Michael R. Fletcher schreibt nicht hauptberuflich. Es war ihm zwar eine Weile möglich, als Vollzeit-Autor zu leben, nachdem er die Vorauszahlung von Harper Voyager für seinen Grimdark-Trilogieauftakt „Beyond Redemption“ erhalten hatte, aber leider hatte der Verlag aufgrund niedriger Verkaufszahlen kein Interesse an einer Fortsetzung und Fletcher musste erneut regulär arbeiten. Das war sicher eine niederschmetternde Erfahrung, doch sie hinderte ihn nicht daran, seinen Traum weiterzuverfolgen. Er veröffentlichte den zweiten Band der „Manifest Delusions“ im Selfpublishing. Das Finale fand beim kleinen Imprint Talos eine Heimat. In dieser Geschichte steckt eine wichtige Moral: nicht jede schriftstellerische Karriere ist ein Märchen und für jemanden, der so spezielle Bücher schreibt wie Michael R. Fletcher kann es schwer sein, sich dauerhaft zu etablieren.

Eine Welt, in der sich die Wahnvorstellungen der Menschen real manifestieren, kann nur von geistesgestörten Göttern erschaffen worden sein. Konig Furimmer, Oberhaupt der Geborene Damonen, glaubt das nicht. Er ist überzeugt, dass die Götter manifestierte Wahnvorstellungen der Menschen sind. Ist es möglich, einen neuen Gott zu formen? Kostbare Jahre seines Lebens widmete er der Ausbildung potenzieller Kandidat_innen. Ein letzter ist übrig: ein Junge namens Morgen. Sein Aufstieg steht kurz bevor. Die Zeit drängt, denn Konig droht, die Kontrolle über seine Halluzinationen zu verlieren. Fatalerweise bekommt eine dreiköpfige Räuberbande Wind von seinen Plänen. Konig schickt seine gefährlichste Agentin aus, um die drei festzunehmen: Gehirn Schlechtes. Doch Gehirn kann sie nicht aufhalten und schon bald versuchen auch andere Geisteskranke, Morgen in ihre Gewalt zu bringen. Das Schicksal der Welt ruht auf den Schultern des Jungen – aber verdient eine vom Wahnsinn regierte Welt überhaupt Erlösung?

Habt ihr euch in der Inhaltsangabe über die seltsamen, dem Deutschen entlehnten Namen gewundert? Vor der Lektüre von „Beyond Redemption“ schenkte ich der eigenwilligen Namensgebung keine Beachtung. Erst als ich das Vorwort des Autors Michael R. Fletcher las, beschlichen mich üble Vorahnungen, denn er entschuldigt sich darin bei allen Leser_innen, die tatsächlich Deutsch sprechen. Nach den ersten Kapiteln des Trilogieauftakts wurde mir klar, dass diese prophylaktische Entschuldigung definitiv angebracht ist. Was Fletcher mit der deutschen Sprache anstellt, schmerzte mich bis in die Haarspitzen. Alle Eigennamen sind konsequent deutsch, doch es handelt sich nicht um deutsche Namen. Es sind deutsche Begriffe, die häufig negativ konnotiert sind und die er wild kombiniert, um das Wesen seiner Figuren auszudrücken, abzüglich der Umlaute, die es im Englischen nicht gibt. Ich fand das unglaublich irritierend und brauchte sehr lange, um mich damit abzufinden. Ich stolperte immer wieder darüber, was meinen Lesespaß entscheidend schmälerte. Wäre die Namensgebung jedoch mein einziges Problem mit „Beyond Redemption“, hätte ich das Buch garantiert besser bewertet. Leider hatte ich grundsätzlich Schwierigkeiten mit diesem merkwürdigen Roman und fühle mich zwiegespalten. Die Idee, ein Grimdark-Universum rund um manifestierte Wahnvorstellungen bzw. seltene psychische Erkrankungen aufzubauen, ist faszinierend und ja, „Beyond Redemption“ ist Grimdark hoch 10. Nicht aufgrund der Brutalität der Geschichte, sondern aufgrund ihrer bedrückenden, trostlosen Atmosphäre, in der sich ein interessanter, fundamentaler religiöser Konflikt verbirgt, der an die Frage nach Henne oder Ei erinnert: erschufen verrückte Götter die Welt der Menschen oder erschufen verrückte Menschen die Götter, um an irgendetwas zu glauben? Dieser interpretative Widerstreit ist der Auslöser der Handlung, denn der Hohepriester des Ordens der Geborene Damonen, Konig Furimmer (ich zucke schon wieder zusammen), will einen Gott nach seinen Vorstellungen erschaffen, um seine theologische Theorie zu beweisen und der Welt ein wenig Hoffnung zu schenken. Kein Wunder, schließt kriecht die Verzweiflung aus jeder Pore dieses Buches. Die Geisteskranken, die das Universum dominieren, leiden schrecklich unter ihren Wahnvorstellungen und den emotionalen Traumata, die sie auslösten. Nachvollziehbar, dass sie sich einen Gott wünschen, der alles in Ordnung bringt und ihnen zumindest Erlösung in Aussicht stellt. So überzeugend und originell diese Ausgangssituation auch ist, ich fühlte mich von Fletcher vollkommen alleingelassen. Ich konnte keine Bindung zu den Figuren entwickeln, denn sie sind alle völlig gestört und werden von abstoßender Verderbtheit angetrieben. Ich scheiterte an den Mauern ihrer Manien. Der Autor schubste mich in dieses Irrenhaus hinein, ohne mir zu helfen, mich zu orientieren. Daher fand ich nie richtig in die Geschichte und empfand die Lektüre als zäh, obwohl mich die Glaubwürdigkeit der Charakterisierungen beeindruckte und mich besonders das brillante Profil der Agentin Gehirn Schlechtes bewegte. Es war einfach zu viel Wahnsinn.

