IMPORTANT UPDATES PLEASE READ - This video was filmed at the start of November 2021, and looks at the delivery of these subscriptions for a period of March - September 2021. Since filming this video Illumicrate have announced that they will be ending their monthly pins from January 2022 due to rising delivery costs. Personally I prefer this as it avoids an increase in subscription price. Illumicrate's January 2022 will also include a paperback book as an item!
I do really like the art variety that Illumicrate uses. I really enjoy Fairyloots customized books but feel like all the art on the dust jackets and even some of the foil embossing seems like it's all done by the same artist. It's nice art but I'd personally like to see a bit more variety.
Personally, the main reason why I chose Ilumicrate is that they give you the option for book only subscription while FairyLoot doesn't. I understand that some people like to collect merch of books they love, but I don't have enough space in my shelves for random items that I might never use. However, I am very exited for FairyLoot's Adult book-only subscription and I am definitely sure I will join that one (and hope they don't do the same books or I will have to start skipping months...).
I definitely prefer Illumicrate over FairyLoot. Not only the darker vibes and the mixed books but mainly the items. I always use most of my Illumicrate items but FairyLoot is hit or miss for me
Fairyloot has done a fandom neutral box in the past, I think i've gotten like 3 fandom neutral boxes from them during the entirety of my subscription. At least one per year, i remember one for A Curse so Dark and Lonely, a halloween-themed one for October and another one after that. They just haven't done one this year but may do one next year
I had the same thing happen, I ended up shelving illumicrate and going with FairyLoot (I’d also been a subscriber for FL previously), and I enjoy it a lot. It was the reports of illumicrate having shipping issues at times and less about the actual items/titles for me. I have since also picked up the Adult FairyLoot sub and the illumicrate book only subs. I’m on the list for the FairyLoot romantasy sub too, so once that comes out I might reevaluate and do the book only subs for all 4. The US delivery for both companies does end up coming via USPS eventually, which means sometimes it’s great and sometimes it sucks, but I’ve never had an issue with either as far as communication with the sub box or shipping issues. Good video, good information.
This was super helpful! Thanks for taking the time to do this 👏🏻 I'm SO excited that Illumicrate is finally going to be available in the US. I've waited sooooo long!
I was hoping that this would help me decide which to get but it really just showed me how much potential both boxes have LOL! Great job explaining each one in detail. Absolutely in love with that edition of she who became the sun!! :)
I have a hard time picking between the two! lol I think I like FAiry Loot LOOKS just a TINY bit more but sometimes I end up likeing the actual books from IC more... I am a bit excited that Fairy Loot is going to be doing an adult book-only box this coming year and I think THAT will be my winner.
I've been an Illumicrate subscriber for three months and I am quite happy with it. With each crate that I receive; I don't have any preconceived expectations, so I'm usually pleased with whatever is in there. I've been able to make use of nearly everything, even the phone stand. As long as I get a beautiful book, it's all good.
This really helped me because I to have subscribed to multiple boxes for my daughters. Not able to pick which one! Lol I have had issues with duplication between boxes. OwlCrate, Spear craft, fairy loot, Illumicrate crate and once upon a book club. I canceled spear craft and once upon a book club. I wish Owlcrate would go into an agreement with Illumicrate too! The duplicates are still gorgeous and we give them to fellow book loving friends as gifts. I love your channel! You always bring a smile to my face hope you’re having a great day!
I’m on the Illumicrate waitlist and have Fairyloot, I’ve loved watching the Illumicrate unboxing but I’m hoping that they get a US distribution before I commit to them 😅
Ness, this was so so helpful! I’m currently on a waiting list for both Subscription boxes and have been using this time to decide which one. Thank you so much for your insight! ❤️
Could you maybe make an updated version soon?? Now that there’s more thing’s available with fairyloots new subscriptions, and with your personal opinion now that you’ve had it for more than a year :)) if not, don’t worry, and I hope you heal well 💕
I do plan to do one as I've had a few requests :) I'm in the middle of moving at the moment so some of the books I want to talk about are boxed up, so it's on my list to do when I've moved. It might take a while though as its a house purchase!
I really appreciate this in-depth look at both subscription boxes. My first illumicrate box is coming this month and you’ve made me anticipate it even more ✨
I have Illumicrate for over a year. My first and only subscription. Thinking about a second. A very good tip is that you can skip the montly subscription in your account. I really love my book and items.
This was so helpful! I liked seeing every book you got from each one and all the information. The book with the forest stenciled on the pages was my favorite
Thank you for doing a great video like this, found it very informative. I have been with one of the boxes you have mentioned for over two years and the boxes have been very up and down both in books and items. Special editions with books that this box subscription has also offered are a nightmare with posting and the books take forever to turn up and you are still waiting long after the books have been released to the public which can be a ball ache if you have read the first book and you are waiting on the next
With the under dust jacket art I think myself it is a waste as I would never use the alternative cover as there is no name on the spine and that fries my head, I have to see the books title when on shelf.
