Hi everyone! How have you been doing? I’m still waaay behind on my reading challenge and I don’t see that improving any time soon. It doesn’t help that I’ve picked up my guitar again and I spend more time playing these days. Anyway, back to the topic of the day. Let’s unbox the July 2020 Fairyloot box that was all about “Resilient Royals”!
As always, we start with this month’s spoiler card that has all the details about these items. It also features artwork on the reverse. This is created by Taratjah and you can see it in the big picture at the top of this post.
Food tray and card holder
The first item in this month’s box is a food tray! It’s inspired by Marissa Meyer’s Winter and created by Evie.Bookish. I love the design, it’s absolutely gorgeous! The quote reads “One should never save cake for later when it can be eaten now”, which… same. Add to that the fact that when you eat the cake, you can admire this tray in its full glory.
Next up we have a card holder. Jezhawk created this useful item that is based on The Queen’s Rising by Rebecca Ross. I haven’t read this series yet, but I love the look of this item and looking up the synopsis of the first book, it sounds really good. So I’m adding that to my TBR as we speak!
Bookmarks and candle
Earlier this year, I read Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez, a fantasy story written by Bolivian politics and history. The author actually designed the cover of her book herself, including the adorable animals. And now she worked with Fairyloot to bring us a set of magnetic bookmarks featuring those same animals. Aren’t they cute?!
The next item is something I always love finding in these boxes: a scented candle! This one was made by In the Wick of Time and is inspired by Ash Princess, written by Laura Sebastian. I love how these most recent candles all have matching looks. But of course y’all want to know about the scent, right? Well, it’s blackcurrant tea and it is absolutely delicious! It’s such a rich and decadent scent, I love it!
Cushion cover and art print
Up next we have a cushion cover! This one was created by ChattyNora and is inspired by Sarah J. Maas’s Crescent City series. I haven’t read that one yet, because I know from experience that paranormal fantasy isn’t really my thing. But I might give it a try anyway, especially when I have this cute pillow to make myself comfortable. I love the design so much! The quote reads “Through love, all is possible”, while the reverse features some intriguing symbols you’ll probably understand when you read the book. I’ll need to buy some stuffing for this cover though.
One of my favourite books I read last year was Katherine Arden’s The Bear and the Nightingale. I loved the wintery atmosphere and Vasya so much! I can’t wait to read the second and third books in this trilogy, but I’m waiting for colder weather. This art print by Dominique Wesson features Vasya and Morozko, and wow, aren’t they gorgeous?!
Tarot cards and more
Before we move on to the featured book of the July 2020 Fairyloot box, we still have the tarot cards. Like last month, these are designed by Katherine Britt and feature characters from V.E. Schwab’s Shades of Magic series. Three of Swords is Holland (I think), while Four of Swords is Rhys. Which is also a reminder that I still need to read beyond the first book of this series.
Furthermore, there’s also the Fairyscoop newsletter and the bookmark featuring this month’s artwork.
Book of the month
Onwards to the featured book of the July 2020 Fairyloot box! It’s… Shielded, by KayLynn Flanders! The kingdom of Hálendi is in trouble. It’s losing the war and rumors of a new, deadlier threat have surfaced. Princess Jennesara knows her skills on the battlefield would make her an asset, but her father has other plans for her. As the second-born heir to the throne, Jenna lacks the magical abilities her older brother has, so the king promises her hand in marriage to the prince of the neighboring Turia in exchange for desperately needed resources. But on the journey to her betrothed and her new home, the royal caravan is ambushed and Jenna realizes the new threat is even worse than anyone imagined.
I like the sound of that and can’t wait to dive into this book! It’s also a Fairyloot exclusive edition. This edition is green, while the standard is blue. It also comes with black sprayed edges and is signed by the author. There’s also a letter from the author that comes with character artwork (by FaerieReverie) on the reverse. Ladies with swords? Yes please!
And that’s all for the July 2020 Fairyloot box. My favourite items are the scented candle and the food tray. What are yours? Let me know in the comments below!
