Official Review: Playing Chess with God

Daniel Muky · Post by **Daniel Muky** » 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

Kaitlyn Canedy · Post by **Kaitlyn Canedy** » 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!

Stephen Campana · Post by **Stephen Campana** » 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.

LauraLeeWasHere · Post by **LauraLeeWasHere** » 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

Dragonsend · Post by **Dragonsend** » 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.

Gacau · Post by **Gacau** » 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.

amandathebibliophile · Post by **amandathebibliophile** » 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

Bukola02 · Post by **Bukola02** » 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.

Adedayo+23 · Post by **Adedayo+23** » 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.

Abacus · Post by **Abacus** » 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.

hootokshi1 · Post by **hootokshi1** » 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.

Cecilia_L · Post by **Cecilia_L** » 19 Jan 2020, 16:08

Historical fiction isn't my favorite genre, but I enjoyed your interesting review.

Katherine Smith · Post by **Katherine Smith** » 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.

gen_g · Post by **gen_g** » 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!