Tragic and Twisted fell in love…
Ave Satanas, something wicked this way comes.It’s time for the reckoning to begin.Enter the Devil’s Playground wary where you tread, for demons are lurking with trickery up their sleeves.Here good and bad cease to exist, and not all will make it to the end.The price of freedom will be revealed only after bloodshed and rapture. A claiming of one and purging of … rapture.
A claiming of one and purging of others.
That audio recording played exactly three minutes before the crash.
It was a riddle, a warning, and a promise. But they didn’t know that until it was too late.
Now stranded with two friends and a group of apprehensive strangers, Liliana Serpine must decide who and who not to trust as she navigates her way through Hell in the form of an opulent city.
There’s one person who stands out among the others.
He has a gorgeous face and a darkly enigmatic aura. Being drawn to him is inevitable, but staying by his side becomes a necessity for survival.
When secrets start being revealed in blood, everything changes. From dabbling in the taboo, being tempted by the forbidden, and falling in lust with the carnage.
For those that make it out of this alive, they’ll never be the same people they once were.
Warning
Devil’s Playground is a dark new adult (not high school) series. There are graphic situations and content some readers may find objective. If you need fluff and sweet romance, this is not the series for you. Periculum is a precursor for Maleficium and reveals the lead-up to the events in that book. The remaining books in the series are standalones.
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Liliana “Lana” Serpine has just been away at a resort with her two best friends, Gracelyn and Melantha, and is on the bus headed to the airport when tragedy strikes and the bus crashes.
With them on the bus is four guys, Ciarin, Maverick, Charon and Kyrus, who take a protective intersest over the girls as they try and figure out what is going on.
Yet Lana soon realizes that they have entered the Devil’s Playground and she must decide whether she can trust Ciarin or if she can make it on their own.
Riddle after riddle they must figure out the clues before another one of them dies.
This was a super interesting read and so different than what I thought it was going to be and it constantly changed into more surprises page after page.
I liked Lana and her close relationship with Grace and Mel but you could tell that there was much more to Lana than what we were given. You gradually learn more about what Lana can handle but I am really curious about her past and her family and how everything ties in with her abuela.
Ciarin was interesting for sure as he was cold as ice yet he was very protective over Lana and was willing to sacrifice anyone to keep her safe. He seemed to know things about her but we don’t know how or why things are happening and what his link is to Lana.
There was so much chemistry between Lana and Ciarin that I wasn’t surprised when things happened between them.
The stuff that happened in Devil’s Playground were shocking and not for the faint at heart. Definitely make sure you are not eating while reading!
The end was completely shocking and I had no idea everything was leading to that which really makes me wonder what all happened and why!
Can’t wait for the next book so I can put everything together!
4.5 Stars
By Rebecca
Bennett does it again.
Honestly, that could be my entire review for every single book, because I get blown away with each release.
I love Liliana. A heroine in semi control of her demons? Yes, please.
And Ciaran, ready to lead her exactly where he wants her, even if she doesn’t make it easy on him.
Just the right amount of horrific things happening, with a touch of the other stuff as well.
My brain is busted. I need part 2.
What in the sh** did I just read?!
Okay so imagine being in The Purge. Sort of. With your besties. And you’re in some twisted as* game with hot guys who seem to know a lot about you.
You get a vibe of them all being like supernatural mates?! Or partners in some twisted way that the females can’t seem to remember.
“If I were tripping off acid, I might’ve been able to come up with something. As it was, her guess would be just as good as mine.”
I thought for the longest time this was about friends on a really bad acid trip. By then the ending had me like.. okay.. maybe this was a test to join a damn cult?
Are they human? Demons?
I’m so intrigued and once again Natalie Bennett has me saying WTF out loud like 20 times.
I was lucky enough to read an ARC and will definitely pre-order the second book.
Wow! This book was wild! It was absolutely crazy! My favorite kind of read! This author knows how to mess with your mind!!
It’s like being stuck in a game but with riddles. This is a must read.
“This had always been my doubled edged affliction. I wished for normal but craved the unstable , wanted the filthy and depraved.”
Something wicked this way comes has never been more accurate! Jam packed full of so many twists and turns, so much darkness and a cast of characters that’ll keep you guessing from page one. Seriously, Natalie Bennett has created yet another dark and twisted book world that will have you completely enraptured… white knuckling your kindle && as per usual she keeps you guessing until the very last page. All of that plus THAT ENDING !?! I now have so many questions, more questions on top of those questions and a massive book hangover. & I regret nothing! SO GOOD
Periculum is a delicious maze of mind feckery. From start to finish you are in a devilish and dark game. Who will survive? Who is at the end? I loved every minute of it!
