Where we agreed
6 numeric ballots landed at a 3.58 average. Population SD: 0.67.
February 2026 selection
3.6/5
- Published
- 2012
- Genre
- Historical horror fantasy
- Length
- 432 pages
- Participation
- 6 finished · 2 DNR records
Book brief
The bio
In plague-ravaged fourteenth-century France, a disgraced knight agrees to escort a mysterious orphan who believes the Black Death is only one part of a much larger war between heaven and hell.
Published club synthesis
Club verdict
A gnarly, atmospheric horror quest that landed as a strong-if-uneven club read.
The book club’s reception of Between Two Fires was "strong but flawed". While the group was largely captivated by the unique monster designs, the visceral combat, and the "found family" chemistry, the episodic, vignette-heavy structure proved polarising—functioning as a fun "video game" quest for some while feeling disjointed for others. Most members agreed that the atmospheric buildup to horror was superior to the grander action, though the heavy-handed religious plot and certain "edgy" scenes left some readers feeling disconnected. Ultimately, the club viewed the novel as a visceral, character-driven journey that succeeds in its world-building, even if the pacing and overarching narrative didn't land perfectly for everyone.
The scorecard
Where we agreed. Where we fought.
Where we fought
Alec went highest at 4.5/5; Ed went lowest at 2.5/5. Range: 2.0 stars.
8 preserved records
Member ballots
Open any ballot. Direct historical wording remains untouched.
AlecAlec was the book's biggest champion, praising the "found family" banter and finding the slow-burn atmospheric horror more effective than the action.4.5/5
Alec was the book's biggest champion, praising the "found family" banter and finding the slow-burn atmospheric horror more effective than the action.
No questionnaire answers were recorded for this historical ballot.
JacobJacob enjoyed the episodic "boss battle" structure and character growth, though he felt the pacing lulled and some themes remained surface-level.4/5
Jacob enjoyed the episodic "boss battle" structure and character growth, though he felt the pacing lulled and some themes remained surface-level.
No questionnaire answers were recorded for this historical ballot.
MattMatt viewed it as high-quality genre fiction that excelled in building tension, even if some of the character tropes felt familiar.4/5
Matt viewed it as high-quality genre fiction that excelled in building tension, even if some of the character tropes felt familiar.
No questionnaire answers were recorded for this historical ballot.
NathanNathan appreciated the unique monster designs and the ending, though he found the episodic nature hit-or-miss and was put off by some of the more gratuitous scenes.3.5/5
Nathan appreciated the unique monster designs and the ending, though he found the episodic nature hit-or-miss and was put off by some of the more gratuitous scenes.
No questionnaire answers were recorded for this historical ballot.
JoshJosh felt the strong core characters were undermined by a "dumb" overarching "Heaven vs.3/5
Josh felt the strong core characters were undermined by a "dumb" overarching "Heaven vs. Hell" plot that felt like a weak excuse for the vignette structure.
No questionnaire answers were recorded for this historical ballot.
EdDespite enjoying the "video game" quest energy and the central duo, Ed found the book overly long and outside his usual interests.2.5/5
Despite enjoying the "video game" quest energy and the central duo, Ed found the book overly long and outside his usual interests.
No questionnaire answers were recorded for this historical ballot.
EricEric tapped out early, finding the "plague zombie" premise and general vibe entirely unappealing.DNR
Eric tapped out early, finding the "plague zombie" premise and general vibe entirely unappealing.
No questionnaire answers were recorded for this historical ballot.
OliverMember did not participate in this reading cycle.DNR
Member did not participate in this reading cycle.
No questionnaire answers were recorded for this historical ballot.
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