Savana – The Biblio Life – Page 22

December marks my second month as a rep for the Attic Box by Blue Spider Press! I was absolutely in love with this subscription service when I received November’s box, but this month’s blew me out of the water! The theme for December was “Fantasy and Fairy Tales” and being the 100% nerd that I am (Fun Fact: When I was 12-15 my room was painted green and decorated floor to ceiling with dragons, wizards, faeries, etc.) I could barely contain myself when it was announced!

I thought I’d provide a bit more information this time around, so please keep reading for subscription details about the contents, cost, shipping, etc. as well as my full unboxing of December’s “Fantasy and Fairy Tales” Attic Box (spoilers ahead if you are a subscriber!).

Question for my readers: What bookish boxes are you currently subscribed to? Which is your favorite and why? I am always interested in trying new ones out, so please share with us in the comments below!

Subscription Details:

The Attic Box by Blue Spider Press is a monthly subscription box that contains three gently used novels (handpicked according to your preferences I might add), one full-pot coffee or tea sample, and anywhere from 3 to 5 bookish treasures. Some of these treasures are even handcrafted by the team at Blue Spider Press and include but are not limited to bookmarks, jewelry, etc.

The Box: Attic Box
Subscription Cost: Starting @ $19.99/mo plus s&h/applicable taxes
One-Time Boxes: Limited supplies available, starting @ $17.99 plus s&h/applicable taxes
Discounts: TRB10 for 10% off your subscription

One of the things that makes me so fond of this subscription, is the fact that Candice and Jeremy work so hard to pick novels based on your specified preferences. The books that you receive do not necessarily follow the theme each month (the theme having more of a focus in the goodies you get), but they are chosen carefully and I believe that the passion that goes into this box can really be seen just in its overall curation!

One of my reading/genre preferences when I signed up as a rep was fantasy/sci-fi, and this month was no disappointment with the accidental (or purposeful, we shall never know but I don’t doubt the team’s amazing abilities!!) correlation of theme and books. Included were three novels, Song in the Silence by Elizabeth Kerner, Negative Image by Vicki Delaney, and 100 Great Fantasy Short Short Stories by multiple authors.

The running coffee theme here is another thing that will definitely keep me coming back for more! There were three possible pin varieties in this month’s box that were created by the very talented Brandy at Pigsey Art in TX! I was lucky enough to get the gorgeous “most likely to caffeinate” shown below which perfectly describes Mondays for me…well, everyday I suppose would be more appropriate! I have yet to dive into the holiday blend sample from this month, but it sure sounds wonderful!

The goodies that are included monthly are SO MUCH FUN! I’ve yet to come across something that isn’t useful, which I highly appreciate out of this box. Included this month were the following: a small journal, a gorgeous handcrafted book charm necklace (this one was King Arthur), a bookmark, stickers, and a stunning art print based off of Alice in Wonderland (there were multiple varieties, mine happened to be the Mad Hatter).

I cannot fully express how fantastic this box is, and I will continue to attempt to do so as long as I am a rep and beyond! I’ve purchased quite a few different boxes over the past 4 months (you can find my other unboxings here) and each is special and unique in their own way. This subscription specifically is special as a small business, run by two of the kindest book-loving people out there! Items are handcrafted, books are handpicked, and so much thought and consideration goes into making this the wonderful book box that it is.

Okay so maybe I am a little in love with it, but my convincing can only go so far – you need to try it to believe it! So, if you’re a coffee or tea fanatic who likes unique and usable things and want a little bookish mystery in your life (mystery because the books you get are a surprise), this is the box for you! Sign up today (or try a one-time box if you’re not looking to commit monthly) and make sure to use my rep code TRB10 for 10% off your subscription!

Synopsis:

Seventeen year-old Britta Flannery is at ease only in the woods with her dagger and bow. She spends her days tracking criminals alongside her father, a legendary bounty hunter—that is, until her father is murdered. The alleged killer is none other than Cohen Mackay, her father’s former apprentice. The only friend she’s ever known. The boy she once loved who broke her heart.

She must go on a dangerous quest in a world of warring kingdoms, mad kings, and dark magic to find the real killer. But Britta wields more power than she knows. And soon she will learn what has always made her different will make her a force to be reckoned with.

TRB Review – 5/5

This was one of the best debut YA novels that I’ve picked up in a very long time! Ever the Hunted is a fantastically constructed coming of age story spun with a little bit of romance and a lot of adventure – just how I like it!

Don’t worry, you won’t find any spoilers here. My first and only complaint about this book, which I am getting out of the way now so that I can discuss all of the amazing things about it, was the overuse of descriptiveness in some scenes. There were certain points where scenes just seemed unnecessary, or too in depth. I never thought I’d find myself saying that someone wrote too descriptively, but this is the exception. If you can see past this minor flaw, the book is an absolute wonderful work of art!

“Lightning cracks across the sky again, and in the burst of colorless light I notice how close we’re sitting. I lower my gaze from his, but it catches on his lips. Then noticing the slow movement his throat makes as he swallows, my focus eventually drops to my lap and the space between us.” Ever the Hunted, pg. 223

There is a seemingly tense romantic connection between the two main characters, Britta and Cohen. You learn early on about Britta’s feelings, but Summerill keeps the tension throughout the story very taut and interesting by not eluding to Cohen’s thoughts on the matter. There’s obviously conflict in emotion, and a clear sense of physical lust. This theme throughout is very strong, so if you are not a romantic this may not be for you. If nothing else it’s worth reading for the surprising twist at the end (did I say that?).

“Cohen’s eyes are flat and angry in a way I’ve never witnessed. Leif grunts when Cohen’s sword slices a clean line through the arm of his shirt. Blood darkens the bold blue material of Leif’s Shaerdanian commoner clothing, turning my guts inside out. Bludger.” Ever the Hunted, pg. 104

While the romance is strong, the character development is stronger. There’s quite a bit of mystery surrounding Cohen, as well as Britta’s past and her abilities, but her first person narration really allows you a peculiar look at the people and places around her. You learn quite a bit about Cohen just from his mannerisms, as well as what others are thinking by their facial expressions.The world that she’s created is nothing too fancy, but there’s very curious magic wound in and it’s vivid enough that you can imagine the varying lands and picture the people and shifting scenery.

I finished this book in less than 3 days, which is a record for me considering work and school and life all happening at the same time. I’m fairly certain the last time that I devoured a book so quickly was when I read the Inheritance series by Christopher Paolini years ago, and since then I’ve been sadly disappointed – until now! This book helped pull me out of an awful reading slump and gave me renewed hope for emerging authors! Summerill did such a fantastic job building a fantasy world plagued with war, politics, romance and adventure. I absolutely cannot wait for the second book in this series!

I received a complimentary ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

About the Author:

After completing a B.A. in English, I had aspirations to knock out the next great American novel. Mom always taught me to dream big. Well writing proved tougher than I first thought. Tougher than chewing on a two-year-old gummi-worm that’s been hiding under a car seat. Plans changed. I didn’t write the next great American novel. No, I grabbed a Nikon and became a professional wedding photographer. During the day I posed brides and in the evenings I put scenes into action. Word by word. Manuscript by manuscript. I kept on writing.

The scenic detour of photography took me across the United States and even over to Australia and New Zealand, where I picked up world-building inspiration. After seven years, eight failed manuscripts, and a life-altering kidney donation experience, I finally had the vision to draft my debut young adult fantasy, EVER THE HUNTED.

When I’m not writing or shooting, I’m chasing my 4 kids, 2 dogs, 1 cat, and 4 chickens around the state of Utah. This is probably why I’m seriously addicted to Coke Zero and Hot Tamales.

You can connect with Erin via Twitter and Goodreads, or check out her website here.

Pre-Order this book via one of your favorite retailers listed below!
Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes & Noble, and IndieBound

Author: Savana - The Biblio Life

Unboxing: December Attic Box

Subscription Details:

Book Review: Ever the Hunted by Erin Summerill