Illumicrate newness 🌼🌼🌼

[@MichelleReadsandVlogs]

Thanks for watching 😊 Any thoughts on this one?

[@sharonlovesbooks]

I loved the actual cover of the book. I have not read many fantasy books but I love seeing the unboxing

[@MichelleReadsandVlogs]

@@sharonlovesbooks thank you. I agree that the cover is nice 😊

[@nataliebaker918]

I'm in awe that you are a biologist...and that you pushed thru your dyslexia to achieve this! So impressive Michelle!❤

[@MichelleReadsandVlogs]

Thanks Natalie 🙏🏻😊 I think a lot of people with dyslexia learn how to live life around it (for example instead of writing a word that I can’t spell I pick another word that means the same thing that I can spell 😂). Also it’s not severe dyslexia, the report says ‘a mild rare form of dyslexia’… but it definitely comes out more when I’m tired 😬

[@nataliebaker918]

@@MichelleReadsandVlogs I just saw this comment. Sorry...! One of the things I love about you..that may be due to your dyslexia...is how you create words. It's fabulous! Spreadge (sprayed edge), wrappaging...I love it! I can imagine the frustration for you, tho, .as it can't be easy. You are intelligent and articulate...and that shine's thru!❤️

[@georgieanne]

I’m so so so excited for this book!! And I’m obsessed with the book pot! They are always so stunning!!

[@MichelleReadsandVlogs]

I am too. Some people not so bothered with this one; but I’m hopping it’s good 🤞🏻😊

[@kennethma861]

Loved the novel and this edition is stunning

[@MichelleReadsandVlogs]

Glad that you enjoyed this one 😊

[@saramm3765]

I'm so surprised they packed this box with both ceramic collections instead of spacing them up. Love them both.

[@MichelleReadsandVlogs]

Agree, both are gorgeous 🥰

[@teresaharris-travelbybooks5564]

I wasn't bothered at all by the different color schemes on the book. The dust jacket colors matched the sprayed/stenciled edges so well it was nearly seamless. The color change on the hardback was beautiful, I thought. My favorite item is the book pot.

[@MichelleReadsandVlogs]

The book pot is such a nice one! Glad that you like the book Teresa 😊

[@angelahampson391]

Great presenting style and super watchable ❤

[@MichelleReadsandVlogs]

Thank you 🙏🏻 😊

[@Lifeonasofa]

This was such a great box!! I’m so glad I didn’t skip. I LOVE ceramics so the book pot and plant pot are stand outs for me. I’ve been heavily using my previous book jacket so thrilled to have another. They carried the sea theme beautifully through the items. I’m still unsure if I’ll enjoy the book, but I think it’s a stunning edition! This is one occasion where I’m glad they did a colour change as the og illustrator is AMAZING. I personally like all the different elements, keeps it interesting but agree about that one spot of yellow on the edge.

[@MichelleReadsandVlogs]

Yes you’re right the theming was great! I think a lot of people are happy for the book pot; but the plant pot was my favourite item. Glad that you liked the box 😊

[@nataliebaker918]

I love the idea of a book cover...yet that one seems like it's for children

[@MichelleReadsandVlogs]

Illumicrate are definitely having a rough patch at the moment 😔

[@evabensia2989]

I'm happy that I didn't skip this box. February was absolutly not my vibe, but this one is great. I like items that are useful. The book looks stunning, but I understand your opinion. They could have done more to make it special. When I see what fairyloot is doing this year with their books, I'm a little bit sad, that Illumicrate doesn't have the same experience.

[@MichelleReadsandVlogs]

I know what you mean, fairyloot seem to be on another level at the moment 🔥

[@helin751]

I have been waiting for your video! So happy it's finally here!💜

[@MichelleReadsandVlogs]

I’ve been waiting too 😂 … first unboxing of the month! (This one is here at its usual time but all of the others are running late). Hope you enjoy 😊

[@A_4shD_A]

❤

[@MichelleReadsandVlogs]

Thanks Ash 🙏🏻😊

[@nicole1800s]

Okay while I am happy with the items in this box I am starting to get really tired of Illumicrate doing a colorway change from the publisher. I did not sign up to these boxes for just a color change, I signed up for special customizations! Especially when the cover is already pretty the way it was published I always find myself not liking the color way change anyway. Like with Fathomfolk I think the original cover color is better than the pinks and the purples on this edition, and I think blues more go with the book anyway. I have pretty much decided that no matter what items they say are going into a box I am skipping it if it’s a color change from the publisher! Because these boxes are about the BOOK and I am usually disappointed with the cover when it’s just a color change.

