The Real Beth R.

Life is a jungle to be Explored

Book Subscriptions

If you’re anything like me and love reading just as much as collecting books, chances are you don’t have just one, but several book subscriptions. Who doesn’t enjoy displaying beautiful, special edition books on their shelves? I know I certainly do!

Here’s a list of all the book subscriptions I’m currently signed up for, along with my thoughts on each. I’ll also share the subscriptions I used to have and explain why I decided to discontinue them.

  1. Fairyloot
    • FairyLoot is a monthly subscription box that offers exclusive, limited edition books along with themed bookish items. The books often feature beautiful artwork from various artists and are sometimes signed by the author. FairyLoot offers several subscription plans, including a 3-book combo (featuring a Young Adult, Adult, and Romantasy book) and a 2-book combo (Adult and Romantasy books only).
    • Although I wasn’t lucky enough to secure a combo subscription, I was fortunate to get the Romantasy Book Only subscription. It took me about 1–2 years on the waitlist before I was finally able to subscribe, and it has become my favorite subscription box. Being subscribed also gives me early access to exclusive editions that aren’t part of the regular boxes, which is a fantastic bonus!
    • The Romantasy Book Only subscription costs $29 per month, and with shipping and tax, it comes to $38.71. A helpful tip: when joining the waitlist, make sure you select the correct country website, as there are separate sites for the UK & International region and US & Canada.
    • Fairyloot allows for 4 skips per 12-month period
  2. Eternal Embers
    • I discovered Eternal Embers through Larryreads, a YouTuber I follow for book recommendations and hauls. Larryreads collaborated with Eternal Embers to create stunning editions of the Boys of Tommen books. While I wasn’t able to get one of those editions, I was able to subscribe to their monthly hardcover book subscription.
    • Eternal Embers is a female- and Asian-owned company, which is something I’m always happy to support. The subscription is on the pricier side, costing $74.99 per month, but it includes two beautifully designed books—usually interconnected standalone romance novels or titles by the same author—along with cute little stickers.
    • This subscription focuses more on romance, whereas FairyLoot is more fantasy-based. I personally love the artwork style of Eternal Embers’ special edition books, so for me, it’s worth the price. If you’re drawn to their style but want a more affordable option, the same founders also offer a sister subscription called The Love Story Society.
    • Eternal embers allows for 4 skips per calendar year.
  3. The love story society
    • The Love Story Society is a book subscription box from the same founders as Eternal Embers, offering a more flexible and affordable way to enjoy exclusive editions. Each month, subscribers receive a paperback romance exclusive edition for $22.99 per month. The covers are stunning and unique, making them a beautiful addition to any collection. If you love the artwork of Eternal Embers but can’t justify the higher price, I highly recommend giving The Love Story Society a try.
    • They allow for unlimited skips for this book subscription
  4. Owlcrate
    • OwlCrate was one of the first book subscription boxes I ever signed up for, and I’m still subscribed to this day. Similar to FairyLoot, OwlCrate offers a variety of subscription options. Their monthly boxes include:
      • Young Adult Book Only
      • Young Adult Book + Goodies
      • Adult Fantasy Book Only
    • In addition to monthly subscriptions, OwlCrate also offers quarterly boxes. There are four quarterly options: Romantasy, Horror, Romance, and Sci-Fi. Every three months, subscribers receive a signed, newly released hardcover book with exclusive design elements.
    • I’m currently subscribed to the quarterly Romantasy boxes, as well as the Adult Fantasy Book Only box. The book-only monthly subscriptions cost $31.99 per month, while the quarterly boxes are billed every three months.
    • Like FairyLoot, OwlCrate also offers exclusive early-access books for members that are not part of the subscription boxes. If you’re unsure about subscribing, OwlCrate sells leftover books and bookish items on their website, so non-members can still purchase them.
    • One feature I really love about OwlCrate is their points system—every purchase earns points that can be redeemed for discounts on your first subscription order or on any one-time purchases.
    • For the monthly subscriptions Owl crate allows for unlimited amount of skips but for the quarterly subscriptions skips are not allowed.
  5. Moonlight Book box
    • Moonlight Book Box is a monthly subscription that features stunning hardcover books with exquisite details, including foiled cover art, printed edges, and beautiful illustrations. These editions come without a dust jacket, and some even include gorgeous image overlays bound within the book, which is one of my favorite touches. The boxes consistently arrive on time for me, usually at the beginning of each month, and the subscription costs $35 per month. I always look forward to receiving my Moonlight Book Box and adding these stunning editions to my collection.
    • You get unlimited amount of skips but kip more than three consecutive months, your subscription may be canceled. This is to ensure that waitlisted subscribers have the opportunity to subscribe.
  6. Forbidden Wing
    • The Forbidden Wing is the Romantasy subscription box offered by The Locked Library. Each box includes a special edition book featuring stunning endpapers, sprayed edges, and a personal letter from the author. The subscription costs $28.99 per month, not including shipping. While the artwork is beautiful, what makes the box truly enjoyable really depends on the book selection for that month.
    • You get unlimited skips but if you skip more than 3 consecutive months your subscription may be cancelled.
  7. Book of the Month
    • f you’re new to book subscriptions, I highly recommend Book of the Month. They offer an amazing deal for new subscribers, making it a great way to start building your subscription collection. While the books aren’t special editions, the price makes it well worth it. It’s perfect for discovering new authors or genres, and you can even add extra books at a discounted price.
    • Each month, the selected books are sometimes popular titles, and I love that you can choose which book you want. If none of the selections appeal to you, you can simply skip that month. The subscription costs about $18.22 per month, with add-ons priced around $11.99 per book.
    • You get unlimited skips
  8. Allurial
    • Allurial is the Romantasy book subscription offered by Book of the Month, which launched its first box in July 2025. Each month, subscribers can choose from three special limited edition books. Once these editions sell out, they are gone for good. What makes them “special” are the sprayed edges, while the covers remain the same as the original editions, featuring the Allurial logo.
    • As a big Romantasy reader, I’ve really enjoyed the books I’ve picked so far. If you love Romantasy, I would definitely recommend this subscription. The box costs $26.99 per month, with the option to add an additional book for $19.99 per month.
    • You get unlimited skip at Allurial as well.

