How It All Started: From BookTok Curiosity to Special Edition Obsession

At the beginning of 2025, I didn’t set out to become a book collector.

I didn’t have a grand plan, a colour-coded shelf vision, or a carefully curated list of dream editions. What I did have was a growing curiosity and a TikTok feed that slowly but very efficiently changed my perception of what books could look like.

That was when I first really stumbled into BookTok and Bookstagram.

At first, it was just about recommendations. People talking passionately about fantasy novels, sharing emotional reactions, hyping new releases. But then something else started to appear on my screen — something that felt almost surreal at first: books that looked like art objects. Sprayed edges. Foiled covers. Naked hardbacks with hidden designs. Editions so beautiful they looked less like reading material and more like collectibles. And I remember having this very distinct moment of realisation:
Wait… books can look like this?

It genuinely felt like an awakening. Almost like discovering a hidden layer of the book world I somehow hadn’t been aware of before. I’ve loved books my entire life — but suddenly, I was seeing them not just as stories, but as physical objects worth cherishing, displaying, and collecting.

Discovering the World of Book Subscriptions

Once that door was open, it could not be closed again.

It didn’t take long before I learned that many of these stunning editions didn’t just exist randomly; they came from book subscription boxes. Names like FairyLoot, Illumicrate, and others started popping up everywhere. People weren’t just buying books; they were waiting for them. Anticipating reveals. Unboxing carefully curated editions every month. Naturally, I fell straight down that rabbit hole.

I started researching, comparing aesthetics, reading opinions, watching unboxings, and eventually signing up for waitlists. Plural. Because if you’re going to do this, you might as well do it properly. What I didn’t expect was how fast things would move.

Within just a few weeks, genuinely much faster than I anticipated, I received the email that changed everything:
A spot had opened up for Illumicrate. And just like that, I started my first official book subscription.

From Excitement to Reality: The Reading Ratio Question

As the months passed, more books arrived. One after another, each beautiful in its own way. Some instantly caught my interest. Others intrigued me more slowly. A few… not so much. At the same time, my bookish world kept expanding. Over the course of the year, I eventually added other subscription boxes as well — but that’s a story for another post. This one is intentionally focused on Illumicrate. Because at some point, I realised something important:
Owning subscription books and actually reading them are two very different things.

That’s when the idea for this post really took shape. I wanted to look back at the entire year and ask myself a very simple, very honest question: How well did this subscription actually work for me as a reader? Not as a collector. Not as someone who loves pretty shelves. But as someone who genuinely tries to read the books she brings into her life.

What This Post Is (and Isn’t)

This isn’t a judgment, neither on Illumicrate nor on me.

It’s not about forcing myself to read books out of obligation, and it’s definitely not about pretending I loved everything equally. Instead, this is a realistic check-in:

Which Illumicrate books did I actually read?
Which ones are still waiting on my TBR?
Which ones simply didn’t interest me enough to pick up?
And what does that say about my reading habits, my taste, and the way subscriptions fit into my life?

I’ll walk through the books month by month, share short personal thoughts, and end with a clear overview of my reading ratio for 2025 so far. Because sometimes the most interesting insights don’t come from perfect systems, but from honest reflection.

llumicrate 2025 — The Full Book Line-Up (January to December)

January — Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao

Genre vibe: Adult fantasy with a dreamy, whimsical tone.

Theme: FANTASY EMPORIUMS!

I didn’t receive Water Moon through my Illumicrate subscription, simply because my subscription didn’t start until April. However, this is one of those books that stayed on my mind long after its box month had passed. Every time I saw photos of the Illumicrate edition, I caught myself thinking, this is exactly the kind of book I want on my shelves.

So when Water Moon later became available on the Illumicrate website, I gave in and bought it separately. It now officially lives in my collection — not as part of my subscription timeline, but very much as part of my personal special-edition journey.

I haven’t read it yet, but it’s firmly on my TBR. This feels like a book I want to read slowly, in the right mood, because it promises a softer, more reflective kind of fantasy — the kind that lingers rather than overwhelms.

My status: Owned (bought separately), on my TBR, definitely planning to read.

