This book was divine. I could honestly end the review right there. Though Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman was released over a decade ago it had been gaining traction on TikTok so I decided to see what all the fuss was about and I’m glad I was influenced appropriately. Set during the Black Death's ravages across 14th-century France, this is a dark medieval fantasy. Buehlman delivers an unsettling exploration of faith, damnation, and survival that reads like butter. Fair warning: this book earns its horror credentials through visceral imagery and theological dread some might not enjoy.
Apocalypse in Medieval France
Between Two Fires follows Thomas, a disgraced knight turned brigand, who encounters Delphine, a young girl who appears to possess miraculous healing powers/immunity during the plague's darkest days. As they journey across a France consumed by death and despair, they're pursued by both earthly and supernatural forces. Angels and demons wage war across a landscape where the boundaries between divine and diabolical become increasingly unclear, and survival requires navigating not just human cruelty but cosmic horror.
The recreation of medieval worldview and atmosphere is one of the greatest parts of this story. His background as a medieval reenactor and playwright shows in every detail from the texture of daily life to the theological framework that governed medieval thought. The 14th century feels authentically alien yet comprehensible to perceive A world where supernatural intervention seems as plausible as natural disaster. The story doesn't modernize the characters' psychology but instead immerses readers in a genuinely medieval understanding of good, evil, and divine justice.
The horror elements work to the settings strength pulling from period-appropriate religious beliefs rather than contemporary genre conventions. Buehlman's demons and angels feel rooted in medieval theology and art, creating creatures that are both fantastical and historically grounded. I agreed with the popular consensus that this feels very much like a Dark Souls game in book form. The visceral descriptions of plague symptoms, battlefield carnage, and demonic encounters create an atmosphere of pervasive dread that very rarely lets up.
Thomas's character arc provides the narrative's emotional core but personally could have been explored deeper. Buehlman understands that redemption in this context requires real sacrifice and moral courage rather than just good intentions. Delphine serves as both innocent catalyst and mysterious force, her true nature remaining tantalizingly unclear throughout much of the narrative but that is the linchpin that causes her to feel like a plot device rather than an actual character.
The novel's pacing builds with decent momentum, some chapter adding layers of supernatural dread while advancing the central quest narrative others not so much. Buehlman balances intimate character moments with epic conflict, but suffers from a weak third act.
The relentless grimness may prove overwhelming for some readers and the medieval setting's authentic harshness, combined with supernatural horror, creates an emotionally punishing experience. Additionally, certain theological concepts may feel opaque to readers unfamiliar with medieval Christian thought, though Buehlman generally handles exposition skillfully.
Between Two Fires stands as a remarkable achievement in historical horror from a man who does his homework. The novel combines scholarly research with genuine literary craft and in doing so provides a story any reader can tell was passionately written..
For its authentic medieval atmosphere, theological depth, and uncompromising horror, I give it 4.6/5 stars.
Spoiler Section
No spoilers this week, the third act was interesting in more ways than one but not something I feel compelled to speak on.
