Official Review: Playing Chess with God

Please use this forum to discuss historical fiction books. Common definitions define historical fiction as novels written at least 25-50 years after the book's setting.
Post Reply
User avatar
LinaMueller
Posts: 1117
Joined: 09 Jun 2019, 13:22
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 261
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-linamueller.html
Latest Review: The Wingless Fairy by Kye Strothers

Re: Official Review: Playing Chess with God

Post by LinaMueller »

EvaDar wrote: 19 Jan 2020, 15:05 What more could a reader want? Good writing and editing, humor, suspense, and a little history. If it was my genre, I would check it out. Thanks for the great review.
Many thanks, EvaDar. :tiphat:
Heart! We will forget him!
You an I, tonight!
You may forget the warmth he gave,
I will forget the light.

When you have done, pray tell me
That I my thoughts may dim;
Haste! lest while you're lagging.
I may remember him!

Emily Dickinson
User avatar
LinaMueller
Posts: 1117
Joined: 09 Jun 2019, 13:22
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 261
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-linamueller.html
Latest Review: The Wingless Fairy by Kye Strothers

Post by LinaMueller »

Daniel Muky wrote: 19 Jan 2020, 15:08 Nice One..I love history..and when it merges with fiction, thats one big buffet for me..thanks for the review too
That's exactly how I feel. Historical fiction is great. Thank you so much for your time, Daniel Muky. :tiphat:
Heart! We will forget him!
You an I, tonight!
You may forget the warmth he gave,
I will forget the light.

When you have done, pray tell me
That I my thoughts may dim;
Haste! lest while you're lagging.
I may remember him!

Emily Dickinson
User avatar
LinaMueller
Posts: 1117
Joined: 09 Jun 2019, 13:22
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 261
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-linamueller.html
Latest Review: The Wingless Fairy by Kye Strothers

Post by LinaMueller »

Katie Canedy wrote: 19 Jan 2020, 15:17 The California Gold Rush isn't talked about that much in history books and having a fictional book written about it may inspire readers to do some historical digging (no pun intended). I am sure that people who are history buffs will love this book. Great job on your review!
That's for sure. Thanks for your feedback, Katie Canedy. :tiphat:
Heart! We will forget him!
You an I, tonight!
You may forget the warmth he gave,
I will forget the light.

When you have done, pray tell me
That I my thoughts may dim;
Haste! lest while you're lagging.
I may remember him!

Emily Dickinson
User avatar
LinaMueller
Posts: 1117
Joined: 09 Jun 2019, 13:22
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 261
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-linamueller.html
Latest Review: The Wingless Fairy by Kye Strothers

Post by LinaMueller »

10mile72 wrote: 19 Jan 2020, 15:20 Sounds like a good book. The California gold rush period is a very interesting time in our nation’s history and I like books set in that period. I may give this one a look. Thanks for the review, Lina. :techie-studyingbrown:
Go ahead: I'm sure you won't regret it. Thanks a lot for your time, 10mile72. I appreciate it.
Heart! We will forget him!
You an I, tonight!
You may forget the warmth he gave,
I will forget the light.

When you have done, pray tell me
That I my thoughts may dim;
Haste! lest while you're lagging.
I may remember him!

Emily Dickinson
User avatar
LinaMueller
Posts: 1117
Joined: 09 Jun 2019, 13:22
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 261
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-linamueller.html
Latest Review: The Wingless Fairy by Kye Strothers

Post by LinaMueller »

LauraLeeWasHere wrote: 19 Jan 2020, 15:33
I hated the fact that there was no relevant villain to oppose the protagonist
Your review made me do a lot of thinking.

Firstly, I never thought that having a favorite genre, like Historical Fiction, should be considered as a bias because I have spent the past 48 years reading with only one person's pleasure in mind. Mine.
But now I must be considering others and be a tad more objective.

Secondly, your statement, which I quoted above, made me think about an emotion, like greed, or the circumstances of life itself could be the villain. I've often thought/felt that sometimes "Life is against me!!" So why not in a book?

And, thirdly, I thought, "Oh good. Another one of your reviews. I bet you''ll give me something to think about."
(It can be a burden to be correct SO much and SO often!")