February — Capitana by Cassandra James

Genre vibe: YA fantasy (pirate-adjacent adventure energy, with romantic elements depending on what you consider “romantic.”)

Theme: YOU MADE A REBEL!

Capitana is giving: action, danger, ocean winds, and the kind of main character who absolutely would not survive a normal office job (compliment). This is the sort of book that feels like it should be read quickly—like you’re chasing the plot on a ship deck with your hair blowing dramatically in the background.

My status: also pre-subscription for me, so I didn’t receive it through Illumicrate. Not on my radar.

March — The Prince Without Sorrow by Maithree Wijesekara

Genre vibe: Adult fantasy with witches and political power dynamics; often shelved with romance/romantasy tags, but it’s fundamentally fantasy-forward.

Theme: HAUNTING SPIRITS!

This one screams “big stakes.” A prince born into violence, witches, and a world where ideals collide with reality (and probably with swords).

My status: I didn’t receive it (I started in April). Still intrigued.

The Months I Actually Received (April–December)

April — The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson

Genre vibe: Adult fantasy with mystery/scholarly intrigue energy.

Theme: RIVAL REALMS!

This was my first month as an official Illumicrate subscriber, which means it has a special place in my heart—like a “first concert ticket” or “first fancy hardback that made me gasp out loud.”

The Raven Scholar feels like the kind of book where information matters. The kind where you’re reading and quietly nodding like you understand what’s going on, while also taking mental notes because you know a tiny detail will become important later.

My status: Read. This one actually delivered for me—solid start to the subscription year.

May — A Song of Legends Lost by M. H. Ayinde

Genre vibe: Adult fantasy with epic scope vibes (the title alone sounds like it comes with a soundtrack).

Theme: ANCIENT ARTEFACTS!

Some books arrive looking like an entire world stuffed into a hardcover, and this was one of them. A Song of Legends Lost has that mythic feeling—like it wants to tell you a story that existed long before you opened the first page. It’s also the kind of title that makes you feel like you should be reading slower and more poetically, even if you’re actually inhaling chapters at 1 a.m.

My status: Read. I’m counting this as a win for my reading ratio and my personality.

June — A Treachery of Swans by A. B. Poranek

Genre vibe: YA fantasy with darker, folkloric undertones (and yes, the title is extremely dramatic in the best way).

Theme: DARKLY DECADENT!

This is currently sitting on my TBR looking stunning and innocent, which is honestly suspicious. If a book comes in a special edition and has “treachery” in the title, you already know it’s going to emotionally threaten you at some point.

My status: On my TBR. Not forgotten. Just… waiting for the right mood (and the right week where I’m not already reading five other things).

July — The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley

Genre vibe: Adult romantasy with very high banter potential.

Theme: YOURS HATEFULLY!

This title is basically a confession and a warning at the same time. And personally? I love when a book knows exactly what it is. If you’re going to lean into enemies-to-lovers energy, at least do it with confidence and a title that sounds like it’s winking at you.

My status: Read. This one was such a fun reading experience for me.

August — Voidwalker by S. A. MacLean

Genre vibe: Speculative / sci-fi-leaning/ adult romantasy (depending on how you define “void,” which in my case is mostly “the place my free time disappears into”).

Theme: KILL THIS LOVE!

This is the kind of title that feels sleek and intense. It sounds like you’ll be thrown into a strange world immediately, expected to keep up, and punished emotionally if you stop paying attention for two pages.

My status: On my TBR (lower priority). I’m still interested, but I know I want the headspace for it.

September — The Second Death of Locke by V. L. Bovalino

Genre vibe: Adult fantasy with darker tone + mystery energy.

Theme: KNIGHTCORE!

There’s something about a title like The Second Death of Locke that makes you feel like the story is going to be clever and slightly ruthless. Like it won’t hold your hand. Like it will smile politely and then twist the knife.

My status: Read. And I’m genuinely glad I did—this one helped justify the subscription cost in my brain.

October — The Isle in the Silver Sea by Tasha Suri

Genre vibe: Adult fantasy (Tasha Suri always gives beautifully written, immersive atmosphere).

