OwlCrate is a YA book subscription box. Each month they send you a newly released YA book with some bookish goodies.
FYI - COVID-19 Updates: You can find OwlCrate shipping updates right here.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About OwlCrate YA
The Subscription Box: OwlCrate YA
The Cost: $29.99 + shipping. Save with longer subscriptions.
The Products: A new YA book and 3-5 book-related goodies. Recommended for ages 14+.
Ships to: The US for $7.99, Canada for $9.99, and worldwide for $19.99
OwlCrate YA "All the World's a Stage" June 2020 Review
Just FYI, it seems like we are finally back on track with shipping this month!
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Each box comes with a card detailing the theme and the items included. This month’s theme is “All the World's a Stage."
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We received this booklet featuring an interview with the author, a word search, and an interview with a designer. They also included some information about their monthly photo challenge and a link to a "Le Cirque de Reves" playlist!
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Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles - Retail Value $18.99 (found here for $16.99)
Wow! This book design is spectacular! I am actually not a huge fan of book jackets - they always seem to get in the way - so having this beautifully designed naked hardcover is ideal for me. Look at all that gold foil! This copy is also signed by the author and it looks like this is a pre-release that won't be available until August.
From Amazon:
In a city covered in ice and ruin, a group of magicians face off in a daring game of magical feats to find the next headliner of the Conquering Circus, only to find themselves under the threat of an unseen danger striking behind the scenes.
As each act becomes more and more risky and the number of missing magicians piles up, three are forced to reckon with their secrets before the darkness comes for them next.
The Star: Kallia, a powerful showgirl out to prove she’s the best no matter the cost
The Master: Jack, the enigmatic keeper of the club, and more than one lie told
The Magician: Demarco, the brooding judge with a dark past he can no longer hide
Where Dreams Descend is the startling and romantic first book in Janella Angeles’ debut Kingdom of Cards fantasy duology where magic is both celebrated and feared, and no heart is left unscathed.
Our story opens with a brief introduction to Jack who owns the nightclub where Kallia is the star of the show as she drops in from a chandelier and captivates the audience with her skilled magic. She is a strong-willed young woman who doesn't know much about her past since she was left with Jack's father who took her in as a child. Jack has been providing the best teachers to help her hone her skills in magic, but she longs for more. She wants to go to the city of Glorian and compete in a magician's competition, but Jack discourages her and even keeps her from going. They have a fiery relationship and while it seems like Jack wants to protect her, she is starting to think that her life with him might be just an illusion and she escapes to fulfill her desires in the city. She earns her spot in the competition with her cunning personality and bold magic tricks, although it seems that no one wants her there. Before her audition, we are introduced to Daron who has his own hidden past as a famed magician but is now presiding as the youngest judge for this competition. He seems like he might be a good match for Kallia, but there is still too much unknown about him at this point. I am just about a third of the way through but this story hints at excitement and romance. I'm excited to discover more about these characters and see how their lives intertwine!
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We received a letter from the author which always makes these boxes feel even more special!
We also received these two beautiful stickers that go along with our book. They are actually meant to be laptop decals!
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OwlCrate Exclusive! Coin Bank
Our first item is this gorgeous tin pencil holder/coin bank. I love the deep red color which makes that beautiful circus tent artwork pop. I am excited to display this on my desk to store loose change in, but I love that this could also double as a pencil holder if I remove the top. Of course, it also has the cute OwlCrate logo on the bottom. This was designed by Forensics & Flowers and it was inspired by The Night Circus.
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OwlCrate Exclusive! Mini Donuts Medium-Roast Coffee, 4 oz
It's always a treat when you get a bag of coffee! This fun blend comes from Bones Coffee Co. and contains 4 ounces of Cirque du Freak Mini Donuts flavored coffee. This is a small batch medium roast that smelled lovely. I couldn't wait to try it! They also included a 20% off coupon code for subscribers.
This coffee was really good! I shared it with my husband and we both thought it was delicious with just a hint of glazed donut flavor to it!
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OwlCrate Exclusive! Gambler's Ruin Shower Steamer
I love how they packaged this delicious smelling shower steamer! It's a nice large size in a coffee and orange scent that has just the right amount of citrusy orange mixed with the sweet, rich smell of coffee. This comes from Whipped Up Wonderful and it's handmade in Dallas, Texas. This Gambler's Ruin scent was inspired by one of the cocktails in Ace of Shades. It worked really well and actually lasted awhile - filling my shower with the sweet scent that made for a nice treat!
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OwlCrate Exclusive! Habit Tracker Pad
Of course, we have to have something inspired by The Greatest Showman in a box with this theme! This habit tracker was designed by @paperbackbones and it is such a cute design. There is a section for notes or a to-do list with a habit tracker for the week. There is even a little area where you can write down what you are currently reading in case you're lucky enough to measure your days by the books you read. The top reads "what if we rewrite the stars" which is inspiring and fitting for a notepad like this!
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OwlCrate Exclusive! Pencil Set
This set of pencils was designed by one of the most famous masters of the stage, Shakespeare. The four pencils in this set each have a different Shakespearean quote at the top. There is our theme, "All the World's a Stage," "To Thine Own Self Be True," and my favorite which is on the two silvery pencils, "I Burn, I Pine, I Perish." While The Taming of the Shrew is the source of this quote, it's also a line in one of my favorite movies (anyone know?). These pre-sharpened pencils will work nicely with our new habit tracker pad!
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OwlCrate Exclusive! Monthly Enamel Pin
Each month you'll receive an enamel pin to go along with your book. This pin design is really beautiful! It's so detailed and I love the colors. This was designed by Blissfully Bookish.
Verdict: I loved this month's OwlCrate theme and all of the goodies that they sent to go along with our unique and magical story! The coffee and shower steamer were both such nice treats that I really enjoyed. The coin tin is cute and will look great anywhere to store loose change and the pencil and notepad set were both such fun designs that are very useful. This month I felt like the aesthetics of this whole box were so beautiful with the black, gold, and red throughout and especially with that stunning book design! This was another box of beautiful, exclusive items for $37.98 ($29.99 + $7.99 shipping)!
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, but you can join the waitlist for the August box here.
Value Breakdown: This box costs $37.98 ($29.99 + $7.99 shipping), which means that each of the 7 items (not counting the stickers) in the box has an average cost of about $5.43.
Check out all of our Owl Crate reviews and more of our best book subscription boxes!
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What did you think of OwlCrate this month?
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