Customer Reviews

Playing With Destiny

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Two brothers, approximately six years apart, seemingly different, but inevitably alike, plow into the other's lives with dire consequences in Phillip Duck's Playing With Destiny. In an effort to make the most of their lives, Colin and Courtney Sheffield, forge ahead with the future, having misguided thoughts about each other. A mistake in judgment and a lie from a female antagonist, sets the stage for the large range of emotions that pour from this story.

After the death of their father, Colin took it upon himself, with some coaxing from his mother, to step up and assist in raising his brother. What Courtney learned was betrayal, deceit and favoritism at the hands of his brother and other family members. Eventually Courtney entered adulthood mistrusting his family, while simultaneously seeking their approval and despising his older brother. Colin, a well-spoken writer of literary novels, is looking for his next big seller. Pitted against another popular author whose novels lack literary value, according to Colin, he fails miserably in an effort to compete. Courtney is entering his senior year of college with offers of entering the NBA draft and forgoing his senior year. Between his issues with Colin, the paternity of a child and his decision to enter the NBA draft, Courtney is at an impasse and makes terrible decisions that could ruin his career and life.

Phillip Duck did an excellent job of showcasing the intricacies of the NBA from the sports agents to the team trainers without the typical dumb, ghetto jock hype. His highlighting of the female characters was the catalyst of the story that brought about a climatic ending. However, Colin's competition with a rival author was not played out with a satisfying conclusion. In other words, we saw Colin's issues and his resolution, but the rival author disappeared from the scene. The elders' wisdom and experiences add a rich content and each characters' voice is exclusive to him or her. Playing With Destiny, as a debut novel, is an engrossing and well-written story about jealously, miscommunication and the impact and importance of family that stays with you for a lifetime.

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
APOOO BookClub

Phillip Thomas Duck has penned an engrossing tale of two brothers who's sibling rivalry is so bitter that nothing short of a mushroom cloud will quell its all consuming fire. Add to that, Colin's literary career is fledgling at best and his marriage is crumbling.

Worse yet, his younger brother, Courtney, has a promising career ahead of him and he's looking at tens of millions of dollars the moment he signs his NBA contract. He'll be young, and rich, with his whole life ahead of him; a sharp contrast to his older brother's predicament.

What happened in their checkered past?

How did it come to this?

What event triggered the hatred?

Playing with Destiny is a powerful story, written by a superior craftsmen. Expect even greater pieces of literature from this man!

Picking up this book, I thought it might be one of those "street life" stories, glorifying the violent conflicts of a certain kind of black man. But, thank God this book wasn't at all what I expected. Instead, it was a deeply moving tale of two brothers, both struggling to find their manhood and heal the wounds created by the errors of their pasts.

I literally could not put this book down until I reached the end. The narrative was gripping and this author, though male, wrote his female characters with a believeable sympathy. But the heart of the story is the brothers, both good men with flaws, who fight through their issues to resolve their relationships with themselves, the women in their lives, and each other.

Well done, Phillip Thomas Duck. I'll look forward to your next one!

When I first picked up Phillip Thomas Duck's novel, Playing With Destiny, I found myself critiquing his writing style - and thinking what a talented writer and storyteller he is. One that has the ability to make you feel as if you're right there, have known the characters all your life and can feel their pain and triumphs because he describes it all so vividly. Playing With Destiny is a story of two brothers, Colin and Courtney Sheffield, who are at odds with one another, all while on a quest for acceptance and self-discovery. I found myself wanting to help these brothers heal from all the heartache they suffered as a result of secrets from a troubled past; jealousy, lies, and deceit that threatens to destroy both of their lives. Colin and Courtney discover fatherhood and maturation in a story that demonstrates how issues left unchecked can prove to be unhealthy for even the most normal person. The characters were well developed, with flaws and issues that made them real enough to leap off the page. Characters like Lena (the epitome of a black mother), Nana (a candid grandmother who tells it like it is) and Uncle Carl (with his bad hip and wisdom that only an uncle has) are members of everybody's family. This is a story that will not only have you twisting and turning with every page, but reflecting on the characters' lives long after you've devoured the last three words. You will not be disappointed. If an author's craft can be compared to the aging of fine wine, then Phillip Thomas Duck is sure to deliver time and time again. Bravo, for a phenomenal debut.

