My first OwlCrate!!



I am perpetually behind where blogging is concerned. I had pledged to get better, and here's my first installment! The subscription service Owlcrate! Upfront and honest (and I have mentioned this before), I'm a 42-year-old woman who enjoys reading YA books. I also enjoy a good mystery or chick lit, but YA is where it's at for me. I mostly enjoy Dystopian or Supernatural slanted books, but not only. I have tried Uppercase before, and while I enjoyed it, I found myself not into the book choices. But that's ok! I stumbled upon Owlcrate, and this is right up my alley!

So what is Owlcrate? It's a monthly subscription service that sends you a box with a new hardcover book and 3-5 bookish keepsakes that revolve around a central theme. Could be candles, socks, bookmarks, pillowcases... just to name a few! The November 2018 theme is Rise from The Ashes. And the book? Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan! I have yet to read it, but it is on my list for 2019! (Little secret, I have rcvd two other Owlcrate since this one, but, you guessed it, I'm behind. I promise to post about them too!)


The cover art is beautiful! To the left is the book jacket synopsis. Here's the Amazon.com subscription:
In this richly developed fantasy, Lei is a member of the Paper caste, the lowest and most persecuted class of people in Ikhara. She lives in a remote village with her father, where the decade-old trauma of watching her mother snatched by royal guards for an unknown fate still haunts her. Now, the guards are back and this time it's Lei they're after -- the girl with the golden eyes whose rumored beauty has piqued the king's interest. Over weeks of training in the opulent but oppressive palace, Lei and eight other girls learns the skills and charm that befit a king's consort. There, she does the unthinkable -- she falls in love. Her forbidden romance becomes enmeshed with an explosive plot that threatens her world's entire way of life. Lei, still the wide-eyed country girl at heart, must decide how far she's willing to go for justice and revenge.

Doesn't that sound interesting? I sure think so! Also included, shown below, is a note from the author!


The box art is super cute! The picture below on the left is what the inside of the box looks like; the picture on on the right (which I now notice is off-center *harumph*) is the information card in this box. Each box has an information card with details of everything shipped in the box.


The first bookish goodie I'll show you is a pillowcase! It says "As long as there is life there is hope," which is a quote from, An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. I have not read that book or series yet, but it sure looks pretty!


Also in the box is an exclusive skull planter! I can't wait to see what I can do with this. I was actually thinking of using it as a pencil holder or something like that!


This craft I think I might give to my niece. It's not something I could see myself doing. But you have these little pieces of paper, and you write on them, roll them up and make bracelets out of them! It would be super cool for a young girl! They are called Wishing Bracelets, and they are made by Craft-tastic.


Here are a few more bookish items - I'd like to point out the sticker in the bottom of the left-hand photo. It doesn't get much more "Rise From The Ashes" than Dumbledore and his Phoenix Fawkes!


I think my favorite part of this box is this wax seal kit! It's exclusive to Owlcrate, and the seal is a book! How absolutely adorable is that! I will have to start sending snail mail letters again just so I can use it!


What do you guys think? Would this be a good thing for you? Do you like YA? haha It really isn't for everyone. But if you would like to get this monthly box, you can check out the info on the site! I believe there's a wait list, but I was on the wait list at first, and it didn't take very long. By clicking the link to check out the info, be advised I do get a bit of a kick back. If 3 people subscribe using my link, I get a free month. There's also the possibility that you can purchase old boxes! This exact box can be purchased here.

**DISCLAIMER** I was not paid for this post by anyone. I either purchased these products myself or was given it as a gift. Affiliate links in this post are to Owlcrate to assist me in getting free boxes.