Beyond Redemption by Michael R. Fletcher

A copy of this book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.

My review today is for Beyond Redemption by Michael R. Fletcher. I had never heard of this book or the author for that matter before I got a copy of this book. Now I think everyone should know about this book and the author! Yes, it is that good! I was very surprised by Beyond Redemption. I had read and heard some good things about the book, so when I did get a review copy I was excited to read it. It sounded like a book I would like, a little different and dark. Well it was that and so much more. This book instantly grabbed me, kicked my a**, and left me wanting more. I mean that in a good way. I do not remember reading a book in a long time that blew me away like this one did. I mean sure The Liar’s Key did that to me but I expected that, This book sucker punched me! The whole concept of this book is so fascinating and it was executed in such a profound way. I am at a loss for words here and I find this review hard to write. I am in withdrawal after reading this book and in a little bit of a depression. I had to take a few days before I could even start on this review. Well, I guess I will give this review a go.

First off I will say that the concept for this book is genius and is something I have never seen or even heard about in fantasy. To break it down into a simple explanation, the more bat s**t crazy you are the more powerful you can become! So yeah the magic system is basically mental conditions. This is both awesome and very well done. The world building is fantastic and realistic for being so based in delusion. Then there are the characters, and this is were Mr. Fletcher shines the most to me. These characters are so, well crazy. You have the main Three reprobates, The Greatest Swordsman in the World (he will make you think that), a murderous Kleptic (keep an eye on your stuff), and possibly the only sane man left in this world (is he really?). Then there is my personal favorite High Priest Konig (and his Doppels) a powerful Geisteskranken (men and women whose delusions manifest, twisting reality). I can relate to him so well, and this kind of scares me!

Is this book dark, with some violence and sex? Yes, but it is so much more than that. Dark fantasy, grimdark, or whatever you want to call it. I guess it can be classified like that if you want. All I know that it is a very damn good book and in my top two books I have read all year. Hell, to be honest this is probably one the best books I have read since I started reading fantasy again in 2011. This book might not be for everybody but it was for me and I am grateful for the chance to read it. I hope we get some more from the world of MANIFEST DELUSION very soon!

As you know if you have read my reviews before I am not about long reviews with synopsis and spoilers. I just give my opinion on my experience with this book and you can take it from there. Now on to the next book.

5/5 STARS

This book is out NOW from Harper Voyager books!

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About the book:

Beyond Redemption by Michael R. Fletcher

Paperback: 512 pages

512 pages Publisher: Harper Voyager (June 16, 2015)

Harper Voyager (June 16, 2015) Language: English

English ISBN-10: 0062387030

0062387030 ISBN-13: 978-0062387035

A darkly imaginative writer in the tradition of Joe Abercrombie, Peter V. Brett, and Neil Gaiman conjures a gritty mind-bending fantasy, set in a world where delusion becomes reality . . . and the fulfillment of humanity’s desires may well prove to be its undoing.

When belief defines reality, those with the strongest convictions—the crazy, the obsessive, the delusional—have the power to shape the world.

And someone is just mad enough to believe he can create a god . . .

Violent and dark, the world is filled with the Geistrekranken—men and women whose delusions manifest. Sustained by their own belief—and the beliefs of those around them—they can manipulate their surroundings. For the High Priest Konig, that means creating order out of the chaos in his city-state, leading his believers to focus on one thing: helping a young man, Morgen, ascend to become a god. A god they can control.

Trouble is, there are many who would see a god in their thrall, including the High Priest’s own doppelgangers, a Slaver no one can resist, and three slaves led by possibly the only sane man left.

As these forces converge on the boy, there’s one more obstacle: time is running out. Because as the delusions become more powerful, the also become harder to control. The fate of the Geistrekranken is to inevitably find oneself in the Afterdeath. The question, then, is:

Who will rule there?

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About the author:

Michael R. Fletcher is a science fiction and fantasy author. His novel, Beyond Redemption, a work of dark fantasy and rampant delusion, is being published by HARPER Voyager and is slated for release June 16th, 2015. His début novel, 88, a cyberpunk tale about harvesting children for their brains, was released by Five Rivers Publishing in 2013. 88 is available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and elsewhere. The next two Manifest Delusions novels, THE ALL CONSUMING, and WHEN FAR-GONE DEAD RETURN are currently in various stages of editing while Michael tries to be the best husband and dad he can be. Michael is represented by Cameron McClure of the Donald Maass Literary Agency.