Illumicrate #29: January 2025
In 2025, I want to be more mindful about which book boxes I order. Every subscription offers the option to skip one or multiple months, and since hints and details about upcoming boxes are often shared online, I should, in theory, be able to be more selective and skip boxes that seem less interesting to me. At least, that’s the idea—but with Illumicrate, where the box includes not just a book but also fun extras, making that skip decision isn’t always easy!
Now, for the first Illumicrate of 2025 it wasn’t such a hard decision, because I was pretty sure what the book was going to be and I definitely didn’t want to skip it. The theme of the month was Fantasy Emporiums and it turned out to be a good box not only because of the beautiful book, but also because of the additional items.
The box was very well filled, it almost couldn’t close. This was mainly due to this first item.
I have received blankets in book boxes several times before, but this is the largest blanket I have ever received! And what a beautiful one, super soft with a very nice illustration by @danlinz_art inspired by the book of the month.
The second item was something I’ve never received before: two mini vases, just big enough for one flower or branch with blossoms. The design is by @whitebreadpattern, inspired by This Poison Heart
At first I had mixed feelings about this item: nice idea, but I don’t really see it being used. Until someone commented that it would be ideal for a lego flower! And yes, I think it turned out really great! I like the cherry blossoms a little better than the lotuses, which seem a little too big, but I still think both look super cool on the cabinet!
Item 3 is also something super handy, namely a coaster for a pot or coffee pot or something. The design is also very cool, inspired by Legends & Lattes designed by @_studio_ao
The fourth and final item is a super cute tea egg in the shape of a teapot with matching coaster. It was designed by @chattynora with inspiration from A Tempest of Tea
January’s book is a standalone adult fantasy debut that I’d seen being “highly anticipated” by many content creators. And yes, Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao does sound very intriguing.
Hana Ishikawa wakes on her first morning as the pawnshop’s new owner to find it ransacked, the shop’s most precious acquisition stolen, and her father missing. And then into the shop stumbles a charming stranger, quite unlike its other customers, for he offers help instead of seeking it.
Together, they must journey through a mystical world to find Hana’s father and the stolen choice—by way of rain puddles, rides on paper cranes, the bridge between midnight and morning, and a night market in the clouds.
But as they get closer to the truth, Hana must reveal a secret of her own—and risk making a choice that she will never be able to take back.
The Illumicrate cover is a completely unique design for this book box with illustrations by @josee_smzk and design by @chattynora.
I really liked the original cover, but I think this Illumicrate design is also of a very high level!
Underneath the dust jacket, Illumicrate opted for a textured print on the hardback. The illustration is by @danlinz_art with gold foil on the spine. Very pretty!
My only criticism would be that the colours on the hardback are too pale compared to the rich blue and yellow colours of the cover and book edges, making it seem a bit disjointed. Nevertheless, I think it’s mega beautiful!
The endpapers also feature two unique and downright beautiful illustrations by @hoanglapdoan, with more muted colours like on the hardback.
Furthermore, the book comes with a bound letter from the author and a digital signature inside.
Hopefully, this box sets the tone for Illumicrate in 2025 because it was truly fantastic! Though I’m not sure if I should be hoping for that, considering my resolution to take advantage of my right to skip boxes without losing my subscription. In any case, I skipped February. I had already planned to do so as soon as it was announced that the book would be YA, but later, I also learned some less favorable things about the chosen author, which solidified my decision. So, my next Illumicrate box will be the March one.
Cheers,
Charlotte
