FairyLoot Spellcraft – May 2021
Nearly one whole year later and I am posting about the FairyLoot Spellcraft box which was issued in May 2021. Apologies for the delay, the last year has been challenging to say the least. So, whilst I have a little bit of time I am catching up with a few belated blog posts. You may recall my previous post featuring the Illumicrate Dearly Departed box back in October last year. I realise that this is not my usual content but I am branching out into featuring more books on my blog. In particular, I do have a few book subscriptions although I must admit that I have recently cancelled FairyLoot (YA) as I was not reaching for the books that much. That being said, I picked up some gorgeous books from them last year so I have quite a few to share with you over the coming months before they come to an end.
I was quite looking forward to receiving this box before it arrived. I knew what book it was, that being Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Smart. I was very curious to see what they would do with the book re-design as I knew it was getting a new exclusive re-design. It was receiving quite the makeover with stencilled edges, artwork on the reverse of the dust jacket designed by @eunicify.art, foil embossing and a ribbon bookmark. It was also signed by the author and it also came with an author letter featuring character artwork on the reverse by @bloodydamnit. I really liked what they did with the book overall, it is completely different and so unique to anything they have done in the last year.
So what is the book about? I have taken the summary from Goodreads:
“Divided by their order. United by their vengeance.
Iraya has spent her life in a cell, but every day brings her closer to freedom – and vengeance.
Jazmyne is the Queen’s daughter, but unlike her sister before her, she has no intention of dying to strengthen her mother’s power. Sworn enemies, these two witches enter a precarious alliance to take down a mutual threat. But power is intoxicating, revenge is a bloody pursuit, and nothing is certain – except the lengths they will go to win this game.
This Jamaican-inspired fantasy debut about two enemy witches who must enter into a deadly alliance to take down a common enemy has the twisted cat-and-mouse of Killing Eve with the richly imagined fantasy world of Furyborn and Ember in the Ashes.”
Of course, with the book, there are a number of items within the box. At the time FairyLoot only offered a full box which was fine as this was my very first one, I had no experience with them prior to receiving this box. As the months did go by I found myself accumulating a lot of items that I simply will not use, the same with Illumicrate which is why I dropped down to book only. I understand that FairyLoot is shortly releasing a book only option for their YA box which is great news, despite now not being a YA member as I know so many of their customers have been asking this for a while.
The first item was somewhat useful actually, it was the tumbler designed by @chattynora. This had the theme of Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas which I haven’t yet read although do plan on starting this year, in fact, all being well this month. I personally am not too keen on the design but at least it is a useful item, I have decided to keep this one. The second item is a phone stand which again is quite useful, especially for when watching live streams on Instagram. I can just put my phone on there and watch away. This item was inspired by Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko which again I have not yet read but it is on my tbr.
The one item I really liked was actually an item that was not based on anything, That was the TBR Game which came with a little notepad in which you can list your book choices and a fancy dice. I really liked this, the dice is also awesome.
There is also a set of coasters which I’m personally not a fan of, it does not help that I haven’t read this series although even if I had, I still wouldn’t make use of these. These coasters are based on the Serpent and Dove series by Shelby Mahurin and are designed by @arz28.
There was also an art print within the box which is based on Crave by Tracy Wolff. I have heard good things about this series and I am tempted to pick it up to see what it is like. The print is designed by @gracezhuart which I think is lovely in terms of the artwork, I just have no real use for it.
Lastly, FairyLoot always put tarot cards in their boxes which is a great idea but having joined midway through I won’t have a full set. I’m not too fussed by this though, I will end up giving these away along with most of the items, to be honest. This months cards were designed by @morgana0anagrom and they were based on the Serpent and Dove series by Shelby Mahurin.
Overall I think this box was hit and miss, the book itself was my favourite item along with the TBR game. Everything else however I could have happily done without, that being said, I do appreciate the time and effort that goes into creating these boxes. I am of course, at the age of 32 not the target audience for these boxes (which is why I wanted book only), however at the time when I received this box this was all FairyLoot offered.
What are your thoughts on this box?
You can find out more about FairyLoot here.
