Between Two Fires

Este libro se siente como los audios de Tiktok de Dark Fantasy pero mejor. Lo leí porque lo recomendaban si habías jugado Dark Souls y la verdas es que sí se parecen pero no son iguales. Cada uno es precioso a su manera.

WOW! This was definitely the best book I've read in AGES! Very close to perfection! The conceit of the story is that during the 1300s in France, when the Black Death is devastating Europe, the demons of hell think God has abandoned the world and use their chance to conquer earth. The only person who can stop them is a saintly young French girl named Delphine (no, not Joan of Arc), but Hell and its servants are after her, and the only person who can protect her as she travels through France to try and stop the demonic plots is a disgraced former knight reduced to brigandage, Thomas. But is she really an agent of God, or someone--or something--else? That's the mystery at the heart of this book, along the terrifying depictions of overtly supernatural monsters that gird much of its horror. I don't wanna give too much away, but though this was advertised to me as a horror novel, it also works very well as a sword and sorcery fantasy novel--it's not actually that different from a D&D plotline, in that a wandering swordsman with a good heart buried underneath his checked past/desire for revenge has to protect a young girl against giant demons, undead monsters, and other beasties as she travels the land searching for relics to stop the demonic plot and save the kingdom, assisted by a trusty cleric sidekick. However, Buehlman has really done his research, and despite the monsters you'll encounter, he treats medieval religion realistically (lots of corrupt clergymen) but also sympathetically ("true" faith is portrayed as a force for good and hope). The descriptions of the arms and armor, medieval life, and the big battles of the Hundred Years War like Crecy (given the novel's timeframe) are also very historically accurate and compellingly written. The combat scenes are nice and the characters are great, you'll come to love Thomas and Delphine and you wo't be able to keep yourself from grinning as Thomas grows attached to his young ward despite himself over the course of the story. And again, no spoilers, but the ending was one of the best I've read in a while, nearly brought me to tears. Absolute 5/5, I'm gonna get the rest of Buehlman's books to show my support for this author :D

I bought it for summer reading, I'm going to write this summer and wanted something easy to read in the evening when I'm winding down. It's perfect! Just the right short chapters, an intriguing pilgrimage and a budding, unusual friendship bond between individuals who might not be expected to be friends. Medieval-horror-feelgood so far, I'm all in, rooting for the main characters to grow close and make it through.

Between Two Fires is an absolute triumph in historical fantasy. Christopher Buehlman weaves a rich, immersive tale set in medieval Europe, full of dark magic, complex characters, and morally gray choices that kept me hooked from start to finish. The world-building is incredible — you can feel the grit, danger, and atmosphere of the time period while also being drawn into supernatural elements that feel perfectly integrated. Fans of dark fantasy will appreciate the novel’s vibe, which has strong Diablo- and Dark Souls-like elements: terrifying creatures, haunting landscapes, and a pervasive sense of dread that makes every encounter feel tense and high-stakes. The supernatural threats are both mysterious and deadly, giving the story a thrilling, game-like intensity. The protagonist is compelling and nuanced, and the supporting cast is just as memorable, each with their own motives and flaws. The pacing is excellent, balancing tense action sequences with quieter, character-driven moments that deepen the story. Buehlman’s writing is sharp, evocative, and often darkly humorous, which adds a unique voice to the novel. What I loved most was how unpredictable the story is — nothing feels clichéd, and the twists genuinely surprised me. It’s a book that makes you think, feel, and sometimes shiver, all at once. If you love dark fantasy with heart, danger, and unforgettable characters, especially with video game-style dark fantasy elements, Between Two Fires is a must-read. It’s easily one of the best novels I’ve read this year.

Loved this book. The story is well written, the tempo and context are very well presented. The author was capable of capturing the feeling of the time period. recommend this read