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Playing Gods #1
Isolation
Playing Gods is a new action packed cosmic fantasy, filled with humor, modern relevance and amazing new alien worlds and cultures. Isolation is Book One of a series.
Xriah and Vylis, two avatars, both empowered with differing superhuman abilities, are repeatedly thrust into wildly varying worlds to do battle on behalf of their respective deities. Though the nature of their deities is shrouded in mystery, both avatars' faith in their purpose is strong and unwavering.
On each successive world they seek one another out, and then it is a battle to the death, despite the fact that both the defeated and victor alike are reborn and plunged into yet another world, to begin the fight all over again.
And as they continue their endless battle the real victims are the inhabitants of the avatars' battlefields.
The avatar Vylis feels nothing but the joy of the game, the sport of defying expectations, and exploiting the true weakness of his nemesis avatar, namely: that Xriah has come to care for the unfortunate denizens of the worlds upon which this world-crushing game is played.
Themes, concepts and tropes from the world of gaming are reinterpreted and explored in depth in Playing Gods, with complex emotional consequences for the creatures who just might live in such a reality.
Xriah and Vylis, two avatars, both empowered with differing superhuman abilities, are repeatedly thrust into wildly varying worlds to do battle on behalf of their respective deities. Though the nature of their deities is shrouded in mystery, both avatars' faith in their purpose is strong and unwavering.
On each successive world they seek one another out, and then it is a battle to the death, despite the fact that both the defeated and victor alike are reborn and plunged into yet another world, to begin the fight all over again.
And as they continue their endless battle the real victims are the inhabitants of the avatars' battlefields.
The avatar Vylis feels nothing but the joy of the game, the sport of defying expectations, and exploiting the true weakness of his nemesis avatar, namely: that Xriah has come to care for the unfortunate denizens of the worlds upon which this world-crushing game is played.
Themes, concepts and tropes from the world of gaming are reinterpreted and explored in depth in Playing Gods, with complex emotional consequences for the creatures who just might live in such a reality.
- GenresFantasy
Audio CD
Published December 9, 2015
6 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Chris Rohan
27 books5 followersChris Rohan grew up in a family of actors, and the influence is obvious. Despite being an introverted soul and not pursuing acting as a career, he has a performative streak and is often playing the quippy comedian.
He loves video games and spent his childhood with controller in hand. When he's not working he's usually gaming, and is particularly inspired by innovation and subversion in the medium. This background informed a lot of his thematic choices regarding Playing Gods.
Chris specializes in dialogue, characters, fast-paced action, and plotlines/plot twists. He does sound design and voice acting for the series.
He loves video games and spent his childhood with controller in hand. When he's not working he's usually gaming, and is particularly inspired by innovation and subversion in the medium. This background informed a lot of his thematic choices regarding Playing Gods.
Chris specializes in dialogue, characters, fast-paced action, and plotlines/plot twists. He does sound design and voice acting for the series.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 1, 2016
Playing Gods Isolation Review
I went into this book with a certain amount of skepticism. First, I have never read anything by these authors before, and this appeared to be their debut novel. With no acknowledgements of any professional editor, I had plot and grammar concerns as well. Also, I’ve never heard anything sound engineered by Chris Rohan, so I wasn’t sure how the mixing and the sound effects would be. Fantasy dramatizations are not easy things to do.
Plot
I was pleasantly surprised by the plot. In the very first scene, things start looking a bit cliché. I’ve seen several cheesy hero villain encounters that begin the same way. However, the authors quickly turn the trope on its head and what we get is something that draws you in with action, and leaves you asking questions. For the first half of the book, the novel seems very much like a video game, which is not a bad thing. It’s compelling, action packed, and witty. The only thing I struggled with(and still don’t fully understand) is the description of Lissah. Where does the snake end and the human begin? How exactly does it blend?
In the second half, things get a lot more serious. Characters start facing moral conflicts, and are forced to make tough decisions. Where you expect things to be linear, it goes in a direction, albeit not entirely unpredictable. By the end, lots of questions are tied up, but the overarching ones remain. I know there will be sequels, and this book was meant to better help us understand the multiverse the characters play in, as well as set up the main conflict of the series. I assume the big questions will start being answered in the next book.