From the start we are stuck in a fecked up world of elite families who play the devil’s games. This game being deadly than others. Lana and Ciaran’s dark connection begins with just a glance. These two play a deadly game around each other but you wouldn’t have it any other way. Lana has something depraved inside of her begging to be unleashed, I hope it breaks it’s chains. She has the potential to be something so dark, beautiful, and deadly. It will match up perfectly with Ciaran, who refuses to hide his demons.
Periculum is beyond fecked up, but I can’t help but crave more. Natalie Bennett outdone herself with this one!
Periculum is book one in the ‘Devil’s Playground’ series by Natalie Bennett and boy is it going to mess with your mind! The book focuses on Liliana Serpine, a girl who throughout the story we don’t know much about, apart from the fact that she comes from an influential, old family. At the end of her holidays with her girlfriends Grace and Mel, they are involved in a series of events which lands them in the kill or be killed zone.
This book introduces a lot of characters at one, but has a big focus on Ciaran and his band of brothers who we see throughout the story. But the main focus is certainly on Lana and Ciaran as they play a game of cat and mouse without any real answers. The book takes all the characters through the ‘Devil’s Playground’, where Lana seems to be the main precursor to the event, but doesn’t understand why. It is only through reading the book that we see she has similar non emotive traits like Ciaran, but he definitely has his own agenda, which I guess we’re going to have to wait until book two to figure out what it was. There is a strange relationship between Lana and Ciaran, as though they know each other before but Lana doesn’t just know where, as well as some sexual tension which is off the charts.
Basically, the book is a cross between ‘The Purge’, American Horror Story’ and a classic murder mystery. You never know who to trust and what everyone’s end game is going to be. There is a game to be played and Lana and her friends are definitely in the middle of it. We do know that it all relates back to their ‘families’ but you can’t quite grasp that thread yet!
There are certainly some triggers to this book and it isn’t for the faint hearted by any means! If you do read this book, beware that you are going to go on a hedonistic ride of the demented senses!
ARC received for a fair, honest and sometimes long review
More of my reviews can be found on my blog: https://thehotmesslibrary.blogspot.com
If you are familiar with this author I don’t need to warn you of the darkness as well as the pure awesomeness of her stories. This one was another ride that led me down the dark road to the Devil’s Playground. I was hooked from the first scene because I thought I knew what was coming, I thought I had an idea of what the story would be and the expectations for the story line. I was wrong but then again I always am with this author. She builds these dark stories that are just brilliant. Gahh… I really want to give you something here but this story needs to be experience, you need to follow along with the characters and experience the story as they do. I will say this, it is a horror movie with mind games and brilliant twists and turns. If you like dark, this is a must read!!! I had the extreme pleasure of reading this ARC and I am leaving my honest review. I cannot wait for book two, edge of my seat ere, LOL.
Natalie did it again!!
Although I like all her books, her Savages series has always had my heart…. but this book is a close second
I liked how she fed u pieces of the characters, keeping u wondering how deep their layers would go!! I cannot wait to find out more, to see what they develop into!
The story has a “purge” feel to it, and reminiscent of those stories that start out normal only to see how one event can lead to another. The ever question of “ is this coincidence or a part of an intricate evil plan!!
I could see the scenes, the characters vividly in my mind, with each turn of the page and I was so sad when it was over!! I’m impatiently awaiting the next book!!
Natalie is brilliant, this book is more proof of how amazing her mind is!!
This book was awesome!! I loved the characters and it really makes you wonder if Ciaran is the devil himself. I can’t wait for book 2!!
Natalie Bennett takes us on a gory and exciting journey!! Had a suspenseful edge to it!! Eerie!! The devil’s playground! Fantastic read that leaves you stunned and needing more!!
What the ever loving mind fuck!?!? GAHHHHHH
I need more right now!
