Wonderful Objects by Wonder and Company is a quarterly subscription service that brings imaginary adventures to life. This box is always full of unexpected, playful surprises. They offer mystery boxes for both Adults and Kids.
This review is of the Whimsical Adult, $54 a quarter, box.
This box was sent to us at no cost to review. (Check out our review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About Wonderful Objects Immersive Subscription Box
The Subscription Box: Wonderful Objects
The Cost: $54 per quarter with discounts available for longer subscription commitments
ACTIVE DEAL: Save $10 off any subscription!
CODE: WONDERADDICT10
The Products: Hand-picked items and custom-designed ephemera that bring an imaginary scenario, place, or story to life. You'll also get a teaser a few weeks before each box!
Ships to: United States is $9 per quarter and includes both teaser(s) and full mystery box. International shipping is $25 per quarter.
Wonderful Objects "Library" Subscription Box Unboxing and Review
Before you receive the main box, you'll get a "teaser" package in the mail. I am already into the moody black envelope.
Inside is a vellum envelope sealed with a black wax skull. Also inside is a green velvet pouch.
Inside the envelope is a mysterious letter from a woman named Rebecca. She explains that this letter may seem crazy, but she is reaching out because her uncle has passed away and the amethyst was found in his belongings. She explains that though he was magically gifted, he was full of darkness and that we are to take the crystal to our upcoming meeting with a man named Edwin Farrow and give it to him when we are inside his library. We must safely deliver the crystal to Edwin, for inside it lies a soul. No pressure, right?
Raw Amethyst Cluster - Listed Value $5-10.00 (depending on size)
This cluster is absolutely gorgeous. If you read any of my reviews you know I am more than a little bit crystal obsessed. This specimen would make a gorgeous addition to my collection, but it looks like I need to get it to Edwin as the inside is a soul of someone he knows.
Now let's dive into the main box that arrives later!
Right on top is an envelope labeled "Open me first" which is normal fare for Wonderful Objects.
It's sealed with wax with a bird (a crow maybe?) stamped into it.
Here, they reveal the adventure I'll be going on through the items included in the box. The question of "What if a library could hold a soul?" is an interesting one. You could argue that each book holds a piece of its author's soul, but I don't think that is the implication here. The card alludes to a journey between worlds where something horrible has happened. At the center of this mystery is the amethyst incased soul, and a library.
On the back, they list all of those items included.
Let's begin with the envelope filled with letters and other ephemera. I can't wait to open it!
This letter is quite long and utterly fascinating. It appears that Edwin is no longer with the living, though his soul is still in his library. He has left us this long letter to explain what is going on. Rebecca's uncle was once his friend and peer, and the two dabbled in magic, with Edwin wishing to take care of himself and his orphaned sister Lizzie, and do good for the world. Tenor, on the other hand, craved power. A falling out between the two men led to Lizzie's soul being trapped.
There is an illustration included of a soul departing a body with hesitation. Does this hint to our story? How?
Also included is a beautiful amethyst illustration with beautiful script on the back. It explains that amethyst is useful for transforming energy into love and recommends I place it close to me when I sleep to promote astral travel. Now that I know a soul is within, this is certainly not likely for me. Pointedly, the final note on this card mentions that amethyst can be used to open different realities. Is this what happened to Lizzie? It is nice to get a little more info on our gorgeous crystal teaser gift.
Leaded Crystal Gazing Ball - Listed Value $27.00
I am a little disappointed because my gazing ball was meant to come with a custom velvet resting cushion, but it appears this didn't quite make it into the box. I will have to just be extra careful storing it. This ball was mentioned in our letter above and is one in a pair shared between Edwin and Tenor. It is so heavy and lovely and casts a perfect verticle flip of reality when I gaze through it. Can it show me the way through our mystery? I am not sure.
Cedar & Floral Smudge Set - Listed Value $14.00
Wow, this is beautiful. Truly gorgeous. This thick smudge stick is made of cedar, lavender, rose petals, and rosemary. Bound together with a raw crystal, the effect is truly stunning. To make this smudging kit even more special is the included abalone shell rest. It shimmers with so many colors. Smudging is a practice that is useful for clearing negative energy.
Gourmet Lollipop Set - Listed Value $5.00
These lollipops were truly a treat, especially the honey and lavender one. Though I generally dislike pumpkin spice flavored items, this one was unique because it had delicious chewy ginger pieces. Apparently, Lizzie loved these lollipops and would leave them all over the manor house, which drove the maids crazy!
Art Print - Listed Value $12.00
This thick art print is highly detailed and on lovely heavy paper with a great texture. It is a diagram of moon phases, knowledge that is especially helpful with magic and alchemy, two practices of Edwin and Tenor. Was this used as a visual aid in their experimentation? What does all of this mean?
Ex Libris Bookplates Set - Listed Value $16.00
I am a compulsive book buyer. I have enjoyed reading ever since I first learned how, and escaping into a good book was often a source of comfort and deep enjoyment for me. This is probably why a storytelling experience box like this brings me so much happiness! These bookplates are self-adhesive, meaning they are super easy to place inside your books right away, so if you lend them out they are that much likelier to find their way back home to your own magical library. The illustrations are beautiful but also a little sad and creepy, meaning they are perfect for this box's theme. With a curation this thoughtful, I have to wonder if these specific illustrations tie into our story.
The Verdict: Did we manage to unite Edwin and Lizzie again on a different plane? What became of Tenor's troubled soul? This month's Wonderful Objects left these questions open-ended, but that is the fun part of a box like this. Each item included is part of an overall story that takes on a new life for each person who opens the box. I would like to think that Lizzie and Edwin are now reunited again, released from the beautiful amethyst prison and enjoying their afterlife together in their beloved library. Each item sent this month enhanced this tale and created such a vivid landscape for laying back and just imagining the ending. This was my first Wonderful Objects box and I am totally hooked. If you have a big imagination and enjoy great storytelling, this is a box you will love. The items are each beautiful and thoughtfully curated. My amethyst now lives on my fireplace mantle with my other crystals and the lead crystal ball. The lollipops didn't last long because they were so delicious! The smudge set is easily one of the most gorgeous I have ever seen. The art print actually works really well in my quirkier home decor and is already framed. I thought the bookplates were just so thoughtful when considered with this month's theme, and I have never gotten anything that unique in any subscription. I can't wait until next quarter! The total listed value of this box comes to around $80, which isn't much higher than the box's price, but this total does not in any way take into account the value of all the cool ephemera, storytelling, curation, and overall experience.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, you will receive the Winter/Spring box, which ships in April!
Coupon – Use code WONDERADDICT10 to save $10 off any subscription!
Value Breakdown: For $63.00 ($54.00 + $9.00 shipping), I received six items with a retail value of around $80.00. Each item costs on average around $6.30.
Check out all of our Wonderful Objects reviews and the Women's Subscription Box Directory!
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What do you think of the Wonderful Object story and items this time?
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