Theme: IN EVERY LIFE!

This one feels like it should be read slowly, ideally with a warm drink and zero responsibilities. The title alone is pure atmosphere. The kind that makes you want to highlight sentences just because they sound pretty.

My status: On my TBR. I will read it. I’m just waiting until I can give it the attention it deserves.

November — A Rather Vengeful Accord by Danielle Knight

Genre vibe: YA crossover fantasy with revenge energy (and honestly, I respect the honesty).

Theme: ACADEMIC RIVALS!

If a book arrives and immediately announces it’s “rather vengeful,” I’m already seated. This sounds like the kind of story where the main character keeps a list, remembers everything, and doesn’t believe in forgiveness arcs unless they’re earned with blood, sweat, and very pointed dialogue.

My status: On my TBR. And yes, I’m excited—just not fast enough, apparently.

December — The Bookshop Below by Georgia Summers (Skipped)

Genre vibe: Adult Fantasy with magical bookshop vibes (which is normally catnip for me).

Theme: STORIES WITHIN STORIES!

This is the one I skipped—and it’s not because it’s objectively bad, it’s because I’m trying (trying!) to get more intentional about what I bring into my space. If I end up hearing everyone scream about it later, I can still pick it up separately. That’s the beauty of skipping: you’re not breaking up with the book, you’re just saying “maybe later, when my bank account isn’t crying.”

My status: Skipped / not read.

So… How’s My Illumicrate Reading Ratio?

Let’s do the honest math for the months I actually received (April–November), plus the one I skipped (December):

Books owned from Illumicrate editions in 2025: 9
(April–November subscription books + Water Moon purchased separately)
Books read: 4
(The Raven Scholar, A Song of Legends Lost, The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy, The Second Death of Locke)
Books on my TBR: 5
(Water Moon, A Treachery of Swans, Voidwalker, The Isle in the Silver Sea, A Rather Vengeful Accord)
Books skipped: 1
(A Bookshop Below)

That puts my current reading ratio at 4 out of 9 books read, just under 50%. Not perfect, but also far from disastrous. And honestly? It’s a much more accurate reflection of how I actually read when special editions are involved.

More importantly, this breakdown gives me a very clear reality check going into 2026. I love special editions deeply, but I’m reaching the point where multiple subscriptions start to feel financially loud, even when the books themselves are beautiful.

So yes, I’ll almost certainly make heavy use of the skip option in early 2026 (December, January, February), and I’m seriously considering whether I’ll cancel Illumicrate altogether. That’s a big step, and I’m not fully decided yet — but I do know that I want to reduce the number of subscriptions I have, save more money, and keep only the ones that truly excite me the most.

Because as much as my heart wants every gorgeous book…
my shelves and my bank account, have started forming a very convincing alliance.

Quick Overview Table

Month (2025)	Book	Author	Genre vibe	My status
January	Water Moon	Samantha Sotto Yambao	Adult fantasy, whimsical	TBR
February	Capitana	Cassandra James	YA fantasy, adventure	Didn’t receive
March	The Prince Without Sorrow	Maithree Wijesekara	Adult fantasy, witches & politics	Didn’t receive
April	The Raven Scholar	Antonia Hodgson	Adult fantasy, mystery	Read
May	A Song of Legends Lost	M. H. Ayinde	Epic fantasy	Read
June	A Treachery of Swans	A. B. Poranek	Dark fantasy, folklore	TBR
July	The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy	Brigitte Knightley	Fantasy romance	Read
August	Voidwalker	S. A. MacLean	Speculative fantasy	TBR
September	The Second Death of Locke	V. L. Bovalino	Dark fantasy	Read
October	The Isle in the Silver Sea	Tasha Suri	Adult fantasy, atmospheric	TBR
November	A Rather Vengeful Accord	Danielle Knight	Fantasy, revenge-driven	TBR
December	The Bookshop Below	Georgia Summers	Magical fantasy	Skipped

✨ Keep chasing stars & stories,

– Viktoria, Your Cosmic Book Guide

Illumicrate Books 2025: Full Monthly Overview and What I Actually Read