiny. This was super fitting and was such a cool idea. My fortune inside the cookie said 'with great power... comes great need to take a nap'. This is a quote from the author of the Percy Jackson books, I can't remember which book or whether it was actually the Percy Jackson series. But I thought it was a really cool idea to include a book quote, it sort of acts like a book recommendation which I loved.

Princess of Disi candle was the next item, this candle was based on the book, A Curse so Dark and Lonely. I've not read this book and I don't think I plan to sadly. The candle smelt okay, not a smell that I'd usually choose, at first it was over powering but then it got weaker.

The next item was a necklace which was diagon alley. Obviously, this was based on Harry Potter. I really love the design of it as it has colour, but I don't really wear necklaces that often so I feel this is slightly wasted. But I honestly do love the item itself and it'll be more use to someone else.

A mug rug was my next discovery, I thought this was a badge at first but it sort of makes sense now that it's a coaster. The design on the front is a nine-tailed fox. The colours of the design are quite light and pale but in my opinion they don't really go with each other. The actual design is nice though. it would just look better in different colours. This item was based on the actual book for this months box so I will look forward to understanding this item more once I've read the book.

The next item I discovered was a little purse, it was inspired by Melissa Grey's book, The Girl at Midnight. It has a quote on it, 'When in doubt, bravado always bravado'. I have no clue what this means but maybe the people of this fandom understands it. To be honest, I've never heard of this author or book. It's quite a unique design and the colours are nice. I just wouldn't use it because I don't carry cash.

The unicorn pin banner was the final item in the box before the tarot cards and book. This was such a pretty design and so much better than just a plain banner but I just feel like this was too soon after the other one and I've not actually received many enamel pins since the last one. This pi banner was based on the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan, I've not read this series and I think there's potentially more series out there that are much further ahead than this one.

The next item in this box was the two tarot cards. These were such a pretty design and I love them so much. They are Luna and Ron. Ron's card confused me a bit, I knew it was a Weasley and my first thought was Ron but then I thought that he never had an owl but then I rediscovered that he was given one by Sirius Black in book 3, Prisoner of Azkaban. So this now makes sense and I'm super happy with them and I am really looking forward to see who the final two of the series is going to be.

I also received the replacement scarf from a past box within this box. I really loved this and I just requested the replacement so I could have a correct one on the wall in my study for display.

The book in this box was called Wicked Fox by Kat Cho. The design of it was super pretty even-though I really don't like pink. I just love how the sprayed edges matched the actual cover of the book, it was such a good idea and I really hope that I will like this book and it'll keep me out of my reading slump. Keep an eye out for the review of this book, hopefully this will be by the end of the year.

Check out Sammie's video review: https://youtu.be/GmSNjFdWS30

Check out Sammie's review of Wicked Fox.

Written by Sammie.

FairyLoot - July Unboxing (Magic in the City)

Watch Sammie unbox her July FairyLoot.

Written review coming soon.

FairyLoot - July Unboxing (Magic in the City)

Watch Sammie unbox her July FairyLoot.

Written review coming soon.

Magic Chest Crate - July 2019

Theme: Have Hope

Items: 

• The Storm Crow by Kalyn Josephson with bookplate and letter  
• Sailor Moon Enamel Pin
• Game of Thrones Badge
• Avatar Aang Lipbalm
• Malec Candle by Bookish Burns
• Lord of the Rings Bookmark by Catarina Book Designs

Review: 
This Magic Chest is my first and last. Magic Chest Crate aren’t making anymore boxes but even if they did I wouldn’t buy one again. They aren’t worth the money. The July theme was Have Hope. I wanted it because it said it would include items from Shadowhunters, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings. I was expecting to love this box but instead I was just completely disappointed. 

The book in this box was The Storm Crown by Kalyn Josephson. The book came with a signed bookplate and authors letter. This book came out in early July so it is a new release. I happen to have an arc of the book from FairyLoot’s December box. I’m not mad about that though as it is a new release and it can’t be helped to get a book you own sometimes. I am mad about the items though.

