What do you think?
Rate this book
A Gamble With Fate
"You want to refree America to make it...home again?"
"I want to bring the hope of freedom. I want others to be able to live, not just survive."
Our serendipitous tale begins in the year 3018, with the death of stories and soldiers and a lone man riding away into the city of Indianapolis with the last holy book called the Vykup, the story the government tried desperately to destroy since the war of 2020. The iron rule of The Red Ming over China, Russia, and America left the people starved for uncensored words and ready to riot.
This tale unfortunately envelopes a sarcastic artist named Olika Fallegt who has a vendetta to be forgotten from the world after her parent's death. Everything's going according to her plan until her apartment becomes a collision course for a man on the run from The Red Ming.
Follow the Author in Instagram
@Raphiel_Diederich for sequel updates, Character Trivia and more!
"I want to bring the hope of freedom. I want others to be able to live, not just survive."
Our serendipitous tale begins in the year 3018, with the death of stories and soldiers and a lone man riding away into the city of Indianapolis with the last holy book called the Vykup, the story the government tried desperately to destroy since the war of 2020. The iron rule of The Red Ming over China, Russia, and America left the people starved for uncensored words and ready to riot.
This tale unfortunately envelopes a sarcastic artist named Olika Fallegt who has a vendetta to be forgotten from the world after her parent's death. Everything's going according to her plan until her apartment becomes a collision course for a man on the run from The Red Ming.
Follow the Author in Instagram
@Raphiel_Diederich for sequel updates, Character Trivia and more!
- GenresDystopia
342 pages, Paperback
First published March 28, 2022
3 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 30, 2022
Personally I found it amazing!
Whimsical - description and metaphors.
interweaving backstory with the books current event's and plot
Detailed lovable ensemble of characters.
Wide errary of creative settings that capture the mood of each scene.
You're transported to a whole new world in a matter of seconds
(Oh... but perhaps I'm biased 😍)
Whimsical - description and metaphors.
interweaving backstory with the books current event's and plot
Detailed lovable ensemble of characters.
Wide errary of creative settings that capture the mood of each scene.
You're transported to a whole new world in a matter of seconds
(Oh... but perhaps I'm biased 😍)
January 20, 2023
For some reason I'm weirdly terrified to write the review for this book, probably because I LOVED it and am afraid I won't do it justice haha.
Okay, first and foremost, I love the characters. The story is much more character-driven than plot-driven, but I'm a characters person anyway. The characters are all so real, with vibrant personalities and backstories just ahhhhhH they're amazing. Olika and Ritter are tied for my favorite character, and they're also my favorite character dynamic. The banter. The inside jokes and such. Just - just - idk. Everything. They're amazing.
The way the book is written is really unusual (or maybe it isn't unusual and I've just never seen it before idk) but there are chapters that feel like they're happening "now," in first person POV, and then a good number of backstory chapters written in third person. I didn't really like that at first, but it grew on me and now I think it's kinda cool. The backstories explore many different characters, too, not just the MCs. Sometimes it was really confusing, but I tried to guess at the gaps, and I'm hoping the next book will explain some of the confusing bits, too.
The main thing I did not like about AGWF was the large number of grammar/spelling problems. Sometimes a single sentence is written in third person when the entire rest of the chapter is first person (and there are similar problems with tense), and there are a lot of sentence fragments. And if you know me tolerably well, you know I am a grammar nerd. But guys. GuYs. The story is so good, I kid you not, I barely cared about the grammar problems by the end.
The characters, as previously mentioned, are one of my favorite things about AGWF, but my absolute favorite is the themes and messages and the character struggles aljbgefKJTVKEf and I guess yes that makes the characters part of my absolute favorite too lol. I was having an existential crisis with Olika while Ritter was talking about why she wants to live, and all. Like, this book made me THINK and dig into my own mind and what have you, and I love a book that makes me think.
Cleanness/content: there are some curse words here and there but not an excessive amount. Other than that, completely clean. Wait unless you count the shady underground place they go to but it's not like anything explicit actually happens or is even really discussed so I would still say it's clean. Uhhh there is some violence, but not a lot really. The romance subplot(s?) are quite clean and honestly I love the way the main romance subplot was done; it's very light and it's built up as a friendship which imo is the best way to do it.
So to sum up I adore this book so very much and I absolutely 1000% recommend it please read it the end
Okay, first and foremost, I love the characters. The story is much more character-driven than plot-driven, but I'm a characters person anyway. The characters are all so real, with vibrant personalities and backstories just ahhhhhH they're amazing. Olika and Ritter are tied for my favorite character, and they're also my favorite character dynamic. The banter. The inside jokes and such. Just - just - idk. Everything. They're amazing.