Ich kann nicht behaupten, dass ich an „Beyond Redemption“ viel Freude hatte. Ich bin mir nicht mal sicher, ob Spaß überhaupt das Ziel des Autors Michael R. Fletcher war. Seine Geschichte strotzt vor Negativität, wie soll man da Genuss empfinden? Dennoch ist der erste Band der „Manifest Delusions“ als Vertreter des Grimdark-Subgenres bemerkenswert, weil er gänzlich ohne fremde Völker, Magie im traditionellen Sinne oder eine weltumspannende Bedrohung auskommt. Jeder Aspekt der Geschichte fußt auf den Wahnvorstellungen der Figuren. Diese Konzeption ist zweifellos außergewöhnlich und einzigartig. Vermutlich habe ich deshalb beschlossen, dem zweiten Band „The Mirror’s Truth“ trotz meiner mäßigen Bewertung eine Chance zu geben. Ich bin neugierig, ich will wissen, wie es weiter geht. Hoffentlich ist der Wahnsinn dieses Universums nicht ansteckend.

Exquisite mayhem and madness, Beyond Redemption is a novel which appears once every few years; a harbinger of things to come that takes the familiar fantasy tropes and twists them into something fresh and original. Like Joe Abercrombie’s The First Law or Mark Lawrence’s Broken Empire, Mr. Fletcher has now become a trailblazer, breaking away from the traditional path of epic fantasy as he crafts a world full of grimdark characters, delicious madness, and stunning magic. A new path which future grimdark novels will be forced to follow, because Beyond Redemption has just made grimdark even grimmer.

The descent into magical madness begins right from the first page.

The old gods were broken by wars and plagues of the mind, left reeling like the most bloodied veterans. Infected with horror at the cost of their actions, they retreated into dementia … Seeking to free themselves, they fled to a world of delusion, a world uncorrupted by jealousies and psychoses. And yet, in the end, even this they would pollute.

From this ominous setup, Mr. Fletcher introduces a land where reality is literally created by the madness and delusion of gifted (or insane, you have to decide) people. This insanity coming in many, many forms. There are Geisteskranken, whose psychoses actually transform the world around them; their madness becoming reality for normal people. Hassebrands are pyromaniacs, burning people to ash when their control slips. Kleptics can steal from anyone, no matter how vigilant they protect themselves. Cotardist become near indestructible assassins, as they already believe they are dead, so they are impossible to kill. Doppelgangist create duplicates of themselves, who then go out to act independently of their creators. Then there are the Gefahrgeists, who are sociopaths, gaining strength from those that worship them. And so many more.

Naturally, the world where these crazed magicians create their warped versions of reality is a dark place to live. Abandoned by the gods, left to delude themselves into creating whatever world they wish, the inhabitants of this land are in a perpetual flux of being; the nature of the world constantly shifting as mad magicians rise in power or eventually lose themselves in their own delusions, causing all their work to crash down around them.

If only there was a way to stop the perpetual evolution of reality? Control it somehow.  Then an eternal paradise could be created for humanity.

Oh, but there is a way. At least Konig Furimmer, an immensely powerful Geisteskranken, believes there is. All he has to do is create his own god; one who will serve him and rescue him from the inevitable madness of using his powers. Then the Geborene Damonen religion Konig has created can spread across the world and bring peace and prosperity to everyone.

Only one problem with Konig’s plan. First, he has to create a being so perfect, so pliable, and so trusting that when it is his time to die (Gods can only become gods by being killed and ascending to their godhood in this world.) he will willingly go to the sacrificial altar. Second, Konig has to be the one who kills him, because only by slaying him can he force this risen god to obey him.

Brilliant scheme. Unfortunately, there are always unexpected hurdles to overcome in any situation. Konig’s problem turns out to be something so simple he overlooked the possibility of it arising: outsiders.

Just when everything seems to be ready for Konig to create his god, a trio of drifters led by Bedeckt arrive in the land. This aged warrior is as sane as they come, troubling so; he is also a desperate man, who is looking for one last big score to set him up for retirement. Following him are his very untrustworthy companions: Wichtig, the “Greatest Swordsman in the World” and Stehlen, a Kleptic who will steal your shite and cut your throat before you even know it is occurring. When these three ride in and hear that a god is about to be created, Bedeckt immediately recognizes a way to end all his financial worries forever!

The tale that follows is grimdark at its grimmest and darkest. Nearly every character is vile beyond imagining. Insanity permeates every facet of the story. Mindless violence and very deliberate torture are present everywhere. People fight; people enslave others; and some people live in their own magically created hells. Decent people do atrocious things. Some really insane people do decent things. Plus, nothing is as it seems, because this whole place – the buildings, the farms, the people, everything – is a delusion of the criminally insane after all.

All in all, Beyond Redemption doesn’t sound like the type of story which I usually enjoy, but I did like it – immensely, in fact. Mr. Fletcher does such an amazing job crafting this morbid tale that I couldn’t stop turning the pages. His writing style effortlessly balancing between detailed and fast paced, somehow capturing the depth of the delusions, presenting the appalling dark side of worldwide insanity, and yet constantly convincing me to follow him down the path of madness to its inevitable conclusion.

Wildly imaginative, addictively entertaining, and morbidly dark, Beyond Redemption is a grimdark fantasy that more people should give a try. I know, madness can be intimidating, but once you get a taste of Mr. Fletcher’s fantasy version, you will see just how delicious it really is.

Michael R. Fletcher has been nice enough to provide one signed copy of Beyond Redemption for this giveaway. North American residents only. The three runner-ups will receive an e-book copy of Mr. Fletcher’s debut novel, 88.

Come on over to my blog, check out the books you could win, and enter by sending an email message to bookwraiths@gmail.com with “Beyond Redemption Giveaway” in the subject line.  Just for fun, give me your best snarky comment about crazy mages. You know you have some.  :)

On Wednesday, November 18th, I will draw the winning names and notify them via email. If the winner doesn’t respond within 48 hours, I will draw another name, then rinse and repeat until I find someone to give away these amazing novels to.

Remember how the best episodes of any TV show were the ones that came in two parts? Remember how awesome the two-parter episodes of Magnum PI were? Anyway, this here is part one of a three part post on the rules of a responsive reality. Part two will be hosted by the Mighty Thor (James Schmidt) at https://wordpress.com/post/82427466/1416/ on November 11th, and part three will be hosted by the excellent Wendell at http://bookwraiths.com/.

Some background: My dark fantasy novel, Beyond Redemption, takes place in a world where reality is responsive to the whims and desires of humanity. Mass belief—be it shaped by religion, politics, or public opinion—can cause sweeping changes in physical reality. Conversely, a single person, if insane enough to believe the impossible with utter conviction, can also twist reality. What follows is a brief discussion of some aspects of that reality

Click through to read more about the best fantasy novel you haven't read this year!

When I first snagged an ARC of this about six months ago, I was definitely intrigued . . . but hesitant. Building an epic fantasy around madness, faith, and delusion sounded very cool. I was optimistic, but I also had my doubts. We're talking high-concept here, and I was worried that the narrative would suffer from the strain of trying to sustain the threads of madness. In fact, I'd almost talked myself out of taking that chance when, on a whim, I decided to give the first few chapters a cursory read. A few vulgar, violent, vehement exclamations of approval later, I was well-and-truly hooked. Beyond Redemption absolutely blew me away. It is indeed dark, grim, and gritty, but it's wild imagination is just as often manifested in moments of bleak, black humor. As for what it's about, this is the story of three men - one who would make a god, one who would steal a god, and one who would kill a god.

Konig is the man who would make a god. As the High Priest of the Geborene Damonen, he is a proudly deluded theocratic ruler who, quite literally, is his own worst enemies. Beset by a trio of Doppels (doppelgangers) who represent his fears and insecurities, he's also victim of his own murderously rebellious reflections.Bedeckt is the man who would steal a god. An ailing, over-the-hill warrior who should already be dead, he's kept alive by the deluded belief that one last heist will change everything. He likes to think of himself as being the only sane man in a mad world, but the truth is that his delusions are just more subtle and integral to his personality. Erbrechen is the man who would kill a god. He is a fat, ugly, reprehensible madman, a Slaver by the power of his own delusions. He has merely to be carried through a town, to say a few words, and hundreds feel compelled to follow their new leader and best friend. By compelled, I mean hopelessly and helpless devoted to a man who, with a word, can rob them of the power to see, sleep, or shit, driven by nothing more than his desire for self-amusement.

Before we talk any more about the characters or their deeds, I have to address the impressive level of world-building here. Fletcher spent a great deal of time inventing his world, creating the rules for its madness, and defining the outcome of each unique delusion. There are nearly twenty unique categories of delusion to his world, from Cotardists who believe they are dead (complete with rotting flesh and missing internal organs) to Somatoparaphrenics who believe portions of their body belong to someone else (causing limbs and organs to develop minds of their own). They are all defined by their inevitable pursuit of the Pinnacle, the point at which they truly lose their grip on reality, coming to be defined by their delusions, leaving them powerful enough to challenge the gods, but incapable of doing anything with that power. This is a world where the collective belief of a group of people can, quite literally, remake the landscape around them. It sounds bizarre - and it is - but Fletcher makes it all work, allowing the reader accept the power of madness as easily as we do that of magic and prayer in more traditional fantasy.

Much to my delight, the characters here are all worthy of the story they've been asked to carry. If you don't get sucked in by the frantic madness of Konig, his Doppels, and his mirror images, then there's something seriously wrong with you. Here is a man arguing with multiple instances of himself, with those instances plotting against him. Aufschlag, his chief scientist, is the yin to his yang, the curiosity to his insanity. He's a man who has shaped the mad experiment of creating a god, but who has come to fear that his master is too deluded to be trusted with such devotion.

Bedeckt, Stehlen, and Wichtig are some of the most unusual protagonists to lead a novel, madly deplorable scoundrels who suffer each other's delusions while bantering and bickering throughout. Stehlen is a thief and assassin, a conveniently deluded Kleptic who cuts through plans as easily adn as thoughtlessly as she does anybody who gets in her way. Wightig is an man fleeing the responsibilities of his past, deliberately deluded into thinking he's the world's greatest swordsman, and just powerful enough in that delusion to convince others he just may be right.

Erbrechen is probably the thinnest character of the bunch, a plot device so powerful it's hard to make him seem human. He can be both comical and crazed, and there's no denying the fact that he's a dangerously egotistical megalomaniac, but he's also oddly vulnerable and desperate for the love of one true fried. Gehirn is the fire-scarred, powerfully deluded Hassebrand who falls in with his followers while marching home to Konig. Watching her fight again the power of the two men, wrestling with the revelation that Konig merely used her, while desperately wishing that Erbrechen's friendship were more than just delusion, is absolutely heart-wrenching.

Connecting them all, and driving the story forward is Morgen, the innocent, precariously balanced child who would be a god. He starts out as a tragic figure with terrifying potential, but grows and evolves even as his desperate innocence is tarnished and tainted. He, more than anybody, demonstrates the deft touch Fletcher has for characterization. They may all be deluded and damaged, far too bizarre for us to easily relate, but we care about them. We pity them, we fear for them, and we mourn for the inevitability of their fates.

The pacing here is just about perfect, careening along from one scene to another with madcap intensity. There are moments of deep philosophical reflection, but they're part and parcel of the story, not asides or info dumps. The narrative is exceptionally strong as well, making use of two languages (English and German) to weave a story that flows across the page, even if it doesn't quite flow off the tongue. The action is intense, with beautiful moments of blood and brutality, and awe-inspiring feats of madness and delusion. Seriously, with the kind of power we're talking about here, you expect some truly epic feats of destruction, and Fletcher offers them aplenty. Most importantly, the grand finale pays off in every respect, bringing together all the various characters, themes, delusions, and events in a climax that defines epic. Of course, there's also a massive cliffhanger that offers a maddening tease of the sequel, but it does nothing to negate the ending here, instead opening up a new storyto come.

If you're at all curious, and are open to a story that challenges your intellect while delighting your imagination, then I urge you to give Beyond Redemption a read.

Forget grim dark, this is mad dark . . . and it's awesome.