Down The Rabbit Hole Book Box (February 2021 & March 2021)

Hello Lovelies,

 

I have a thrilling new book box to share with you and it’s the Down The Rabbit Hole Book Box. This book box is a bit unique because it’s a box that’s been curated around a dark read (more about dark reads in a bit). As someone who has always loved dark, gothic novels, I was intrigued by this book box.  

Here’s a little more about the box before we dig in.

 

What is Down the Rabbit Hole Book Box? Down the Rabbit Hole Book Box is a monthly book box that sends you one dark, mesmerizing, and gripping read (either paperback or hardback) along with 4-6 individually wrapped gifts that’s been curated around the book.

 Website

Price: $34.99 (plus shipping) at the moment this is only offered in the US

Use the coupon code SIMPLYANGELA10 for 10% off your first box or a year's subscription. This code is not an affiliate code.

How is it shipped and packaged? The box is shipped via USPS and the last two months it has arrived  in a plastic poly mailer. The box itself contains shredded paper packaging that protects the items inside. Each item inside the box (other than the book and pamphlet) is individually wrapped and numbered.

What is a dark read? Per their website, they define dark books as a book without a happy ending. The books we will choose for you will have scary and dark plots, not so nice protagonists that will leave you questioning the world as it is.  There will be no books with happy endings coming from us!

Genres included (but not limited to): Southern Gothic | Dark Fantasy | Psychological Thriller | Horror | Mystery | Dark Fiction | Crime

Because of the content of the dark reads, the website does recommend that this book box is for those 18 years of age and above.

Can I find out the title of the book? Unlike other companies, Down the Rabbit Hole Book Box makes it easy to discover the title. Each month hints will be revealed on their website and Instagram. You can also email the company directly to discover the title. 

Each month you receive a pamphlet that tells you the theme of the month, a little about the author, and how to open your gifts. Because this is an Immersive Experience Book Box, it’s best to open the gifts as you read (you’ll find a little sticky tab on the page telling you which gift to open).

What is an Immersive Experience Book Box? It’s a box that’s been curated to pull the reader further into the sensory experience of the story with sounds, scents, tastes, and objects of interest from within the story. While items like candles, drinkware, and jewelry could be included, it also includes story specific items such as letters, photos and such. 

Here’s what’s in February’s Down the Rabbit Hole Book Box

 

February’s Book: If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio (paperback, $17.99, 2017)—I’m so excited this is February’s book.  I’ve heard so many great things about it and, while I do have the hardback version, I’ll pass the paperback on to my mum.

February’s Theme: The Doomed Seven

Item #1—Pin with Hamlet Quote

Item #2—Bundle of Famous Painting Stickers

Item #3—Tea Strainer

Item #4—Black Mask

Item #5—Cozy Socks

My thoughts on the February box: Okay, this is an outstanding box. Yes, I have the book (I’ve not read it yet) but my Mum had mentioned she wanted to pick up a copy so I will pass this copy on to her.

The tea strainer (I can always use another tea strainer) does have a slight gap in it but it will still work for my larger leaf teas (white teas, tisanes, etc.) or will work perfectly with a string-less teabag. I never say no to warm, soft socks especially ones that will work in my boots. The sticker bundle is perfect; I do love a good artistic sticker bundle, and will make a fun addition to my reading journal and/or planner. I also appreciate that they came in a sturdy yet stylish drawstring pouch.  The mask is adorable and will be nice for pics. And I love the fact the pin has a Hamlet quote.

Surprisingly, this box contained all bookish gifts. While I love each gift and they fit brilliantly with the book, I did miss the book specific item (note, card, etc. taken from the text).

Overall, this is one of my favorite boxes. The items were well crafted and well curated to fit the book. I also like that we’re still receiving a bookmark with the quote as a freebie rather than a gift.

I think the items with this box will pair nicely with the items from the first box. 

Here’s what’s in March’s Down the Rabbit Hole Book Box.

 

March’s Book: Gods Go Begging by Alfredo Véa (paperback)—I know nothing about this book and, while I’m not sure this will be my cup of tea, I’m still eager to give it a go.

March’s Theme: Nothing is Fair in Love & War

Before I get into March’s box, I want to talk about box. Rather than the regular navy boxes, this month’s box was white and it was for a good cause. They donated the cost of the normal boxes to Vietnam Veterans of America. My grandfather was a Vietnam veteran and I do appreciate this company showing our veterans support.

Now, on to what I received in March’s box…

Gift #1—Vietnamese Traditional Coffee Phin Filter

Gift #2— Letter

Gift #3—Dog Tags

Gift #4—Two Small Pieces of Jade

Gift #5—Chopsticks

Also included was a bookmark with a quote from the book.

My thoughts on the March box: This wasn’t my favorite box but it was an interesting box. I’m not a coffee drinker but this was such a unique coffee filter—you sit the filter on top of a cup and you can adjust the strength by loosening or tightening a screw on the bottom—and I’m eager to see if I can use this with certain loose leaf teas. The dog tags—with a quote—were nice additions that I will pass on to a friend and I will add the two pieces of jade to my shelf. While I’m not using the chopsticks to eat with—I already a set that I love using—I will be using these in my sewing and embroidery. The letter I will be using in my book journal.

 

 I love that they’re adding extra touches such as these little cards explaining the significance of each item and how to use things.

Overall, this was not my favorite box but it was still a nice box and I loved that this box had a purpose, which was supporting Vietnam Veterans. 

If We Were Villians

Oliver Marks has just served ten years in jail - for a murder he may or may not have committed. On the day he's released, he's greeted by the man who put him in prison. Detective Colborne is retiring, but before he does, he wants to know what really happened a decade ago.

As one of seven young actors studying Shakespeare at an elite arts college, Oliver and his friends play the same roles onstage and off: hero, villain, tyrant, temptress, ingenue, extra. But when the casting changes, and the secondary characters usurp the stars, the plays spill dangerously over into life, and one of them is found dead. The rest face their greatest acting challenge yet: convincing the police, and themselves, that they are blameless.

Gods Go Begging

For Vietnam veteran Jesse Pasadoble, now a defense attorney living in San Francisco, the battle still rages: in his memories, in the gang wars erupting on Potrero Hill, and in the recent slaying of two women: one black, one Vietnamese. While seeking justice for the young man accused of this brutal double murder, Jesse must walk with the ghosts of men who died on another hill... men who were his comrades and friends in a war that crossed racial divides.