LitJoy Crate is a monthly book subscription box for babies, kids, and teens. They send books and interesting book related items. They have crates for 3-7 (picture books), and 14+ (young adult). This is a review of the Young Adult crate.
This box was sent to us at no cost to review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
The Subscription Box: LitJoy Crate
The Cost: $29.99/monthly, $86.97/3-month pre-pay, $167.94/6-month pre-pay, $323.88/12-month pre-pay. Plus USPS flat-rate shipping, $14.99 shipping to Canada, and $24.99 shipping international.
COUPON: Use code MSA5 to save $5 off your first box!
The Products: depending on your subscription type, you will receive newly released board books (2), picture books (1), or young adult books (1), plus 2-4 assorted book-related items.
Ships to: US, Canada and International
Check out all of our LitJoy Crate reviews and the Book Subscription Box Directory!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
Each box comes with an info card picturing each item included.
Now, onto the items!
Shadow Run by Adrianne Strickland & Michael Miller - Retail Value $17.99 (On Amazon for $9.86)
Book Summary from Amazon:
Nev has just joined the crew of the starship Kaitan Heritage as the cargo loader. His captain, Qole, is the youngest-ever person to command her own ship, but she brooks no argument from her crew of orphans, fugitives, and con men. Nev can't resist her, even if her ship is an antique.
As for Nev, he's a prince, in hiding on the ship. He believes Qole holds the key to changing galactic civilization, and when her cooperation proves difficult to obtain, Nev resolves to get her to his home planet by any means necessary.
But before they know it, a rival royal family is after Qole too, and they're more interested in stealing her abilities than in keeping her alive.
Nev's mission to manipulate Qole becomes one to save her, and to survive, she'll have to trust her would-be kidnapper. He may be royalty, but Qole is discovering a deep reservoir of power--and stars have mercy on whoever tries to hurt her ship or her crew.
So far, I'm really enjoying this book. I don't read Sci-Fi that often, so it's a nice change of pace, and I like the alternating POV, too.
This book also included a letter from the authors:
And a signed bookplate sticker:
Come to the Dark Side Tumbler - Value $8?
This tumbler is BPA-free, 24-ounce, and hand wash only. Since the book this month is Sci-Fi, I can see how they had to include a Star Wars item! And a bookish Star Wars item? Bravo!
Pink Beehive Cotton Candy - Value $2?
This light grey cotton candy was included as a way to represent the "Shadow" in the book. I love a sweet treat in a box, but I wish this cotton candy included ingredients!
Little Sapling Toys I Aim to Misbehave Bookmark - Value $8?
This wooden Firefly-inspired bookmark is another perfect fit for the box. This book is described as "Firefly meets Dune," and even after the first few chapters (and only seeing a few episodes of Firefly) I could see the similarities!
Newt Scamander Print by Dass Stark - Value ?
This print is part of the LitJoy Artist Series - every box they feature a new artist with a bio on the back of the info card:
I recommend checking out Nastja's tumblr - she's very talented! (And Harry Potter fan art = always a good thing.)
Star Trek Buttons - Value $3?
These are a LitJoy exclusive and another fun addition for the Sci-Fi theme. Plus, I kind of love, "Beam me up, Hottie."
Woven Pear Bad Astronaut Socks - Value $15
These socks are adorable! And I love getting cute socks in boxes!
Verdict: I think LitJoy Crate is such a delight to unbox! You can tell that a lot of thought and work went into this box to tie all the items in with the book, too. This box is about $40 shipped to the US, so I think the value is there if you enjoy the bookish accessories and items as well. The value for this box came to about $46 (including the Amazon sale price of the box).
And I think LitJoy does a great job of picking popular new books each month. If you're looking for a subscription box for a young adult reader I definitely recommend this one - and if you're a full-fledged adult who enjoys reading YA like me, I recommend it for you, too!
What do you think of the March LitJoy YA Crate?
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