Welcome back to The Reading Rift!

In Episode 10, we sit down with fantasy author Alexandra Kennington to dive into her unforgettable debut novel, Blood Beneath the Snow — a story full of Viking-inspired grit, complex relationships, morally gray characters, and emotional depth that will ruin you in the best possible way.

This episode includes a full discussion of Alexandra’s writing journey, the world of Revna and the Hellbringer, character analysis, themes of family and trauma, and a spoiler-packed breakdown of the book. If you haven’t read it yet, don’t worry—we give a clear spoiler warning before we go all in. Whether you're a fantasy lover, a romantasy addict, or a reader who loves character-driven stories with rich lore and emotional stakes, this interview is for you.

⛰️ Episode Highlights

• Alexandra’s reading + writing history

• How Blood Beneath the Snow came to life

• Finding an agent + getting a publishing deal

• Viking vibes, worldbuilding, and character creation

• Deep dive into Revna, Arne, Feya, Halvar, Frode, and Volkan

• Themes: mental health, parental trauma, boundaries, and identity

• Book 2: Gods Beneath the Ice — what Alexandra can share!

• New series announcement

📚 About the Author – Alexandra Kennington A

lexandra has been writing fantasy since she was young and has a lifelong love for reading, folklore, and Star Wars. Her debut novel, Blood Beneath the Snow, is the first in a Norse-inspired fantasy series full of magic, family complications, and morally gray characters.

Website: alexandrakennington.com

Goodreads: Search “Blood Beneath the Snow” or “Gods Beneath the Ice”

⚠️ Content Notice This is an adult podcast with adult themes, language, and discussions. A spoiler warning will be given before we enter Spoiler Central.

✨ Connect With Us Instagram:

Lydia – @MarriedToAWriter

Bec – @ overwiredmind

Podcast: The Reading Rift New episodes every week!

🧊 Next Week We’re jumping into the Mistborn universe!

Author Socials

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexkenningtonwrites?igsh=MTd2MnpyZDB5aXN1bw==

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexkenningtonwrites?_r=1&_t=ZP-91S3uj6LoeE

Website: https://www.alexandrakennington.com/about

🎧 The Reading Rift | Episode: Enigma by Runyx

Welcome to The Reading Rift, the podcast where a reader and a writer dive deep into the books we love, the worlds that haunt us, and the characters we can’t stop thinking about. Hosted by Lydia — self-proclaimed book addict and wife to a writer — and Bec, an author in progress and lifelong fantasy lover, we bring two sides of the bookish world together: the reader’s heart and the writer’s mind.

In today’s episode, we’re exploring the dark, mysterious, and haunting world of Enigma by Runyx — a dark academia romance full of obsession, secrecy, and emotional intensity. From university conspiracies and secret societies to complicated relationships and the fine line between love and obsession, Enigma is a psychological and emotional deep dive into vulnerability, power, and what it means to be seen in your darkest moments.

💀 Spoiler & Mature Content Warning: This episode discusses mature themes, trauma, and the complexities of consent.

💬 Episode Highlights:

• Aggressively Wrong Summaries: Lydia and Bec hilariously summarize Enigma with 100% confidence and 0% context.
• Character Deep Dive:
  • Salem Salazar — a brilliant and broken mind searching for truth in the shadows.
  • Cazimir van der Waal — the mysterious artist whose secrets blur the line between danger and devotion.
• Plot Breakdown: From the mystery of Salem’s sister’s death to the elite corruption at Mortimer University, we unpack the tension, symbolism, and emotional layers that make this book unforgettable.
• Themes We Discuss:
  1. Obsession Over Affection – Is what Salem and Caz share love or fixation? Can darkness coexist with devotion?
  2. Death as Metaphor and Mechanism – How loss and mortality shape identity, art, and meaning.
  3. Power Structures & Secret Societies – The dangerous mix of privilege, secrecy, and exploitation.
  4. Online Safety and Vulnerability – How trauma, shame, and secrecy can echo through digital spaces and real life.

We also talk about Salem’s relationship with her mother, the nuance of healing after loss, and how Runyx explores consent, power, and emotional connection in a deeply psychological way.

🖤 Our Takeaways:

This standalone dark romance pushes boundaries and blends genres — mystery, academia, and psychological tension — while forcing readers to reflect on obsession, grief, and vulnerability. Lydia and Bec debate what worked, what didn’t, and why the final pages left them both reeling.

🗓️ Coming Next:

Next week, we’re joined by Alex, the author of Blood Beneath the Snow, for an in-depth author interview about all things publishing, spoilers, and what’s coming in Book 2 of the duology.