Unboxing and Reviewing the Best Literary Subscription Boxes: OwlCrate YA Book & Goodies Box

For the past three months, I have been subscribed to OwlCrate, "a monthly subscription service that delivers newly published hardcover novels and a collection of bookish goodies to your doorstep." I specifically signed up for the Young Adult Book & Goodies subscription because I love bookish goodies as much as I love books. So after three months, what are my thoughts?

OwlCrate Overview

About the Brand

OwlCrate is a monthly subscription box for young adult and adult readers who love fantasy. Each month they send out a newly released fantasy novel with exclusive content from authors and publishers. Depending on the type of subscription you have, you may also receive 4-5 bookish items inspired by the book of the month and other bookish fandoms. These items include jewelry, collectible toys, bookmarks, pins, drinkware, household items, and so much more.

Key Details

Subscription Box Service: OwlCrate
Subscription Box Name: Young Adult Book & Goodies
Subscription Box Contents: Newly released hardcover novel plus 4-5 bookish goodies inspired by the book and other related fandoms
Subscription Type: Monthly
Cost: Monthly- $35.99 + Shipping   (I pay ~$52 per month with tax and shipping)
Ships To: US, UK, Australia, Canada, and a variety of other countries (See complete list and shipping cost here)
Other Services: Young Adult Book Only and Adult Book Only Subscription Boxes + Bookish Goodies/Merch Shop + OwlCrate Collective Community & Rewards

OwlCrate June 2024 YA Contents

June 2024's theme for the YA box was One Step Ahead and featured Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen. OwlCrate's exclusive edition featured:

• Exclusive redesigned dust jacket by @lilittwang 
• Reversible dust jacket by @ritzbitzfei 
• Foil stamp hardcover case design by @saiyre.art 
• Patterned end pages designed by @llstarcasterll⁠ 
• Sprayed edges 
• Signed by the author on a page designed by @the.pearledreader 
• Author letter bound into book⁠ 
• Bonus content bound into book⁠
  
  

Overall, this is a beautiful edition of the book, the deep blues and golds standing out on my bookshelf. I wish that the edges were decorated instead of a solid color. Thus far, the sprayed edges have been solid colors, compared to Illumicrate which has had fully designed edges that are just stunning. While I love the solid color edges, I would have preferred artwork along the edges. For the amount of money I pay for the subscription, I feel like they could improve their edge designs.

Despite my disappointment in the edges, the foil stamp, reversible dust jackets, and patterned end pages are so delightful. This is a book that will look beautiful whether you keep the dust jacket or not.

Also featured in this box were five bookish items:

• Stacking mug inspired by A Court of Thorn and Roses designed by @offthehookstudio & @the.pearledreader
• Facial cleansing pads inspired by The Prison Healer designed by @_francesdesigns
• Reading kit with Post-its, note pad, and pen inspired by the Scholomance series designed by @lichen_and_limestone
• Mango and pineapple tea inspired by The Adventure of Amina Al-Sirafi created by Riddle's Tea Shoppe
• The sixth Perfect Pairings pin features Rin and Nezha from The Poppy War designed by @saiyre.art
  
  

The cup box arrived damaged but thankfully the mug was unharmed because it was well packed. While I am never going to read ACOTAR, the mug is beautiful and high quality. This is an item I will likely sell or trade, but I know is very popular among the fandom. The mug pairs perfectly with the mango and pineapple tea which tastes incredible. It's light and fruity and tastes wonderful whether it's warm or chilled, making it the perfect summer tea. Despite the small quantity, there are several servings and you can use a serving twice before the flavor becomes too weak.

The facial cleansing pads are so soft and beautifully designed. I am afraid to use them, but they are washable and therefore reusable, making them an eco-friendly alternative to disposable cleansing pads. The pin is high quality, although I am not a pin collector, and the reading kit is stunning. It's one of my favorite goodies in this month's box. I love that it comes in its own little book that can be easily transported everywhere you take your book. I'm not one to annotate my books, but I certainly hope to get into it in the future and this will be helpful!

Apart from the goodies, the box also comes with a guide that includes an interview with the author, design comparisons, news, a Spotify playlist inspired by the book of the month, upcoming releases, and a sneak peek into the next month's box. I think the playlist is so cool and every month I check it out to see what they have chosen. It's a great way to find new artists.

