Between Two Fires Christopher Buehlman Vk Review

In Christopher Buehlman’s Between Two Fires (2012), 14th-century France is depicted not just as a land devastated by the Black Death, but as the literal battleground for a second war between Heaven and Hell. The novel is a visceral blend of historical fiction and supernatural horror, often compared to the gritty, dark atmosphere of video games like Dark Souls Grimdark Magazine Plot and Setting Set in 1348, the story follows Thomas de Givras

, a disgraced knight turned brigand who was excommunicated and lost his lands after the Battle of Crécy. Thomas encounters

, a young orphan who claims to have visions of angels and insists she must reach Avignon—then the seat of the Papacy—to fulfill a mysterious mission that could save humanity. Accompanying them is Father Matthieu

, a guilt-ridden, alcoholic priest. Together, they trek across a landscape filled with: The Black Death: A plague orchestrated by Lucifer to scour the earth. Grotesque Monsters:

Supernatural abominations like river beasts and possessed statues of saints. Human Depravity: between two fires christopher buehlman vk

Bandits, cannibals, and a population driven to madness by despair. Steve Pannett Core Themes Redemption and Faith:

Thomas must confront his past sins to find the faith necessary to protect Delphine. The Nature of Evil:

The novel explores how demons stoke existing human darkness to incite violence and hatred. Selfless Love:

Described as "the harder kind" of love, it is portrayed through the sacrifices Thomas and Matthieu make for Delphine. Roland — the protagonist; a disillusioned former knight

Between Two Fires eBook : Buehlman, Christopher: Kindle Store

Between Two Fires (2012) is a celebrated historical horror novel by Christopher Buehlman that blends the grim reality of the Black Death with a supernatural cosmic war between Heaven and Hell. Core Premise & Setting

Time & Place: The story is set in 1348 France during the height of the Black Plague.

The Conflict: While humanity dies of disease, a second war has broken out in the heavens. Lucifer’s forces have descended to Earth, and the plague is revealed to be a demonic weapon used to scour the world of man while God remains silent. Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman: A Masterpiece

Atmosphere: Reviewers often describe the book as "grotesque," "dreamlike," and "unremittingly bleak," frequently comparing its imagery to a Hieronymus Bosch painting come to life. Key Characters

The narrative follows an unlikely trio on a pilgrimage to Avignon:

Thomas de Givras: A disgraced, excommunicated knight who has turned to banditry to survive. He is cynical, faithless, and haunted by his lost honor.

Delphine: A mysterious young girl Thomas finds in a plague-ravaged village. She claims to see visions of angels and insists she must reach Avignon to confront the evil destroying the world.

Father Matthieu: A wine-addicted, struggling priest who joins them. He grapples with his own past and provides a layer of human vulnerability to the group. Major Themes Review of Between Two Fires book

Key characters (brief)

• Roland — the protagonist; a disillusioned former knight with a complex past.
• The troupe of actors — companions who provide emotional core and moral contrast.
• Supernatural antagonists — demonic entities that exploit human fear and the plague.
• Supporting villagers/nobles — illustrate societal breakdown and varied human responses.

Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman: A Masterpiece of Historical Horror – How to Find It Legally

Themes & motifs to notice while reading

• Religion: interplay of faith, superstition, and institutional failure.
• Masks/performances: literal actors and metaphorical masks people wear to survive.
• Fire and cleansing imagery: recurring symbol linking destruction and potential renewal.
• Fate vs. agency: characters repeatedly face imposed destiny vs. choice.

What to Read After Between Two Fires

If you loved this book, explore:

• The Lesser Dead and The Suicide Motor Club – Buehlman’s vampire novels set in 1970s NYC.
• Those Across the River – His debut; Southern Gothic werewolf horror.
• The Blacktongue Thief – A high-fantasy prequel set in the same universe as Between Two Fires, but more comedic.
• Hellmouth by Giles Kristian – Similar plague-era supernatural horror.
• The Enterprise of Death by Jesse Bullington – Historical dark fantasy with occult themes.

Discussion questions (book club / essay prompts)

1. How does Buehlman portray the relationship between human evil and supernatural evil? Are they distinct?
2. In what ways do the actors’ performances comment on truth and survival?
3. How does Roland’s past shape his decisions—does he achieve redemption?
4. Discuss the role of religion: condemnation, comfort, hypocrisy, or complexity?
5. How does the novel use the Black Death as more than historical backdrop?