There is no magic 'rule' against the devils. Ra'aum travels the land as a preacher to incite the humans of the French towns to violence and depravity, while Bal-Zebub infiltrates the Catholic church to stir up genocidal fervor against the Jews.
It is in one castle that Bal-Phegor hosts a nightly court of the damned where human souls are tortured in a grim, unending parody of a human ball. And through it is the horror of war, material and spiritual.īel-Phegor, Ra'aum and Baal-zebub are the chief purveyors of Lucifer's will, a trio of monstrous, clever devils who have infiltrated France and spread their own gospel of wickedness. Of a man who's lost everything learning to care again and discovers he is better than he ever thought. The love between a father and a daughter. It is a novel of hope, redemption and love. But this is no novel of brutal, grimdark nihilism. Mankind is corrupt, venal, treacherous and violent. Devils work their wickedness, but it would not be possible without the evil of mankind. Human misery is not shied from in Buehlman's work. The two set off on an odyssey through the grim lands of France.Īnd grim it is. But within him, the spark of conscience rings true and he rescues a mysterious girl from his own lecherous companions.
He has taken to banditry and has earned the damnation fostered upon him.
His title, his home, his wife, were taken from him by no fault of his own and he is excommunicated by a corrupt system. What is the life of a single man next to that?īuehlman tells us the answer: it's everything. Lucifer plots a final revenge that will see heaven overthrown for good and all. As nobles war, the people suffer and nowhere is this more apparent in the spiritual war up above and down below. This situation was not improved by the nation having suffered crippling military defeats against the English crown. In the 14th century, France was ravaged by the Black Death. Historical horror is a fascination of mine and this does not disappoint. Between Two Fires is difficult for me because where do I begin? It's the definition of an underrated gem now given a new life by Christopher Buehlman's recent and well-deserved success with the Blacktongue Thief, kept alive by a strong and steady fanbase. I got into reviewing to talk about books I enjoy.
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