Pros

• Nice, clean website. OwlCrate's website is easy to navigate with a very detailed FAQ page.
• Themed subscriptions. Each month features a specific theme and all of the goodies revolve around that theme. While I love the themes, sometimes the items feel like a stretch.
• Eco-friendly packaging. For the most part, all of the packaging is recyclable or eco-friendly. The only plastic bubble wrap thus far in my three boxes has been around glassware.
• Ships internationally. They service a huge range of countries, more than many other subscription boxes currently on the market.
• Variety of options. Depending on your budget or what you want, OwlCrate offers several subscription options including Adult Fantasy Book Only, YA Fantasy Book Only, YA Fantasy Book & Goodies.
• Price discount for 3- and 6-month subscriptions. If you know you want to subscribe for a while, you can save several dollars per month by subscribing for a longer period of time.
• Skippable. If a particular month does not interest you or you can't afford a month, you can skip it without losing your subscription. I love this feature! In fact, I am skipping July for various reasons, but mostly because I need to catch up on my reading. Haha!
• Subscription can be changed. If you wish to downgrade to a book-only subscription or upgrade to the book and goodies you can do so easily without losing your subscription. I believe you can only do this for the YA subscription as the adult subscription does not have a goodies option nor is it on the same waitlist as the YA one.
• Replacement of damaged or missing items. If an item shows up damaged or if you are missing something, OwlCrate will work with you to replace the item. This includes replacing boxes that are lost in the mail. They will not, however, refund you for the item.
• Loyalty rewards program. Whether you have an active subscription or are just purchasing items from the shop, you earn rewards points which can be redeemed for discounts. You can also earn points by completing different actions such as following them on social media or celebrating your birthday! You cannot apply rewards to your current subscription, but you can apply them to a new one or any of the items featured in their shop, including past boxes and exclusive editions. As you earn more rewards, you enter different VIP tiers, increasing how many points you are able to earn per purchase. This is a great way to save money on bookish items.
• OwlCrate Nest community. OwlCrate has its own social media app where you can connect with other like-minded readers.
• OwlCrate Collective for social media ambassadors. If you are a social media influence on Instagram or TikTok you have the opportunity to earn additional loyalty rewards by posting 1-2 times per month about your OwlCrate subscription by becoming an ambassador.
• OwlCrate is adding quarterly subscription boxes for different genes. OwlCrate recently announced they will be offering 4 new quarterly subscriptions starting Spring 2025. These subscriptions will feature horror, romance, romantasy, and sci-fi books. You can join the waitlist or reserve a guaranteed spot by paying $25, which will go towards your first month's box. Unfortunately, you can not skip any of these boxes and they are an adult book-only subscription.

Cons

• Expensive. Honestly, this box is pretty expensive after tax and shipping. $35.99 is a great deal, but when you add shipping and taxes, the box ends up being $52+ dollars a month. This is certainly not something I can afford every single month, especially in today's economy.
• No personalization option. You get what you get so if there are items you aren't interested in, you can't opt for something different.
• Wait List. There is currently a long waitlist for both the YA and Adult subscription boxes. I did not have to wait very long, but others have been waiting for 2+ months to get in.
• Sprayed edges are solid color only. I haven't received or seen any OwlCrate subscription box books with detailed edges. They are all a solid color. This may not be a con for others, but it is for me. For the amount of money I am paying, I want something more.
• Some items seem cheap. One month I received a book tracker made out of cheap plastic and it was lopsided. I had to take it apart to fix it. After three months, most of the items are not things I will keep long-term, but I know others will really appreciate or love them.
• No returns are allowed on subscription boxes. If the box was shipped/delivered, they will not allow you to return it, even if it isn't opened. If you meant to cancel and the box has already shipped, you are out of luck. However, if an item is damaged or missing, they will replace it.
• No t-shirts. I know some people really love receiving clothing, but you will not find that with OwlCrate.

People I Would Reccomend OwlCrate To

• People who don't buy a lot of books. I pre-order a lot of books and since OwlCrate tends to pick new books, there is a chance you will end up with duplicates. If you don't preorder, the chances of you receiving a duplicate are much slimmer.
• People who want to discover new books and authors. While I tend to keep up with bookish news, I certainly don't keep up like some other book bloggers and social media influencers. OwlCrate is a great way for people like me to find new authors and keep up to date on the latest book releases without much thought.
• New or returning YA readers. This subscription box is perfect for people who have just started out reading YA or who are returning to the reading scene after a prolonged absence, whether they are a young adult or a full-ass adult like myself who prefers books with little to no spice.
• YA fantasy lovers with little time to research and purchase books. Obviously, this subscription is geared toward those who love YA fantasy, but not all fantasy readers have the time or energy to find new books. This is a great way to get new books with no effort on your part!
• Those looking for a gift for the book reader in your life. If you are not an avid reader yourself or are unsure of what to get the reader in your life, this is a great gift option. Purchase a 3-month subscription and let them enjoy the surprise!

