Read Dog is a monthly book subscription box that sends something to read along with other goodies in each box.
You can get or gift a Read Dog subscription. When you sign up, you'll tell the company a little about yourself, like your age, favorite genres, and your ideal reading experience. Then Read Dog sends a monthly book that fits your preferences. (Plus some other treats to enjoy!) According to the founders, their most popular genres are fantasy, young adult, thriller, children's, nonfiction, and contemporary literature. The company takes books and the relationship we have with them seriously, so look forward to thoughtfully chosen stories picked just for you.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
The Subscription Box: Read Dog
The Cost: $31.99 per monthly box (less if you sign up for multiple months up front)
The Products: One book per month and small gifts, too.
Ships to: US for free, Canada for $8.00, and the rest of the world for $15.00
Check out all of our Read Dog reviews and the Books Subscription Box Directory!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
This month's Read Dog box is jam packed with books, treats, and more. This info card shares a few thoughts about transitions in life and in books. It's an appropriate theme for this autumnal box!
Three (count 'em!) books came inside my Read Dog box this month! Even better, they were each wrapped individually in pretty crepe paper.
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson - Value $8.99 on Amazon
This mass-market paperback book is the first in a trilogy that's got quite a bit of a following (just Googling it brought up a bunch of Reddit threads, a fandom wiki, a podcast series...). It's hailed for its elegant craftsmanship, which is filled with twists and turns, and its exciting take on the world of fantasy.
Book Summary from Amazon:
Brandon Sanderson, fantasy's newest master tale spinner, author of the acclaimed debut Elantris, dares to turn a genre on its head by asking a simple question: What if the hero of prophecy fails? What kind of world results when the Dark Lord is in charge? The answer will be found in the Mistborn Trilogy, a saga of surprises and magical martial-arts action that begins in Mistborn.
For a thousand years the ash fell and no flowers bloomed. For a thousand years the Skaa slaved in misery and lived in fear. For a thousand years the Lord Ruler, the "Sliver of Infinity," reigned with absolute power and ultimate terror, divinely invincible. Then, when hope was so long lost that not even its memory remained, a terribly scarred, heart-broken half-Skaa rediscovered it in the depths of the Lord Ruler's most hellish prison. Kelsier "snapped" and found in himself the powers of a Mistborn. A brilliant thief and natural leader, he turned his talents to the ultimate caper, with the Lord Ruler himself as the mark.
Kelsier recruited the underworld's elite, the smartest and most trustworthy allomancers, each of whom shares one of his many powers, and all of whom relish a high-stakes challenge. Only then does he reveal his ultimate dream, not just the greatest heist in history, but the downfall of the divine despot.
But even with the best criminal crew ever assembled, Kel's plan looks more like the ultimate long shot, until luck brings a ragged girl named Vin into his life. Like him, she's a half-Skaa orphan, but she's lived a much harsher life. Vin has learned to expect betrayal from everyone she meets, and gotten it. She will have to learn to trust, if Kel is to help her master powers of which she never dreamed.
Readers of Elantris thought they'd discovered someone special in Brandon Sanderson. Mistborn proves they were right.
Here's the back of the book. Next, we have book two in the Mistborn series.
The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson - Value $6.16 on Amazon (retail price $8.99)
This paperback continues the epic introduced in book one. This book summary will likely be pretty high-level, but if you're sensitive about spoilers, feel free to skip ahead!
Book Summary from Amazon:
Evil has been defeated. The war has just begun.
They did the impossible, deposing the godlike being whose brutal rule had lasted a thousand years. Now Vin, the street urchin who has grown into the most powerful Mistborn in the land, and Elend Venture, the idealistic young nobleman who loves her, must build a healthy new society in the ashes of an empire.
They have barely begun when three separate armies attack. As the siege tightens, an ancient legend seems to offer a glimmer of hope. But even if it really exists, no one knows where to find the Well of Ascension or what manner of power it bestows.
It may just be that killing the Lord Ruler was the easy part. Surviving the aftermath of his fall is going to be the real challenge.
And the flip side. The cover art is pretty cool, huh?
The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson - Value $7.99 on Amazon (retail price $8.99)
This is the final book in the trilogy. I love getting all of the books in the series in one box—I'm the kind of reader who will blaze through all the books, non-stop if the story grabs me. So having them all handy inside this box is a wonderful gift.