Some questions that seem to be relevant only to this novel are not answered, which annoys me. I can’t say exactly what, but a concept is held together by very flimsy logic, something that the character most affected by it points out himself. We get no explanation for how it works and why. I’m not sure if this is because the authors couldn’t think of one, or if it will be introduced later on. Only time will tell.
My favorite character has to be Xzarius. He’s just a badass. Calculating, cool, powerful, level-headed… What’s there not to like? Or so we think. Like everyone, he’s forced to apply cold logic to situations where there is no alternative. He definitely has a soft spot, which will probably lead to lots and lots of trouble for the setting far down the line. I don’t think us readers will see this particular plane again, but I can live with that.
My other favorite character is a minor one. Derrin, the happy guard until the immortals enter his life. Out of everyone, he is forced to make the toughest decisions. His entire world is turned upside-down, yet he must keep pushing forward no matter what happens. Being a human caught in the middle of supernatural forces locked in combat really does suck.
My only other problem with the plot happens about three fourths of the way through. One of the characters experiences something that would traumatize anyone for a long time. At first, they are mortified, and don’t know how they will go on with life. After one conversation with another character, suddenly everything is alright. They don’t even think about what’s happened. Also, the trauma is physical, but we see no problems with the character adjusting. Out of all the spectacular stuff happening, this didn’t bother me too much. But it stuck in my mind.
I’m looking forward to see the next world we are thrust into. It appears that each book will focus on a completely different setting, the multiverse being the only constant. Not many authors get the chance to do this and keep the same characters, and I’m excited to see where the authors’ imaginations take us. Also, I have to give props to them for coming up with a language that sounded realistic. I’m not sure if the audio format made it easier(not including the actors struggling to pronounce words in the booth), but it worked. I’m not sure if the other worlds will continue to have other languages, but if so, I’m on board.
Actors
As with the majority of Graphic Audio’s productions, the acting was spectacular, especially David Coin’s portrayal of Vylis. Although from my experience, he brings to life any role that is thrown at him. My only complaint is with one of the authors themselves, Chris Rohan. While the emotional scenes touched my soul, and the comedy made me laugh, something about his voice kept him from being as intimidating as I thought Xriah should be. Lots of times when he was really pissed off about something, he sounded more whiny than anything. I think Christopher Sheeran would’ve been a better fit for the role. Also, the accents were all over the place. For the lami, it was consistent. But with all of the other characters, some were British, some were American, and the rest were some mix in between. I can’t blame the actors themselves. They were only proceeding as directed. I would love to know what the logic was in deciding which character would have which accent.
Sound Design and Scoring
I was blown away with the sound design. It reminded me of the engineer who hooked me into Graphic Audio, Johann Dettweiler. The only thing Chris struggles with is the blend of ambience and music. I have no idea why the ambience has to fade whenever the music comes in. I can’t recall ever seeing that done in any previous releases, nor in any movies and TV shows. Sometimes, the ambience would take a while to come back after the music had faded away.
Speaking of music, I love having Dan Sondak back! The scoring was absolutely amazing, one of the best I’ve heard all year. If he returns for the next installment, I’m sure it will be a huge success.
Playing Gods was a stunning debut production from Chris and Karen Rohan. I look forward to seeing more from them down the line. I will be eagerly checking the website for the release date of the sequel. Speaking of the website, if this review has inspired you to check out the book, it’s only available at www.graphicaudio.net. I think anyone who enjoys fantasy will fall in love with this title and the authors. Be sure to check it out!
I went into this book with a certain amount of skepticism. First, I have never read anything by these authors before, and this appeared to be their debut novel. With no acknowledgements of any professional editor, I had plot and grammar concerns as well. Also, I’ve never heard anything sound engineered by Chris Rohan, so I wasn’t sure how the mixing and the sound effects would be. Fantasy dramatizations are not easy things to do.
Plot
I was pleasantly surprised by the plot. In the very first scene, things start looking a bit cliché. I’ve seen several cheesy hero villain encounters that begin the same way. However, the authors quickly turn the trope on its head and what we get is something that draws you in with action, and leaves you asking questions. For the first half of the book, the novel seems very much like a video game, which is not a bad thing. It’s compelling, action packed, and witty. The only thing I struggled with(and still don’t fully understand) is the description of Lissah. Where does the snake end and the human begin? How exactly does it blend?
