I just saw that >!Once, Again, Always!< is LitJoys To Bee Read Pick for November (along with >!Tempest!<), and I’m a bit surprised by the stunning design! So far, I’ve never been interested in LitJoy because the subscription design always seemed to me like they only made minor changes, and as an international reader, I couldn’t justify it. But this design is gorgeous, and it looks like you can even add overlays as add-ons?

Since I have zero experience with LitJoy (both the subscription and exclusive editions), I wanted to ask if anyone would like to share their experiences? How does the subscription work (how do you choose the book and add the add-on)? Are subscription spots always open and do I have time to read the book after it’s released next week, or do I have to act fast before it sells out? What’s the quality of the books like (more like Owlcrate or more like Faecrate)? Do they share more details about the customizations before it’s shipped (like illustrated endpapers, hardcover)? What’s their cancellation policy like in general and for EU customers? Etc., etc.

>!Elena Armas!< posted a picture of the tip-in pages for the >!AL December sub!< in her broadcast channel, and Sophie from Owlcrate also confirmed that she’s working on the same book. While she didn’t say whether it’s included in the subscription box or not, there’s a good chance it’s the >!OC Romance December pick!<. Sophie also teased a bunch of other special editions in the voice note.

Bookish Box just posted their customizations and snippets for "Silver Elite," and I'm actually tempted to get it even though I already own the DW edition! I'm not sure if I remember correctly, but wasn't there another teaser that had already been shared here? Or was that for a different book?

My Illumicrate-Afterlight combo box for July just arrived, and while the IC book has been talked about quite a bit before, I haven’t seen many spoilers for the AL book - and none here at all.

I read an ARC of it and absolutely love it, but I’m a bit disappointed by the cover. It definitely captures the Bollywood vibes, but it’s just not my style. Other people will probably feel differently, especially if they prefer character art on covers more than I do (even though I’m mostly okay with it on contemporary romance books, as opposed to fantasy, where I really don’t like it). I’m thinking of flipping the jacket, but I’m a bit worried that it’ll be like with FL covers, where reversing them always ends up looking worse because of the cheap material. If anyone has done this before with the new IC/AL reverse covers, please share your experiences!

On a more positive note, the endpapers are really, really beautiful, and there’s bonus content!

Edit: This is not a b-format hardcover.

Lilac Library’s is the only book box that has ever been able to surprise me, since there are usually always some spoiler photos online before I get my delivery. This was the second time I’ve opened a package from them without knowing what was inside, and I was absolutely thrilled. I really like the design, even though I was a bit surprised by the dust jacket. Based on their teasers, I expected the hardcover design to be the dust jacket, and I can imagine that a lot of people would have preferred that, but I’m one of the few people who usually doesn’t like character art on covers. The endpapers are also really great (the second one has already been revealed before, but all the small details are even better in person). I’d read the story before on Kindle, so I think the design is a perfect fit, especially the STEM elements. Plus: it has bonus content!

Edit: Also pictured are the IC and AL July books (in case you don’t want to see spoilers for those).

Since a few people posted about whether to get >!Immortal Rose!< in next month’s Owlcrate Adult box or FL the month after, here’s the latest sneak peek for the OC edition. I also added the endpaper teaser they posted a few weeks ago.

I’m planning to renew my OC YA subscription for the first time since February and was a bit surprised when the reminder showed a total price of over $50. While the other boxes are always a bit over $50 (approx. 45€), the YA box has always been below that price. At first, I thought they’d raised the shipping cost, but it’s actually the taxes that have suddenly gone up by $2–3. I compared the prices with the YA February invoice (third picture) and also this month’s Adult invoice (second picture), and the taxes have definitely increased from around $3 to $5.85. I double-checked to see if they’d changed their policy on covering EU tariffs, but I only found the email where they said they would cover them for now (fourth picture). So my question is: Are they no longer covering them (and simply didn’t announce it), or did I miss the announcement, or is this only for Germany (and do all other EU countries have the same taxes as last month)?

I just stumbled upon this by accident and was wondering if I somehow missed the announcement or if they changed the skipping/cancellation policy without notice. Apparently, BB has reverted the system for people with EU addresses only to the old way, where you can skip an order yourself. It’s now also possible to cancel an order even after the first 48 hours have passed. This is all in line with the new EU Right of Withdrawal, so I shouldn’t be surprised, but I still am! I was seriously considering canceling because it’s not very convenient to contact customer service every month during the short window between the customization reveal and the renewal date, which is three days (sometimes with weekends in between).

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As part of our commitment to consumer transparency and compliance with EU consumer protection laws (including the updated digital withdrawal regulations), we provide the following information regarding your right to cancel your order.

What is the EU Right of Withdrawal?
If you are a consumer residing in the European Union, you have the legal right to change your mind and cancel your purchase within a specific period without giving any reason.