Book Summary from Amazon:
Who is the Hero of Ages?
To end the Final Empire and restore freedom, Vin killed the Lord Ruler. But as a result, the Deepness---the lethal form of the ubiquitous mists---is back, along with increasingly heavy ashfalls and ever more powerful earthquakes. Humanity appears to be doomed.
Having escaped death at the climax of The Well of Ascension only by becoming a Mistborn himself, Emperor Elend Venture hopes to find clues left behind by the Lord Ruler that will allow him to save the world. Vin is consumed with guilt at having been tricked into releasing the mystic force known as Ruin from the Well. Ruin wants to end the world, and its near omniscience and ability to warp reality make stopping it seem impossible. She can't even discuss it with Elend lest Ruin learn their plans!
The conclusion of the Mistborn trilogy fulfills all the promise of the first two books. Revelations abound, connections rooted in early chapters of the series click into place, and surprises, as satisfying as they are stunning, blossom like fireworks to dazzle and delight. It all leads up to a finale unmatched for originality and audacity that will leave readers rubbing their eyes in wonder, as if awaking from an amazing dream.
Here's the back cover of this book.
Alpine Spiced Apple Cider Mix - Value $0.21
Apart from the books, this Read Dog box was all about fall. This packet of apple cider mix isn't the highest quality treat, but I will say it made my house smell delightfully festive!
4 Stash Teabags - Value $1.82
I love Stash teas for their unconventional and aromatic flavors. This box came with two pumpkin spice teas (tis the season!) and two orange spice black teas. I'm a big fan of pumpkin spice, but I've gotta say, those orange spice black teas are so warm, rich, and vibrant, I think they may take the title of favorite fall flavor for me!
Jelly Belly Candy Corn - Value $0.24
So... I'm not a candy corn person. However, I do think it's cute that they included some of this classic candy in their assortment of fall treats. This little pack will make the perfect surprise for one of my candy-corn-adoring pals!
4 Assorted Hershey's Kisses - Value $0.36
Pumpkin spice culture has conquered Hershey's Kisses, too! I can't say I loved the nutmeg-ish chocolates, but I definitely enjoyed the classic milk chocolate morsels!
3 Tea Candles - Value $0.30?
The box also included three tea candles—two traditional, non-scented candles in metal cups and one that was a creamier color, had a clear plastic cup, and was lightly scented (I think it's just vanilla). It was a little weird that the candles didn't all match, but whether as lights for jack-o-lanterns or autumnal votives, I'll definitely find a use for all three.
Fabric Leaves - Value $1.00?
These little faux leaves were scattered throughout the box. They don't have any real practical purpose (I'll have to think up a craft they could work with), but it was a cute aesthetic touch.
Oscar Wilde Quote Bookmark - Value $0.50?
Read Dog always includes a custom-made bookmark that features an inspiring quote from a famous author. This month, the quote is from one of my favorite writers, Oscar Wilde. The design is a little spooky for my tastes, but hey, that makes it perfect for Halloween!
Pumpkin Spice Card - Value $4.50
This card is super cute and super fall. I like that the outside has a polished, glossy finish and that the envelope is brown craft paper. I think it adds to the cozy, rustic appeal of the card. I know lots of people happily enjoying pumpkin spice season, so I'm sure I'll find someone who'll love receiving this card!
Read Dog Sticker - Value $0.12?
Finally, the monthly Read Dog sticker. I'm beginning to amass a collection of these cute stickers. Now I just have to think of some fun places to put them!
Verdict: I thought this month's Read Dog box was very thoughtful. The star of the show is always the reading material, and I thought it was super cool of Read Dog to include all three books from the popular Mistborn trilogy in one box. As for the fall finds, I do wish they could've been more... special, I guess is the right word. The Read Dog-specific items, such as the bookmark and the note from the founders and all of the branding, feel so crisp and thoughtful that items like the mismatched candles or the inexpensive cider mix seemed out of place. Overall, the value of the items totals out to around $32, which breaks even with the $31.99 price tag. I think the quality of the literature is on the right track, I just wish the other items were just as impressive.
What do you think of Read Dog? Do you like the fall themed items?
Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.