First item is the Sailor Moon pin, this wasn’t a specified fandom and this only makes me mad as I didn’t get a Harry Potter item (more about this later). The pin is pretty and a nice addition to my collection.

I then got another pin this one inspired by Game of Thrones that says ‘Not Today!’ on it. Again adds to my collection. The Avatar item was a lip balm. I do like the taste of the lip balm but I feel like it was exceptionally small. I feel like all the items were small. The Lord of the Rings item was a bookmark with a pretty design and quote. I do like it.

As to why I didn’t get a Harry Potter item it is because the candle in the box could either be a Harry Potter one or a Shadowhunters one. I got the Shadowhunters one. For the amount of stuff in this box and when fandoms are specified, I’d expect an item from each fandom. I do like the candle as it was very pretty and sparkly but I just don’t feel like there was enough things.

That was all the items; a bookmark, 2 pins, a candle and a book. I paid a lot of money for this box and definitely don’t think these items match up to the price of the box. It’s really bad and disappointing. When I look at the previous boxes I got through FairyLoot and Book Box Club, I feel like I get my more than my money’s worth with them. Book Box Club isn’t as filled as FairyLoot but the items are good and satisfying. When you think of the individual items worth then it does add up more than the box. But Magic Chest is not worth my money.

Rating: 1 rune out of 5

Written by Lauren

Magic Chest Crate - July 2019

Theme: Have Hope

Items: 

• The Storm Crow by Kalyn Josephson with bookplate and letter  
• Sailor Moon Enamel Pin
• Game of Thrones Badge
• Avatar Aang Lipbalm
• Malec Candle by Bookish Burns
• Lord of the Rings Bookmark by Catarina Book Designs

Review: 
This Magic Chest is my first and last. Magic Chest Crate aren’t making anymore boxes but even if they did I wouldn’t buy one again. They aren’t worth the money. The July theme was Have Hope. I wanted it because it said it would include items from Shadowhunters, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings. I was expecting to love this box but instead I was just completely disappointed. 

The book in this box was The Storm Crown by Kalyn Josephson. The book came with a signed bookplate and authors letter. This book came out in early July so it is a new release. I happen to have an arc of the book from FairyLoot’s December box. I’m not mad about that though as it is a new release and it can’t be helped to get a book you own sometimes. I am mad about the items though.

First item is the Sailor Moon pin, this wasn’t a specified fandom and this only makes me mad as I didn’t get a Harry Potter item (more about this later). The pin is pretty and a nice addition to my collection.

I then got another pin this one inspired by Game of Thrones that says ‘Not Today!’ on it. Again adds to my collection. The Avatar item was a lip balm. I do like the taste of the lip balm but I feel like it was exceptionally small. I feel like all the items were small. The Lord of the Rings item was a bookmark with a pretty design and quote. I do like it.

As to why I didn’t get a Harry Potter item it is because the candle in the box could either be a Harry Potter one or a Shadowhunters one. I got the Shadowhunters one. For the amount of stuff in this box and when fandoms are specified, I’d expect an item from each fandom. I do like the candle as it was very pretty and sparkly but I just don’t feel like there was enough things.

That was all the items; a bookmark, 2 pins, a candle and a book. I paid a lot of money for this box and definitely don’t think these items match up to the price of the box. It’s really bad and disappointing. When I look at the previous boxes I got through FairyLoot and Book Box Club, I feel like I get my more than my money’s worth with them. Book Box Club isn’t as filled as FairyLoot but the items are good and satisfying. When you think of the individual items worth then it does add up more than the box. But Magic Chest is not worth my money.

