Disclosure: This box was paid for by me. There is a refer-three-get-one-free link and an affiliate link.
Subscription: OwlCrate
Cost: $29.99 + $6.99 shipping [$36.98 total per month]
What to Expect:
- A highly anticipated new YA release [Young Adult].
- 3-5 other bookish goodies (jewelry, totes, yummy treats, pins, etc).
- Exclusive items from publishers and authors.
- A note telling you more about the novel and the items included in your crate.
I was suuuper excited about this box! I love YA books, owls, and geeky things, so I couldn’t resist.
Before opening this box I made myself do homework… that lasted for half of a lecture, then I went into my office and set up my photo studio!
Theme: Myths & Legends
I always save the spoilers for last because I like a little surprise! This card is nicely done though. I like the format.
Camp Half-Blood Wristband by The Colorful Geek: $5.00.
I think this is from Percy Jackson. I’ve never read it and don’t wear this style of bracelets, but I’ve seen teens who do, and I know those books were/are pretty popular.
Red Riding Hood Tea from Adagio: $9.00. A scarlet tea blend to keep the hungry wolf at bay on your journey over the river and through the woods. Blended with rooibos tea, apple pieces, cinnamon bark, cocoa nibs, strawberries, cranberries, natural strawberry flavor, natural cinnamon flavor, natural cranberry flavor & safflower.
I was confused about the box at first, but I pulled off the stickers and it had a cool box-like lid on top! It’s a super cute tin that I will definitely keep. Also, I may have to sign up for Adagio’s tea club. This tea smells soooo good.
I hope the wolves don’t try to steal my little tea noms!
Castle Locket from The Geeky Cauldron: $12.00.
I like the idea of the The Geeky Cauldron’s products, but the necklace is super cheaply made and very flimsy. However, looking at it through teen Onderria eyes, I would have loved this little locket. I wonder if I would’ve put a crush’s picture in it or just been lazy and left it empty?
I definitely would have put tears in it. Broken hearted tears because I never brushed the cat fur off my shirt and told my crush, “Yes, I do need help using this electric drill!” [I did stagecraft.]
Mermaid Mirror from My Clockwork Castle: No other mirrors on the site, but the Facebook page has Divergent mirrors for £3 [currently $4.55].
I love mermaids, so I was really excited to see this! I wish it was shinier, actually. In the packaging it looked like a button, but once I took it out I could see myself.
Clearly this is a mirror that looks like a pin. In fact, they’re made from the same shell, so it makes sense why I was confused!
^and obviously I’m not hip and/or entirely knowledgeable of new slang
Soundless by Richelle Mead
From Goodreads [3.5 stars]:
For as long as Fei can remember, there has been no sound in her village, where rocky terrain and frequent avalanches prevent residents from self-sustaining. Fei and her people are at the mercy of a zipline that carries food up the treacherous cliffs from Beiguo, a mysterious faraway kingdom.
When villagers begin to lose their sight, deliveries from the zipline shrink and many go hungry. Fei’s home, the people she loves, and her entire existence is plunged into crisis, under threat of darkness and starvation.
But soon Fei is awoken in the night by a searing noise, and sound becomes her weapon.
Richelle Mead takes readers on a triumphant journey from the peak of Fei’s jagged mountain village to the valley of Beiugo, where a startling truth and an unlikely romance will change her life forever…
This books sounds interesting! I’ll definitely read it. At some point… I’m still reading Mindy’s new book. I have two weeks of final paper typing/website coding left, then don’t start up again till the end of January, which gives me plenty of reading/crafting/napping* time!!
*if you’re reading this, McBoyfriend, napping = working out
Extras: Vampire Diaries tattoos and a Colorful Geek coupon code OWLCRATE for 30% off.
December is themed “Get Inspired” and the box will feature something by my favorite owl drawing artist, Boy Girl Party!
“We’re super excited to have partnered up with Boy Girl Party for our December box! We are so in love with Susie’s art style, and she has a store full of items any bookworm would be happy to covet. Which item did we choose? You’ll have to subscribe to see!”
Verdict: So far, this is the best box I’ve gotten this month! For $36, the contents come up to about $45. The book sounds interesting, I am giddy over new tea, I will be checking out my own fleek brows, and I loved the box packaging. So, my favorites equal the cost of the box before shipping. However, as a YA box I think they’re doing an awesome job of curation! I will be sticking with this sub to see what comes next.
What did you think? Let us know if you got it and/or if you are interested in reading Soundless or if your eyebrows need some fleeking.