Thank you for another thorough and thoughtful review.

Sincerely, LL
You are a dear, Laura. Our thoughts are absolutely parallel. Maybe the circumstances of life are the hidden villain here. I thank you most warmly, my friend. I really appreciate your feedback. :tiphat: :tiphat:
Heart! We will forget him!
You an I, tonight!
You may forget the warmth he gave,
I will forget the light.

When you have done, pray tell me
That I my thoughts may dim;
Haste! lest while you're lagging.
I may remember him!

Emily Dickinson
User avatar
LinaMueller
Posts: 1117
Joined: 09 Jun 2019, 13:22
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 261
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-linamueller.html
Latest Review: The Wingless Fairy by Kye Strothers

Post by LinaMueller »

Dragonsend wrote: 19 Jan 2020, 15:38 This sounds like a fast-paced novel. You have written a great review outlining the interesting and the flaws. Thank you.
Thank you, Dragonsend. I appreciate it. :tiphat:
Heart! We will forget him!
You an I, tonight!
You may forget the warmth he gave,
I will forget the light.

When you have done, pray tell me
That I my thoughts may dim;
Haste! lest while you're lagging.
I may remember him!

Emily Dickinson
User avatar
LinaMueller
Posts: 1117
Joined: 09 Jun 2019, 13:22
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 261
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-linamueller.html
Latest Review: The Wingless Fairy by Kye Strothers

Post by LinaMueller »

Gacau wrote: 19 Jan 2020, 15:41 It would be unfair not to thank you for the detailed review. Playing chess with God is quite an interesting title which creates enthusiasm from a far. I love historical fiction though I would enjoy most when the setting is not foreign to me.
Thanks a bunch, Gacau. I appreciate it. :tiphat: :techie-studyingbrown:
Heart! We will forget him!
You an I, tonight!
You may forget the warmth he gave,
I will forget the light.

When you have done, pray tell me
That I my thoughts may dim;
Haste! lest while you're lagging.
I may remember him!

Emily Dickinson
User avatar
LinaMueller
Posts: 1117
Joined: 09 Jun 2019, 13:22
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 261
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-linamueller.html
Latest Review: The Wingless Fairy by Kye Strothers

Post by LinaMueller »

amandathebibliophile wrote: 19 Jan 2020, 15:44 Beautiful review! I haven’t read a book about the gold rush, and this certainly sounds intriguing. I’m not sure whether I’d mind a character-driven novel minus major antagonists...I guess I’ll have to read to find out 😉
Go ahead, Amanda. Playing Chess with God is amazing. I'm sure your will like it. Thanks for passing by. :tiphat:
Heart! We will forget him!
You an I, tonight!
You may forget the warmth he gave,
I will forget the light.

When you have done, pray tell me
That I my thoughts may dim;
Haste! lest while you're lagging.
I may remember him!

Emily Dickinson
User avatar
LinaMueller
Posts: 1117
Joined: 09 Jun 2019, 13:22
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 261
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-linamueller.html
Latest Review: The Wingless Fairy by Kye Strothers

Post by LinaMueller »

Bukola02 wrote: 19 Jan 2020, 15:54 thanks for the amazing review. I would pass on this but fans of historical fiction would definitely enjoy reading it.
Thank you, Bukola02. Much obliged. :tiphat:
Heart! We will forget him!
You an I, tonight!
You may forget the warmth he gave,
I will forget the light.

When you have done, pray tell me
That I my thoughts may dim;
Haste! lest while you're lagging.
I may remember him!

Emily Dickinson
User avatar
LinaMueller
Posts: 1117
Joined: 09 Jun 2019, 13:22
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 261
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-linamueller.html
Latest Review: The Wingless Fairy by Kye Strothers

Post by LinaMueller »

Adedayo+23 wrote: 19 Jan 2020, 15:56 Historical fiction is not a genre I read often, but the book sounds fascinating enough that I’m certain readers of the genre will not want to miss it. Thanks for your compelling review.
Why not, Adedayo? Historical fiction is amazing. :mrgreen2:
Thank you so much. I appreciate your feedback. :tiphat:
Heart! We will forget him!
You an I, tonight!
You may forget the warmth he gave,
I will forget the light.

