Once Upon a Book Club Review April 2019
Once Upon a Book Club is a unique, interactive online community that offers a monthly subscription service where readers will receive a monthly box in the mail containing a newly released book to read for the month, along with 3-5 individually wrapped gifts. They kindly sent us this box for review.
First of all, can we talk about how cute this box is?! If I could hand out an award for best box design, Once Upon a Book Club would definitely be the winner. It really sets the tone for the box and makes me even more excited to see what’s tucked inside.
This is my first time reviewing Once Upon a Book Club and I was so excited when it arrived. I already know I am going to love this box.
Subscription Details
When you sign up for Once Upon a Book Club you have two options to choose from:
- Young Adult Subscription
- Adult Subscription
Both options start at $34.99 per month and you can choose a month-to-month subscription, 3-month subscription, 6-month subscription or an annual subscription.
Here’s a closer look at the April Adult Once Upon a Book Club…..
Note: Each box comes with a book and 3-5 individually wrapped gifts. To fully experience the box they remind us to only open the gifts once we reach the corresponding page numbers. How fun is that?!
The Deepest Blue by Sarah Beth Durst
The natural magic of the classic The Island of the Blue Dolphinsmeets the danger and courage of The Hunger Games in this dazzling, intricate stand-alone fantasy novel set in award-winning author Sarah Beth Durst’s beloved world of Renthia.
Life is precious and precarious on the islands of Belene. Besieged by a capricious ocean full of malicious spirits, the people of the islands seek joy where they can. Mayara, one of the island’s fearless oyster divers, has found happiness in love. But on the day of her wedding to the artist Kelo, a spirit-driven storm hits the island with deadly force.
To save her loved ones, Mayara reveals a dangerous secret: she has the power to control the spirits. When the storm ends, she is taken into custody by the queen’s soldiers and imprisoned with other women like her.
They vary in age and social status, but to many they are heroes who will aide the country or witches that will sacrifice themselves trying. No matter who they are, the women are sent to a terrifying place—an island filled with bloodthirsty nature spirits, and left without food, water, shelter, or any tools except their own instincts and magic. Whoever survives the Island of Testing will be declared heirs to the queen. But no matter if she wins or loses, Mayara knows that the life she dreamed of is gone.
Page #170
Here we have a set of Crystal Soap by Skeleton Cave. We were to open the box once we got to page 170. On this page the characters come across a room with huge pink and black crystals.
Page #237
Here we have a white paper mask. Seeing as it is white, I am assuming we could decorate it.
We are to open this package once we get to page 237. At this point in to book the main character comes across a women in a white mask. The chapter ends with the woman removing her mask. I already want to know what happens next.
Page # 276
Here we have the most beautiful seashell wind chime. We were to open this box once we got to page 276. I think it has something to do with the charms that were draped around a studio found in the village at this point in the book.
Page #311
Lastly we have a bottle of lavender essential oil. We were to open this box once we got to page 311. It’s at this point in the book where one of the characters dumps a vial of purple liquid into the queens mouth.
Extras
I also received a gorgeous print that says “Then Dream Again…..But Dream With Me”. As well as a sticker label which I’m sure has something to do with the book (actually it might be the author’s signature), and Book Club Perks – $5 off a new book called A Fallen Hero.
Once Upon a Book Club Review April 2019 – Final Thoughts
I am absolutely in love with my first Once Upon a Book Club box! What a great idea for a book subscription! I love the idea behind it, so unique and so fun. The fact that we are to open our gifts at certain points in the book adds an additional element of fun to the reading and unboxing experience. I received the adult box this month and apparently this is the first time they have featured a fantasy book as the monthly selection. I also just saw a sneak peek of the Young Adult box for April and it looks pretty great as well. I’m already looking forward to next month’s box. I can’t wait to see what they come up with.
-AYOB