Final Thoughts

Overall, I have enjoyed my subscription thus far. I think I may continue it, skipping months I am not particularly interested in or when my TBR is too backed up. I have looked forward to this surprise every month for the past three months, and it always pleases me when it comes in. I have been able to diversify my shelf significantly, as the last two months have featured BIPOC authors with BIPOC characters. I am always looking for more BIPOC recommendations and OwlCrate has been a great, low-maintenance way for me to do this. Is this something I can afford long-term? Probably not, but the skipping of boxes really helps alleviate some of the financial stress.

Do you currently subscribe to OwlCrate? Another subscription box? Let me know in the comments below if you have any other recommendations!

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo | Book Review

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
Published by Flatiron Books on April 9, 2024
Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Pages: 400
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased

Content Warnings: Torture, Antisemitism, Death, Murder, Sexual Assault, Gore
Rating:

In a shabby house, on a shabby street, in the new capital of Madrid, Luzia Cotado uses scraps of magic to get through her days of endless toil as a scullion. But when her scheming mistress discovers the lump of a servant cowering in the kitchen is actually hiding a talent for little miracles, she demands Luzia use those gifts to better the family's social position. What begins as simple amusement for the bored nobility takes a perilous turn when Luzia garners the notice of Antonio Pérez, the disgraced secretary to Spain's king. Still reeling from the defeat of his armada, the king is desperate for any advantage in the war against England's heretic queen—and Pérez will stop at nothing to regain the king's favor. Determined to seize this one chance to better her fortunes, Luzia plunges into a world of seers and alchemists, holy men and hucksters, where the line between magic, science, and fraud is never certain. But as her notoriety grows, so does the danger that her Jewish blood will doom her to the Inquisition's wrath. She will have to use every bit of her wit and will to survive—even if that means enlisting the help of Guillén Santangel, an embittered immortal familiar whose own secrets could prove deadly for them both.

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo is a quintessential Bardugo novel. If you have read her other works, you likely know what I am talking about. The Familiar reminded me a lot of Shadow and Bone and not necessarily in a good way. Once again we have a young woman, gifted with immense power who is "ugly" and shy and doesn't believe in herself who must go through a series of trials to prove her worth. Honestly, I am tired of this trope. In the first several chapters Bardugo makes a point of describing Luzia as plain and nothing to look at, which adds absolutely nothing to the story. At least in Shadow and Bone, Alina Starkov being "ugly" and tired-looking had a point. Luzia being plain contributed nothing to this story and in no way furthered the plot. The only important aspect of Luzia's physical appearance was her hair, therefore any other mention of physical traits was a waste of time. I don't understand Bardugo's fascination with making her female leads ugly. Is Bardugo trying to prove something to herself?

Despite my displeasure with Bardugo's description of Luzia, the book was decent. The Familiar is told from multiple points of view within the same chapter, which made for an interesting story. While this sounds like it would be confusing, the book flowed seamlessly and was easy to follow based on visual clues. Whenever the story was shifting points of view or timeframes there was a large break in the text to denote such a change. I enjoyed understanding the story from multiple perspectives, each character adding details that would otherwise be lost if we only followed Luzia alone. I loved the magic system, which is based on folklore, and how Luzia brought forth her magic through singing, even if it was sometimes only in her head. As I mentioned in my review of The Hedgewitch of Foxhall by Anna Bright, singing is something I incorporate into my own magical practice so it's nice to see this represented in books.

While I enjoyed the overall story, the pacing was terribly off. Some parts were extremely slow while others felt rushed and overlooked. For a high-stakes story, you'd think the pacing would be more consistent. One such example of this failed pacing is the love story that takes place. I don't want to give anything away, so I won't mention who falls in love with Luzia, but it felt like it came out of left field for both characters involved. There are some subtle hints that the two may have an attraction, but this relationship goes from 0 to 100 in a matter of pages which left me flabbergasted, to say the least. Others have described the relationship as a slow burn, but it is anything but. There was no burn leading up to the intimate scenes between Luzia and her lover. The spicy scenes between the two are docile, with very little description. I prefer this as I don't enjoy reading smut, so if you are into super spicy scenes, you will not find that here.

