Facebook PixelThe Bookish Box Review – December 2018 | MSA
My Subscription Addiction
My Subscription Addiction
Our reviewers research, test, and recommend the best subscriptions and products independently; click to learn more about our editorial guidelines. We may receive commissions on purchases made through links on our site.

The Bookish Box “Quartz and Castles” Review – December 2018

The Bookish Box “Quartz and Castles” December 2018 - Closed Box Top

The Bookish Box
4.4 overall rating
13 Ratings | 0 Reviews

The Bookish Box is a book-inspired subscription box from Appraising Pages, which is now called The Bookish Shop. This month is the first time I've gotten the box in a shipping envelope rather than a literal box. It's super cute!

The Bookish Box “Quartz and Castles” December 2018 - Openend Box Top

Originally, The Bookish Box was a subscription box filled with bookish objects only—no actual books involved. Recently, though, they changed up their game and added several subscription varieties to choose from, including one that does have a book inside!

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

This review is of the Bookish Goodies & YA Book Box, which is $28.99 a month + shipping.

The Bookish Box “Quartz and Castles” December 2018 - All Items UnboxedTop

About The Bookish Box Subscription Box for Book Lovers

The Subscription Box: The Bookish Box Shirt & Goodies Box Subscription

The Cost: $28.99 + shipping

Here are all the other Bookish Box options available:

  • Woman’s Size Bookish Box – $29
  • Young Adult Book, Goodies, and a Shirt – $43
  • Adult Book, Goodies and a Shirt – $43
  • Adult Book & Bookish Goodies – $32
  • Plus Size Bookish Box – $32
  • Jr. & Unisex Shirt and Goodies Box – $29
  • YA Book & Shirt – $27
  • Goodies & YA Book – $28.99
  • Shirt Only – $18

The Products: Every month you’ll receive themed goodies and a young adult newly released book.

Ships To: the US for $7.50 to GA and Worldwide for an additional cost.

The Bookish Box Subscription Box "Quartz and Castles" December 2018 Review

The Bookish Box “Quartz and Castles” December 2018 - information card 1 TopThe Bookish Box “Quartz and Castles” December 2018 - information card 2 Top

Included in the box is an info card that listed all of the goodies included in this month’s “Quartz and Castles” box, the young adult and adult book selections for the month, the t-shirt for the month, and information on the monthly themed Bookish Box playlist on Spotify. The items you receive will depend on which Bookish Box option you choose. The back of the card describes a special members-only sale for the month of January.

The Bookish Box “Quartz and Castles” December 2018 - Amber & Dusk by Lyra Selene Front TopThe Bookish Box “Quartz and Castles” December 2018 - Amber & Dusk by Lyra Selene Back Top

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

Book Summary:

“Sylvie has always known she deserves more. Out in the permanent twilight of the Dusklands, the Sisters of the Scion taught her that her legacy – her power to create illusions - was a curse. But Sylvie knows it gives her a place in Coeur d'Or, the Palais of the Amber Empress and her highborn legacies.

And 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 at the court is quickly dimmed. The empress, Serverine, invites her in only as part of a cruel wager among her beautiful and powerful courtiers. Sylvie must assume a new name – Mirage – and work to hone her magic. She begins to navigate secretive social circles and deadly games of intrigue in order to claim her spot at the court, and soon it becomes apparent things are not as they appear. However, 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 must to consider whether it is worth the price she will have to pay.”

The book is fresh off the press and has already received great reviews. I'm however having a hard time digging into this book. The author does a great job describing the setting and the characters. The backstories are great. I just keep finding myself wondering off. I read a few reviews that said the story really picks up toward the middle and finishes strong so I'll push through and see how it ends.

The Bookish Box “Quartz and Castles” December 2018 - Bookstack Gloves by The Bookish Shop Package TopThe Bookish Box “Quartz and Castles” December 2018 - Bookstack Gloves by The Bookish Shop Top

Bookstack Gloves by The Bookish Shop – Listed Value $16.00

These blush pink gloves are so cute. The back is stitched with a stack of books with quartz extending out from them. The hand of the gloves has a heart on the pointer finger. These gloves fit a bit snug but are otherwise really nice.

The Bookish Box “Quartz and Castles” December 2018 - Narnia Inspired Candle by Say Anything Studio FrontThe Bookish Box “Quartz and Castles” December 2018 - Narnia Inspired Candle by Say Anything Studio Front TopThe Bookish Box “Quartz and Castles” December 2018 - Narnia Inspired Candle by Say Anything Studio Top

Narnia Inspired Candle by Say Anything Studio – Listed Value $8.00

Say Anything Studio, formerly Whisky Diamond Candle, made this custom designed Narnia inspired candle for The Bookish Box. Cair Paravel is the castle where the Queens and Kings of Narnia ruled in The Chronicles of Narnia. This multi-color candle smells like candy. I can’t wait to find out if the various layers have different scents.

