OwlCrate is a YA book subscription box. Each month they send you a newly released YA book with some bookish goodies.
My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
The Subscription Box: OwlCrate
The Cost: $29.99 plus shipping ($6.99 to US, $10.59 to Canada, $19.99 Worldwide)
DEAL: Use coupon code WELCOME15 to save 15% off your first month!
The Products: A new YA book and 3-5 book-related goodies.
Ships to: Worldwide!
Check out all of my OwlCrate reviews and all of our Book Subscription Box reviews!
Each box comes with a card detailing the items included. This month’s theme is One Upon a Dream!
Now, onto the items!
Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter – Retail Value $17.99 (On Amazon for $10.58)
Book Summary from Amazon:
Vassa in the Night is an enchanting, modern retelling of the Russian folktale “Vassilissa the Beautiful” for young adults by the critically-acclaimed author, Sarah Porter. Leigh Bardugo,New York Times bestselling author of the Grisha Trilogy, calls it, “A dark, thoroughly modern fairy tale crackling with wit and magical mayhem.”
In the enchanted kingdom of Brooklyn, the fashionable people put on cute shoes, go to parties in warehouses, drink on rooftops at sunset, and tell themselves they’ve arrived. A whole lot of Brooklyn is like that now—but not Vassa’s working-class neighborhood.
In Vassa’s neighborhood, where she lives with her stepmother and bickering stepsisters, one might stumble onto magic, but stumbling out again could become an issue. Babs Yagg, the owner of the local convenience store, has a policy of beheading shoplifters—and sometimes innocent shoppers as well. So when Vassa’s stepsister sends her out for light bulbs in the middle of night, she knows it could easily become a suicide mission.
But Vassa has a bit of luck hidden in her pocket, a gift from her dead mother. Erg is a tough-talking wooden doll with sticky fingers, a bottomless stomach, and a ferocious cunning. With Erg’s help, Vassa just might be able to break the witch’s curse and free her Brooklyn neighborhood. But Babs won’t be playing fair….
Inspired by the Russian folktale “Vassilissa the Beautiful” and her years of experience teaching creative writing to students in New York City public schools, acclaimed author Sarah Porter weaves a dark yet hopeful tale about a young girl’s search for home, love, and belonging.
I’m a few chapters in and I can say I’ve never read anything like this book before! If you’ve found this book to be a little too bizarre for you, some reviewers on Goodreads recommend reading the summary of the Russian fairytale before you start the book. I think that helped me!
This book also included a signed bookplate sticker.
And a letter from the author:
And a temporary tattoo!
Whosits and Whatsits Neverland Beanie - Value $22
Yay! An oversized beanie! This beanie has a slouchy, loose fit, and I like the subtle nod to Peter Pan, too.
The Geeky Cauldron Bracelet - Value $15?
(The Geeky Cauldron shop is temporarily closed, so I'm estimating on this value.)
This Sleeping Beauty inspired charm bangle includes a little spindle charm!
My Heart My Tribe Fabric Button Bookmark - Value $3?
I realize the picture might not properly convey scale, so I have to call out that this is not your average sized paperclip! It's 4 inches long, and much sturdier than a typical paperclip, too. (Plus who can say no to a cute bookmark?)
Passport to OZ Mini Notebook - Value $8
This little notebook also includes Travel Tips:
- Follow the yellow brick road.
- Throwing liquids may be beneficial.
- Always look behind the curtain.
- Watch out for flying monkeys.
- Click your heels together to return home.*
*Only valid when wearing ruby slippers.
And lastly, this box also included a promotion bookmark for the New World Rising series.
This book is described as "Divergent meets Mad Max." I may have to check it out!
And each OwlCrate box now comes with an exclusive pin to match the theme!
Verdict: This box has a value of about $59 (using the Amazon sale prices and my estimates of some of these exclusive items). I think that's a great value for a book box, especially with the curation and bonus book extras that OwlCrate includes each month. And the beanie is an item you don't see too often in subscription boxes, so it was a lovely surprise!
What do you think of the October OwlCrate box?
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