Rating: 1 rune out of 5

Written by Lauren

Book Box Club - July 2019

Theme: I Love UK YA

Items: 

• Under a Dancing Star by Laura Wood  
• Heartstream by Tom Pollock
• Clubhouse Invite
• I Love UK YA Notebook by Megan Tucker Illustration
• I Love Books Flag by Jay and Boos
• Apple Crumble Tea by The Tea Crew
• Book-Lover Necklace by Book Box Club
• Book Box Club's UK YA Summer Reading Digital Zine
• Bookmarks and Postcards

Review: 
I’ve started to experiment with other book subscriptions boxes other than FairyLoot to get an idea of what else is out there, with the aim to eventually subscribe to a box. Therefore, this is my first time buying through Box Box Club. This box was roughly £28 and had free delivery, so it is a bit cheaper than FairyLoot, therefore I thought I’d give it a try.

The July theme was I Love UK YA. I have books from authors from all over the world but my favourites are mainly American authors, so the theme intrigued me to find more authors from my country. I also picked the box because I liked the sound of book 2, not so much book 1 at the time. 

The books were at the bottom of the box and were neatly wrapped which was very pretty and something new to me. The first book was Under a Dancing Star by Laura Wood, this book looked so pretty and I love the spine, it’s one of my favourites on the shelf. When I first read the description of the book through Book Box Club, I wasn’t too excited as it just sounded like a boring romance book. However, when it arrived I checked out the blurb and discovered it was set in the 1930’s, my favourite decade so that’s helped peak my interest as I do like historical fiction and don’t have enough of those books. The book also came with a bookmark and author bookplate, which I appreciated.

The second book was Heartstream by Tom Pollock, this was pretty much the reason as to why I bought the box. I don’t have any thrillers, or at least not many and it just sounded like a really good read. I look forward to getting around to it one day. This book didn’t have as pretty of a cover as the first but it did look very fitting to the books description. 

One of the unique things of Book Box Club, is that each box comes with a clubhouse invite which essentially is a big book club where people will be discussing the books of the box with the author on a date that is given in the box. I like the idea of this as it’s finding people in your community and exploring other people’s opinions but I’m a slow reader and I have a huge list of books to get through so I will probably not be able to get around to being ready for the book club in September which is a shame. I hope I can attend one in the future as they do sound interesting. 

One of the items I liked was the notebook, this has come at the right time too as I’ve been needing one. The notebook is a pretty design of a bookcase and includes some titles from UK authors on the shelves. The thing I really like about it though is the fact is it lined rather than plain white pages. I prefer lines when writing things and shall be using the notebook for the blog ideas. 

The first item I found in the box was the felt flag that says ‘I love books’. At first I wasn’t much of a fan of it, but when I attached the stick and tried it on my bookcase, I’ve decided I do like it as it looks nice on my bookcase. 

Book Box Club from my understanding tends to include an edible/drinkable item. This months was Apple Crumble flavoured tea. I’m not a tea drinker but it does sound pretty cool and definitely something different. I’ve given the tea to my sister to try and hopefully she’ll like it. 

My favourite item in the box was the necklace. I love getting necklaces in subscription boxes. I love the design of the necklace, I love the colours on it and I love that it is enamel. The only thing I would have done differently would have been a silver chain but that's just a personal necklace preference and I still love and will wear the necklace.

Another thing received wasn’t in the box but in my emails was the Summer Zine. This was basically a YA magazine, and featured interviews with authors and stuff about upcoming books and more. I did like it, but I think I would have preferred it to be in the box as a physical copy rather than digital. 

The box also contained bookmarks advertising upcoming books and pretty postcards, I have not much use for these but if I read the books advertised then I may add them to my art board.

In conclusion, I do think I would get this box again in the future but I don’t think I would subscribe as FairyLoot is still better for me. I like the exclusive covers and sprayed edges you get with FairyLoot and I feel like the books they get are more like the ones I would pick up shopping than the ones I got in Book Box Club. But if there is a theme that interests me and I don’t fancy FairyLoot’s then I may skip a month for Book Box Club.

Rating: 3.5 runes out of 5

Written by Lauren