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baileys_books's review against another edition
I also think the third person omniscient POV was poorly done - if it’s not clear who’s thoughts we’re reading until halfway through a paragraph we either have to re-read portions or continue with muddled context. There’s no way to tell when perspective shifts, either.
I also think it’s far too episodic, almost like the trio is progressing through video game levels.
While the mythological horror of the angels and devils was intriguing, the actual horror of normal humans was a little too much for me to stomach at this point in time.
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, and Violence
wyabook234's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Between Two Fires proves that Buehlman kept his research up to date by how the author emphasized the troubles of the European medieval era. That historical context is critical regarding the story's heavy themes of religion and divinity as the trio of travellers makes their trip through the plague-ridden lands. It is a journey that brings about themes of finding peace and forgiveness at a time when it seems impossible for someone like Thomas to get that tranquillity through fighting demons on the inside and out. While Thomas is cynical and rude, you will get around to caring for his struggles as much as you care for the struggles of Delphine and Matthieu. There is some intense imagery involving the brutality of the medieval era with the warfare and the corruption of people's faith that won't deter you from putting the book down.
However, after Matthieu meets his faith at the river, the journey starts to stagger for a bit when the narrative is directed towards his brother Robert. While his inclusion isn't phone into the plot, Robert isn't as interesting as his conflicted brother. Some of the dream sequences can also be distracting as they intertwine within the narrative, and you could argue that Thomas and Delphine's fates are saved from hell because of a Deus Ex Machina. Nevertheless, you'll still give that sigh of relief in reading about their lives after the journey at the end of the book.
The scene that I won't forget from this book is when the travellers open the door to the possessed statue of the Virgin Mary in Paris; who is using a cadaver of a baby who goad them into causing carnage. Hearing how that baby was "crying" was pretty screwed up in how it manipulated Jehan and Annette's sense of concern before the Virgin killed them. It then shows other living statues of saints are using the same tactic to murder the townspeople, which can be disturbing in retrospect when it comes to how they are preying on those who have faith in these figures.
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, and Antisemitism
Minor: Homophobia, Pedophilia, Excrement, and Death of parent
archaicrobin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The writing style is abrupt and brash which suits the story and the setting, but it does make connecting with the characters at first a little hard, or at least it was for me. I found it hard to feel attached to anyone until more than halfway too the book and at that point it’s too late.
The story itself is interesting and my favorite part was all the crazy demons they encounter but something was missing for me. Between Two Fires is a well written story and you can tell the writer is knowledgeable but I was never intrigued enough to want to pick this one up. I honestly don’t understand all the hype behind this novel. It’s fine, but not great.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Gore, Homophobia, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
avalete's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is some of the best writing I have ever read. All of it. This book is horrifying and I love it so, so much. The war waging in heaven, the plague claiming France, the people trying desperately to survive. Thomas, Delphine, and Matthieu’s relationship to another and religion. The literal demons of hell they have to face along the way.
It feels truly hopeless and that God has abandoned man.
And yet.
I can’t in good conscience recommend this book without also warning that there’s a long, long list of content warnings to go with it. Just about anything one can think of is mentioned in this book in some capacity.
Still, this is an excellent book and I loved every moment spent reading it, and every moment I’ll spend thinking about it after.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Gore, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Antisemitism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Incest and Cannibalism
loafhart's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Torture, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Homophobia
A lot of religious imagery, there is a scene of an attempted rape between the 2 main characters (one of which is a child) so beware... Also main character (thomas) might be homophobic but there isnt much detail or any more mention of itrabidreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Body horror
itsjustgrumpy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Excrement, Vomit, Cannibalism, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Incest
spacetravels's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Medical trauma, War, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Cursing, Xenophobia, and Antisemitism
Minor: Sexual violence and Excrement
sofipitch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Plot wise it dragged at times and I felt the way the major conflict resolved was a bit weak. But it manages to be both entertaining and thought provoking. Also does it's genre fiction, historical and horror, really well. I actually wish I knew more books of that combo of genres
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Sexual violence, Violence, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, Infidelity, Antisemitism, and Death of parent
lessie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Violence, Blood, and War
Moderate: Homophobia, Antisemitism, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Vomit and Suicide attempt