Hello everyone! Today I’m bringing you another unboxing. I’ve decided that this will be my last YA Chronicles box. If you read my previous unboxing you’ll know that I’ve been wobbling over whether to continue with them or not. In short, it’s been great fun getting these boxes over the past year – but it seems that the quality and value for money of the boxes isn’t quite there. I was disappointed, again, with this box which was the third and final box in my 3 month subscription. I’ve made the decision to stick with some other subscription companies which I’m enjoying a lot more.

The YA Chronicles are an Australian subscription box company who release one box per month. In these boxes are several items: one new YA (young adult) release and a handful of other relatively AWESOME items. They’re such a lovely company and always doing their best to please!

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A Quick Overview

My main issue with October’s box was the number of items. Aside from the book, we received a necklace, a lip balm and a temporary tattoo. I was wholly underwhelmed by these and was left saying, “is that it?” when I was opening it. Temporary tattoos are cool but they sort of serve no purpose – in comparison to other boxes I’ve tried, this just felt like there was very little thought or effort put into it. That being said, I’m excited to read the book and I love the lip balm and think the necklace is cool. There was so much potential for this box.

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The Book

Holding Up the Universe
by Jennifer Niven

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Author: Jennifer Niven
Published: October 2016
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages:  400 {hardback}

Everyone thinks they know Libby Strout, the girl once dubbed “America’s Fattest Teen.” But no one’s taken the time to look past her weight to get to know who she really is. Following her mom’s death, she’s been picking up the pieces in the privacy of her home, dealing with her heartbroken father and her own grief. Now, Libby’s ready: for high school, for new friends, for love, and for every possibility life has to offer. In that moment, I know the part I want to play here at MVB High. I want to be the girl who can do anything. 

Everyone thinks they know Jack Masselin, too. Yes, he’s got swagger, but he’s also mastered the impossible art of giving people what they want, of fitting in. What no one knows is that Jack has a newly acquired secret: he can’t recognize faces. Even his own brothers are strangers to him. He’s the guy who can re-engineer and rebuild anything, but he can’t understand what’s going on with the inner workings of his brain. So he tells himself to play it cool: Be charming. Be hilarious. Don’t get too close to anyone.

Until he meets Libby. When the two get tangled up in a cruel high school game—which lands them in group counseling and community service—Libby and Jack are both pissed, and then surprised. Because the more time they spend together, the less alone they feel. Because sometimes when you meet someone, it changes the world, theirs and yours.

I’ve seen a lot of people talking about this since its release and I have to say I’m really curious to read it. I haven’t read Niven’s other book but I have heard many good things about her writing. I hope this is a fun read and lives up to expectations.

// GOODREADS //

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Camp Half Blood Necklace

I thought this was a really cool little necklace. It’s always nice to have some bookish jewellery and I like the design of this one. There’s a little pegasus hanging in the centre of the circle and it’s on a sturdy chain that’s easy to do up.

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Manon Lip balm

Lip balm is by far one of my favourite things to receive in a subscription box. It’s fun, it’s useful and it lasts for quite some time. Manon is an awesome character and I love the taste of this lip balm. It’s also black (but doesn’t make your lips black.)

// BEHIND THE PAGES //

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A Temporary Tattoo

And then there was the tattoo. It’s a really lovely design but I just never know what to make of tattoos. You put them on once – usually somewhere where no-one else can see – and go, cool, and then that’s it. I would have much rather received an art print with this design on it.

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November’s theme is:

Wonderland

As I said, I won’t be buying anymore boxes from The YA Chronicles. It’s been great fun but it’s just too hit and miss for the money I’m paying each month.

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Missed last month’s box? Take a peek . . .

Want to join in on the fun in November? Visit their website . . .

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~~ Kirstie ~~

 Follow @ozbooksnail