Apart from the terrible pacing, the language sometimes pulled me out of the time period. I loved that The Familiar is a fantastical historical fiction, setting the story within real historical events in Spain. Bardugo even goes so far as to include what happened to some of the real characters whose ends we do not see by the end of the story. I am an absolute sucker for Tudor history, especially history involving Elizabeth I and her defeat of the Spanish Armada. The Familiar takes place after Philip II's Armada is defeated by the English, and Philip's desire to reclaim his dignity and defeat the heretic Protestants is a driving force in this story. Bardugo, however, uses "fuck" a little too often for my taste, not that I mind vulgar language (I use the word often), but it pulled me out of the historical setting very quickly. Jarring is how I would describe it.

While I was not over-the-moon impressed with The Familiar I did quite enjoy the ending. The final chapter was my favorite, not because the story was finally over, but because I loved how Bardugo wrapped everything up with a nice bow. The characters who deserve the worst get their comeuppance while others live happily ever after. By the end, I did enjoy the love between Luzia and her partner and was satisfied with how their story panned out. It blossomed into a beautiful love, just as the flowers consistently bloomed for Luzia. 

Overall, I give The Familiar a 3 out of 5 stars. It was just okay but still worth the read. Maybe check this one out in the library instead of purchasing it. Who knows, maybe you will love it more than me.

The Hedgewitch of Foxhall by Anna Bright | Book Review

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

The Hedgewitch of Foxhall by Anna Bright
Published by Harper Teen on March 12, 2024
Genres: YA Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 400
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased

Content Warnings: Death
Rating:

Magic is fading from Wales—choked off by King Offa’s Dyke, the enemy earthworks that spans the entire border. Even the dragons have disappeared. And now an attack is imminent. Prince Taliesin would love to watch magic die. Prince Dafydd fears it, and the throne. But when their father promises the crown to whichever son can destroy the dyke and restore magic to Wales, the brothers are forced into an uneasy rivalry. Ffion works hedgewitch magic for poor folk, not princes. Unlike the power-hungry Foxhall coven, she uses only what nature can spare. But when the coven’s greed costs Ffion everything, she will need power beyond her wildest dreams to get back what she’s lost. So when Prince Taliesin arrives, begrudgingly seeking a witch’s aid, Ffion agrees to help him—even if it means walking from one end of Wales to the other with the most use-less peacock she’s ever clapped eyes on. Even if it means striking a bargain with Dafydd behind Tal’s back. The fate of Wales depends on their quest . . . and so might the fate of Ffion’s heart.

I am a witch of Foxhall

And I've come to beg a boon

My house it is quite lonely

Yet we're also out of room

I'm come to Foxhall Forest

And I hope not to offend

I offer you this poppet

And I ask of you a friend

...I finished The Hedgewitch of Foxhall a couple of days ago and I keep going back and rereading sections and chapters because it was so good. This is a hard 5-star read for me and has me rethinking some of my previous 5-star ratings. The magic system, character building, and slow-burning romance have me in a serious chokehold and I'm not sure I will ever truly move on from this book. I am not one that usually goes back and reread books, let alone annotates them and I did both with this book. I recognize The Hedgewitch of Foxhall won't be loved by everyone, but it spoke to me on a deeply personal level.

So where do I begin? The Hedgewitch of Foxhall is told from three different points of view and while most of the book is in the present, there are jumps to the past that help develop the characters. It took time to really get to know the hearts of the characters because they failed to trust each other and themselves, which was conveyed in the writing extremely well. Ffion, Taliesin, and Dafydd (David) do a lot of growing and changing as the book progresses, helping to foster that connection with the characters we all crave. While I applaud the character building, I felt Dafydd's arc was the weakest of the cast, but he was also the one most unsure of himself. Bright's writing conveyed this confusion well.

What really captured my heart was Ffion, who reminded me very much of myself and my lived experiences. She is wild and free, headstrong and convicted, and she wants absolutely nothing to do with the Foxhall coven, the power-hungry witches under the hill. The Foxhall coven is an excellent allegory for modern capitalism. They take whatever they want with complete disregard for the impact this will have on the environment and others, charge absorbent prices for their services, refuse to help those in most need because it's not prestigious enough, and wish to keep the status quo. Ffion, in all her wildness, represents everything that opposes capitalism. She only takes what she needs, gives back to her community the best way she can, and purposely reduces her impact on the environment. As a practicing hedgewitch (you can read about it on my other blog Flying the Hedge) and animist myself, Ffion's approach to magic resonated with me as I practice the same way, not to mention we share the same familiar. Ffion sings to bring her magic to life, an act I also use in my own magic. I found each song beautiful and moving, especially the one quoted above, as Ffion always knew exactly what to sing to strengthen her magic.

