The Terror of Knowing

Hello one, hello all. Today I bring you a very belated but nonetheless exciting post – an unboxing! And not just any old unboxing but an unboxing of December’s Fairyloot box focused on the theme ‘Oh So Regal‘.

For those who don’t know, Fairyloot is a UK-based subscription box with a monthly theme which the products of center around. Boxes contain a new YA fantasy release and 4-6 bookish goodies and each box is so beautifully packed you won’t want to ruin the prettiness by unwrapping it! Boxes frequently feature signed bookplate and a letter from the author, as well the beautifully designed Fairyscoop newsletter – even the packing list containing details of all the products is carefully designed and curated. I’ve received 3 boxes so far, and have purchased another 1, and I’m constantly amazed by the care and passion which seems to go into every item in every box. Everything is so carefully selected that it feels like every single small item that is included is there for a reason and there are so much many products and editions exclusive to Fairyloot that it has very quickly became one of my favourite bookish things. To see my previous unboxings see the following: August ‘Tricksters’ Box, October ‘Villainous’ Box, November ‘Ladies That Slay’ Box.

I’ve had a very, very good run of luck with Fairyloot and I basically drop everything to check out the next month’s theme when it’s announced, so when December’s ‘Oh So Regal’ theme was announced, I couldn’t say no. As Fairyloot teased in their announcement blog: “It’s time to shine those crowns and dust those royal jewels because this winter it’s going to get regal! The December ‘Oh So Regal’ box features items themed around our favourite royals. You’ll find items themed on Disney, Shakespeare, Red Queen and more! This box has such a wide variety of goodies that you’re sure to love and we have collaborated with some fantastic suppliers once again. […] Our book of the month has magic, royals, mythology and is set in a world where time is used as a currency – we loved it so much! The book will also come with a signed bookplate and letter from the author.”

Here’s a little peek at all the bookish goodness I found inside:

First up, the main event, let’s just get straight to the book, shall we?

The book in this month’s box was an early copy of Everless by Sara Holland which is a young-adult fantasy debut in which time can be extracted from blood and be bound into coins. Yep, that’s literally all I know about it since it sounds so unique that I have no idea how it works. According to the book’s synopsis: “In the land of Sempera, the rich control everything – even time. Ever since the age of alchemy and sorcery, hours, days and years have been extracted from blood and bound to iron coins. The rich live for centuries; the poor bleed themselves dry. Jules and her father are behind on their rent and low on hours. To stop him from draining himself to clear their debts, Jules takes a job at Everless, the grand estate of the cruel Gerling family. There, Jules encounters danger and temptation in the guise of the Gerling heir, Roan, who is soon to be married. But the web of secrets at Everless stretches beyond her desire, and the truths Jules must uncover will change her life for ever … and possibly the future of time itself.” Sounds good, doesn’t it?

Now onto the bookish goodies…

First-up is a Funko Pop of a royal prince/princess – the options were Simba, Rapunzel, Pochahontas, Ariel, Jasmine or Tiana and, as you can see, I got Princess Jasmine from Disney’s Aladdin. I have the very modest beginnings of a Funko Pop collection (I have a Loki and a Hela) but I really want to grow my collection in the future so I was delighted to hear Fairyloot were including one in their box. Unfortunately, Jasmine is like literally the last one I would have chose for myself (since I’m not an Aladdin fan) which is a shame but the Funko itself is super cute! (Side note: if anyone received the box and wishes to swap Funkos, hit me up!)

The candle perfectly matches my Funko pop since, out of the four possible options (Prince Aladdin, Prince Charming, Prince Adam, and Prince Eric), I got Prince Aladdin. These cute candles are exclusives from A Court of Candles and I’m super excited to burn this one because it smells of Egyptian amber and treasure (allegedly)!

Next was an Exclusive Virtuous & Fair Zip Pouch, designed by Miss Phi. I don’t really have a proper need for a pencil case since I’m no longer in school but I will definitely be able to use this to store my make-up when I go on trips away from home. “Virtuous and fair, royal and gracious” is a quote from Richard III by William Shakespeare (I don’t know what the reference to “No Fear” is on the spoiler card to be honest because it’s definitely from Richard III). I do so love a bit of Shakespeare so it was a nice surprise to see it included in this box!

I haven’t read Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard which inspired this next item but no matter because the item itself is designed beautifully and exclusively for the box – it’s a Powerful Notebook designed by Stella Bookish Art and features the quote “to look powerful is to be powerful”. I think the design work on this is gorgeous and I’ll definitely save this notepad to write something special in!

Last but, by no means least, there is a rather fun pun-tastic keychain given the theme of the box – it’s an exclusive Books Rule Enamel Keychain made by Fiction Tea Designs. I have waaaaay too many keychains on my bunch of keys already but looks like I’ll be adding another one to the ring now – I definitely will never not be able to locate my bundle of keys in the depths of my backpack now!

Apart from the themed curated items Fairyloot also include little extras such as the beautifully designed Fairyscoop, the monthly newsletter featuring content about the month’s theme; an A5 spoiler card of the month’s artwork’; a corresponding bookmark of the artwork; and (in this month’s case) a chapter sampler of Rosemarked by Livia Blackburne.

As you can see, Fairyloot once again do not disappoint. After 4 boxes now, Fairyloot has quickly become one of my favourite bookish things and I’m sure I will continue to purchase it many months into the future.

If you’re interested in the items I unboxed here, or a fan of YA fantasy, or just intrigued by the idea of this subscription box, then I’d definitely recommend you keep an eye out for the theme of next month’s Fairyloot box on their website and Twitter – the team behind Fairyloot are so enthusiastic and passionate about their product and super friendly on social media that I definitely do not hesitate to recommend their boxes in this unboxing post!

Do you subscribe to any monthly bookish (or otherwise) subscription boxes? Do you like the look of Fairyloot’s subscription box? Comment below, I’d love to chat!

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