How long do I have to cancel my order?
You have 14 days to withdraw from the contract. This 14-day window begins the day after you (or a third party designated by you, other than the carrier) physically receive your package.

Can I cancel my order before it is shipped or while it is in transit?
Yes. You do not need to wait for the package to arrive to change your mind. You can withdraw at any time between placing the order and the end of the 14-day delivery window.

Please Note: If the item has already shipped, we cannot stop the delivery mid-route. You may refuse the package at the door, or return it to us once it arrives.

How do I officially cancel my order?
We have made this process simple, instant, and compliant with EU guidelines. You can use our electronic withdrawal portal by clicking the "Cancel Contract" button located at the bottom of our website. Please note that customers with a delivery address outside the EU, EEA EFTA, and Northern Ireland will be blocked from submitting the withdrawal form.

You can complete this process entirely as a guest without needing to log into an account. Once you input your basic order details and confirm your cancellation, our system will automatically email you an immediate confirmation receipt.

Once I request a cancellation, how long do I have to send the item back?
You must send the items back or hand them over to us without delay, and in any event no later than 14 days from the day you clicked the withdrawal button.

What happens if I take longer than 14 days to mail the item back?
If the tracking shows the item was shipped after this mandatory 14-day window:
 *The return may be rejected entirely and sent back to you at your expense, resulting in a lost refund.
 *The refund may be subject to a deduction for "diminished value" if the delay has reduced the resale value.

Who pays for return shipping?
Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer unless the item arrived damaged or defective.

How do returns work if I use a third-party Address/Freight Forwarding company?
If you choose to use an address forwarding or freight forwarding service to receive your order:
 *The 14-Day Timeline: Under EU law, your 14-day withdrawal period begins the day after your package is successfully delivered to your designated forwarding company's facility, as they are a third party authorized to accept mail on your behalf. It does not start when the package eventually reaches your final destination in Europe.
 *Return Costs: If you wish to return an item, you are solely responsible for all international shipping fees, customs clearance, and export duties required to transport the item from your location back to either our warehouse or your forwarding company's domestic address.
 *Damage Liability: Our liability for transit damage ends once our carrier confirms safe delivery to your designated forwarding warehouse. Any subsequent damage or loss that occurs during the secondary transit to the EU is strictly between you and your chosen forwarding service.

When will I get my refund?
We will issue your refund within 14 days from the day we receive your cancellation request.

However, please note our Right of Retention: We reserve the legal right to withhold your refund payment until we have physically received the returned goods back at our warehouse, or until you have supplied verifiable, official proof of having sent the goods back (such as a carrier tracking receipt), whichever occurs earliest.

What exactly is refunded?
We will refund all payments received from you, including the initial costs of shipping.

So, it looks like the Adult pick for October is >!Tempest by Victoria Aveyard!< after all, which is really no surprise and something I’m really excited about. All these months of mediocre picks and designs are worth it to me just to finally reach this part of the year with fantastic book releases that I hope will be in the box (my personal opinion, of course). However, this is the second month in a row that they’ve included a highly anticipated release from the previous month late in a box. >!Immortal Rose by Alexandra Bracken!< will be released on August 18, so I get why it’s in next month’s box, but >!Tempest!< is an early September release (September 9). It also makes me wonder whether >!The Wretched Divine!<, which is also a late September release, will be pushed back even further, included in the Romantasy box (despite the author insisting it’s not romantasy), or released as a separate exclusive edition altogether—which, again, would be a bit disappointing because it’s one of the reasons I kept my subscription (though it’s not really a surprise). And then there are other highly anticipated releases that could be featured in the fall boxes (Adult or Romantasy): Kiss of the Black Flame (late September), Under the Iron Sky (October 13th), The Bloodfire Oath (late November), Defy The Dusk (November), Soul Sworn (November). There are probably a lot more releases I forgot or that are highly anticipated for others…

Edit: I completely missed that they hinted at the November adult pick in the caption and it looks like it’s actually >!The Wretched Divine!<!

Are there any ARC readers who can tell me if >!Queen of Shadows by P.C. Cast!< is worth it? The artist lineup looks amazing—danlinz is one of my favorite artists—but I’m currently working on my budget for next month (especially after today’s Turncloak announcement, which makes it my third FL sale next month with five books in total—if they don’t announce another sequel sale for August), and I could only justify buying it if the story is any good. I read the House of Night series she wrote with her daughter when they were trending 15-17 years ago (I know, it’s the 20th anniversary this year, but I read them a bit later, because I was a bit too young 20 years ago 🤣), but I have no idea what her high fantasy writing is like compared to her contemporary fantasy about a girl with too many powers and too many guys to pick from (and how she writes without her daughter). So any input would be appreciated! And sorry for rambling on 😂🙈

When you study highly complex statistics and still doubt your own intelligence because the interest from says 4+1 are not 5 😂

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoEnppyBxKq6TRlWPXmqD-8Rk4BHi0gTjJEKLGaO8sCaM2qg/viewform

Dreamerwhale just announced their Turncloak edition! Early Access Sale is TOMORROW.