Previously Subscribed to:

  1. Illumicrate Adult fantasy and Afterlight
    • The illumicrate adult fantasy book subscription focuses on exclusive hardback editions of adult fantasy books. Each box is based on a monthly theme. If you get the box with merchandise these merchandise items will reflect the months book and theme. I opted for the book only subscription since I only wanted the books.
    • Illumicrate also has a romance focused book subscription called Afterlight. Like the adult fantasy this subscription features a special edition of a romance book picked for the month. If you prefer contemporary romance over adult fantasy then afterlight is for you.
    • Also note that Illumicrate allows for 6 skips per calendar year for the monthly subscriptions
  2. Autumn Midnights
    • It is a monthly subscription geared towards romance and romantasy readers. There are two tiers: the book only subscription which is $45 a month and the book and goodies subscription for $65 a month. The books are special hardback editions of the featured book of the month.
    • The book edition: a hardcover special edition of the monthly featured book with custom interior formatting, sprayed edges, and a reversible dust jacket (SFW & NSFW versions) with illustrated artwork.
    • If you pick the Book & Goodies tier: additional items such as an art print, a NSFW art print, a character tarot card, and a surprise extra goodie.
    • This book subscription allows for unlimited skips, you just have to do before the 15th of the month to avoid being charged for the month box.
    • the reason I unsubscribed was due to the waiting period for the book to be produced and shipped taking too long. I subscribed around may or June and still have not received the two books.
  3. The bookish box
    • The Bookish Box is a monthly subscription service offering exclusive luxe editions of books, primarily focusing on New Adult romantasy and Adult romance genres. Each box includes a specially curated book along with 3–5 themed bookish items, such as apparel, candles, bookmarks, and home decor. Subscribers can choose between two main options:
      • The Bookish Box: Features New Adult titles with a romantasy focus.
      • The Darkly Box: Centers on Adult romance, encompassing subgenres like dark romance and romantic suspense.
    • Additionally, a combined subscription, The Bookish & Darkly Box, includes both editions at a discounted rate.
    • Each box is priced between $38 and $63, depending on the selected plan.
    • I was so excited when I first subscribed. I subscribed to the box in January and did not receive my February book until May. I wanted to cut down on my book subscriptions and so I unsubscribed. the books are very beautiful but I did not want to continue paying monthly if I was going to get the book months later. If you are patient then I would recommend the bookish box. When they send the books they include a little sticker for the book which is fun if you like to write a review in your personal journal. They also offer exclusive editions that members get early access to outside of the book subscriptions.
    • The Bookish Box offers an unlimited skip policy for its monthly subscription service. Subscribers can skip any number of months without restriction. You have to email the customer service team to skip. After four consecutive skips, subscribers will temporarily lose access to certain member perks, such as:
      • Early access to exclusive preorder sales
      • Access to the Members Only Shop

Overall, my favorite book box subscriptions have to be Fairyloot, Eternal Embers, and Moonlight Book Box. I love the artwork, the carefully curated books, and some of my favorite editions on display come from these boxes. While book subscriptions can definitely be an expense, if you enjoy collecting books and reading as a hobby, I think they’re well worth it.

A helpful tip for managing multiple subscriptions—or deciding which months to skip—is to follow Instagram accounts that provide guesses for the upcoming month’s book. For example, I follow @theautumnbookreads, which has helped me save space on my shelves by prioritizing books I actually want. This account has also introduced me to several subscriptions I now enjoy, like Moonlight Book Box.

If you would like special editions but do not want a subscription there are special edition book companies that produce special editions without a book subscription. Such as:

  • Aurora crate book box
  • Books for Days Crate
  • The Ink Pages
  • Litjoy crate
  • Acrylipics Bookish Nook

Therealbethr

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