Gergana’s Reviews > Beyond Redemption > Status Update

This is such a weird book. On paper I should absolutely hate it as it is fairly nihilistic misery-porn packed full of absolutely awful folks doing awful things (which I typically hate) but somehow it worked for me and I ended up quite enjoying it despite the fact that it should have activated plenty of DNF worthy pet peeves.

So what happens if you get killed in the life-after-first-death?

Given the nature and tone of the series I imagine you just get killed over and over again in an unending cycle of awful ways all while being insane enough not to see it coming every single time lol.

I am actually surprised it bothered me so much. I've read plenty of anti-heroes books, but I guess I was really hoping for them to "change", I was disappointed that they were becoming worse, instead of better. :/ Apart from that I thoroughly enjoyed the world, and I still wanted to know how it ends.

I think the big issue with Beyond Redemption is the fact that it is not the typical “anti-hero” take on the genre. The characters are not anti-heroes…they are just outright villains. Which I guess the title hinted at;)

I’m with you in usually needing my book characters to at least be somewhat likeable or at least pushing to redeem themselves or show positive character growth over a story. I actually love redemption tales; The Scar is one of the better, more unique, fantasy books I’ve read over the years just for that reason. Characters showing negative character growth over a story is usually a pet peeve of mine. It usually drives me nuts and leaves me super unhappy.

I’ve no idea why Beyond Redemption still worked so well for me when it should have been the sort of story I absolutely hated. It ticks so many boxes on my avoid red flag list that I 100% would have bet on hating it. It is so weird when that happens!