Saturday, March 23, 2024

Five on Saturday - March 23, 2024 ~ The Invocations Book Review, March 2024 Owlcrate Unboxing, Dare To Lead Course, St. Patrick's Day Leprechaun Trap, and My Neighbor Totoro

Happy Saturday everyone - as per usual right now, it's been a crazy week for me with lots of training going on, so happy it's the weekend! 

ONE 

I purchased everything in this post - this post contains affiliate links

I really enjoyed The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland 4.5 stars! This is a young adult magical realism horror all about witches (for me this wasn't just YA if you like dark books, I think this would be great!) We have a lot going on, but kept me hooked the whole time. Each of our three characters is quite distinct - one has cursed herself beyond repair and is searching high and low for a witch to help save her, one is mourning the loss of her sister and will stop at nothing to learn a spell to raise her from the dead, and our third is a curse-writer who a serial killer appears to be hunting down the woman she's given spells to. They all come together trying to solve the crimes while each with their own story and path. There were a few conveniences to help the plot along but I just thought everything was so good!

There is a lot of body horror in this book so if you are squeamish, you may have a hard time with that and it's kind of theme throughout the whole book - I don't love gore and it wasn't too much for me, it added to the setting and the vibes of this book! This author also wrote House of Hollow and both covers are absolutely stunning! 

TWO 


I just received my March Owlcrate subscription and this month's theme is "Secrets and Masks" - each month the book Owlcrate includes is signed by the author and comes with a note from the author as well. They often have special edition covers just for the box, and they seem to include a lot of exclusive items just for Owlcrate, which is so fun! As a bookworm, I have been loving this subscription!

The item's included in this month's box are:
  • Book - Bloodcarver by Vanessa Le ~ This is a book about a bloodcarver who is someone who can alter human biology with just one touch - seen as a monster and captured and pulled in to an underground crime world. This book has amazing stencilled edges, end papers, the works - it's signed, it's lovely and I can't wait to read it! 
  • Umbrella ~ This one is inspired by Spirited Away and the pattern is gorgeous - perfect item in a Spring box! 
  • Reusable Snack Bag ~ Another practical item - this one is inspired by The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches which I love and this is something I will use! 
  • Notebook ~ This a dual sided notebook I think inspired by A Study in Drowning which I haven't read so I don't know the characters on it, but the art is lovely! 
  • Wooden Door Sign ~ A cute little dragon sign for a door or wall! 
  • Enamel Pin ~ The pins this year are all duos and this one is Kell and Lila from A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab (a series that I love!)
If you are interested in signing up, Owlcrate is $35.99 US per month, plus shipping is $19.99 to Canada, so this worked out to just over $80 for me. I am planning on not receiving this box as often in 2024, as much as I love it, I'd rather just buy books I love and not have as much unnecessary things! 

THREE 


For Thursday and Friday this week I took a Dare To Lead course by Brene Brown based around the book - it's about practicing and implementing some of the skills laid out in the book. It was quite interesting and I did enjoy my time for sure! I am happy we got a copy of the book because I haven't read it but plan to now! 

FOUR 


Last weekend was St. Patrick's Day and we had a fun weekend - made lot of good treats (macarons and Lucky Charm Cookies) and set up our leprechaun trap (we caught him and he got away by leaving us some chocolate gold!)

FIVE 


We watched My Neighbour Totoro last weekend too and while I've seen Totoro around everywhere, I hadn't seen the show before and it was so cute! Elliott and I both really enjoyed it! 

I hope you all have a good weekend! 

2 comments :

  1. I was wondering what you thought about Owl Crate and the extra stuff OTHER than the book because everytime I see your posts about them, I want it, but then I go "Do I need another mug or notebook?" I think as a gift they are lovely though!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They have just a book subscription now too, but shipping is so expensive for just a book!

      Delete