The way the book is written is really unusual (or maybe it isn't unusual and I've just never seen it before idk) but there are chapters that feel like they're happening "now," in first person POV, and then a good number of backstory chapters written in third person. I didn't really like that at first, but it grew on me and now I think it's kinda cool. The backstories explore many different characters, too, not just the MCs. Sometimes it was really confusing, but I tried to guess at the gaps, and I'm hoping the next book will explain some of the confusing bits, too.
The main thing I did not like about AGWF was the large number of grammar/spelling problems. Sometimes a single sentence is written in third person when the entire rest of the chapter is first person (and there are similar problems with tense), and there are a lot of sentence fragments. And if you know me tolerably well, you know I am a grammar nerd. But guys. GuYs. The story is so good, I kid you not, I barely cared about the grammar problems by the end.
The characters, as previously mentioned, are one of my favorite things about AGWF, but my absolute favorite is the themes and messages and the character struggles aljbgefKJTVKEf and I guess yes that makes the characters part of my absolute favorite too lol. I was having an existential crisis with Olika while Ritter was talking about why she wants to live, and all. Like, this book made me THINK and dig into my own mind and what have you, and I love a book that makes me think.
Cleanness/content: there are some curse words here and there but not an excessive amount. Other than that, completely clean. Wait unless you count the shady underground place they go to but it's not like anything explicit actually happens or is even really discussed so I would still say it's clean. Uhhh there is some violence, but not a lot really. The romance subplot(s?) are quite clean and honestly I love the way the main romance subplot was done; it's very light and it's built up as a friendship which imo is the best way to do it.
So to sum up I adore this book so very much and I absolutely 1000% recommend it please read it the end
May 27, 2022
The plot had me on the edge of my seat, the romance was perfection, and the ending made me cry and sceam and almost chuck the book against the wall.
Terrible book.
5 stars.
Terrible book.
5 stars.
January 8, 2023
I don't want to spoil anything but I liked the plot - the importance of the Vykup, the book that is going to be a big help to one of the groups of the story. It was different from anything I read so far since the last thing I read it was a lot to do with abilities. I like reading about characters with powers, its cool but it was nice getting familiar with a known world with normal regular humans that still have motivations to change the world.
The characters!!!! Ritter is my favorite. I love how main female character, Olika Fallegt, seems serious and bitter, and fhe main male character, Ritter Heighland, is like a wild card, just mischievous and humorous all the time. THEY are an iconic duo. I loved their interactions - uhm, grumpy x sunshine trope - they fit that PERFECTLY 😍
I loved Olika and Ritter's interactions from the beginning to the end. I was very invested in how they'd change by the end of the story - how they'd develop and I found myself so overjoyed that they did. Olika needed Ritter's lighthearted-ness in her life and Ritter needed to maybe step behind that optimistic side he shows.
I like how realistic Olika and Ritter both are - I know people who mask their emotions with a lighter look on whatever situation happening, it sometimes feels like an easier thing to do than to break down when things get hard. And then Olika is very real with how she's a bit pessimistic and bitter about things. We all deal with tough situations differently and I liked that a lot how different Olika and Ritter were especially with it came to situations they were both in.
There were some editing and punctuation errors, but that's no fault to the author at all. I liked how in the beginning there was action happening that captured your attention. Once I got to maybe a little in the end of the beginning portion, it did go a little slow, but once I reached the middle there was a lot happening that kept my attention to the very end. I noticed that there was a change of point of views like a few chapters were in first person and then the next one or two were third person, but even with that I was able to keep up with what was happening.
I also have to mention the pop culture references in the book that were such a joy like McDingles and Bucci - I loved that 😍😍👏 - it was just a cool take on well-known things today. I wouldn't think to do that so it was nice to see it just showed creativity of the author and just a way to bring me, as the reader, into the world being set but in 3018. Also the end left me with my jaw dropping and then I read the very last page and was like "what?!" It just got me more excited and happy that this story doesn't end here with A Gamble with Fate 🤍
The characters!!!! Ritter is my favorite. I love how main female character, Olika Fallegt, seems serious and bitter, and fhe main male character, Ritter Heighland, is like a wild card, just mischievous and humorous all the time. THEY are an iconic duo. I loved their interactions - uhm, grumpy x sunshine trope - they fit that PERFECTLY 😍
I loved Olika and Ritter's interactions from the beginning to the end. I was very invested in how they'd change by the end of the story - how they'd develop and I found myself so overjoyed that they did. Olika needed Ritter's lighthearted-ness in her life and Ritter needed to maybe step behind that optimistic side he shows.
I like how realistic Olika and Ritter both are - I know people who mask their emotions with a lighter look on whatever situation happening, it sometimes feels like an easier thing to do than to break down when things get hard. And then Olika is very real with how she's a bit pessimistic and bitter about things. We all deal with tough situations differently and I liked that a lot how different Olika and Ritter were especially with it came to situations they were both in.
There were some editing and punctuation errors, but that's no fault to the author at all. I liked how in the beginning there was action happening that captured your attention. Once I got to maybe a little in the end of the beginning portion, it did go a little slow, but once I reached the middle there was a lot happening that kept my attention to the very end. I noticed that there was a change of point of views like a few chapters were in first person and then the next one or two were third person, but even with that I was able to keep up with what was happening.
I also have to mention the pop culture references in the book that were such a joy like McDingles and Bucci - I loved that 😍😍👏 - it was just a cool take on well-known things today. I wouldn't think to do that so it was nice to see it just showed creativity of the author and just a way to bring me, as the reader, into the world being set but in 3018. Also the end left me with my jaw dropping and then I read the very last page and was like "what?!" It just got me more excited and happy that this story doesn't end here with A Gamble with Fate 🤍
January 2, 2023
It was quite an interesting book, with just a bit of editing it could have been a favourite
May 29, 2022
This book is everything one (me) could wish for.
Fabolous romance, characters with, that -for once- had morals, plot twists, adorable characters (Nemno, Milo and Nadia my beloved), sarcastic characters (Ritter and Olika <3), cool giant robots, Christian themes, and many beautiful and poetic lines that underlined most of the book.
And I usually don't underline books.
To sum up the experience I had while reading this book, I must share a quote from page 175 of the book itself.
"I could only hope I remembered to breathe, caught up in the world of perfect words, and the tragic story hers told."
This story was tragic indeed (especially that ending, it was so sad!), but the hope that sparked from the characters, especially the ones that joined The Way, brought light to their sad and unjust world.
And of course, we can still hope for a better future for our beloved characters in the sequels.
The only thing that bothered me a little was that there are some grammatical errors here and there, but nothing that couldn't be compensated by the beautiful prose.
In conclusion, go read this fantastic book!
Fabolous romance, characters with, that -for once- had morals, plot twists, adorable characters (Nemno, Milo and Nadia my beloved), sarcastic characters (Ritter and Olika <3), cool giant robots, Christian themes, and many beautiful and poetic lines that underlined most of the book.
And I usually don't underline books.
To sum up the experience I had while reading this book, I must share a quote from page 175 of the book itself.
"I could only hope I remembered to breathe, caught up in the world of perfect words, and the tragic story hers told."
This story was tragic indeed (especially that ending, it was so sad!), but the hope that sparked from the characters, especially the ones that joined The Way, brought light to their sad and unjust world.
And of course, we can still hope for a better future for our beloved characters in the sequels.
The only thing that bothered me a little was that there are some grammatical errors here and there, but nothing that couldn't be compensated by the beautiful prose.
In conclusion, go read this fantastic book!
October 16, 2022
OH BOY OH BOY! I love the theme of this book and there aren’t enough like it 🙌 I’m so happy to see some sense of injustice and the importance of morality in these pages. The execution isn’t flawless, but it is enough and that’s what counts! Trying to do right in a wrong world. What a tale. Can’t wait for book 2
Plus Ritter is the most charming mans ever and makes me think Rex Dangervest (Lego Chris Pratt from that one movie)
Plus Ritter is the most charming mans ever and makes me think Rex Dangervest (Lego Chris Pratt from that one movie)
June 18, 2022
amazing story, lovable characters, powerful message and the plot that keeps you on the edge of your sit. This book quickly became one of the best I've read this year, would recommend! (also the author is cool :)
August 27, 2023
“Peachy”
So I decided to annotate it, and then realized it would take me forever and I did want to finish it before school started—so I’ll just have to re-read ;)
A Gamble With Fate is such a unique read, what with its prose and characters and just overall creation of a society 1,000 years in the future.
I throughly enjoyed this read, and while it needed a lot more cleaning up in the grammar area, the plot made up for it… oh who am I kidding?
Ritter made up for it.
Also, Raphiel, how could you?
Ratings:
Plot: 4/5
- there were just a few things I had trouble understanding but they were either cleared up later on, or I’m assuming they’ll be addressed in book two.
Characters: 5/5
- I absolutely loved all of the characters and their interactions with each other! Especially Ritter and Olika <3
Prose: 4/5
- I don’t know how she did it, but Raphiel did a great job at painting beautiful descriptions for my mind to imagine!
Grammar/Punctuation: 2/5
- this is really what made it difficult to get through. I’m a big good-grammar enthusiast, and it took me a while to turn my inner editor off.
