4.5 Stars.. one of the best grimdark novels out there, highly scored because of originally.. enjoyed this one very much

I'm really not sure what to say about this book.

Fact: The writing is good. Fact: The story is as original as I've read in a while. Fact: There are interesting characters.

None of those interesting characters are nice or decent. They are the darkest, murdering, nasty bitches and bastards I've ever encountered in books. Grimdark? This is the blackest, vilest grimdark I have read.

I really enjoyed the chapters involving the three... characters Bedeckt, Stehlen and Wichtig, mainly because those are the more sane chapters. The Konig chapters and the ones with Gehim are totally insane.

One nitpicky thing: The author used a bunch of German words to describe the various powers in this world. See, the Geisteskranken (people with power) are numerous and their names are fairly confusing to me. For those reading the book, I wish I had known that Michael Fletcher had put together a wiki before reading it. I could have looked up words like Körperidentität or Somatoparaphrenic when needed.

For those not yet reading the book or want to check it out, that site is

http://michaelrfletcher.com/beyondwiki/index.php?title=Main_Page

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ on first read
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ on reread

Delusions define reality, and characters define this book, with a magic system unlike anything I've ever seen.

Micheal R. Fletcher created a world that integrates flawlessly with the magic system - a system that is simple in it's idea but intricate in it's execution.
How mentally-illness individuals could manifest their delusions to reality in different shapes, forms and power depending on their illness is genius.

bedeckt, stehlen and wichtig are among the best and most compelling characters/bands in all of fantasy, that's not to mean the other characters aren't as interesting, they're not just as compelling although konig's pov we're addictive when exploring his mirrorist tendencies. Other characters were interesting as well while some were despicable in their nature making it hard to read through some lines.

This book is Nasty, Filthy, Disgusting, Fun and everything in between.

Amazing concept and entertaining read. I really enjoyedd the grim worldbuilding and dark tone. The characters are, by design, a little on the flat side. I think it's just part of the ultra grimdark tone. But they are engaging in their own way. The threeway dynamic between Bedeckt, Wichtig, and Stehlen lends a note of humor to the otherwise bleak world. The core idea that belief is power and madness is the strongest kind of belief forms the basis for the magic system, which is the coolest part of this book. I can see why Beyond Redemption is considered a grimdark essential.

Crazy and unique

This book has an insane magic system, questionable protagonists, and a great plot. As much as I somewhat saw this ending coming, the details and ramifications of how it played out make me sad I can't leap right into the sequel.

Michael R. Fletcher builds a world where the power of your belief and delusion translates to actual power. The more insane you are, the more power you have. The more people who believe in you or an idea, the closer to truth it gets. But power has dangers, especially if its fueled by insanity, which could pull you under.

The central plot revolves around an attempt to create a man made god, and the thieves who steal this would-be god. From start to finish this book is a grimy, disgusting, morbidly fascinating read of the power struggles and wishes of a deplorable cast of characters, along with a commentary on perceptions and beliefs. While you certainly won't read this book for the aesthetic, it delivers on tension, imagination and really good writing.

I kinda want a sequel, but I also want a bath.

4.5 stars, the only reason this isn’t 5 stars was because I needed more from the fight scenes. This was brutally delicious