Ffion's "love triangle" with Prince Taliesin and Prince Dafydd was not really a love triangle, in my opinion, and was sometimes awkward, but still enjoyable. Being teens, their love being awkward is expected and that came through in the writing. I'm not going to give anything away, but she definitely ended up with the right person, the person she was always destined to be with. The love is a slow burn, just like Ffion's magic, one that will leave you itching for more. The tension between all three of them is palpable and left me breathless on multiple occasions. There is no spice, so if you are looking for that here, you won't find it here. Remember, they are teens...

Last, but certainly not least, there is a twist at the end that I did not see coming. Usually, I can smell a twist or mystery a mile away, but I was not prepared for what happened in the last couple of chapters. I felt the ending was somewhat rushed, but battle always feels that way when it's happening, so it makes sense I felt that rush as well. There were some deaths I would have liked to have gotten some more closure on instead of "they died on the battlefield." There is one person in particular I can't believe was allowed to continue on their way after what they did as if they didn't just commit treason, but I am willing to forgive Bright for these trespasses because the rest of the book was perfection.

If you are looking for something to consume you, The Hedgewitch of Foxhall is the book for you. I don't know if I will ever be able to get it out of my head and I'm okay with that. 

Wrath by John Gwynne | Book Review

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Wrath by John Gwynne
Series: The Faithful & The Fallen #4
Published by Orbit on December 6, 2016
Genres: Epic Fantasy
Pages: 715
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased

Content Warnings: Death, Blood, Violence, Self Harm
Rating:

Events are coming to a climax in the Banished Lands, as the war reaches new heights. King Nathair has taken control of the fortress at Drassil and three of the Seven Treasures are in his possession. And together with Calidus and his ally Queen Rhin, Nathair will do anything to obtain the remaining Treasures. With all seven under his command, he can open a portal to the Otherworld. Then Asroth and his demon-horde will finally break into the Banished Lands and become flesh. Meanwhile Corban has been taken prisoner by the Jotun, warrior giants who ride their enormous bears into battle. His warband scattered, Corban must make new allies if he hopes to survive. But can he bond with competing factions of warlike giants? Somehow he must, if he's to counter the threat Nathair represents. His life hangs in the balance -- and with it, the fate of the Banished Lands.

Wrath is the final installment of The Faithful & The Fallen series by John Gwynne. When I first started diving into Booktok, I stumbled upon a video about epic fantasy books, and this series was on the list. What stuck out to me was the reviewer mentioned there was zero spice, just action. As someone who prefers very little to no romance, let alone spice, I knew I had to pick up the series. Viking-inspired epic fantasy with tons of action, mythical creatures, and a chosen-one storyline with no spice and multiple points of view?! Yes, please! I am so thankful to whatever Booktoker turned me onto John Gwynne because you saved me during a reading slump. This series helped me fall back in love with reading.

Being the final installment, there isn't too terribly much I can say without giving the entire series away, but I'll do my best to express my thoughts without ruining it for others. Wrath is incredibly fast-paced and 715 pages seriously felt like 200 pages. I flew through the chapters at lightning speed, my heart racing, and my anxiety peaked as I couldn't read the words fast enough. I kept saying I didn't know how Gwynne would wrap everything up, but boy, he did! It was an emotional roller-coaster as good and evil battled to control the Banished Lands. As with the other books in the series, no character is safe, including those with their own chapters, and some of the deaths hit like a ton of bricks, leaving me curled up in a ball on the floor sobbing. I wish I was exaggerating here, but my partner found me one evening and couldn't understand why I was so upset over a fictional character. Other deaths had me cheering and punching my fist into the air.

Gwynne presents multiple epic fantasy tropes in a unique and engaging way, that kept my attention until the very end. While it personally took me a year to read the entire series (I have a lot going on outside of reading) many others devoured it in a month. The world-building is incredible, the character development deep, and the story-telling enticing and alluring. I absolutely adored the series overall, and while this is not my favorite book in the series, it's definitely up there. Some elements were predictable, while others left me reeling, especially one involving dung, an egg, and a bairn (child). 

I highly encourage you to check out the series if you are interested in epic fantasy. You won't be disappointed by this action-packed series about family, friendships, and doing what's right, even when it's hard. Truth and Courage!

What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher | Book Review

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher
Series: Sworn Solider #2
Published by Tor Nightfire on February 13, 2024
Genres: Gothic, Horror, LGBT, Folklore

Pages: 151
Format: Hardback
Source: Purchased

Content Warnings: Alcohol, Death, Gore, Nightmares, PTSD
Rating:

Retired soldier Alex Easton returns in a horrifying new adventure. After their terrifying ordeal at the Usher manor, Alex Easton feels as if they just survived another war. All they crave is rest, routine, and sunshine, but instead, as a favor to Angus and Miss Potter, they find themself heading to their family hunting lodge, deep in the cold, damp forests of their home country, Gallacia. In theory, one can find relaxation in even the coldest and dampest of Gallacian autumns, but when Easton arrives, they find the caretaker dead, the lodge in disarray, and the grounds troubled by a strange, uncanny silence. The villagers whisper that a breath-stealing monster from folklore has taken up residence in Easton’s home. Easton knows better than to put too much stock in local superstitions, but they can tell that something is not quite right in their home. . . or in their dreams.

I absolutely adore T. Kingfisher's storytelling, especially when it comes to gothic fiction and fantasy. What Feasts at Night is no different. This short novella is the second in the Sworn Solider series (?), following Easton after their traumatic ordeal at Usher Manor. Easton and company arrive at their hunting lodge, only to find the caretaker missing, the place in complete disarray, and white moths inhabiting the weirdest of places.

What Feasts at Night is not nearly as creepy as What Moves the Dead, but the slow build leading to the dramatic finish left me more anxious than the first tale. Unlike its predecessor, What Feasts at Night is not a retelling, but a dip into folk horror, with lots of humor throughout. Easton has clearly undergone some changes since the first book, their sense of humor amplified, likely as a way to deal with the trauma of the past. These bits of humor mixed with suspense made for a unique reading experience.

T. Kingfisher does an excellent job weaving a fantastical creature feature mixed with dream sequences we aren't sure are actually dreams, character building, and a snarky new caretaker you can't help but adore. While I didn't enjoy this one nearly as much as the first, it was still a four-star rating from me. It's nice to throw in some quick reads between series or more daunting books, and this one was perfect for the occasion.

Spoiler Alert 
Rest assured! Hob, Easton's beloved horse, is not harmed in this book, despite the foreboding cover.

Winterwood by Shea Ernshaw | Book Review

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Winterwood by Shea Ernshaw
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers on November 5, 2019
Genres: YA Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 336
Format: Hardback
Source: Purchased

Content Warnings: Alcohol, Death, Drowning, Hazing, Kidnapping, Murder, Bullying
Rating:

Be careful of the dark, dark wood… Especially the woods surrounding the town of Fir Haven. Some say these woods are magical. Haunted, even. Rumored to be a witch, only Nora Walker knows the truth. She and the Walker women before her have always shared a special connection with the woods. And it’s this special connection that leads Nora to Oliver Huntsman—the same boy who disappeared from the Camp for Wayward Boys weeks ago—and in the middle of the worst snowstorm in years. He should be dead, but here he is alive, and left in the woods with no memory of the time he’d been missing. But Nora can feel an uneasy shift in the woods at Oliver’s presence. And it’s not too long after that Nora realizes she has no choice but to unearth the truth behind how the boy she has come to care so deeply about survived his time in the forest, and what led him there in the first place. What Nora doesn’t know, though, is that Oliver has secrets of his own—secrets he’ll do anything to keep buried, because as it turns out, he wasn’t the only one to have gone missing on that fateful night all those weeks ago.

Shea Ernshaw is one of my favorite authors. She has some of the most beautiful prose I have ever read, and she is the only author to date that I have marked passages and quotes to return to later. While I didn't mark nearly as many passages in Winterwood as I did The Wicked Deep, it was still a 5-star rating for me. Since finishing, I have not been able to stop thinking about the story, characters, and language, and still get emotional thinking about the ending.

Winterwood is told from the perspectives of Nora Walker, a young witch coming into her own, and Oliver, a boy who disappeared and reappeared in the Wicker Woods...a boy who should be dead. Scattered throughout the story are passages from the Walker's spellbook, which details the long line of Walker women who have inhabited Fir Haven since before memory. I loved these snippets from the spell book, which also included spells written by the Walker women, spells that, while not real, are rooted in true correspondences and folklore. Some have mentioned that the repetition bothered them, but I understood Ernshaw's meaning. First, the number three is a highly magical number, associated with protection, harmony, wisdom, and understanding, which directly corresponds with the story and Nora and Oliver's journey. As a witch myself, I love Ernshaw's attention to detail in this regard. Without giving too much away, the repetition is also associated with Nora's magic, which I think many of those critiquing the repetition failed to understand.

Winterwood is an enchanting mystery with hauntingly gorgeous and chilling world-building. While you may see the twist from a mile away, it still took my breath away, leaving goosebumps and a chill that ran down my spine. It's quiet and slow, intense and chilling, which left me wanting so much more. As I mentioned, I am always completely and utterly enthralled by Ernshaw's writing and Winterwood is no different. My only fault with the book was the romance, which seemed very quick for me considering the time over which the book unfolds. Others say it felt natural, so I'll leave that up to you to decide. Despite this, I can't stop thinking about the book and will very likely revisit it again in the future. Thank you, Shea Ernshaw, for leaving me captivated until the very end. 

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher | Book Review

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
Series: Sworn Solider #1
Published by Tor Nightfire on July 12, 2022
Genres: Gothic, Horror, Retelling, Sci-fi, LGBT
Pages: 165
Format: Hardback
Source: Purchased

Content Warnings: Alcohol, Death, Suicide, Attempted Murder, Fire, Gore
Rating:

When Alex Easton, a retired soldier, receives word that their childhood friend Madeline Usher is dying, they race to the ancestral home of the Ushers in the remote countryside of Ruravia. What they find there is a nightmare of fungal growths and possessed wildlife, surrounding a dark, pulsing lake. Madeline sleepwalks and speaks in strange voices at night, and her brother Roderick is consumed with a mysterious malady of the nerves. Aided by a redoubtable British mycologist and a baffled American doctor, Alex must unravel the secret of the House of Usher before it consumes them all.

I must say I love a good retelling and I love T. Kingfisher's retellings and reimaginings. What Moves the Dead is a retelling of Edgar Allen Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher and offers a unique perspective of the events mixed with sci-fi elements. If you enjoyed The Last of Us (game or TV series) then this is the book for you as fungi play a central role in the story.

What Moves the Dead follows Alex Easton, a non-binary soldier, who comes to aid their friends in their time of need. When they arrive, they find the Usher house dilapidated and overrun with weird fungi, a lake that glows, hares that behave oddly, and two very ill Ushers, especially Madeline Usher who seems to be more dead than alive. As the story progresses, things get weirder and weirder, creepier and creepier. While I would categorize What Moves the Dead as horror, it does not keep you up at night horror, but it's certainly enough to induce anxiety or feelings of unease and dread.

T. Kingfisher does an excellent job representing non-binary individuals and even creates an entire set of pronouns unique to Easton's home country, pronouns that are thoroughly explained and respected more often than not (there is some misgendering). Because the other characters fully accept Easton for who they are, it's easy for the reader to catch on to the pronoun usage and accept their existence. Kingfisher also does an excellent job addressing issues of misogyny in the scientific community, showcasing an amateur woman scientist who is a force to be reckoned with and who isn't clumsy or ditsy. As a scientist myself, women are often depicted as smart yet clumsy or ditsy to avoid appearing too masculine. I loathe this trope, and I am so thankful Kingfisher avoided it.

What Moves the Dead is a highly atmospheric slow burn, albeit short. The story gradually unfolds, which aids in growing the suspense and dread felt by the reader, and often includes some light-hearted humor among the suspense. Kingfisher is a truly gifted storyteller with unique prose that will leave you wanting more. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, atmosphere, science, and character development, as well as the unique reasoning behind the fall of the House of Usher. I will likely reread this book in the future, despite my current rating of 4 out of 5 stars. I am so excited to continue Easton's journey in the next book in the series What Feasts at Night.

So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole | Book Review

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole
Series: Divine Traitors #1
Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers on January 16, 2024
Genres: YA Fantasy, LGBT, BIPOC
Pages: 400
Format: Hardback
Source: Purchased

Content Warnings: War, Racism, PTSD, Death
Rating:

Faron Vincent can channel the power of the gods. Five years ago, she used her divine magic to liberate her island from its enemies, the dragon-riding Langley Empire. But now, at seventeen, Faron is all powered up with no wars to fight. She’s a legend to her people and a nuisance to her neighbors. When she’s forced to attend an international peace summit, Faron expects that she will perform tricks like a trained pet and then go home. She doesn’t expect her older sister, Elara, forming an unprecedented bond with an enemy dragon—or the gods claiming the only way to break that bond is to kill her sister. As Faron’s desperation to find another solution takes her down a dark path, and Elara discovers the shocking secrets at the heart of the Langley Empire, both must make difficult choices that will shape each other’s lives, as well as the fate of their world.

So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole was the first of many pre-orders to arrive this year. As many of you may be aware, at the end of 2023, another debut (white) author left a slew of negative reviews on several BIPOC authors' upcoming books, essentially review-bombing them to prevent sales and competition. Needless to say, she was quickly caught and dealt with appropriately. In response, many readers, myself included, pre-ordered the negatively impacted books to show our support. The first of those was So Let Them Burn.

