This unboxing contains spoilers!
Theme of the box
Description by Illumicrate
Our November theme is SOME KIND OF MONSTER! Some monsters can be easy to spot (dragons!) and others less so, hiding behind positions of power. This month’s theme is dedicated to all the monsters, and to those who defend the world against them.
We are *thrilled* to announce that our November book is The Luminaries by Susan Dennard (@stdennard) – @Daphne.Press’s first acquisition!
Hemlock Falls isn’t like other towns. It’s guarded by the Luminaries, a secret order dedicated to protecting the world from the nightmares that spawn at certain points across the globe. Winnie’s family lives in disgrace after her father’s betrayal, and Winnie will do anything to restore their reputation…even putting her life on the line to enter the Hunter Trials.
We are obsessed with Susan’s addictive writing, and Winnie’s determination to succeed at her goal (and ngl, them sparks with bad boy Jay!). This is absolutely a book you’ll want to read in one sitting!
The book is signed by the author and features all exclusive:
- Redesigned cover by Micaela Alcaino (@micaelaalcainodesign)
- Foil embossed design on the hardback by Micaela Alcaino
- Digitally printed edges designed by Micaela Alcaino
- Artwork endpapers designed by Ashley Mackenzie (@ashmackenzieillustration)
- All UK editions feature interior illustrations by Kerby Rosanes (@kerbyrosanes) that are exclusive to the UK editions and our Illumicrate edition has exclusive bonus material from Jessica Khoury (@lizardinkmaps)This is our 6th anniversary box, and featuring our first Daphne Press title (and in *such* an exquisite package!) makes this one extra special.Our featured fandoms are Only A Monster, Priory of the Orange Tree, Winternight, and A Deadly Education! This box features the next in one of our most popular collectible series!The book at a glance:
- YA contemporary fantasy, first in a series
- Exclusive: redesigned cover, foil embossing and digitally printed edges by @micaelaalcainodesign, artwork endpapers by @ashmackenzieillustration and bonus content from @lizardinkmaps
- Female main character, prominent side characters in an M/M relationshipContent warnings (compiled by Illumicrate):
- Gore
- Violence
- Injury descriptions
- Bullying
- Isolation
- Drug use (off page by secondary character, referenced)
- Panic attacks
- Parental death (historic, not on page)
Item 1
ASCALON SWORD REPLICA
DESIGNED BY: STACEY MCEVOY-CAUNT
Find your inner hero with this replica of the lost sword from Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon.
Wow this sword looks cool! It was a tad heavier than I expected but I don’t mind that.
Item 2
FROZEN WILDERNESS SCARF
DESIGNED BY: JANINE LECOUR
Invoke your second sight like Vasya in the Winternight trilogy by Katherine Arden with this scarf perfect for the cold months ahead.
Oh what a beautiful scarf! The fabric is very soft. Perfect for winter!
Item 3
GATEWAY TO FREEDOM TOTE BAG
DESIGNED BY: NOVA
Get ready for the final fight by packing your books in this tote bag inspired by A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik.
Wow! I love everything about this tote bag. It’s cool and beautiful.
Item 4
THE MONSTER INSIDE TEA TIN
DESIGNED BY: SHIRLEY JACKSON
Store your favourite tea in this tea tin inspired by all the monster families in Only a Monster by Vanessa Len
This tea tin looks so fancy! Love it.
Book
THE LUMINARIES BY SUSAN DENNARD Hemlock Falls isn’t like other towns. You won’t find it on a map, your phone won’t work here, and the forest outside town might just kill you.
Winnie Wednesday wants nothing more than to join the Luminaries, the ancient order that protects Winnie’s town-and the rest of humanity-from the monsters and nightmares that rise in the forest of Hemlock Falls every night.
Ever since her father was exposed as a witch and a traitor, Winnie and her family have been shunned. But on her sixteenth birthday, she can take the deadly Luminary hunter trials and prove herself true and loyal and restore her family’s good name. Or die trying.
But in order to survive, Winnie enlists the help of the one person who can help her train: Jay Friday, resident bad boy and Winnie’s ex-best friend. While Jay might be the most promising new hunter in Hemlock Falls, he also seems to know more about the nightmares of the forest than he should. Together, he and Winnie will discover a danger lurking in the forest that no one in Hemlock Falls is prepared for.
Not all monsters can be slain, and not all nightmares are confined to the dark.
Enjoy your Illumicrate edition with all exclusive: redesigned cover, foil embossed design on the hardback and digitally printed edges ALL designed by Micaela Alcaino (@micaelaalcainodesign). artwork endpapers designed by Ashley Mackenzie (@ashmackenzieillustration), and signed by the author!
All UK editions feature interior illustrations by Kerby Rosanes (@kerbyrosanes) that are exclusive to the UK editions and our Illumicrate edition has exclusive bonus material from Jessica Khoury (@lizardinkmaps)
Woah what a stunning edition of Luminaries! I was so excited when illumicrate announced that they would do this book. It’s very special to me to have a Daphne Press book in this box.
Conclusion
I really love this box! All these items are beautiful and very useful for me. A scarf to keep me warm, a tote bag because I can never have enough, a tea tin and a sword to make me feel badass. And the cherry on top: the book from Daphne Press! This edition of The Luminaries is so freaking stunning! I love everything about it. I’m super satisfied with my box. Thanks illumicrate!
The Bookerina Blog 