July’s Illumicrate box was themed ‘Never Enough’ and featured items inspired by The Poppy War, Red Rising, A Darker Shade of Magic, Descendant of the Crane and The Picture of Dorian Gray. It included the next Rosiethorns88 mug and my favourite Illumicrate book to date!
Check out all the items below.
The Book
This month’s book was She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan, and without a doubt it’s my favourite Illumicrate special edition yet! It rounds up the golden trifecta of sapphic excellence and I’ve really enjoyed what I’ve read of it so far.
The Illumicrate edition comes with exclusive stencil edges, reverse dust jacket art by @glassbearer and hidden foiling under the cover. It includes a signed bookplate and its digitally signed also. The monthly collectors pin was designed by @stacey.mcevoy.caunt as per!
Synopsis
She’ll change the world to survive her fate . . .
In Mongol-occupied imperial China, a peasant girl refuses her fate of an early death. Stealing her dead brother’s identity to survive, she rises from monk to soldier, then to rebel commander. Zhu’s pursuing the destiny her brother somehow failed to attain: greatness. But all the while, she feels Heaven is watching.
Can anyone fool Heaven indefinitely, escaping what’s written in the stars? Or can Zhu claim her own future, burn all the rules and rise as high as she can dream?
She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan is a re-imagining of the rise to power of Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu was the peasant rebel who expelled the Mongols, unified China under native rule, and became the founding Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.
Mug
I love @rosiethorns88‘s artwork and this mug is no exception! It’s inspired by The Poppy War, which I’ve yet to read but it’s definitely very high up on my TBR.
Bust
Okay so this is the Darker Shade of Magic item, a bust of Lila Bard from @avendellart. It’s cool, and I like it but it’s very very different to the usual kind of items!
Acrylic Frame
The acrylic frame by @crownandfable, and print by @merwildandco, are inspired by Red Rising. Another I’ve yet to read but this is really cool!
Pocket Mirror
I don’t mind cute little pocket mirrors at all because they come in handy! This is by @tiakinsmanart and inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray, one side features the quote ‘To define is to limit’ and the other is a super lovely illustration with a skull, so I’m a big fan of it!
Fan
Well, speaking of fans! This Descendant of the Crane fan features art from @ruan0v0, and it’s completely stunning! It has the quote ‘No night was perfect for treason, but this one came close’. DOTC is another book I’d love to get round to soon as well!
Overall
I loved this box, I swear with each new Illumicrate box I just like it more and more! The book is most definitely the stand-out, stunning item and of course I adore the mug too. Big big fan of the fan and the pocket mirror. The Red Rising item is cool because it means I don’t have to wait for a frame or anything, it’s just ready for the shelf!
The bust is the only item I’m a little unsure of, but if I’d read ADSOM already then I’d probably love it to?
All-in-all, a super box and I love how Illumicrate tried some different things with it!
Next Month – Dark Academia 💛
From Illumicrate themselves:
‘Our August theme is: DARK ACADEMIA! We’re bringing you a fandom neutral box this month, and we’re so thrilled with the items we’ve put together for you! We’ll be bringing you the first in a brand new collectible series, PLUS a reading journal! (This will be undated and can be started any time). We’re so excited to be bringing you another fandom neutral box, and can’t wait to do more reveals!
Our featured book this month is a YA horror standalone. When a student working in the library and her least favourite patron discover and open an ancient, hidden book, they accidentally release a demon who will do anything to remain freed. What ensues is a battle of wills, between a force with horrifying powers and influence, and two teenagers who are determined to win and protect those they love. Will they succeed, and will they confront their growing feelings for each other?
Our Illumicrate Exclusive edition features an entirely redesigned cover, sprayed edges, foil embossing on the hardback and is signed by the author! It will be accompanied by a matching pin designed by @stacey.mcevoy.caunt!
The book at a glance:
📚 YA standalone horror
💡 All exclusive: entirely redesigned cover, sprayed edges, foil embossing on the hardback
💫 M/F relationship between main characters
You can find a list of content warnings for the book on our website!’
I am veryy excited for this book. I can’t wait to see what the cover will look like also. Also excited to see the items, especially as I’m on a tour for a dark academia book next month so I might be able to get some props from this box.
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Kristina says
Ouhh the fan & bust are quite unique, first time I see thoses!
Although iguess you need to be a fan of the book to fully appreciate the bust, the fan remains cute & useful regardless!