Mr. Duck delivers a fascinating, eloquent tale about the human condition in PLAYING WITH DESTINY. Of the two brothers, Courtney was my favorite as the athlete angle wasn't overdone. The story held my interest and left me feeling rewarded when I finished. I'm glad Mr. Duck decided to share this with us.

Debut author Phillip Thomas Duck arrives on the scene with a bang! The story of two brothers, old as time, at odds with each other, is given an updated approach as Mr. Duck takes us deep into the lives of that infinite conflict. Collin is the literary master in which the world seems to have forgotten. Courtney is the hoop star dreamer who's choices in life put him at risk of loosing it all. With deep insight, Mr. Duck brings us a story in which the world of brains versus brawn collides, changing everything and everyone around them.

Whether its a lone figure going through his paces on an empty basketball court, or an author panel in which the 'hot button' topic of what mandates good fiction is examined, Phillip moves us smoothly and effortly through the scenery called life, forcing us to not only examine the characters he breathes real life into, but the choices, we as readers, have and will make.

Encompassing, entertaining and told with the keen eye of a true talent, Phillip Thomas Duck delivers with a powerful punch. He is authentic, the real deal and truly a gifted story teller. I eagerly await more works of this hot new talent. Phillip Thomas Duck, you have hit it out of the park with this one, and I say, bravo....

Margaret Johnson-Hodge
Author of "This Time"

Two brothers at odds are at the core of the novel Playing With Destiny. One brother is Colin Sheffield, a somewhat bitter writer who yearns to be more successful. His younger sibling is Courtney, a rising star in the world of basketball. These men have inner struggles, secrets, and past hurts that threaten to destroy everything they yearn to have. In spite of personal obstacles, will their ambitions drive the brothers apart, or unite them?

Playing With Destiny is a compulsively readable novel that highlights the talents of newcomer Phillip Thomas Duck. He is a fresh voice whose storytelling skills bring the familiarity of a well-tell story, plus his own unique way with words. Phil has a knack for unveiling an engaging story incorporating enough suspense to keep you turning the pages. What's also refreshing about Playing with Destiny are the characters -- Phill made them human; they have good days and bad days, joys and sorrows.

As Colin and Courtney tangle with certain issues, we see that the characters are relatable. They talk about and experience situations that we can understand. They live in a real world -- with real emotions -- all of which makes for a real wonderful read.

Powerful to say the least...I stumbled upon this author by accident but am sure glad I did. I couldn't put it down! He does a great job of character development and the story wasn't just another formulaic predictable thing. I certainly hope to see much more from this new author! And if you haven't, check out his website and be sure to read the free novella available to download!

One mistake. That's all it takes to turn not only your own life upside down, but also the lives of those around you. Throughout PLAYING WITH DESTINY, the mainstream debut novel of author Phill Duck, the author shows how each of the main characters and the antagonists make the mistakes of those in relationships, in doubt, or in turmoil with their inner selves. His writing is emotional and touching, while at the same time dramatic and powerful. I wanted the characters to work through their issues, to come to one accord, and to realize the importance of family and loving one another.

My only grievance with the book was the ending. I simply cannot believe the author chose to end the book in this manner, it was a set-up for a sequel, but in my mind, it could have ended here. In spite of this, Duck does leave room for deep reflection on ones life and the destiny that awaits us. (RAW Rating: 4.5)

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

Phillip Thomas Duck's 'Playing With Destiny' is a poignant tale of two brothers emotionally crippled by their love/hate for the other.

Older brother Colin Sheffield is a critically acclaimed author recognized for his serious literature. But critical acclaim does not equal chart topping sales or making bestsellers' lists consistently as some authors of "light" books do. His relationship with his wife Liza, like his career, is on shaky ground. His relationship with his brother is near non-existence. Add to this his past transgressions that are eating away at him.

Courtney Sheffield went from living in the shadows of one, the failures of his father, to another, the accomplishments of his brother. He's determined to make a success of himself in the NBA even at the sake of his education. Life should be good, but instead he's weighed down by the betrayal of those he loved the most.

As both brothers struggle with current dilemmas, they also see the need to face their past and the love and jealousy of their brotherhood in order to move forward.

Phillip Thomas Duck deals with the raw emotions of a family hurting and in need of emotional first aid. Good debut mainstream novel as Duck distinguishes himself as a skilled writer.