Welcome back, book lovers!

We’re diving into Week Two of our Blood Beneath the Snow read along, and this week, we’re tackling Chapters 7 through 15. If you missed Week One, catch up here—and don’t forget to grab your box featuring new fantasy releases right here if you haven’t already!

Now let’s talk about what’s happening in the snowy, sacred world of Revna and her reluctant captor.

❄️ A Cozy Fantasy Romance with Bite

I have to admit—this book is pacing itself slower than I expected, but something clicked for me this week: Blood Beneath the Snow reads almost like a cozy romantasy. Yes, there’s a dark religious caste system, cruel rituals, and trials on the horizon—but the energy right now is introspective, almost quiet. And with that shift in perspective, I found myself appreciating the slow burn a little more.

This isn’t just about sword fights and bloodshed. This is a story about personal growth, fear, power, and identity.

🗡️ Revna’s Growth Arc (and Her Growing Pains)

Revna’s defiance is still one of my favorite traits about her, but I can’t deny she’s testing my patience. Her repeated demands for death—again and again—start to feel more like dramatic flair than actual character evolution. Especially when she contradicts herself in the text (looking at you, page 175).

That said, I really enjoyed the mentor-mentee energy building between her and her captor. The moment she forges her own sword? It’s one of the most satisfying scenes so far and gave me real “earning your power” vibes. It also hints at the kind of slow-burn romantic tension I’ve been craving.

But I wish we got more creative interactions between them. What if she’d gone full chaos gremlin and pestered him with riddles, bad jokes, or snowball attacks? There’s a lot of potential in these forced proximity moments that’s getting a little lost in repetition.

🔮 My Predictions for What’s Next

Now that Revna has officially been kidnapped and we’re firmly into the second act, I think we’re inching toward the Bloodshed Trials, though probably not until the very end of the book—especially since this is a duology. I expect even more training, soul-searching, and hopefully some deeper connection between Revna and her captor (maybe even a mask reveal?! Dare to dream).

🧊 Final Thoughts

I’m still rooting for this story, even if I want to fast-forward the pacing just a little. The world is rich, the themes are emotional, and there are so many places this can go. For a debut, Alexandra Kennington is showing a lot of promise—and I’m definitely staying on board for the ride.

Now it’s your turn:
👉 What did you think of this week’s chapters?
👉 Do you love or hate the slow burn between Revna and her captor?
👉 How do you think this story will end?

Drop your thoughts in the comments—this is a read along, after all!

And if you haven’t joined in yet, our May Bite Me Box featuring Gifted & Talented by Olivie Blake is still available in limited quantities! Grab your box here and read along with us!

See you next week as we read up to Chapter 23. Happy reading!