In the second half, things get a lot more serious. Characters start facing moral conflicts, and are forced to make tough decisions. Where you expect things to be linear, it goes in a direction, albeit not entirely unpredictable. By the end, lots of questions are tied up, but the overarching ones remain. I know there will be sequels, and this book was meant to better help us understand the multiverse the characters play in, as well as set up the main conflict of the series. I assume the big questions will start being answered in the next book.
Some questions that seem to be relevant only to this novel are not answered, which annoys me. I can’t say exactly what, but a concept is held together by very flimsy logic, something that the character most affected by it points out himself. We get no explanation for how it works and why. I’m not sure if this is because the authors couldn’t think of one, or if it will be introduced later on. Only time will tell.
My favorite character has to be Xzarius. He’s just a badass. Calculating, cool, powerful, level-headed… What’s there not to like? Or so we think. Like everyone, he’s forced to apply cold logic to situations where there is no alternative. He definitely has a soft spot, which will probably lead to lots and lots of trouble for the setting far down the line. I don’t think us readers will see this particular plane again, but I can live with that.
My other favorite character is a minor one. Derrin, the happy guard until the immortals enter his life. Out of everyone, he is forced to make the toughest decisions. His entire world is turned upside-down, yet he must keep pushing forward no matter what happens. Being a human caught in the middle of supernatural forces locked in combat really does suck.
My only other problem with the plot happens about three fourths of the way through. One of the characters experiences something that would traumatize anyone for a long time. At first, they are mortified, and don’t know how they will go on with life. After one conversation with another character, suddenly everything is alright. They don’t even think about what’s happened. Also, the trauma is physical, but we see no problems with the character adjusting. Out of all the spectacular stuff happening, this didn’t bother me too much. But it stuck in my mind.
I’m looking forward to see the next world we are thrust into. It appears that each book will focus on a completely different setting, the multiverse being the only constant. Not many authors get the chance to do this and keep the same characters, and I’m excited to see where the authors’ imaginations take us. Also, I have to give props to them for coming up with a language that sounded realistic. I’m not sure if the audio format made it easier(not including the actors struggling to pronounce words in the booth), but it worked. I’m not sure if the other worlds will continue to have other languages, but if so, I’m on board.
Actors
As with the majority of Graphic Audio’s productions, the acting was spectacular, especially David Coin’s portrayal of Vylis. Although from my experience, he brings to life any role that is thrown at him. My only complaint is with one of the authors themselves, Chris Rohan. While the emotional scenes touched my soul, and the comedy made me laugh, something about his voice kept him from being as intimidating as I thought Xriah should be. Lots of times when he was really pissed off about something, he sounded more whiny than anything. I think Christopher Sheeran would’ve been a better fit for the role. Also, the accents were all over the place. For the lami, it was consistent. But with all of the other characters, some were British, some were American, and the rest were some mix in between. I can’t blame the actors themselves. They were only proceeding as directed. I would love to know what the logic was in deciding which character would have which accent.
Sound Design and Scoring
I was blown away with the sound design. It reminded me of the engineer who hooked me into Graphic Audio, Johann Dettweiler. The only thing Chris struggles with is the blend of ambience and music. I have no idea why the ambience has to fade whenever the music comes in. I can’t recall ever seeing that done in any previous releases, nor in any movies and TV shows. Sometimes, the ambience would take a while to come back after the music had faded away.
Speaking of music, I love having Dan Sondak back! The scoring was absolutely amazing, one of the best I’ve heard all year. If he returns for the next installment, I’m sure it will be a huge success.
Playing Gods was a stunning debut production from Chris and Karen Rohan. I look forward to seeing more from them down the line. I will be eagerly checking the website for the release date of the sequel. Speaking of the website, if this review has inspired you to check out the book, it’s only available at www.graphicaudio.net. I think anyone who enjoys fantasy will fall in love with this title and the authors. Be sure to check it out!
