I have been so excited for the August Knowledge is Power box since they announced that it would be out, partly because the book featured is one of my most anticipated releases of the year and because I loved illumicrate’s last dark academia themed box! I think it is hard to get book box items right sometimes, but dark academia themed ones always seem to be a hit with me, so I’m really looking forward to what is in store!
Firstly I opened up the box and found the Atlas Six inspired collapsible pencil case (designed by @janinelecour). It has a gorgeous black and white design, fitting the theme of the entire box, and features a quote from the book “Knowledge is carnage. You can’t have it without sacrifice”. I have actually seen my students using standing pencil cases like these and really like the idea for highlighters etc so might use it for my bullet journal pens!
The next item I pulled out was a gorgeous black journal with silver foiling on the front (designed by @by_madlendesign and artwork by @_saintdri). Opening it up it is an undated reading journal, filled with character art from various dark academia themed books, with quotes and space for TBRs, anticipated releases, ratings, schedules etc. A lovely diary, some of my favourite character art is from The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern (obviously) and Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé. Gorgeous art that fits the theme perfectly, the last illumicrate reading journal I also adored but haven’t used yet because it is just too pretty and unfortunately I think this one might follow suit. I love them, and looking at them but the perfectionist in me doesn’t want to ruin them!
Then I pulled out the A Lesson in Vengeance inspired stamp set (designed by @moehrenkunstshop). While I was a little confused as to why there is no actual ink included I do adore the stamps, the design is gorgeous and I can definitely see myself using them in my bullet journal as I have approximately zero talent when it comes to actually drawing so rely on stickers to jazz it up, so this will make a nice addition! Especially considering that they are reusable, however my only reservations are the fact that it doesn’t come with an ink pad so now I have to buy one, and that there isn’t any kind of small handle you can grip on the stamps themselves, they’re quite thin so I imagine it might get quite messy trying to use them (especially when I have acrylics on)!
Next, I found the Writing Workshop pin inspired by Bunny (designed by @justelfit). It is a gorgeous crest style white and black pin with hints of pink, featuring bunnies of course and some script around the edges. I’m not sure why it’s called the writing workshop pin but I suppose I’ll have to read the book to find out! Bunny also features within the reading journal, and is a book I am yet to read though I’ve heard so many people (mainly léa from @loverofpages) rave about in the past so it is definitely one that’s on my dark academia TBR!
Then I found the Babel inspired character art bookmarks (designed by @merwildandco). They’re pretty and I can’t wait to discover more about them, I also accidentally received six instead of the four, two of the female characters!
And finally, the main event. What we were all waiting for - Babel herself. I had no idea what to expect, I knew that it would be in a slip case but I tried to avoid actually looking at any more details than that. It still blew me away, the slip case itself takes inspiration directly from the Babel cover - a tower overlooking the city skyline with birds flying towards it and foiled stars twinkling around it on both sides of the case. Then taking the book out we get a x-ray kind of view of the inside of the tower in a gloss finish on the front and back of the book. The top and bottom edges are sprayed black, but the side edge is a kind of grey/black ink marble effect and features a quote from the book - “An act of translation is always an act of betrayal”. The endpapers continue with the grey/black ink marble effect which I love, then with library effect papers to give the book that library feel, and there is also an author letter from R.F. Kuang inside the book.
Overall, I love the box and it is definitely my favourite illumicrate box of the year. However, while the book is gorgeous, it isn’t quite what I had wanted. Mainly because I adore foiling and there isn’t enough of that for me personally and while the cut away tower design is pretty - it feels very plain, but I do still really like it. I just can’t help but feel that the adult fairyloot version may be better, and am desperately sad that I don’t have that subscription! But I am still very happy and looking forward to getting it signed by R.F. Kuang when I see her in London (and it will be signed by the time this goes live), let me know what you guys thought of the box in the comments!
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