When you have done, pray tell me
That I my thoughts may dim;
Haste! lest while you're lagging.
I may remember him!

Emily Dickinson
User avatar
LinaMueller
Posts: 1117
Joined: 09 Jun 2019, 13:22
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 261
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-linamueller.html
Latest Review: The Wingless Fairy by Kye Strothers

Post by LinaMueller »

Abacus wrote: 19 Jan 2020, 15:59 Playing Chess with God by Verne R. Albright - A novel based on authenticity with interesting characters. Thanks for the review. It was very helpful.
I couldn't have summarized it better myself. Thanks a ton, Abacus. :tiphat:
Heart! We will forget him!
You an I, tonight!
You may forget the warmth he gave,
I will forget the light.

When you have done, pray tell me
That I my thoughts may dim;
Haste! lest while you're lagging.
I may remember him!

Emily Dickinson
User avatar
LinaMueller
Posts: 1117
Joined: 09 Jun 2019, 13:22
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 261
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-linamueller.html
Latest Review: The Wingless Fairy by Kye Strothers

Post by LinaMueller »

hootokshi1 wrote: 19 Jan 2020, 16:02 Thanks for the review. I am sure that once I read the book I will know its true essence. I do like historical fictional novels.
Many thanks, hootokshi1. :tiphat:
Heart! We will forget him!
You an I, tonight!
You may forget the warmth he gave,
I will forget the light.

When you have done, pray tell me
That I my thoughts may dim;
Haste! lest while you're lagging.
I may remember him!

Emily Dickinson
User avatar
LinaMueller
Posts: 1117
Joined: 09 Jun 2019, 13:22
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 261
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-linamueller.html
Latest Review: The Wingless Fairy by Kye Strothers

Post by LinaMueller »

Cecilia_L wrote: 19 Jan 2020, 16:08 Historical fiction isn't my favorite genre, but I enjoyed your interesting review.
You can't be serious. Historical fiction is amazing. :mrgreen:

Thanks a lot for passing by, Cecilia_L. I appreciate it. :tiphat:
Heart! We will forget him!
You an I, tonight!
You may forget the warmth he gave,
I will forget the light.

When you have done, pray tell me
That I my thoughts may dim;
Haste! lest while you're lagging.
I may remember him!

Emily Dickinson
User avatar
LinaMueller
Posts: 1117
Joined: 09 Jun 2019, 13:22
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 261
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-linamueller.html
Latest Review: The Wingless Fairy by Kye Strothers

Post by LinaMueller »

Katherine Smith wrote: 19 Jan 2020, 16:12 I loved how much you enjoyed this book and how much you like the historical fiction genre. I have not read very many books in this genre, but I am a fan of history. I have always been interested in the California Gold Rush and the frontier days of my home state of California. I learned more about the Gold Rush when I was in elementary school and we even got to pan for gold. I think that the characters were realistic enough, but there should have been better development with the villains.
Thank you very much for your useful input, Katherine Smith. I appreciate it. :tiphat: :techie-studyingbrown:
Heart! We will forget him!
You an I, tonight!
You may forget the warmth he gave,
I will forget the light.

When you have done, pray tell me
That I my thoughts may dim;
Haste! lest while you're lagging.
I may remember him!

Emily Dickinson
User avatar
LinaMueller
Posts: 1117
Joined: 09 Jun 2019, 13:22
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 261
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-linamueller.html
Latest Review: The Wingless Fairy by Kye Strothers

Post by LinaMueller »

gen_g wrote: 19 Jan 2020, 16:19 The Californian Gold Rush is an event that intrigues me, although the fact that the villains are easily defeated is a bit of an alarm bell for me. Still, thanks for the review!
It intrigues me as well. Thanks for passing by, gen_g. :tiphat:
Heart! We will forget him!
You an I, tonight!
You may forget the warmth he gave,
I will forget the light.

When you have done, pray tell me
That I my thoughts may dim;
Haste! lest while you're lagging.
I may remember him!

Emily Dickinson
Post Reply

Return to “Historical Fiction”