Welcome to Week Three of Our Read Along!
We’re officially deep into Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab, and week three has taken a sharp, twisty turn—and I’m living for it. This section was filled with revelations, emotional punches, and gothic atmosphere. Let’s get into it.
📦 P.S. If you’re new here, we’re reading this book as part of the Bite Me Box! Our August box features Arcana Academy by Elise Kova—grab your copy here before it sells out.
Charlotte, Not Sabine?! The Twist I Didn’t See Coming
Okay. I WAS SO WRONG.
I thought Lottie was Sabine. But no—she’s Charlotte, Sabine’s former lover. This twist hit me in the best way possible and adds so much complexity to the story.
Charlotte (aka Lottie) is soft and kind. Her connection with Sabine grows through the season, shifting from hidden affection to something unavoidable and doomed. The end of this section—Charlotte fleeing a proposal and running straight into Sabine’s arms—felt inevitable and heartbreaking.
Sabine and Charlotte: A Bittersweet Spiral
Sabine and Charlotte are opposites, but drawn to each other like a magnetic pull. Sabine brings out a quiet strength in Lottie, even as Charlotte tries to wear the mask of the perfect wife.
And you just know it can’t end well.
Matteo, Vampire Rules, and Old World Lore
Matteo’s departure for America sets up two things:
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Sabine’s eventual crossing
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A deeper dive into vampire myth and lore.
Schwab weaves in classic vampire rules—like crossing water and hiding in coffins on ships—while exploring the risks of exposure. Matteo’s lover being executed for reckless feeding? A reminder that Rule #1 in vampire fiction: Don’t get caught.
Alice’s Growth, Consecrated Ground, and One Incredible Scene
Alice continues her transformation with grit and humor. Her checklist of vampire traits—mirrors, heightened senses, the music, and more—is fun but also haunting.
Then there’s the consecrated ground moment.
Having the earth physically try to drain her soul? Pure gothic brilliance. And Alice flipping off a piece of cursed land while everyone watches? Iconic.
Sabine, Jealousy, and the Confrontation We Needed
Alice confronting Lottie—and learning Sabine turned her—was a huge moment. The idea that Sabine, jealous of Lottie’s new life, turned Alice out of revenge? Deliciously dark. You can feel the tension building between these women.
Women, Power, and the Masks We Wear
One thing Schwab explores beautifully is how women have to perform roles to survive. Charlotte is a perfect example. She pretends to follow the rules, while secretly holding on to her truth.
This week made me wonder: What did love look like when it was all performance? And how much damage was caused by pretending?
Charlotte & Alice: Mirrored Lives
Charlotte and Alice are two sides of the same coin—country girls with odd families, quiet strength, and a desire to belong. Both are drawn to women. Both are changed by Sabine.
How will their paths converge next week?
Final Thoughts + Favorite Symbolism
The use of blooming and midnight soil as metaphors for identity and change continues to shine. Sabine’s journey is reflected in it beautifully. I also just need to say: I love Charlotte’s mom. She deserves more page time.
📺 Watch the Week Three Read Along Vlog
Want to see my full reaction to Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil week three? Join me on YouTube as I spiral over Lottie’s identity, Sabine’s chaos, Alice’s evolution, and all the deliciously dark twists V.E. Schwab throws at us. It’s spoilery, messy, and full of feelings—just the way we like it.
Don’t Miss Next Week!
Join me here next week for Week Four, the final installment of our Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil read along. We’ll see where all this gothic chaos lands us.
🌙 And don’t forget—our August Bite Me Box features Arcana Academy by Elise Kova, a magical dark academia fantasy you don’t want to miss. Order yours here!
Until then, happy reading.
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