PS: In case you were wondering what I did with my Deux Lux bags that I didn’t like, I swapped them and have the pics of the new bags on the post now!
I got Cinderella tea, which is pumpkin flavored. I’m not sure I can get behind pumpkin tea, but I guess I should reserve judgement until I actually try it.
Sarah, how fitting to have pumpkin tea for Cinderella! Better than mice flavor =) I don’t think I’ve had pumpkin tea, but I’d try it.
I tried it last night. It’s not bad; the pumpkin is very subtle. 3.5 stars. Would drink again.
Great review! And I love your picture – it’s cute & funny + you have beautiful eyes!!
This book is on my (very long) wish list – I like/love all off Richelle Mead’s books. Let us know if you like it.
And thanks for the update on your Deux Lux bags – your news ones are great!! But I still love that metallic grey wristlet wallet you got originally too. 🙂
Thanks, Heat! I used some sub box eyeliner to be sure. And I still have the bag if you want a swap =D
I got the Red Riding Hood tea as well. What a pleasure to get a whole tin of tea instead of a tea bag or two!
Bad kitty have you tried it? It’s got a nice cinnamon scent, and I put a little bit of an orange honey straw in it.
Oohs that is so good (marketing) of Adigio’s teas to have Fairy Tale teas definetaly great for a YA sub box and tea lovers that love fairy tales. It makes me want to have a very watered down tea party with my Pnut people.
I TOTALLY get your commen on the locket being cheap but as a teen you would love and treasure it! The mirror is pretty cute.
I think you made me a little younger at heart reading this review. A little temporary age lift! Great review thanks 🙂
OMG My Little Pony, Mass Effect, Harry Potter, Disney Princess teas hook me up! Free shipping til Cyber Monday. I am going to get something for the husband and my Pnut people…
Hmmm… Was excited for Dragon Age but only one of the original. Maybe I will get Alistair just because…
Free shipping? Why did you tell me this, Pnut?? Now I have to go buy some tea… my boss probably thinks I’m a crazy tea stockpiler. I think I add a new box every week!
Also, my mom bought my niece this super cute ceramic? tea set, and she demands to have real tea in it whenever she pulls it out. I’m stealing both girls tonight for auntie time, and was thinking about having a super pretty hero princess dinner party [dress up like superhero princesses and go out to dinner].
Sounds like a cute show!
I made the mistake and did a search for Dragon Age characters and lo behold, there was a tea in their honor, however, we found renters *fingers crossed everything gets approved and signed* and now I am too fussy to sort out the 20+ teas in my cart. It would take me awhile to unearth a tea set with the upcoming move. I need to save my energy and wallet for Black Friday c’mon Popsugar come to momma!!!
I want all the teas!!!
My cart is full of mating bunnies I was supposed to reduce but I added more!?!
I am getting fussy again. At least I have til Monday :/
Owl Crate does a great job! I enjoyed reading the review and seeing how everything pieces together. I”m curious about the book. Your Deux Luxe items look amazing! I am glad you were able to swap for what interests you.
I always love your reviews!! I’m excited to see what the February OwlCrate book is. Sci-fi romance sounds good. I’ve had a bit of trouble getting into the last 2 books but I really liked Soundless & A Madness So Discreet. I’ve never listened to an audio book before. Do you have any recommendations of a great audio book? Thanks, Amy
Hi Amy! Thank you!! I am also excited for Feb–just got the tracking =D For January I just skimmed past the first couple of chapters about jousting, and then it got interesting. I didn’t get the Madness book, but it’s on my list.
As for audiobooks, yes I LOVE them because my commute is long, and it’s a nice way to chip at my book list. I think the best audiobook is Boy Meets Boy because each character is voiced by a different person. Other than that the Harry Potter narrator is great and actually narrates loads of things, and some celeb authors narrate their own stuff, like Tina Fey and Judy Greer. If you have a library card, see if your library’s website has Overdrive or a service to download audiobooks for free. I have the Overdrive app on my phone and download a new book each week [right now: Waistcoats and Weaponry] and return it as soon as I’m done, plus you can change the speed of the speaking.
Btw what are you reading now??
I’m trying to finish World of Ink and Shadow. I tell myself if I can’t keep up with the OwlCrate books then I should probably cancel. I really wouldn’t 😉 My tracking said it left Oregon and should arrive in Oklahoma Saturday! Yay! I will definitely check out Boy Meets Boy! Thank you! 🙂