The Bookish Box “Quartz and Castles” December 2018 - A Darker Shade of Magic Mug by Book Worm Boutique TopThe Bookish Box “Quartz and Castles” December 2018 - A Darker Shade of Magic Mug by Book Worm Boutique Front Top

A Darker Shade of Magic Mug by Book Worm Boutique – Listed Value $15.00

Inspired by A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab, the first book of the Shades of Magic trilogy, this mug features a quote from Schwab: "For the ones who dream of stranger worlds". It's a quote apt for an author of books with alternate universes and magical characters.

The Bookish Box “Quartz and Castles” December 2018 - Throne of Glass Inspired Tarot Cards Pouch TopThe Bookish Box “Quartz and Castles” December 2018 - Throne of Glass Inspired Tarot Cards Arranged TopThe Bookish Box “Quartz and Castles” December 2018 - Throne of Glass Inspired Tarot Cards Expanded Top

Throne of Glass Inspired Tarot Cards (Set 3/3) by Diana Dworak – Listed Value $15.00

Inspired by Throne of Glass by Sarah J Mass, these set of tarot cards features 6 artfully designed cards: The Devil, The Lovers, The High Priestess, The World, Temperance, and Judgement.

The Bookish Box “Quartz and Castles” December 2018 - Grisha Inspired Bookish Box Collectible Pin Package Front TopThe Bookish Box “Quartz and Castles” December 2018 - Grisha Inspired Bookish Box Collectible Pin Package Back TopThe Bookish Box “Quartz and Castles” December 2018 - Grisha Inspired Bookish Box Collectible Pin Top

Grisha Inspired Bookish Box Collectible Pin (5/12) by Dust and Pages – Listed Value $8.00

This pin is inspired by The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo, a trilogy set mainly in the fictional country of Ravka. In Ravka a form of magic known as The Small Science exists. The Grisha, the practitioners of The Small Science, is the most powerful and elite of the society and use their imposing power to manipulate matters. This pin designed by Dust and Pages with quartz and castles is well designed, sturdy and a Bookish Box collectible.

The Verdict: I liked the goodies in this month’s box – especially the mug. I also like how Bookish Box sets a theme and carries it throughout the books and book-related items. All incorporated quartz or castles in one way or the other. I’m also impressed by the diversity of partnerships highlighted in this box. I’m looking forward to the book picking up and will post my final thoughts in the comments down below.

This Bookish Box costs $36.49 and has a stated retail value of $80.99. Although I think the stated values are a little high, the total is still more than double the price of the box itself making it a good value for a newly released book and unique and book inspired goodies.

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, sign-up now for a chance to get February’s box. January’s “Twisted Fairytales” box is already sold out.

Value Breakdown: This box costs $36.49 after shipping, which means that each of the 6 items in the box has an average cost of $6.08.

Check out all of our The Bookish Box reviews and the Book Subscription Box Directory!

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

What do you think of the December “Quartz and Castles” 2018 Bookish Box?

Starting at $30.99
Subscribe Now

Every month you'll receive a shirt by Appraising Pages Shop and 3-5 home, beauty, and fashion items. Designed with the the fashionable literary obsessed lady in mind.

Shatae Hutchinson
Shatae Hutchinson
Hi, I’m Shatae; pronounced shhh-tay! I work in IT Healthcare, I’m married to my high school sweetheart and we have 2 cool kids. I am obsessed with black culture, lifestyle, travel and art made by and featuring women of color. I also love trendy plus-size fashion and accessories, eclectic and bohemian home décor and all things self-care, mental health and fitness. My favorite box is Izzy & Liv’s Brown Sugar Box; a monthly box offering tees, accessories and lifestyle products designed for black women. I also subscribe to TheSelfCareBox, FabFitFun, CauseBox and Merkaela. Being a wife and full-time working mom, subscription boxes are one of the few things that are just for me! They are fun, convenient, reasonably priced and full of surprises.

Join the Conversation

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.

7 comments

Candice

Where is the coupon code?

Reply ButtonReply

Shatae

HI Candice, let me check on this for you.

Reply ButtonReply

Sara McClelland

Hi Candice,
Unfortunately, there is not a current coupon, so ‘coupon’ in the title was an oversight. Our apologies! – Sara

Joan

Looks like a good box. Can almost smell the candle. The gloves are too cute! My goal this year is to read more in line with what I watch such as historical fiction and science fiction/dystopian near future society. I think the YA box may be the one for me.

Reply ButtonReply

Shatae

Thanks for the comment Joan. It was a nice box!

Reply ButtonReply

Vanessa

I received the book Amber and Dusk in my OwlCrate box and just could not get into it. I struggled through it, but I honestly don’t remember anything about the book. I hope your reading experience is better, Shatae!

Reply ButtonReply

Shatae

Not so great Vanessa, 🙁 . I still haven’t finished it!

Reply ButtonReply