[@MichelleReadsandVlogs]

A lot of people are saying the same Nicole. Colour way changes just aren’t special. I agree with you that the original colours on this one were nicer too! 😢

[@thepagesofsamantha]

that's a very valid point. the illumicrate editions do still always have the sprayed edges and the naked hardback is usually gorgeous if they just do a color change. but I do understand where you're coming from and it can be slightly disappointing

[@Tiffs-bookshelf]

Book pots my fave. So glad to get a lighter mint green. I Green is my fave or Ute co,or so 😊

[@MichelleReadsandVlogs]

It’s definitely a nice one 😊

[@karenrapoport7852]

Yep I agree. Love both ceramics and as far as a whatever paper item I do like those wierd notepads. The book jacket design however is not doing it for me and I’m getting tired of them sending out the exact same sizing. I would like to be able to put a book jacket on some of my chunkier books, but they send out the exact same size every time. And as far as the book, again I have to agree with the lack of one cohesive design. I would have preferred they went with the colors of the hard case. So like greens and ivory maybe some purple as far as a color change on the dust jacket (I think the original colors are better than what they chose) and the edges should have reflected the hard case and end page aesthetic. I get that the publisher was just matching their cover art but I am not feeling that style. It’s not horrible but it’s also not great. It’s meh. I freaking LOVE the hard case design tho 😍

[@MichelleReadsandVlogs]

With the book jackets they are limited to the size of the box so can’t really go any bigger, a little bit like the desk mat which we got a few months ago. I’m using it but it is a bit narrow as a desk mat, but it’s what fits in the box 🤷🏻‍♀️ I’m glad that you love the printing on the hardback and the ceramic items; all very beautiful 🥰

[@milouarf]

Love the book pot!

[@MichelleReadsandVlogs]

The colour is so nice 🥰

[@alexandriacole5117]

i had to stop doing illumicrate because they were and are now always doing just color changes for the covers and I didn't see the point. I also didn't need anymore ceramic anything. i came to realize that i was only still holding on to the sub for the sword replicates. Gave up the sub at the end of 2023.

[@MichelleReadsandVlogs]

I think that the novelty of the items will definitely wear off for me after a while, and I agree with the covers… I want something special on special editions 🥰

[@minmach]

I LOVE the naked hardback so much.

[@MichelleReadsandVlogs]

The art is beautiful 😊

[@jessicastraw6593]

I love this box! Bummed my box hasn't even shipped yet :(

[@MichelleReadsandVlogs]

Ah that’s frustrating; I hope that it ships and arrives soon 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[@nicolewimbley8653]

I downgraded to the book only box. I became overwhelmed with the unused items every month. I haven’t received my copy yet but I understand what you mean about the cohesion of the art styles.

[@MichelleReadsandVlogs]

Let’s hope that the book is a good read 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[@crazee4books]

Hi Michelle, Well, for me it's also mixed feelings regarding the items in this box. I love that plant pot, the green interior especially and also the shape of it. I like their book pots as well and this one is pretty but I prefer the plant pot of the two porcelain items. I don't use book sleeves so wouldn't be bothered with this one either way and the sticky notes appear to be vellum material which is difficult to write on no matter which sort of pen you use. As for the book ... the cover and stencilled edges are lovely, the end papers are pretty and the naked hardback design is, to me, stunning but you're right, the whole does not flow nicely. If I had the book I'd be tempted to display it naked but adjusted so that you couldn't see the clashing edges. Not to be a killjoy but the reviews for this book have been mediocre at best and I'm afraid that's put me off too. Ah well. Hope that you'll enjoy it. Cheers!

[@MichelleReadsandVlogs]

Hi Judy, I’ve heard mixed reviews too… my optimism is pushing me to want to like it though😊, but let’s be honest it won’t be one that I rush to pick up. I wish the artwork was more cohesive; I wonder what the planning process is like with them agreeing to the artwork. It’s such a shame as it’s all beautiful, but it’s just not special if it doesn’t match in some way (colours, textures, etc). I love the plant pot. Can’t wait to put it somewhere nice in my living room 😊 Hope that you’re well and have a great day Judy!

[@jamieserrano827]

In Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese folklore dragons live in the sea

[@MichelleReadsandVlogs]

Ooooooh good to know 😊

[@evabensia2989]

For me the book has the vibes of the disney movie "Raya and the Last Dragon"

[@MichelleReadsandVlogs]

@@evabensia2989 I hang my head in shame as I haven’t seen this film 🫣

[@evabensia2989]

@@MichelleReadsandVlogs No problem, i think it is a great movie and maybe you find time in the future to watch it. It's all about sticking together instead of fighting against each other out of envy and resentment.

[@MichelleReadsandVlogs]

@@evabensia2989 sounds good 😌

[@nataliebaker918]

None of the colors coordinate...I don't get that. Dust jacket, hard cover and end papers...all different 🤔

[@MichelleReadsandVlogs]

It’s not cohesive is it 😬

[@sunshinehobi8954]

I don’t love this edition sadly😅 I love aspects of the book individually but I don’t think it’s cohesive at all. The sprayed edges look like they belong on a summer romance book and the naked hardback clashes with the edges🥲

[@MichelleReadsandVlogs]

Unfortunately not cohesive at work at all; which is so sad as individually it’s all great art 😬