UNBOXING: Illumicrate Magic & Mayhem The V.E. Edition Box

Hope you had a terrific day. Early this week, I unboxed the Illumicrate MAGIC & MAYHEM: THE V.E. EDITION first thing in the morning!

This is my first lllumicrate box and I couldn’t be more impressed! I don’t even know how a box could be this PERFECT! Needless to say, next time Illumicrate does a special edition box of a fandom I’m a part of, there will be non hesitation on my part!!! (Also, I cannot wait for my Muse of Nightmares & Strange the Dreamer limited editions)

Shall we?

First… an overview!

I know right? I’m impressed too… how did I even manage to fit them all in one pic?? It’s a mystery.

ADSOM- and Villains-inspired double-sided tote bag designed by Sylvia (@rowatree)

The tote bag is made of this really heavy canvas fabric and you can see how high the quality is in the stitches and the heavy-duty handle. Definitely perfect for #bookhauls!

Does anyone get who that lady with horns is though? I’m not getting the reference…

Kell and Lila at the Essen Tasch ball art print by Victoria Ying

Probably my least favorite by far out of all the items in this box… not because I don’t like it (not at all the case) but just because if I have to choose. I just feel like it’s got more of a Disney vibe than the darker vibe characteristic to the ADSOM series.

A Darker Shade of London layered glass candle (scents of bergamot, cinnamon, and vanilla) by Amelia’s Kitchen Candles

I love that it’s full-size and in a jar (even with all these other high-quality goodies with it) and I know I’ll never light it up because… it’s too pretty! Each layer represents one of the Londons, but I’m sure you’ve noticed (you can admire the beauty below!)

The Four Londons postcard set by Moledro Draft Co.

The details on these are staggering. I love the set so much and I don’t think I can ever bear to part with them…. so good luck trying to make me use these as postcards.

If I have to pick a favorite between the four, I’ll pick the one for Red London – for the enchanting shot of the bridge, the bright and eye-catching red, and for the quote featured in the back. It’s one of those quotes I remember jotting down when I was reading the series:

Love and loss are like a ship and the sea. They rise together. The more we love, the more we have to lose. But the only way to avoid loss is to avoid love. And what a sad world that would be.

It kind of reminds me of Aciman’s quote in Call Me By Your Name: “But to feel nothing so as not to feel anything – what a waste!”

Fable & Black Vicious enamel pin

We are all immortal until proven otherwise.

Before I realized this was a VICIOUS item, I thought it was a London coin/token, like what Kell uses to travel between Londons.

Fable & Black As Travars keychain

Four Londons scarf by Fable & Black

Hyperventilating – can’t believe how gorgeous these three items are and they’re all from Fable & Black! I’ve never even heard of them yet in the book box world but I’ll remember them from now on. SO IMPRESSIVE. The workmanship is top-notch!

Large Lila Bard-inspired pouch designed by Stella Bookish Art

It can definitely work as a Kindle case! It also works well to protect all the paper goodies that came in the box 😀

As Tascen metallic gray bottle by Crini (@xcrini)

Works great as a themed accessory… I’ll probably end up bringing my own water next time I go study at Starbucks or at the bookstore (V.E. Schwab-themed)!

ADSOM card set by Loretta Lammer

It didn’t actually say, but I’m guessing the characters are: Kell, Rhy, Holland, Alucard, Lila, and Athos & Astrid Dane. It’s a cool collectible, but I’m not really a fan of the interpretations except for Lila Bard and the Dane siblings. I do love the borders though!

Double-sided bookmarks illustrated by Merwild

On the other hand, I LOVEEE these, especially Kell, and then Rhy ❤ They’re so dashing! Coralie is sooo talented – I love the sharp features of her illustrations.

Captain of the Night Spire enamel tin mug by Temporary Places

I’m just amazed that all of these items are high-value!!!! I have so many mugs, but I love these enamel tin mugs, they don’t feel as fragile. I’ll probably just end up using it as a decorative piece more than an actual mug because I have so many mugs already… even though I might end up using it at least once during fall/winter! We’ll see!

Black-out poetry book sleeve by Illumicrate

At this point, I’ve run out of compliments for the box. This is yet another amazing thing that I can’t believe is in this box. I just remember all the book boxes I’ve subscribed to and whenever they announce that they’ll have a mug or a book sleeve or a scarf, it’s immediately thought to be well worth it – but this box has all those AND MORE!

Definitely no regrets.

Letter from V.E. herself.

I am just overjoyed at the simple fact that it matches the whole theme, but also uses the exact replica of the beautiful and minimalist ADSOM covers.

And last, but certainly not the least, might even be the greatest…

Limited Edition Illumicrate exclusive numbered copy of VENGEFUL by V.E. Schwab

Here’s what it looks like naked… (GASP!)

It actually matches the pin I got from my Owlcrate (<<<<<see unboxing), so that’s cool. This is probably the new character, Marcella?

I even forgot it’s signed! V.E. signature is sooo cute and cool!

More EO figures…

BONUS: This is my cat Missy and I just had to include her because she made it just a little bit of a challenge to take pics – LOL she loves either lying down on my fur background or on the items (she creased my spoiler card BTW, bad Misssyy!)