The embossing on the hardcovers of books are great when it comes to both box subscriptions, the most phenomenal one is Illumicrates most recent one where the hardcover is totally printed on the hardcover, it is stunning
My favourite book I wish I could have got has to be Empire of the Vampire by Illumicrate, that was spectacular and totally blew my mind seeing what was showcased all over Booktube
I subscribed to Illumicrate a few days ago but if Fairyloot shipped to my country I would subscribe to it... (Tho I had my cousin in UK get the October Box of Fairyloot for me.The items in it and the special edition of OUBAH were really gorgeous)
I’m on the waitlist for FL adult and YA, got my email from Illumicrate tonight, still not sure what to to for as I was leaning more towards FL, is it wrong to have three book subscriptions!? 😂
I have both but can’t decide on which one to stick with because they both have editions I love. Both bool boxes have hit or miss but if illumicrate keeps it up with their awesome editions then I may stick with them instead. I really enjoy getting both boxes, they both are lovely for different reasons. I just hope to never get a duplicate book aha. This november’s book for illumicrate really did outshine fairyloots though. Illumicrate was like “So y’all think Fairyloot is the best?! Let me show you” haha.
IMPORTANT UPDATES PLEASE READ - This video was filmed at the start of November 2021, and looks at the delivery of these subscriptions for a period of March - September 2021. Since filming this video Illumicrate have announced that they will be ending their monthly pins from January 2022 due to rising delivery costs. Personally I prefer this as it avoids an increase in subscription price.
Illumicrate's January 2022 will also include a paperback book as an item!
I do really like the art variety that Illumicrate uses. I really enjoy Fairyloots customized books but feel like all the art on the dust jackets and even some of the foil embossing seems like it's all done by the same artist. It's nice art but I'd personally like to see a bit more variety.
It is done by the same artist, Tara who is a FL team member. So she designs max of their arts.
I totally agree!
Personally, the main reason why I chose Ilumicrate is that they give you the option for book only subscription while FairyLoot doesn't. I understand that some people like to collect merch of books they love, but I don't have enough space in my shelves for random items that I might never use. However, I am very exited for FairyLoot's Adult book-only subscription and I am definitely sure I will join that one (and hope they don't do the same books or I will have to start skipping months...).
I'm desperate to get more info about their adult book subscription, I hope it comes soon!
I'm with you - that She Who Became the Sun is the best of the lot. Soooo pretty and elegant.
Absolutely, I want more like this!
I definitely prefer Illumicrate over FairyLoot. Not only the darker vibes and the mixed books but mainly the items. I always use most of my Illumicrate items but FairyLoot is hit or miss for me
My preference is IC too :)
Fairyloot has done a fandom neutral box in the past, I think i've gotten like 3 fandom neutral boxes from them during the entirety of my subscription. At least one per year, i remember one for A Curse so Dark and Lonely, a halloween-themed one for October and another one after that. They just haven't done one this year but may do one next year
I had the same thing happen, I ended up shelving illumicrate and going with FairyLoot (I’d also been a subscriber for FL previously), and I enjoy it a lot. It was the reports of illumicrate having shipping issues at times and less about the actual items/titles for me. I have since also picked up the Adult FairyLoot sub and the illumicrate book only subs. I’m on the list for the FairyLoot romantasy sub too, so once that comes out I might reevaluate and do the book only subs for all 4. The US delivery for both companies does end up coming via USPS eventually, which means sometimes it’s great and sometimes it sucks, but I’ve never had an issue with either as far as communication with the sub box or shipping issues. Good video, good information.
This was super helpful! Thanks for taking the time to do this 👏🏻 I'm SO excited that Illumicrate is finally going to be available in the US. I've waited sooooo long!
You're so welcome!
I was hoping that this would help me decide which to get but it really just showed me how much potential both boxes have LOL! Great job explaining each one in detail. Absolutely in love with that edition of she who became the sun!! :)
I’m loving your commitment, I remember you telling me when you were getting the subscriptions that you were going to do a comparison!!
💛🖤
:)
I have a hard time picking between the two! lol I think I like FAiry Loot LOOKS just a TINY bit more but sometimes I end up likeing the actual books from IC more... I am a bit excited that Fairy Loot is going to be doing an adult book-only box this coming year and I think THAT will be my winner.
Yes their adult subscription is definitely a consideration for me!
@@Wanderness I'm debating going book only for everything honestly
I've been an Illumicrate subscriber for three months and I am quite happy with it. With each crate that I receive; I don't have any preconceived expectations, so I'm usually pleased with whatever is in there. I've been able to make use of nearly everything, even the phone stand. As long as I get a beautiful book, it's all good.