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We’re beyond excited to reveal our Exclusive Special Edition of TURNCLOAK by L.K. Steven!
@laurasteven

After the incredible love you showed SILVERCLOAK, we couldn’t wait to return to this unforgettable world alongside the amazing team at Penguin Random House and bring the next chapter of Saffron and Levan’s journey to life.

Betrayal, loyalty and impossible choices await in this breathtaking sequel, brought to life by an incredible lineup of talented artists:

✨ @irangbi — Returning after the beloved SILVERCLOAK Dust Jacket, irangbi will once again weave their breathtaking artistry into our TURNCLOAK Dust Jacket, creating a brand-new exclusive illustration for the next chapter of Saffron and Levan’s story.

✨ @saintjupit3rgr4phic — Your favourite artist behind our SILVERCLOAK hardcover returns to continue the collection with another mesmerizing hardcover design, created exclusively for TURNCLOAK.

✨ @nola_sprayed_edges — Renowned for her spectacular sprayed edge designs on QUICKSILVER, BRIDE, DEEP END, A FATE INKED IN BLOOD, and SILVERCLOAK, Nola returns to create another unforgettable edge design for TURNCLOAK.

✨ @rosalynnarts — Joining the Dreamerwhale family for the very first time, Rosalynn will bring her beautiful character-driven storytelling to life through two exclusive illustrated endpapers, created especially for our TURNCLOAK edition.

⏳

This special edition IN ENGLISH will be available as:
BOOK + OVERLAY SET OPTION: €45 + shipping

✨ We are currently waiting for confirmation regarding the possibility of including a digitally signed bookplate with this edition. We hope to have good news soon and will keep you updated as soon as we receive confirmation! 🤍

⏳ EARLY ACCESS

As a thank you to our loyal readers, Early Access will be available tomorrow at 5PM CET exclusively for:

• Customers who purchased our SILVERCLOAK Exclusive Edition
• Active Dreamerwhale Subscribers

An email containing the password to access the sale will be sent shortly before Early Access begins. A limited purchase of two copies for each order is allowed during Early Access.

SHIPPING TIMELINE: Oct/Nov

If any copies remain after Early Access, sales to the general public will open on Tuesday the 14th at 5PM CET.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM THE COMMENTS:

General sale will open on the 14th. We made sure there's enough copies for that sale as well🖤

Early access are given to everyone who purchased Silvercloak directly from us

Is there any way that we can get early access if we purchased resale? Answer: unfortunately no, but we made sure there will be enough for general sale too 🥰🥰🥰

will you reveal the design before the sale? Answer: unfortunately no. We will however share sneak peeks later on!

Will there be an order limit during the early access period? (I ask for the sake of saving on shipping 😅*)* Answer: Since we have changed our policies, early access has a limit of 2 copies per person. Once the early access period is done, if you wish to order more, you can during general access and then you can email support@dreamerwhaleboxes.com and ask us to combine your orders so you can save on shipping still

But did I dream that there would be two English announcements this month!? If I didn’t dream that, looking forward to the other one too!!! (Hopefully soon?! 🤞*)* Answer: maybe....👀👀👀
if it’s by any chance broken dove, can we still combine shipping afterwards? Answer: yes absolutely!

Any chance for getting a silvercloak restock again , missed out Answer: unfortunately we have no current plans 😢😢

After the official theme reveal on Instagram today, they just posted the first teasers on the YA Broadcast channel, and Alice Cao and another artist shared their excitement in their stories. The artist lineup and first sneak peek look very intriguing, and the synopsis sounds amazing, too! Although I wasn’t the biggest fan of the author’s previous work (I read “A Fragile Enchantment” and “Down Comes the Night”), I’m seriously considering picking this up! Has anyone read the ARC and can offer any insight into how similar it is to her previous works (and if so, which ones, since she’s definitely published a few other books in between) and/or what it’s like in general?

Any gushing about this is also welcome! It's mind-blowing how many special editions of books have been announced recently that Alice is working on!

The third picture includes the book title, fourth and fifth the artwork snippets from the Instagram YA Broadcast channel, the sixth picture is the story by the artists.

Lilac Library’s response to how they would handle the EU tariffs fees. I‘m pretty impressed that they will cover half of the cost and offer to include them in check-out! I mean, it’s a very small business…

On a positive note, at least Faecrate is working on it, and it seems they're finally implementing an ISO system?

(Sorry to the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden who didn't make it onto the screenshot 😂)

Do you think some other box will do this as well? Anyone read the ARC (or indie edition)?