These are such a highlight to my mailbox each month.
Unfortunately the March box was extremely delayed due to COVID-19 and the pandemic, so I didn’t actually receive the box until May! Better late than never, but that’s why this post is so behind. I’d much rather they take the proper precautions then worry about being on time.
Fairyloot has really been upping their game with the books these past couple months!
Aesthetically, the art on the back of the dust covers, embossing, author signature pages, the sprayed pages – they are gorgeous and worth every penny alone. The fact that they are doing collector’s boxes and are selling matching series covers? Even better.
I was really good for these months and actually read all the books. I’ve linked to my full reviews on Goodreads as well. So check them out!
January’s box theme was ‘Moon and Stars’
And oof – one of my favourite themes! I love the night sky and I feel like this box definitely had that feel.
Starting with fairy twinkle lights (which I still don’t really know where to put in my room), a moon phases necklace, and star-shaped paper clips – I’m sold! So many good things in the box but I think the highlighted item for me is the lights and paper clips. Just so good!
The month’s book was Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez.
A lush tapestry of magic, romance, and revolución, drawing inspiration from Bolivian politics and history.
From the inside cover
Ximena is the decoy Condesa, a stand-in for the last remaining Illustrian royal. Her people lost everything when the usurper, Atoc, used an ancient relic to summon ghosts and drive the Illustrians from La Ciudad. Now Ximena’s motivated by her insatiable thirst for revenge, and her rare ability to spin thread from moonlight.
When Atoc demands the real Condesa’s hand in marriage, it’s Ximena’s duty to go in her stead. She relishes the chance, as Illustrian spies have reported that Atoc’s no longer carrying his deadly relic. If Ximena can find it, she can return the true aristócrata to their rightful place.
She hunts for the relic, using her weaving ability to hide messages in tapestries for the resistance. But when a masked vigilante, a warm-hearted princess, and a thoughtful healer challenge Ximena, her mission becomes more complicated. There could be a way to overthrow the usurper without starting another war, but only if Ximena turns her back on revenge—and her Condesa.
I really enjoyed this book. The cover doesn’t really match the kind of story inside the book, so it’s definitely a case of don’t judge a book. Although the cover is so cute and pretty that it definitely has a place on my shelf.
Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’m not quite sure what I expected from this book, but I wasn’t disappointed.
I enjoyed Ximena’s character, and her struggle to do the right thing. I enjoyed the fact that she did start to question her own life’s learnings once she reached the palace and interacting with the Llacsan people who rose up and took back the city from the Illustrians. I feel like it was pretty realistic. She kept trying to stay loyal to her Condesa and her family but she could see how people are people and just trying to live their lives peacefully.
The real Condesa, Catalina, was a bit of a ‘meh’ character for me. She didn’t really feature much until the end, and I didn’t really end up liking her. I found her to be selfish and I guess that author wanted you to agree that she would be a poor choice as a ruler (because I did).
I did like Princess Tamaya. She was a bold character, knowing that her brother didn’t have great ideas for the city but powerless to stop him. Likeable and wanting her to succeed, you can see why Ximena easily befriends her. I would definitely be interested in reading more about her!
I enjoyed the fact that while Ximena kept trying to be the perfect Condesa, she struggled with keeping her own personality and views contained… although considering she’s been the face of the Illustrian people since she was 7, it’s easy to explain why no one questioned why she could fight or would blow up.
I did like the use of magic and the fact that she could weave moonlight into her tapestries with her animals coming alive?! Neat. Was it absolutely necessary? Not really, but a cool thing anyway. The romance felt a little forced between the main characters, I kind of actually was rooting for Juan Carlos instead. I think they would have been a cute couple.
I enjoyed the fact that this is a standalone novel, but I liked the world enough that I will read the 2nd in the not-quite-series. I just read about the 2nd book and I think it might redeem Catalina in my eyes. Plus it’ll feature characters that were mentioned but presumed dead in this book because you never actually meet them.
View all my reviews on Goodreads
February’s box is ‘Rulebreakers’.
I always love a box with a mug! The weight of the box when I take it out of the mailbox always makes me smile even before I’ve opened it up! The scarf is super pretty, although I really don’t ever use them. The sticker is already on my laptop and I absolutely love all the prints that came with this box. Highlight of this box, the mug!
This month’s book was The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller.
Alessandra is tired of being overlooked, but she has a plan to gain power:
1) Woo the Shadow King.
2) Marry him.
3) Kill him and take his kingdom for herself.No one knows the extent of the freshly crowned Shadow King’s power. Some say he can command the shadows that swirl around him to do his bidding. Others say they speak to him, whispering the thoughts of his enemies. Regardless, Alessandra knows what she deserves, and she’s going to do everything within her power to get it.
But Alessandra’s not the only one trying to kill the king. As attempts on his life are made, she finds herself trying to keep him alive long enough for him to make her his queen—all while struggling not to lose her heart. After all, who better for a Shadow King than a cunning, villainous queen?
From the inside cover
I was actually really excited about this book. Reading the inside front cover it was so intriguing! And, for the first time (since Cruel Prince) I’ve actually read the book before getting this posted!!
The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I quite enjoyed this book. I liked that it’s a stand-alone novel as sometimes there’s something to be said about not having to hang onto a cliffhanger ending. I like knowing that the ending is actually that sometimes.
I finished this book in almost one sitting, it was quite good at capturing my attention!
I’ve read a couple of other reviews, and yes while I agree with the ones that have given some rougher reviews, I don’t think it detracts from the fact that it’s an entertaining and enjoyable read.
