Between Two Fires is a medieval horror genre novel written by Christopher Buelhman. I was very impressed with this book. I knew that it contained elements of Christian mythology but I was surprised by the creativity and depth of the implementation. It takes place in the 1300’s in France where a plague has decimated the population and forced the world into a hellscape of violence and destitution. God has forsaken humanity and demons run rampant to ruin the souls of all.

In a world where nearly everyone has shed the facade of righteousness and been reduced to beasts, feeding their vices and succumbing to sin, one girl may offer hope. Delphine is not yet a woman and has lost her family to the plague but somehow retains all the goodness that has otherwise left the world. She befriends a reluctant soldier named Thomas, who was excommunicated, stripped of his lands, and title, and whose family was usurped but an invader. Thomas has become a brigand but deep within hides a good man, even if he doesn’t quite believe it. At the beginning of their journey, Delphine and Thomas meet a wine-loving priest named Matthieu Manicotte who has also been shamed and weakened by his transgressions. These three misfit characters make a pilgrimage across the damned countryside in search of redemption for themselves and perhaps the world.

Between Two Fires is a wonderfully written book where poetry seeps through every pore. It is dark and humorous with incredible surprises and mysteries. Delphine and her gang are constantly being tested both physically and psychologically as they encounter the deceptions of satan. Demons made of stone, abominations attack from the rivers, and temptations of pleasure are just a few of the trials and tribulations that they will encounter. Not to mention the most dangerous foe, their fellow man. They will need a true miracle to make it out alive. But the lord made no answer.

This beautifully grotesque accounting of an epic journey rivals those of The Odyssey and Lord of the Rings, with less fluff and more French words. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a nightmare-inducing ride down an ecclesiastic rollercoaster. Super fun!

P.S.

When I have been reading for a while and stop reading my internal monologue takes on the shape and tone of what I have just read. This happens every time I read and I love indulging in the mimicry. Of all the false selves that have possessed my mind after reading Between Two Fires has been one of the most enjoyable. It beckons back to an older time when language was both subtle and poetic. It creeps into the mind like opium, smoothing the edges and taking you down into its realm.

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