jselliot's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was actually a much better book than I thought it'd be, going into it. The opening made me a bit skeptical, and I'm picky about horror. I'd actually classify this more of a dark historical fantasy than horror now that I've reached the end.
It does help to have some knowledge of biblical figures, so you won't be lost with the cast of characters that rotate in and out through the background and as antagonists, but you can always look them up if you're willing to pause your reading for context. The book is, as a whole, thoroughly researched but also thankfully not absolutely mired in period-accurate sexism of the 13th century. There's absolutely whispers of it, but it fades into the background as the importance of the plot and character development pushes to the forefront.
I also loved the epilogue of this book. It provided closure in more ways than one for the characters, which is what I think sets it apart from the horror that it is tagged as.
It does help to have some knowledge of biblical figures, so you won't be lost with the cast of characters that rotate in and out through the background and as antagonists, but you can always look them up if you're willing to pause your reading for context. The book is, as a whole, thoroughly researched but also thankfully not absolutely mired in period-accurate sexism of the 13th century. There's absolutely whispers of it, but it fades into the background as the importance of the plot and character development pushes to the forefront.
I also loved the epilogue of this book. It provided closure in more ways than one for the characters, which is what I think sets it apart from the horror that it is tagged as.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Body horror
Moderate: Antisemitism, Sexual assault, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Rape and Homophobia
storyorc's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
If the Souls games were set in medieval France during the Black Death. Hideous, but imbued with great sense of purpose and poetry. The characters mostly feel very real despite being quite archetypical. A very immersive feeling of pilgrimage; no idea if it's actually historically accurate but it feels right. The climax was stretched a little too long for my taste however - after a certain event, the momentum took a stumble. The final confrontation was biblical and worthy, yet I enjoyed the journey most, if enjoyed is the right word when there are Elden Ring bosses in the rivers and ruins around every corner.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Pedophilia, Religious bigotry, and Homophobia
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Ableism, and Rape
frogbone's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
emimli's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I absolutely adored this book. A must-read for fans of medieval horror, religious history, the found family trope, and Old Testament angels.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Torture, Antisemitism, Body horror, Gore, Pandemic/Epidemic, Islamophobia, War, Grief, and Medical content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Pedophilia, and Rape
kurumipanda's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Body horror, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Pandemic/Epidemic, Sexual violence, Violence, Animal death, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Torture, Cannibalism, Classism, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, Misogyny, Outing, War, Xenophobia, Rape, Pedophilia, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Infidelity, Self harm, Suicide, and Vomit
antimonium's review against another edition
Very male gaze. Starts with a group of brigands wanting to rape a young girl. Homophobic characterization of a priest.
Content Warnings
Minor: Pedophilia, Homophobia, and Rape
fleen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, War, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Misogyny, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual assault, Death of parent, Rape, and Sexual content
maises's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“[…] fear of Hell is one of many paths to it. Forget Hell and love one another.”
I don’t remember the last time I felt true trepidation or fear in reading, even better to be rewarded with bearing it at the end. It’s not an easy narrative at all, and even the small slivers of peace have something heavy-laden with it. But Between Two Fires may now be my most favorite horror I’ve read yet. It’s now my belief that in order for any fictional horror to rightly use demons and horrors of hell, having its counterpart of heaven be seriously as divine and powerful much more compelling. Having only one deeply developed without the other is weak to me. I need glowing angel wings coming out of bodies as easily as possessed saintly stone statues on all fours trying to eat you.
Most of all, Delphine and Thomas and Matthieu were my trio. I will miss them so much, despite something happening to someone of these three... I will try to let that go. The epilogue made me cry a lot, too. Sometimes you just need a found family dad and daughter duo - a daughter who also happens to be like. Christ incarnate or something. Really good stuff. I’m so glad this was my first full read of the year, which took only days to blast through because I was so enthralled.
Mind the content warnings. This novel utilizes a lot of things.
I don’t remember the last time I felt true trepidation or fear in reading, even better to be rewarded with bearing it at the end. It’s not an easy narrative at all, and even the small slivers of peace have something heavy-laden with it. But Between Two Fires may now be my most favorite horror I’ve read yet. It’s now my belief that in order for any fictional horror to rightly use demons and horrors of hell, having its counterpart of heaven be seriously as divine and powerful much more compelling. Having only one deeply developed without the other is weak to me. I need glowing angel wings coming out of bodies as easily as possessed saintly stone statues on all fours trying to eat you.
Most of all, Delphine and Thomas and Matthieu were my trio. I will miss them so much, despite something happening to someone of these three... I will try to let that go. The epilogue made me cry a lot, too. Sometimes you just need a found family dad and daughter duo - a daughter who also happens to be like. Christ incarnate or something. Really good stuff. I’m so glad this was my first full read of the year, which took only days to blast through because I was so enthralled.
Mind the content warnings. This novel utilizes a lot of things.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Homophobia, Violence, Antisemitism, and Rape
gremlingorl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What. A. Book.
I feel like a need a second to sit here and stare off into the distance after finishing between two fires.
An incredibly written book with character dialogue that feels impressively natural and real, combat that is both interesting and makes sense, and a gorgeous, tense, excellent story.
Characters feel so rich and alive, flawed and real. The world is incredibly interesting. Devils are horrifying and strange and so so creatively done. You can’t help but care deeply for all of it.
I don’t have the words to sing it’s praises but this is one of very few books I wish i could erase and read again.
I feel like a need a second to sit here and stare off into the distance after finishing between two fires.
An incredibly written book with character dialogue that feels impressively natural and real, combat that is both interesting and makes sense, and a gorgeous, tense, excellent story.
Characters feel so rich and alive, flawed and real. The world is incredibly interesting. Devils are horrifying and strange and so so creatively done. You can’t help but care deeply for all of it.
I don’t have the words to sing it’s praises but this is one of very few books I wish i could erase and read again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Homophobia, Death, Religious bigotry, and Vomit
Moderate: Rape, Sexual harassment, War, Animal death, Child death, Antisemitism, Death of parent, and Xenophobia
The book takes place during the black plague so expect a lot of death and decay described in graphic detailqueenbunnidala's review
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
His descriptions are really solid, sometimes I could envision what was happening really well. I think what lacked for me was how slow it could be in between the fights
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Minor: Rape
There's a lot of implied rape or talk of rape. When there is fighting it is very gorey