Touted as a Slytherin romance, I liked that the main character was unlikeable. You get enough of her back story to see why she turned out the way she did and it’s nice that she was smart and there’s a reason behind (almost) all of her actions. While there’s no real world-building, and even less in terms of building the “fantasy” portion – giving the king Shadows that are passed down through generations that help prolong life but can be chosen at any time to be ignored? Kind of weird and I guess powers don’t have to make sense.
I also like how sexually empowered she is and I enjoyed her growing her female friendships during her stay at the castle. I think I actually liked the side plots to her story better than the main one? Where she helps Rhouben break off his engagement and neatly ties up Orrin was quite enjoyable. I found myself thinking during the book – when are we going to see how that plays out?
The romance between her and the Shadow King was pretty lacklustre and could have been more from the fact that he was touch-deprived more than anything actually between the 2 of them. I did enjoy the fact that they were friends first, and that he accepted everything about her and didn’t judge her for it. The fact that she wasn’t a virgin and that she had killed her first love was just shrugged aside by the fact that he liked that about her.
I felt that the fact that she had murdered someone and it was one of her major worries that she’d be caught was definitely anti-climactic. As I said, I thought that her side-plot was more climactic. Even the major plot twist I actually saw coming which NEVER happens to me. So it was fairly predictable in that way. Although the reason it happened was kind of… meh to me. Again, predictable reasons.
Overall, enjoyable for the reason of it being a quick, easy read. I would have been a bit more disappointed if it had required a sequel. I haven’t read anything else by her so I can’t say if this was a one-off work that didn’t hold up but would still read other works by her. I still would recommend this to read though!
View all my reviews on Goodreads
March’s box is ‘Break the Curse’.
This box was affected by the pandemic, so it came crazy late but it was worth it! The highlight of the box obviously was the reusable cup with a straw. I actually really liked the postcard with views of Velaris because I’m a huge sucker for a) postcards, and b) anything ACOTAR. It was a nice added touch. I do like the book sleeves as well, even though I don’t use them for books at all, but will be used eventually when I travel again (whenever that happens). They work great at sorting out electronics and snacks for the kids in the bag while going through security. Not just for books!
This month’s book was Bone Crier’s Moon by Kathryn Purdie.
Bone Criers have a sacred duty. They alone can keep the dead from preying on the living. But their power to ferry the spirits of the dead into goddess Elara’s Night Heavens or Tyrus’s Underworld comes from sacrifice. The gods demand a promise of dedication. And that promise comes at the cost of the Bone Criers’ one true love.
Ailesse has been prepared since birth to become the matriarch of the Bone Criers, a mysterious famille of women who use strengths drawn from animal bones to ferry dead souls. But first she must complete her rite of passage and kill the boy she’s also destined to love.
Bastien’s father was slain by a Bone Crier and he’s been seeking revenge ever since. Yet when he finally captures one, his vengeance will have to wait. Ailesse’s ritual has begun and now their fates are entwined—in life and in death.
Sabine has never had the stomach for the Bone Criers’ work. But when her best friend Ailesse is taken captive, Sabine will do whatever it takes to save her, even if it means defying their traditions—and their matriarch—to break the bond between Ailesse and Bastien. Before they all die.
From the inside cover
Ooh, this book got me back on a reading spree, that’s for sure. First off, this cover and sprayed pages are just to die for. This book had me hooked! I did enjoy Sabine’s POV since she has the most character growth in the series, and there were definitely twists that had me going OMG out loud. I read it in a day, which is pretty much impossible with 2 kids.
Bone Crier’s Moon by Kathryn Purdie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I quite enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the sequel with bated breath! Although I will most likely need to re-read this one because I will have forgotten everything by the time it comes out.
First off, the cover art and everything to do with the book aesthetically is stunning. I do have the FairyLoot copy but regardless it’s a book that is very pretty and I love the cover art. Definitely a win for me.
Now to the book: Overall the book was good. I was sucked into the world, and while I agree with other reviewers that the ideas and backstories could have been fleshed out a bit more, I don’t think it detracted any from the book.
Sabine was the character who I liked the most, Ailesse was a bit too spoilt for me? She was used to having everything but her mother’s approval (which led to her overreaching tendencies) but she knew that she would be taking over as leader (eventually) and she knew she was the best. I liked the girls’ friendship and definitely could see it being an LGBTQ+ relationship (doubtful) but I could definitely see it on Sabine’s side.
I’m looking forward to how the author will wrap up everything; I’m left with so many unanswered questions! What’s the deal with the Gods? What’s going to happen now that Sabine is in charge? What the hell was their mother doing????
Bastien and his gang of cohorts were interesting, but I definitely would love to know more about them. Find out who their Ferriers were that killed their fathers (although you do find out Jules).
I kind of like the twist that Bastien ends up not being Ailesse’s soulmate and so perhaps they are actually in love. Plus there’s the whole changing her thoughts on her ideology that’s been indoctrinated in her whole life.
I did find myself going “Oh SHIT’ at certain points in the book so there’s that. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.
I would highly recommend it!
View all my reviews on Goodreads
Which box was your favourite?
My April box is currently in transit, and I’m so excited about it. Hopefully, with certain restrictions opening up the boxes will be back on schedule and I’ll have my next post up by the end of July? Mid-August at the latest?
Should I go back to doing this monthly? Or is it better to do 3 months at a time? Let me know what you think!
J x
