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 $8.99 USPS flat-rate shipping, $14.99 shipping to Canada, and $24.99 shipping internationally.
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: The 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!
There's an intro card explaining the way the box works. On the back, there's a spoiler for next month's theme!
Here's the info card that came with the book. I appreciate how they go into detail about how and where each item relates to the book or theme.
There's a promo bookmark for Nyxia, which is the featured book this month.
And I also got a copy of a Batman comic that incorporates Harley Quinn, Batman, and Catwoman!
The last "promotional" item is an awareness bracelet for the organization OUR Rescue, or Operation Underground Railroad. It's a group that strives to free children from horrific systems of sex trafficking through coordinated rescue and recovery. I love that this box is raising awareness that these kinds of terrifying, destructive practices exist and supporting this impactful organization—proceeds from last month's box were donated to OUR Rescue to help their efforts!
Nyxia by Scott Reintgen - Value on Amazon $11.21 (Retail Value $17.99)
The book for this month is an action-packed sci-fi adventure. I wasn't sure if I'd like this video-game-esque YA novel, but I really liked the media res way the book opens, the swift pace of the story, and the eerie, foreboding mood as this group of teens set out on a harrowing adventure in the name of an already-suspicious corporation.
Book Summary on Amazon:
“A high-octane thriller . . . Nyxia grabs you from the first line and never lets go.” —Marie Lu, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Warcross
Every life has a price in this sci-fi thriller—the first in a trilogy—that has the nonstop action of The Maze Runner and the high-stakes space setting of Illuminae.
What would you be willing to risk for a lifetime of fortune?
Emmett Atwater isn’t just leaving Detroit; he’s leaving Earth. Why the Babel Corporation recruited him is a mystery, but the number of zeroes on their contract has him boarding their lightship and hoping to return to Earth with enough money to take care of his family.Forever.
Before long, Emmett discovers that he is one of ten recruits, all of whom have troubled pasts and are a long way from home. Now each recruit must earn the right to travel down to the planet of Eden—a planet that Babel has kept hidden—where they will mine a substance called Nyxia that has quietly become the most valuable material in the universe.
But Babel’s ship is full of secrets. And Emmett will face the ultimate choice: win the fortune at any cost, or find a way to fight that won’t forever compromise what it means to be human.
“The 100 meets Illuminae in this high-octane sci-fi thriller.” —Bustle
The book comes with a signed bookplate and a note from the author, too!
There are also two half-dollar-sized promo buttons for the book!
Sci-Fi Wide Bookmark - Value $1.00?
This print is about as long as a standard bookmark but is just under double the width. I've used bookmarks like this before to keep track of my page in a planner or journal (it's great for wider pages). The info card calls it a "print", but it's on the same weight of paper as the promo bookmark from earlier. But it's a gorgeous, detailed illustration that would look super cool pinned to a corkboard.
Bluetooth Shower Speaker - Value $11.49?
I couldn't find this generic-brand speaker online, so I linked to something similar to estimate value. I was actually pretty impressed by this sturdy, silicon-covered speaker! It's got a really powerful suction cup on the back that holds it firmly against the tile (or any smooth surface you want to pop it on—no need to only use it in the shower!) and a USB charger. The sound isn't amazing or anything, but it honestly sounds way better than my phone sitting precariously on the sink!
Silk Haven Gifts Ultimate Galaxy Soap, 3.5 oz - Value $4.99
For being as jazzy as it is, this soap doesn't actually have a very strong fragrance. I'm so used to soaps with vibrant scents to them that I'm actually really thrilled by the creamy, clean, oatmeal-ish aroma of this swirling soap. I love the paint-splatter-like effects on the top!
"Nyxia" Ring - Value $5.00?
This ring is meant to look like the imaginary substance that the characters in the book are sent to mine. In actuality, I believe this inky black ring is made of some kind of enamel and silvery metal. It's not adjustable, and it's on the bigger end of the spectrum, considering most of the rings I get from boxes like this. (It fit loosely over my thumb, which is about 2 inches around. I think I'll wear it on my ring finger, though it still fits kind of loosely.) There are little uneven details that give me the sense that it's not that high quality, but at the same time, it's pretty darn cool looking. The simplicity of it and its rectangular shape give it a modern, sci-fi vibe, but it has a classic, almost romantic edge to it that could be just at home in some kind of fantasy villain cosplay.
Cotton Pouch - Value $10.00?
Just guessing at the value of this pouch, as I assume it was made specifically for this box! The quote comes right from the book, and I have to imagine the black color is inspired by the hue of the make-believe nyxia substance. I love the swirling gold lettering and the sturdy weave of this canvas piece. It's big enough for makeup brushes, pens and pencils, or any other precious odds and ends I might want to keep organized inside my backpack or tote.
Key-Shaped Pen - Value $3.00?
Speaking of pens, look at this awesome one! This key-shaped pen is glittery gold and equipped with a loop at the top (in case you want to string a cord through it for cosplay/convenience). It's super lightweight, so I worry it might not have a ton of ink in it, but it's a joy to write with. The nib is super thin but neatly inky. (The ink isn't overly bleedy, nor is it dry and impossible to get going.) What a clever little piece!
Verdict: I liked this month's LitJoy Crate. I thought the book was great and read like a thrilling sci-fi action movie for a YA audience. I think my favorite items in the box were the exclusive pouch and the key pen (which was a cool nod to something in the novel), but I really liked how every item corresponded to themes or moments in the book. (And how the info card articulated those relationships!)
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, though they do sometimes sell past crates on their site shop. Order by the 20th of the month to get that month's crate!
Coupon - Use code MSA5 to save $5 off your first box!
Value Breakdown: The box cost me $38.98 after shipping, but I found there to be $46.69 worth of products inside. That means you're saving about 17% on each item's retail price. In other words, here's about what I paid for these items:
- Book: $9.36
- Print/bookmark: $0.83
- Speaker: $9.59
- Soap: $4.17
- Ring: $4.17
- Pouch: $8.35
- Key pen: 2.50
Note that I'm not counting all of the cool ephemera (like the wristband, the pin, the comic...)—just the items that the info card listed as being the featured products in the box. Those should be the main representations of value. But there is of course added value that comes from all the little extras (especially things like the author note and bookplate)!
What do you think of the September LitJoy YA Crate?
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