February 7, 2025
Chris Rohan's novel, Isolation, is a haunting exploration of the human psyche when subjected to prolonged seclusion. It draws readers into a world where the line between reality and imagination is blurred, creating a tense, psychological narrative that is both gripping and terrifying.
"Isolation is more than just being alone; it’s being alone with your own thoughts, your own fears."
Rohan’s prose is atmospheric and highly effective in setting the tone of creeping dread. His ability to build suspense is palpable from the very first chapter. The protagonist, Daniel, who finds himself stranded in a remote cabin during an unexpected snowstorm, quickly realizes that the physical isolation mirrors the unraveling of his mental state. As the days turn into weeks, and the storm shows no signs of relenting, the psychological strain on Daniel becomes unbearable.
Psychological depth: Rohan's portrayal of Daniel’s descent into madness is nuanced and terrifying. The slow-burn tension highlights how isolation amplifies internal fears. Setting: The remote cabin, surrounded by endless snow and silence, becomes a character in itself. Rohan’s vivid descriptions of the hostile environment deepen the reader’s immersion into Daniel’s deteriorating reality. Symbolism: The snowstorm serves as a metaphor for emotional and mental suppression, burying secrets and unresolved trauma under layers of cold indifference.One of the novel’s standout features is its pace. Rohan masterfully alternates between quiet, introspective moments and bursts of frantic paranoia, leaving readers constantly on edge. The sense of claustrophobia builds as Daniel begins to question what is real and what is a product of his own mind. The novel's title, Isolation, is not only a physical condition but a mental state, something Daniel grapples with as he starts to see figures in the snow—figures that may or may not be there.
Highlights of the Novel
Character Study: Rohan crafts Daniel as a deeply flawed, complex character. His past is gradually revealed, each revelation adding layers to the psychological tension. Unreliable Narration: As the novel progresses, Daniel’s grip on reality loosens, leaving the reader questioning his account of events. This uncertainty only adds to the novel’s unnerving atmosphere. Atmospheric Tension: The cold, oppressive environment mirrors Daniel's inner turmoil. The descriptions are so vivid that the reader can almost feel the biting cold and the suffocating quiet.While the novel excels in creating psychological tension, there are moments where the pacing slows, particularly in the middle sections, as Daniel’s internal monologue occasionally becomes repetitive. However, this can be interpreted as a deliberate narrative choice to emphasize the monotony and suffocating nature of isolation.
In conclusion, Isolation by Chris Rohan is a harrowing psychological thriller that delves deep into the human mind’s fragility. It asks the question: What happens when you are left alone with your thoughts for too long? The result is a terrifying yet captivating journey into madness. Fans of slow-burn psychological horror will find themselves enthralled by Rohan’s gripping tale.
March 9, 2020
Great all around. Was slow getting started, but could not stop reading for the last 7 hours. I also feel the quality is increased by having the authors play more of an active role in the audio production.
10/10 would read again (and probably will before the third book comes out).
10/10 would read again (and probably will before the third book comes out).
May 14, 2020
Incredible story, great concept, fresh ideas with surprising twists and turns. Every character is intriguing and multi-layered. On top of that, the music, sounds and overall audio-editing is perfection. I don't like audiobooks but I made an exception for this series, because it's just that good.
Read
July 29, 2025Gave up 20% into it after pushing myself on for most of the book hoping I'd somehow get into it.
Just nothing caught my interest. Would have helped if I read the synopsis as I'd probably have filtered it out then.
Just nothing caught my interest. Would have helped if I read the synopsis as I'd probably have filtered it out then.
September 7, 2019
good twist on what I thought would be a pretty straight forward good vs evil storyline.
May 13, 2021
loved the tortured path of the main hero
August 20, 2022
It's well written and I can't think of anything wrong with it but I really struggled to get into it. I don't think I'll be reading the rest of the series
July 9, 2023
(Favorite scene: *guy gets raped and almost dies.
Plot twist: he's into it)
Other than that: fun fantasy world. It is easy to read (or to listen to) which is refreshing. But overall not for me.
Plot twist: he's into it)
Other than that: fun fantasy world. It is easy to read (or to listen to) which is refreshing. But overall not for me.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews