Adaptation

Playing Gods #2

by Chris Rohan, Karen Rohan

Picking up exactly where Playing Gods 1: Isolation left off, Playing Gods 2: Adaptation brings the zehuderan warriors Xriah and Vylis to the world of Gravios. A far cry from the last plane where the two battled, Gravios is an ocean world of cybernetically augmented humans and post-apocalyptic sea vessels. All land on Gravios has been completely submerged into the depths, the sea level elevated by the planet-swallowing marine creature known as the Grava. In this arena of hostile waters and cyborg warriors, this plane’s denizens may prove a more formidable factor than others have been in this endless two-man war. It should be an easy victory for Vylis, though. After pushing his foe past the breaking point, Vylis should be able to capitalize on one of Xriah’s trademark mistake-filled rages. This time, however, things are different. Xriah is different, and this new Xriah might just be a little more calculating than Vylis bargained for.

Meanwhile, the goddess Synandri’s right hand man Xzarius is rewarded for his heroic efforts on the last plane with a new task: assisting another zehuderan named Vellady in her ascension to the Nexusplane. The eventual fate of all successful zehuderan, ascension is the ultimate trial, presenting challenges few zehuderan are equipped to handle. Even with the help of Xzarius, these new obstacles may prove too unfathomable for Vellady to overcome.

With lives so long, the routines so ingrained, change is difficult. Our coping strategies for new challenges are themselves challenged, and survival itself is often at stake. The only way to overcome change is to embrace it. The only way to survive is to Adapt ...

Genres: Fantasy

6 pages, Audiobook

Published June 19, 2019

About the author

Chris 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.

Reviews

[Akshay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adaptation by Chris Rohan

"Adaptation" is a gripping tale of survival, resilience, and the search for meaning in a world that has drastically changed. With a riveting plot and multi-layered characters, Chris Rohan has crafted a narrative that resonates deeply with the themes of human endurance and adaptability. The prose is both haunting and poetic, making it a truly unforgettable experience for readers."

Chris Rohan’s "Adaptation" thrusts readers into a world where human beings must evolve in the face of an unprecedented catastrophe. At its heart, the novel explores the deep emotional and psychological impacts of adaptation — not just physical, but mental and moral changes in the wake of disaster.

Plot Overview: The story is set in a not-so-distant future where society has been shaken by environmental and biological upheaval. Humans now live in fragmented enclaves, each isolated from the other, grappling with mysterious and dangerous changes to their environment. The central plot follows two main protagonists, Nathan and Elise, who are part of a small community struggling to survive. The narrative alternates between their personal journeys as they confront the dilemma of change: adapting or perishing.

Atmosphere and Tone: One of the novel’s strongest aspects is its atmosphere. Rohan creates a stark, almost oppressive setting that reflects the tension within the characters. The world-building is thorough, and readers can easily imagine the desolate landscapes, the eerie silences, and the palpable sense of dread that pervades every chapter. The tone is melancholic but not hopeless. There are moments of beauty, where the resilience of human spirit is celebrated, despite the overwhelming odds.

Themes: At the core of the novel is the question: How far will humanity go to survive? The ethical implications of adaptation are explored in various forms throughout the novel. While some characters embrace the idea of evolving into something new, others cling to the old world’s principles, even at the cost of their survival. "Adaptation" also delves into the loneliness of transformation, as characters struggle with the loss of identity and the isolation that comes with change.

Chris Rohan’s writing style is vivid, with an almost cinematic quality to his descriptions. His character-driven narrative is supported by rich dialogue and internal monologues that feel authentic and raw. Readers are drawn into the minds of the characters, making their internal conflicts and struggles more visceral. There are moments when the pacing slows, but these lulls are purposeful, allowing space for introspection and emotional depth.

  Character Analysis:

The characters in "Adaptation" are its true backbone, and Rohan does an exceptional job of developing their complexities.

  Final Thoughts:

In conclusion, "Adaptation" is an emotionally charged and thought-provoking novel that offers more than just a dystopian survival story. It is a meditation on change—whether it’s forced upon us by external events or chosen as a means of growth. Chris Rohan challenges his readers to question their own limits of adaptability and confronts them with a future that feels all too plausible.

Rohan’s portrayal of humanity’s struggle against both external forces and internal demons makes "Adaptation" a standout work in the speculative fiction genre. It is a story that lingers long after the final page, and one that encourages deep reflection on the nature of evolution, survival, and what it means to be human.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

[Dan Snyder · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was skeptical of the change of pace in the series, since the way book 1 ended, even with the post-credits scene of the GraphicAudio production hinting at what was to come.
It was a major slog to finish the book, but as was the case with book 1, passing through the slog put me in the middle of the action, and actually changed my mind on the topic of continuing.
If you are a patient person, and can withstand the wait for the steep incline to the climax of a book, then these are just what you need! Humorous characters, an... intriguing story with no shortage of deceptions, and interesting locations, Playing Gods as a whole can be quite good, when you way.

[Vinícius Ceciliano · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the first one felt like a complete story, this one seemed too much like a prologue to the next book, introducing new characters and conflicts that weren't reall settled. That said, I really enjoyed pretty much every character conflict and storyline, but the fact we didn't get a complete story or even a proper arc or development for some characters felt somewhat hollow.

[Aleksa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is kilometres better than the previous one. I think this threelogy should be read all at once just to comprehend how much everything changes.
The plot twist. The characters shown... Very good.
The thing that got me annoyed is that there is no gay people as of now. It's not a deal breaker by any means, but it's kind of boring for me personaly.