FanMail is a bi-monthly subscription box full of fandom goodies for women! They also feature at least one small business run by women in each box!
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The Subscription Box: FanMail
The Cost: $21.99 a box + shipping
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The Products: FanMail boxes contain a variety of memorabilia and collectibles, some old, some new, some handmade, some fanmade. Among the items, you may find are exclusive comics and t-shirts, jewelry, stationery, books, autographs, photos and much more. And each month, you'll get a handy pop-culture newsletter that will tell you what movies are coming out, what's up for streaming and bingeing, and what conventions or events are out there that you may want to attend.
Ships to: US ($7.55 to PA) and international
FanMail "Medieval Madness" February 2018 Review
Here's the info booklet for the box. I like how they include release dates of recommended comics, movies, and more!
Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman Advanced Copy - Buy the official hardcover for $18.99 (found here for $12.91)
Advanced copies like this one are the kind of thing companies get directly from publishers, so they're hard to estimate value for. This one is a paperback, too—online it seems to be available only as a hardcover. The story, written by the author of the best-selling book Seraphina, is a female-driven adventure set in a medieval world of dragons and mysticism. The main character's quest to (quite literally) strike out on her own, divergent path in life was engaging. And I loved the balance between fantasy creatures/scenarios and real, relatable characters and relationships.
Book Summary on Amazon:
Award-winning Rachel Hartman's newest YA is a tour de force and an exquisite fantasy for the #metoo movement.
"Surprising, rewarding, and enlightening, both a fantasy adventure and a meta discourse on consent, shame, and female empowerment."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Not to be ignored. Absolutely essential."--Booklist, starred review
In the medieval kingdom of Goredd, women are expected to be ladies, men are their protectors, and dragons can be whomever they choose. Tess is none of these things. Tess is. . . different. She speaks out of turn, has wild ideas, and can't seem to keep out of trouble. Then Tess goes too far. What she's done is so disgraceful, she can't even allow herself to think of it. Unfortunately, the past cannot be ignored. So Tess's family decide the only path for her is a nunnery.
But on the day she is to join the nuns, Tess chooses a different path for herself. She cuts her hair, pulls on her boots, and sets out on a journey. She's not running away, she's running towards something. What that something is, she doesn't know. Tess just knows that the open road is a map to somewhere else--a life where she might belong.
Returning to the spellbinding world of the Southlands she created in the award-winning, New York Times bestselling novel Seraphina, Rachel Hartman explores self-reliance and redemption in this wholly original fantasy.
Exclusive Merlin Canvas Saying Pouch
I love canvas pouches for storing things both in my home and on the go. This one measures about 8.25" x 6.5" and features Merlin-inspired art by artist Winnie Gong. I like its sturdy, natural texture and black zipper, but I do wish the image was a bit more saturated—it looks a little faded/washed-out as it is.
Exclusive Xena Necklace
Um, how COOL is it that they featured Xena: Warrior Princess in this box? Hello, throwback! According to the info booklet, this 18.5" necklace was designed by The Gorgonist, and the pendant was made by Juniper & Ivy Designs. I love wooden pendants like this one—they're so unique and lightweight to wear. And the gold chain gives the sword-emblazoned pendant a bit of sparkle.
Game of Thrones "House Stark" Bronze Haircomb
This isn't an exclusive product, but I couldn't find a reliable price for it online. This comb is the kind of product that I'd never go looking for myself, but that's kind of neat to get as a surprise! With its direwolf detail and metallic heft, this comb really does have a medieval vibe to it, don't you think? I could picture it on a Stark's dressing table. As for me, it's small enough (at about 5") to slip into a purse or even a pocket for on the go touch-ups.
Chainmail Nail Wraps by Espionage Cosmetics - Retail Value $10.00
Whoa, look at these hardcore patterns! This would be an awesome detail to add to a ren-fair outfit or to what you're wearing to your next watch party. From afar, you can't really tell that these gray swirls are chainmail, but with the right outfit, I feel like they'd make a clever statement piece. I love the blue-toned dragon scales, too. My nails are on the small side, so I'll have to use some scissors to trim the excess off these wraps. They seem like an easy, fun way to add lots of drama to your nails in a snap!
The Verdict: I liked the medieval theme of this month's box. The book was the standout item for me—that and the amazing Xena necklace! I wish the quality of the design on the pouch was a bit better, just since it's such a cute illustration, but I found everything in the box either fun or otherwise useful. I wish the shipping cost wasn't so high on this box—when you count US shipping, the total cost of the box comes closer to $30.00, which is when I start to think "Eh... is this worth it?" with pop culture boxes. There are a bunch of exclusives, which is cool, but I think I'd be more confident giving this box a "heck yes!" if shipping was included in the $21.99 price.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No. Sign up now to get the April box!
Coupon - Use coupon code SUBADDICT you can save $2 off your first box!
Value Breakdown: This box cost $21.99 + $7.55 in shipping to PA, or $29.57 in total. That means that the average value of each of these items is $5.91. While I couldn't find prices for everything in the box, the retail value I estimated for the two products I could find online is $28.99. Keep in mind though, that's using a price for an official hardcover edition of the book (which I got as an advanced copy paperback) so the value there may be a little inaccurate.
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