Review: "Beyond Redemption"

Beyond Redemption by Michael R. Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An epic construct of a tangled world where gods, desires, inner selves, and selfish intentions all grapple for control.

World & Lore:
Fletcher builds a world that’s grimy, dark, and completely believable in the worst (and best) ways. From dirt crusted inns to forest-flanked roads, everything feels used, lived-in, and dangerous. What really stood out to me was how belief literally shapes reality, and how power comes not just from strength but from perception.

The dopples, physical manifestations of a person’s worst flaws, were one of my favorite elements. It’s such a creative and unsettling way to explore identity. The idea that your self-doubt or greed could crawl out of your head and fight you for control? Absolute stuff of nightmares.

Characters & Arcs:
The trio of Stehlen, Wichtig, and Bedeckt are the backbone of this story. They’re all selfish, damaged, and wildly entertaining to follow.

• Bedeckt is the tired veteran who pretends he's done with the game but keeps getting pulled back in.

• Stehlen is an unrepentant thief who trusts no one and would probably steal your last breath if it got her ahead.

• Wichtig might be one of the most annoying and fascinating characters I’ve read in a while—completely obsessed with fame and utterly delusional, but somehow still fun to watch.

Morgen’s arc is one of the most drastic—starting as a quiet mystery and evolving into something much more powerful and dangerous.

Konig’s struggle with identity and control fuels much of the story’s conflict. His obsession with gods and legacy leads to some of the book’s most intense moments. It’s a great example of Fletcher’s talent for making character flaws drive the plot.

And I’ve got to talk about Gehirn Schlechtes: she’s chaos in the best way. The Hasserbrand angle was such a cool twist, and I loved every scene she was in.

Plot & Pacing:
This isn’t a typical action-heavy fantasy. The pacing is still great but leans more into the psychological, and I was totally into it. There’s plenty of blood and chaos, but the real tension comes from watching these broken people chase power, make half-informed choices, and unravel under the weight of their own delusions.

It’s less about big battles and more about belief twisting reality, plans made in the dark and consequences no one truly understands the gravity of. No one really knows what they’re unleashing when they fabricate a god; who controls a god, what it becomes, or how it will alter the world that created it.

Themes & Tone:
Identity, power, delusion—this book goes deep. Fletcher plays with the idea that we are what we believe we are… but that belief can be corrupted, manipulated, or straight-up weaponized for another's gain. It’s bleak, but not hopeless.

There’s also humor, which I appreciated. It’s dry, sometimes brutal, but it makes the characters feel real and tangible, especially in the middle of all the madness. The tone is heavy and dark, but the banter and absurdity keep it from sinking completely into misery.

Fantasy Flavor:
Tropes include: birth of gods through belief, sacrifice of self (and others) for power, and unreliable characters with dark pasts.

Perfect for fans of grimdark with psychological and philosophical edges. If you like Abercrombie or Mark Lawrence, this will be your jam.

Quotes That Hit Hard:

“Belief defines reality. Forget this and die.”

“A lie repeated often enough becomes truth. The louder, the better.”

“Gods were born not of virtue, but of madness and desperation.”

These lines don’t just sound awesome, they hit at the core of the book’s entire premise.

Takeaway:
I tore through this book and was hooked from the start. Beyond Redemption is the kind of book that keeps you up way too late wanting to devour another chapter, and makes you try to piece together all the angles when you aren't reading. It’s exactly the kind of dark, chaotic, character-driven fantasy I love.

If you’ve got even a passing interest in grimdark or dark fantasy, this should absolutely be on your list. I’m already moving on to the next book in the Manifest Delusions series.

Rating:
★★★★★ (5/5 Stars)

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