Falling for the Shadows

This is the OwlCrate June 2024 box. This box has items in it inspired by Hurricane Wars, One Dark Window, The Lord of the Rings, Evocation, and Good Omens. These books have been added to my TBR if they weren't already there.

This is the theme card as well as the spoiler card on the back. I thought that the artwork was pretty and minimal.

Together with artist Janine Lecour, they are bringing a bit of the magic of middle earth to our table with another addition of the limited edition ceramic bowl collection.

Each bowl in this series celebrates a different iconic location from Tolkien's Lord of the Rings universe. This sixth installment brings us all to Mordor.

Use this gorgeous travel mug tote bag for your drinks while you embark on your travels. Inspired by The Hurricane Wars, this bag is the most convenient way to carry your drinks and stay hydrated. This was beautifully designed by An-Nhien Nguyen (@annguyenart).

Speaking of drinks, this key bottle opener is the perfect item to open all your bottled beverages. This item, designed by Azura Arts (@azura.arts), depicts the beautifully gothic aesthetic of One Dark Window.

Be sure to look your best even on your travels by using this Evocation inspired keychain mirror. This mirror features wonderful designs both front and back done by Yeatasmin Shiropa (@the.pearledreader).

The enamel pin in the collection: Perfect Pairings. Each month's box includes a sliding pin featuring characters that pair together in the most fierce, intense, and romantic ways- all designed by Saiyre (@saiyre.art).

The 8th perfect pairing is inspired by Good Omens, featuring the ineffable duo, Aziraphale and Crowley.

The August book, Castle of the Cursed by Romina Garber, features a gothic castle full of family history and the mysteries that lie beneath it. Estela suffers from survivor's guilt after her parents are killed in a strange attack. She heads to her estranged aunt's ancestral Spanish castle, which harbors family secrets that are somehow linked to her parents' death, and a boy only she can see who claims to be trapped. As she dives deeper into the secrets, she realizes the suspect behind the deaths may be closer than she thinks.

This signed edition features a gorgeous redesigned exclusive cover and stenciled edges created by @anta_arf. Turn over the cover for the reversible dust jacket with beautiful artwork by Zarin Baksh (@nir4z). On the hardback, they have some striking foiled designs done by Niall Grant (@niallcgrant). Inside you'll find gorgeous end pages done by Jennifer Phujarit Ponn (@imjenndove). Finally, an author letter and bonus content from Romina Garber has been bound into the book for subscribers!

Overall, the August 2024 Box, Falling for the Shadows items fit the theme so well. I was delighted with each of the items, and the thought that was put into them regarding the theme, and inspired books to meet it. My favorite item this month was the book. There is also a Spotify playlist, the differences between the original and exclusive cover designs, interviews, books related to the book of the month, and other excellent August releases can all be found in the themed packet.

September's theme is I'll Remember You and is a devastatingly beautiful tale about queer love, acceptance, and grief. The first of our protagonists has been cursed, doomed to 500 years of service to the monstrous Ferryman of the Underworld, where he spends his days processing souls and wallowing in guilt and anger. In Portland, our other protagonist is the survivor of a traumatic accident, leaving him bereft with grief as he mourns the loss of his mother. When a mysterious mark appears on his hand, he finds himself drawn into a strange world — where he meets another whose grief seems to complement his own. But the two have been drawn to each other for a reason, and soon it becomes all too clear that their bond will lead them towards a devastating truth.

I hope you all enjoyed this review of the August 2024 OwlCrate box. I'm excited to read Castle of the Cursed with my OwlCrate friends, and am excited to use all of my themed items, some as decorations on my shelves!

Happy reading :)