Overall: 4/5
- all I want to say: I loved Ritter.
So I decided to annotate it, and then realized it would take me forever and I did want to finish it before school started—so I’ll just have to re-read ;)
A Gamble With Fate is such a unique read, what with its prose and characters and just overall creation of a society 1,000 years in the future.
I throughly enjoyed this read, and while it needed a lot more cleaning up in the grammar area, the plot made up for it… oh who am I kidding?
Ritter made up for it.
Also, Raphiel, how could you?
Ratings:
Plot: 4/5
- there were just a few things I had trouble understanding but they were either cleared up later on, or I’m assuming they’ll be addressed in book two.
Characters: 5/5
- I absolutely loved all of the characters and their interactions with each other! Especially Ritter and Olika <3
Prose: 4/5
- I don’t know how she did it, but Raphiel did a great job at painting beautiful descriptions for my mind to imagine!
Grammar/Punctuation: 2/5
- this is really what made it difficult to get through. I’m a big good-grammar enthusiast, and it took me a while to turn my inner editor off.
Overall: 4/5
- all I want to say: I loved Ritter.
February 16, 2024
This is an absolute gem of a story! Everything about the characters, plot, and dynamics are amazing. The emotions displayed across the board and how the characters react is very authentic and relatable. You can come from any background and find some relation to a character in this story. It’s very clear the writer put her entire heart into this story, the book definitely reflects that. As a Christianity related book, there are some underlying details, meanings, and even some events that are hidden behind a glorious door found in Christ. You can read A Gamble With Fate 1000 times over and still come back to find something you missed (Somewhat reminiscent of the Bible). It’s clear her love for God influenced her writing; almost like a modern disciple of Christ. The author is amazing at capturing spiritual and physical aspects of reality and making them come together into a beautiful work of art. There are some grammatical errors within the book, but it barely takes away from how amazing the story is.
March 2, 2023
I loved A Gamble with Fate! The story line with a cyberpunk setting was so cool and unique as I haven’t read many books like that. This book had fantastic prose and imagery that made me feel like I was there.
Ritter and Olika are strong main characters that create laugh-out-loud scenarios and I loved watching them grow and change throughout the book. Diederich is a beautiful storyteller who left me wanting more. I cannot wait for the next book!
Ritter and Olika are strong main characters that create laugh-out-loud scenarios and I loved watching them grow and change throughout the book. Diederich is a beautiful storyteller who left me wanting more. I cannot wait for the next book!
Read
November 26, 2025A Gamble With Fate is a story full of beautifully portrayed grief, dynamic characters, and complex morality. In a world with such a skewed perception of right and wrong, this book shines a light in the darkness.
The characters are wonderfully witty. I always enjoyed getting to know more about them. While I love Olika and Ritter spending time just the two of them, when Milo is thrown into the mix the three of them REALLY shine, with their differences and similarities.
I love the dialogue as well. The characters’ banter and their individual goals, strengths, weaknesses, and desires were well thought out and believable. I love Olika’s reluctance, Ritter’s eagerness, and how Milo is often somewhere in the middle.
The antagonist is also fantastic, with a morally complex partner I simply ADORE.
The prose and descriptions were also breathtaking.
Not to mention half a dozen lines that should be on a mug or T-Shirt—they’re so unforgettable.
The main thing that stood out to me with this book were the grief portrayals. Each one feels as though it was crafted with care, and each loss is carried with extreme weight and consideration. No loss feels solely like a plot device. Every death, whether it took place ten years ago or a day ago, has an impact. The characters carry the weight of their grief with them, and it’s not soon forgotten or pushed aside. It’s present in everything. And it’s beautiful.
The characters are wonderfully witty. I always enjoyed getting to know more about them. While I love Olika and Ritter spending time just the two of them, when Milo is thrown into the mix the three of them REALLY shine, with their differences and similarities.
I love the dialogue as well. The characters’ banter and their individual goals, strengths, weaknesses, and desires were well thought out and believable. I love Olika’s reluctance, Ritter’s eagerness, and how Milo is often somewhere in the middle.
The antagonist is also fantastic, with a morally complex partner I simply ADORE.
The prose and descriptions were also breathtaking.
Not to mention half a dozen lines that should be on a mug or T-Shirt—they’re so unforgettable.
The main thing that stood out to me with this book were the grief portrayals. Each one feels as though it was crafted with care, and each loss is carried with extreme weight and consideration. No loss feels solely like a plot device. Every death, whether it took place ten years ago or a day ago, has an impact. The characters carry the weight of their grief with them, and it’s not soon forgotten or pushed aside. It’s present in everything. And it’s beautiful.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews