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A review by its_justine
Swarm and Steel by Michael R. Fletcher
5.0
Swarm and Steel is a twisted and weirdly beautiful love story set in a world where the delusions of the insane literally shape reality. We follow the journey of Zerfall and Jateko, two Geisteskranken - those who suffer these delusions - as they attempt to dismantle the Täuschung, a religion that wrongfully imprisons the souls of the masses in a hell named Swarm. Zerfall has created this hell through her delusions and now a fragment of her mind rules over its administration. It is her goal to stop the filth at its core. Jateko will do whatever it takes to remain by her side, even if it heaves him deeper into madness.
This tale is technically a standalone in the author’s Manifest Delusions universe, and while it isn’t necessary to read the main novels in the series in order to fully enjoy this, I highly recommend you do. Fletcher has created some of the most unique, albeit utterly disturbing, dark fantasy stories in the industry, most of which have gone straight to my favorites shelf, and this book is no exception. It’s vile. It’s hilarious. It’s emotional. It’s cringeworthy. It’s thought-provoking. It’s beautiful. There’s death (lots of it). And life (and focus on how precious it is). Lastly, the ending is perfection.
I highly recommend!
This tale is technically a standalone in the author’s Manifest Delusions universe, and while it isn’t necessary to read the main novels in the series in order to fully enjoy this, I highly recommend you do. Fletcher has created some of the most unique, albeit utterly disturbing, dark fantasy stories in the industry, most of which have gone straight to my favorites shelf, and this book is no exception. It’s vile. It’s hilarious. It’s emotional. It’s cringeworthy. It’s thought-provoking. It’s beautiful. There’s death (lots of it). And life (and focus on how precious it is). Lastly, the ending is perfection.
I highly recommend!