So Let Them Burn is a dual-perspective story that follows Faron and her sister Elara as they navigate post-war life, the struggles of sustained liberation post-colonization, and the continuous threats to their country's independence while simultaneously growing up into their own. It's obvious this book is loosely based on Britain's occupation of Jamaica. Cole does an amazing job addressing tough issues like anti-colonization, anti-imperialism, collective liberation, anti-racism, PTSD, and the stress associated with perfectionism (a symptom of white supremacy) using a fantasy setting and teen characters to appeal to younger audiences. I saw some reviewers criticize the characters for making impulsive or stupid choices, saying they couldn't connect to them, but that is the point. The characters are children, whose frontal lobes have not fully developed, and therefore are impulsive and reckless. This book is specifically written with teens and young adults in mind, not 30-somethings like myself, to introduce the aforementioned topics. Cole should be commended for presenting such concepts in an easily accessible way, while also including topics of intersectionality and white accompliceship. 

Elara is a lesbian, struggling with her attraction to her co-rider, while her best friend Reeve, a Langlish (white) traitor, struggles with his place in a world that hates him. Reeve is the picture of a good accomplice, one who uses his privilege to challenge oppressive systems even at his own expense. He listens instead of speaking, understands the rage of the San Irie natives, and takes responsibility for his mistakes. I loved that Cole included Reeve's character, not as a white savior but as an accomplice. He continuously uplifts and supports Elara and Faron, even when it puts his life in danger. It is so important that our youth have multiple role models to draw from, including white accomplices like Reeve.

There are dragons and dragon riding, epic world-building, a diverse magic system, an unbreakable bond between sisters, a morally gray villain, and cute romantic relationships all wrapped into one tale. While I enjoyed that this book took place after San Irie's war for independence, it would have been nice to have more background information to put the current story into perspective. We receive flashbacks through Faron and sometimes through Elara, and some short history lessons while Elara attends the dragon riding academy, but it provides a very disjointed version of the past and the events of the war. This makes it difficult for the reader to have a good understanding of the characters' personalities and motivations.

Overall, I loved So Let Them Burn, and devoured it in a matter of days. It was slow at times, especially in the beginning, but it quickly picked up and left on a huge cliffhanger. It was clever and complex, fun and exciting. If that sounds like something you would like, I highly encourage you to pick up So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole.

Turning Pages: Embarking on a Bookish Blogging Journey

 

Dearest Readers,

I'm Willow, an avid reader, book dragon, and crafty creative. Some of you may know me from my blog Flying the Hedge, where I have been documenting my witchcraft journey for the past decade. I adore blogging. The only thing I love more than blogging is reading, which I do a lot of.

Are you an avid reader looking for your next book to devour? Unsure which books are worth your time, money, and effort? Interested in cooking some literary-inspired recipes or maybe constructing some bookish crafts?

Well, you have come to the right place! There is nothing more disappointing than buying, borrowing, or otherwise investing in a book just to DNF it a quarter of the way through. I hope to provide a remedy to this problem.

Because of my deep love of everything bookish, I decided to start a blog combining two of my favorite pastimes into one. Here at Plots & Potions, you can expect to find

• honest reviews of books, subscription boxes, and other literary goods
• recipes inspired by your favorite novels
• bookish crafts to show off your love of reading
• gift ideas for book dragons

and so much more...

While I love reading now that wasn't always the case. When I was little, I struggled with reading and reading comprehension. Why did a text have to have a set meaning? Why couldn't I interpret the story my way? How do we even know a bunch of long-dead white guys even meant what literary experts say they did? Because I was so headstrong, I was deemed a poor reader. In sixth grade, everything changed. My English teacher, Mrs. Ramsey, taught me that reading is about enjoying the story and taking away your own unique perspective. She nurtured my curious mind and let me express my thoughts without trying to 'correct' my understanding. From that point on, I couldn't get enough of books. I wasn't a 'poor' reader, I just saw the world differently.

Over the years I have gone through phases where I read nonstop or not at all. While I set book goals every year I don't view them as a requirement, and neither should you. It isn't about reading as many books as I can; it's about building relationships with fictional characters, enjoying their homelands, and expanding my mind and capacity for empathy. If you feel the same way about reading, I know we will get along swimmingly.

I am so excited to begin this journey with all of you. So come. Grab a blanket, a cup of hot tea, and your favorite book, and let's embark on a new adventure just a page away.

“All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost..." - JRR Tolkien