Fairyloot Adult #44: October 2025
When the theme for the October FairyLoot Adult box was announced in early September, I was instantly obsessed with the artwork.
The theme was Deal with the Devil, and the accompanying illustration was entirely in an art deco style! I absolutely adore art deco — I used to use it for my yearly spreads in my reading journal when I still made time for it — so my expectations for this box were sky-high. I really hoped FairyLoot would embrace that style, and spoilers, I wasn’t disappointed.
This month’s book was Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber.
Most students believe the Professor’s stories are just fiction, but Holland St. James has always been convinced that magic is real.
Her search for the truth leads her to a dazzling new world, a deadly ultimatum hidden at the heart of Los Angeles, and into the path of a magnetic stranger who claims he’s been sent to save her life.
But everyone in this intoxicating new world is lying to her, even this stranger. And if she can’t figure out whom to trust, her magical reality could change from a Hollywood dream to a nightmare.
This blurb sounds a bit confusing, to be honest, lol. The first line about the class in an old cinema immediately caught my attention, but the rest feels a little chaotic, although that makes it intriguing at the same time.
Stephanie Garber is one of those authors I’ve wanted to try for ages but who also intimidates me. I own her entire Caraval and Once Upon a Broken Heart series, yet I’ve never dared to start them. I’m too afraid I won’t enjoy them and prefer to stay blissfully unaware instead, haha. But since this is a completely new story and her first book marketed for adults, it might actually be the perfect entry point for me.
The FairyLoot cover is absolutely stunning! Illustrated by @tomrobertsillustration and designed by @aeadraws, it’s pure art deco perfection. The colour palette is striking and unique, and the overall design just radiates that glamorous 1920s feel I adore. I also love how the entire illustration flows and plays with perspective. The standard cover is lovely too, but this one feels truly special. And those colours? Gorgeous!
If this alternate cover isn’t quite your thing, FairyLoot included the standard version on the reverse side of the dust jacket, slightly recoloured. But honestly, I’d never dream of flipping it over!
Printed hardcovers are becoming more and more common, and FairyLoot nailed it again. The design by @sukutangan radiates 1920s art deco flair. And those colours — chef’s kiss! The gold foil detailing is exquisite, and I love the clever placement of the title and author name. The chosen font fits the style beautifully, too.
The sprayed edges, also by @tomrobertsillustration, are another highlight. The yellow tone reminds me a bit of shades used by Illumicrate in the past (with varying succes), but here it works perfectly thanks to the accompagnying soft green and blue hues. Perhaps a little too bright compared to the cover, but I still find the combination coherent, elegant, and completely true to the Art Deco style. I am curious, though, how the “Royal Hotel” mentioned on the edges connects to the story, since the blurb only mentioned an old movie theatre.
The endpapers by @avendellart match the theme perfectly, full of gorgeous geometric details and that signature 1920s energy. I’m slightly less fond of the character art — something about their proportions feels a little off — but the backgrounds completely make up for it.
The book also includes a bound author letter with a digital signature and a bonus chapter featuring a deleted scene.
FairyLoot has done it again: a stunning edition with a cohesive design, rich colours, and delightful art deco details. A real gem for the collection, and one that actually rekindles my desire for my art deco reading journal.
Cheers,
Charlotte
