Between Two Fires

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Synopsis

The year is 1348. The Black Death ravages France, leaving fields and rivers choked with unburied dead and causing whole towns to disappear. Thomas, a disgraced knight, roams the land with a band of thieves, living by the sword; when they encounter an orphaned girl in a dying village, Thomas has just enough humanity in him to save her from his colleagues. No ordinary child, this girl sees angels and talks to the dead. She tells Thomas that Lucifer and the fallen angels have risen in a new war on Heaven, that the kingdoms of men have fallen behind the lines of battle, and that he must now shepherd her on a holy quest to tip the scales in favor of good. Between Two Fires invites you on a journey that is at once a fool’s errand into great danger, and a violent man’s first, uncertain steps toward redemption.

Synopsis source: The StoryGraph

Review

Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Horror
HB&W Rating: 4 stars
View on StoryGraph, Goodreads
Buy on Barnes & Noble, Amazon

Horror isn’t usually my genre of choice, though I’m no stranger to the gore found in fantasy novels, so I figured I’d give Between Two Fires a try.

I wouldn’t say I enjoyed it—that’s not really the word I’d use for a book of this nature—but I found it incredibly thought-provoking, and it held my attention from beginning to end. It’s also one of those books that I think would make for a fantastic discussion with other readers.

Christopher Buehlman’s writing is beautiful and surprisingly elegant, especially given the subject matter. I really appreciated the many contrasts woven throughout the novel: the fear and desperation of the Black Death that lead many to think God had abandoned them against the bloody fervor of the Holy Wars and the salvation soldiers sought in killing for God; the darkness of faith corrupted by power and greed contrasted with the small but persistent acts of compassion and hope.

The historical setting was one of my favorite aspects. I found myself looking up the real events surrounding the bubonic plague in France and the period’s religious conflicts to see how they aligned with the novel. I do wish there had been an author’s note discussing the historical inspirations, but alas, there was not.

I also appreciated the book’s exploration of Christianity. It doesn’t shy away from the uglier aspects of organized religion—its corruption, manipulation, and hunger for power—but also examines the faith of ordinary people, from genuine devotion to doubt and apathy. I especially liked the underlying message that being a “good Christian” ultimately comes down to loving your neighbor, full stop. While the novel focuses on Catholicism, I think those observations apply broadly to organized religion as a whole.

The angels and demons were another highlight. Their descriptions were equal parts awe-inspiring and terrifying, making the supernatural elements feel genuinely uncanny. And while there was certainly plenty of gore, it never felt excessive for the story or bothered me.

The one thing that surprised me was that it wasn’t quite as frightening as I’d expected. It never gave me the overwhelming sense of dread that I typically associate with horror. To me, it felt much more like a dark fantasy with horror elements—I’d call it “horror-lite.”

I’m also grateful the novel ended on a relatively hopeful note. After everything the characters endure, that touch of light at the end felt well earned and was the perfect finishing note.

Overall, Between Two Fires was beautifully written, rich with historical atmosphere and theological themes, and filled with memorable imagery. It’s a book I’d readily recommend to readers who enjoy dark fantasy and want to dip their toe into the horror genre.

Until next time,

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