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OwlCrate Subscription Box Review + Coupon – December 2018

OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - Box Review Top

OwlCrate JR
4 overall rating
4 Ratings | 1 Reviews

OwlCrate is a YA book subscription box. Each month they send you a newly released YA book with some bookish goodies.

My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - All Content Top

About OwlCrate YA

The Subscription Box: OwlCrate YA

The Cost: $29.99 plus shipping ($6.99 to US, $10.59 to Canada, $19.99 Worldwide)

DEAL: Use coupon code WELCOME10 to save 10% off your first month!

The Products:  A new YA book and 3-5 book-related goodies.

Ships to: US for $6.99, Canada for $10.59, and International for $19.99

OwlCrate December 2018 "Power Of Illusions" Review

OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - Information Card Front Top OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - Information Card Back Top

Each box comes with a card detailing the items included. This month’s theme is “Power of Illusions.”

OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - Booklet Front Top OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - Booklet Opened Top 1 OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - Booklet Opened Top 2 OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - Booklet Opened Top 3 OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - Booklet Back Topv

OwlCrate also included a booklet featuring a letter from the author, a word search, and the January theme reveal.

JANUARY THEME SPOILER:

OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - Card Front Top OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - Card Back Top

An extra insert was also enclosed again featuring the January theme “Magical Artifacts.”

OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - Amber & Dusk by Lyra Selene Front Top OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - Amber & Dusk by Lyra Selene Opened Top OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - Amber & Dusk by Lyra Selene Back Top

Amber & Dusk by Lyra Selene – Retail Value $18.99 (found here for $12.87)

This edition of the book was signed by the author and features an exclusive cover! This was an interesting fantasy book – full of adventure and mystery. The writing style of this author is a bit flowery for me, I found myself skimming some of the pages just to get the gist. While it’s not my favorite YA book, I liked it enough to add Lyra Selene to my watch list and keep an eye out for her next book.

Book Summary from Amazon:

Sylvie has always known she deserves more. Out in the permanent twilight of the Dusklands, her guardians called her power to create illusions a curse. But Sylvie knows it gives her a place in Coeur d'Or, the palais of the Amber Empress and her highborn legacies.

So Sylvie sets off toward the Amber City, a glittering jewel under a sun that never sets, to take what is hers.

But her hope for a better life is quickly dimmed. The empress invites her in only as part of a wicked wager among her powerful courtiers. Sylvie must assume a new name, Mirage, and begin to navigate secretive social circles and deadly games of intrigue in order to claim her spot. Soon it becomes apparent that nothing is as it appears and no one, including her cruel yet captivating sponsor, Sunder, will answer her questions. As Mirage strives to seize what should be her rightful place, she'll have to consider whether it is worth the price she must pay.

An extraordinary vividly rendered YA debut.

OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - Author Letter Top

A letter from the author is also included with the book. I loved what she wrote, “even a world without night can play host to shadows.”

OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - Lunar Queen Candle Front OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - Lunar Queen Candle Opened Top

Exclusive! Lunar Queen Candle by Flick the Wick

This 2 oz. soy blackberry & vanilla scented candle smells divine! It’s inspired by Queen Levana (from The Lunar Chronicles) and although she is evil, this candle should bring you nothing but goodness!

OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - Tote Bag Top

Exclusive! Tote Bag by Stella Bookish Art

This tote bag has oversized handles, making it roomy enough to wear on your shoulder over a bulky coat. The material is thick, yet lightweight and seems as if it would dry easily. I love the dark design – it's a nod to the mysterious character Legend from Caravel and Legendary.

OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - OwlCrate Planner Book Front Top OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - OwlCrate Planner Book Opened Top 1 OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - OwlCrate Planner Book Opened Top 2 OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - OwlCrate Planner Book Opened Top 3 OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - OwlCrate Planner Book Opened Top 4 OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - OwlCrate Planner Book Back Top

Exclusive! OwlCrate Planner by OwlCrate Retail $14.99

I took a ton of photos of this planner because I wanted you to really see how thoughtful it is! There are bookish quotes, places to jot down your favorite books, and even rating systems so you can remember what you liked and which sequel you're going to pass on! This planner is really all that you need to stay organized – while I'm a little more tech savvy and don't often turn to a paper planner, this is going to be the perfect gift to my librarian friend!

OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - Wooden Ornament Front Top OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - Wooden Ornament Back Top OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - Wooden Ornament Opened Top

Exclusive! Wooden Ornament by Juniper and Ivy Designs

This ornament is a perfect fit for me, although I never read the book that inspired it, The Crown’s Games. My son collects snow globes, and the little wooden ornament is a great (non-breakable!) item to add to his little collection. It says “Imagine, and it shall be. There are no limits.” What a great message!

OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - Magnet Front Top OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - Magnet Back Top

Exclusive! Magnet by Ink and Wonder Designs

Funny enough – my toddler son also collects magnets, and this one has a carousel horse on it! How adorable! This magnet is inspired by The Night Circus, and features the quote, “we lead strange lives, chasing our dreams around from place to place.”

OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - Amber Necklace Front Top OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - Amber Necklace Back Top OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - Amber Necklace Opened Top OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - Amber Necklace Closeup Top

Exclusive! Amber Necklace

Obviously related to this month’s book pick – this Amber necklace is a small (around ½” pendant) on a delicate gold colored chain. While it’s clearly costume jewelry, it’s a cute addition to the box and totally fits into the curation.

OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - King of Fools Excerpt Front Top OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - King of Fools Excerpt Opened Top OwlCrate YA Book Box December 2018 - King of Fools Excerpt Back Top

Exclusive! King of Fools Excerpt (release date April 30, 2019)

The last item is a pretty sizeable excerpt from a highly anticipated April release from Amanda Foody, the next in the Shadow Game Series.

Verdict: This is a beautifully curated and well thought out box. I’m happy with the value that I received this month. The artwork and detail on all the items are fantastic and beautiful. I paid $36.98 ($29.99 + $6.99 US Shipping) and received 7 items (not including the book excerpt).  Using straight math, that’s like paying about $5.28 per item.

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, you will start with the February box.

CouponUse coupon code WELCOME10 to save 10% off your first month!

Value Breakdown: This box costs $29.99$6.99 US shipping, which means that each of the 7 items in the box has an average cost of $5.28.

Check out all of our Owl Crate Reviews and the Book Subscription Box Directory!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

What did you think of OwlCrate?

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OwlCrate Jr is a monthly subscription box for young readers, brought to you by the team behind OwlCrate! This box of fun goodies and great books is perfect for kids aged 8-12
Colette Christian
Colette Christian
Colette's subscription addiction started innocently enough with a few beauty boxes in 2013. As her life has evolved, so have her subscriptions - and some of her favorites now include boxes that cater towards lifestyle (Popsugar Must Have), pets (BarkBox), and children (Gap Outfit Box and Mac & Mia).

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2 comments

Paula

Absolutely loved the April box for my daughter whose really into reading. It’s the best value/quality for what we get compared to any of the 5 (various theme) monthly subscription boxes we’ve tried.

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Ks

OwlCrate has the best curation when it comes to books. Unfortunstely, I’m just not a YA fan.

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