Illumicrate #27: November 2024
Day three of posting my overdue book boxes! Today it’s the turn of the November Illumicrate, which I got my hands on on the second to last day of its month.
The theme of the November box was Time is running out, which will contain a fantasy book aimed at an adult audience in which the hands of the clock will play an important role!
I already have quite a few of the first item and yet I never get tired of receiving more: A ceramic book pot!
This time focused on time travel and alternate realities and dimensions, designed by @chattynora.
Item 2 I also received a couple of times before and I’m doubting whether I needed another one: A reusable plastic tumbler, with lid and matching straw.
I really like using these cups in the summer for my iced coffee, so an extra one means I don’t have to wash the other ones as often, lol. This one also comes in my favorite colour, so yes, I’m happy with it!
The illustration on the cup is by @forensicandflowers and is inspired by Crownchasers, a book I’d actually never heard of before.
Item 3 is another one I can’t get enough of: socks!
The quality of the socks in these boxes is always superior and the colourful designs, inspired by books, always make me happy. I really like this one designed by @flutterandfern, inspired by The Principle of Moments.
Item 4 is a first-timer and quite a clever idea: A coin to determine whether you go to sleep or continue reading 😀
It was hard to photograph, because it’s so shiny, but one side of the coin says in red “One more chapter”, the other side in blue “Go to sleep”.
Based on the colours you could probably guess where the designer @thebitterseason got their inspiration? It was This is How You Lose the Time War.
And then the November book was The Last Hour Between Worlds by Melissa Caruso:
She’s not the only one. Her professional and personal nemesis, notorious burglar Rika Nonesuch, is on the prowl. They quickly identify what’s causing the a mysterious grandfather clock that sends them down an Echo every time it chimes. In each strange new layer of reality, time resets and a sinister figure appears to perform a blood-soaked ritual.
As Kem and Rika fall into increasingly macabre versions of their city, they’ll need to rely on their wits—and each other—to unravel the secret of the clock and save their home.
Oh wow, this one sounds super interesting. I always get excited about Wibbly Wobbly, Timey Wimey stories, so I’m putting this one at the top of my sci-fi pile!
The Illumicrate cover is almost identical to the standard edition, except for a difference in colours and the removal of the silhouette. The gold from the original cover was also replaced by silver foil.
Hmm, I’m not entirely convinced by this one. I find the original in black and gold more elegant. The choice of the blue-green color is a bit strange, to be honest. Not that I find it ugly, but I don’t immediately think it’s an improvement.
When I removed the cover I also had to sit with it for a moment. What a strange cacophony of colours!
But the more I look at it, the more meaningful I find the whole thing and the illustrations do nicely reflect the idea of the clock that creates alternative realities. So my final verdict is positive. Very cool concept and nicely executed by @zookie_art.
It also seems to me a cover that will gain more meaning when you read the story.
The book block was also spray painted all around in a colour that matches the cover, with accompanying digital illustrations by @perrycuffdesigns.
Inside are two separate illustrations by @marceline2174 as endpapers. Especially the last one looks very bad-ass and makes me even more curious about the book.
Furthermore, the book comes with a bound-in letter from the author and they also signed this book by hand.
Yet another great box from Illumicrate. All items that make me happy and a book that speaks to me very much!
Cheers,
Charlotte