That's good to hear, that you enjoy it :)
This really helped me because I to have subscribed to multiple boxes for my daughters. Not able to pick which one! Lol I have had issues with duplication between boxes. OwlCrate, Spear craft, fairy loot, Illumicrate crate and once upon a book club. I canceled spear craft and once upon a book club. I wish Owlcrate would go into an agreement with Illumicrate too! The duplicates are still gorgeous and we give them to fellow book loving friends as gifts. I love your channel! You always bring a smile to my face hope you’re having a great day!
Aww thank you Danielle that's a lovely comment :) Yes duplication is bummer!
I’m on the Illumicrate waitlist and have Fairyloot, I’ve loved watching the Illumicrate unboxing but I’m hoping that they get a US distribution before I commit to them 😅
Yes I can only imagine how expensive IC is to the US!
Ness, this was so so helpful! I’m currently on a waiting list for both Subscription boxes and have been using this time to decide which one. Thank you so much for your insight! ❤️
Glad it was helpful, hope you find the one for you :)
Could you maybe make an updated version soon?? Now that there’s more thing’s available with fairyloots new subscriptions, and with your personal opinion now that you’ve had it for more than a year :)) if not, don’t worry, and I hope you heal well 💕
I do plan to do one as I've had a few requests :) I'm in the middle of moving at the moment so some of the books I want to talk about are boxed up, so it's on my list to do when I've moved. It might take a while though as its a house purchase!
Fairyloot for sure. Love their endpapers and bonus books
They've definitely improved!
This was so useful! Thanks for your time 💕
You're so welcome! I'm hoping to make an updated version soon :)
I really appreciate this in-depth look at both subscription boxes. My first illumicrate box is coming this month and you’ve made me anticipate it even more ✨
Glad it was helpful! Hope you like it :)
super helpful, thanks for making this!
I have Illumicrate for over a year. My first and only subscription. Thinking about a second. A very good tip is that you can skip the montly subscription in your account. I really love my book and items.
This was so helpful! I liked seeing every book you got from each one and all the information. The book with the forest stenciled on the pages was my favorite
That's so helpful, thank you Ness! I recently got off both waitlists too, so this inspired me to start a comparaison list.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for doing a great video like this, found it very informative. I have been with one of the boxes you have mentioned for over two years and the boxes have been very up and down both in books and items. Special editions with books that this box subscription has also offered are a nightmare with posting and the books take forever to turn up and you are still waiting long after the books have been released to the public which can be a ball ache if you have read the first book and you are waiting on the next
With the under dust jacket art I think myself it is a waste as I would never use the alternative cover as there is no name on the spine and that fries my head, I have to see the books title when on shelf.
The embossing on the hardcovers of books are great when it comes to both box subscriptions, the most phenomenal one is Illumicrates most recent one where the hardcover is totally printed on the hardcover, it is stunning
My favourite book I wish I could have got has to be Empire of the Vampire by Illumicrate, that was spectacular and totally blew my mind seeing what was showcased all over Booktube
Where has Owlcrate disappeared to? No one seems to be showcasing this sub box any more.
Loved this video, look forward to the next one
It's one of the best!
Hi Ness, I love your videos. You’re in your late 20’s! I thought you were in your teens. Where did you get the book pot behind you? I collect them.
Yes unfortunately haha but that's good to hear I could pass as a teenager! I got it off Rebecca for my birthday, so I'm not sure :(
This is so useful, thank you
I subscribed to Illumicrate a few days ago but if Fairyloot shipped to my country I would subscribe to it... (Tho I had my cousin in UK get the October Box of Fairyloot for me.The items in it and the special edition of OUBAH were really gorgeous)
I’m on the waitlist for FL adult and YA, got my email from Illumicrate tonight, still not sure what to to for as I was leaning more towards FL, is it wrong to have three book subscriptions!? 😂
I feel like the skips are also to be taken into account, fairyloot only offers 5 but ilumicrate offers unlimited right?
I believe that Fairlyloot doesn't have subscription at this point...=(
Illumicrate doesn't treat their customers in the US very kindly. Fairyloot is so kind and helpful if ever need help from them.
I have both but can’t decide on which one to stick with because they both have editions I love. Both bool boxes have hit or miss but if illumicrate keeps it up with their awesome editions then I may stick with them instead. I really enjoy getting both boxes, they both are lovely for different reasons. I just hope to never get a duplicate book aha. This november’s book for illumicrate really did outshine fairyloots though. Illumicrate was like “So y’all think Fairyloot is the best?! Let me show you” haha.
My personal preference is for Illumicrate at the moment, I just love how you never know what you're going to get design wise!
My problem is fairyloots books looking the same.
I totally get that!
This is so useful, thank you
You're welcome!