I have to say, out of all the Natalie Bennett books I’ve read, this one creeped me out the most! (in a good way) It wasn’t even anywhere near as gorey as Savages, and that’s my HANDS DOWN favorite, but I felt like I was living in a horror movie and that is the stuff of my nightmares! Being locked in with someone manipulating games to kill everyone off, and let’s not forget the crazy freaking clown! This book absolutely did it’s job! It made me shake with anticipation and I was freaking out at what was going to happen to next! I had theories on who was behind it and my mind got blown away! I never knew what was going to happen and it creeped me the hell out. God I love Natalie Bennett and I need to go live in her mind! While Savages is my number 1, this just gave Lawless Kingdom a run for it’s money for second slot! So damn twisted, and dark, and I LOVED IT.
The Game of Clue
(“I desire the things that will destroy me in the end”) Who did it, the butler the maid or was it Colonel Mustard with a arrow?.. I like the guessing game going on in the book. Lana’s “bad chick”(I do relate to her being uncomfortable about other peoples feelings)persona seems to forced. I do like her friends(Melantha and Gracelyn) they are her best quality they also seem like they keep Lana’s head on her shoulders. On to the boys.( Ciaran Maverick Charon Kyrous ) as always with a Natalie Bennett book she make her men beautiful disasters, sweet talking jerks with tattoos..(was gonna use a bad word). “I don’t think with my vagina”(One of my favorite lines in this book..Yes she does!)… the book might seem a little predictable but it still had me guessing. I really do hate cliffhangers. But, Good things come to those who wait.
This book just right in and takes you on a bus ride to hell.
Liliana just wanted a good vacation with her two best friends before having to go back to their “normal” life. (there’s hints here and there about her life but not enough to get a good feel for)
Ciaran… just wanted…. IDK what (at least not full, not yet)
Liliana is drawn to Ciaran but she can’t really figure out why other than his physical attraction and darkness. He also seems familiar to her but she can’t figure out why that is either.
By the end more about him comes to light.
This book ends on a cliffhanger with the girls walking into what seems to be the center of hell.
Right into the fire…. I wonder what will burn.
I recieved an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
“We’re all full of hellish intent, demons wrapped in pretty packages. The more beautiful someone is, the more vicious those demons tend to be.”
Periculum is a prequel to Liliana and Ciaran’s story. With all books Natalie Bennett, this is a dark and twisted read as she brings us through the Devils Playground. I thoroughly enjoyed the gruesome scenes and Ciarans dark and twisted personality. Beware if you dont like things that totally defy the norm then Natalie’s stories are not for you! But they are so for me!
OMG!!! I was not ready for this one this series is going to be so f**king good. I need the next book now please!!!! I don’t have words describe how much I loved Periculum it was dark,depraved, twisted and all kinds of messed up. It’s is going to have u saying wtf is going on so many times. I don’t want to give to much away just that you need to read It now its going to blow your mind. If I could give it more then 5 stars I would I can’t wait to see what happens next.
What an intriguing start to a new series! The Devil’s Playground is suspenseful, scary, dark and twisted, mysterious and beguiling.
I don’t want to give any spoilers away, so my synopsis will be brief. Our story begins with our heroine, Liliana (aka Lana) and her besties-since-birth Mel and Gracelyn are heading home from a fun girls getaway as a last hoorah before pending adult responsibilities and find themselves on a airport shuttle with a motley crew of other vacation goers. This bus, and our story, takes an unexpected turn that results in our characters finding themselves in a sick and twisted nightmare of a situation, a veritable psychotic “playground” full of some of your world nightmares and confusing riddles. Our lady and her friends, along with other bus riders, find themselves in a situation that they don’t understand and neither do we.
Included in our bus troupe are 4 deliciously handsome men, Ciaran, Maverick, and twins Charon and Kyrous, returning from a bachelor party. Ciaran emerges as the leader of the group and the romantic interest of our Lana- he’s protective and charming but also seems dark and calculated at times. You can feel the dark vibes oozing off of their chemistry- we don’t learn much about either of them (or any of our characters really, so we don’t feel like we can trust anyone since everyone seems to have some sort of secret), but we know enough to know that they have some deviousness within them that draw them to each other- a smoking hot and twisted magnetism.
This book is some of Natalie’s tightest narrative work yet- the prose flows, the story is tight, and the focus is tight. Reading it was like watching a horror movie- fast paced, edge of your seat, fantastic visual imagery…you can feel our characters unease in the same way you are turning the page both quickly and with trepidation- excited to find out what’s next but terrified of what will befall our crew next.
Be prepared for a MASSIVE cliffhanger and more questions than answers, as well as massive book hangover and in insatiable thirst for the next chapter in this story. The cliffhanger sets us up for a whole new layer to this no longer straightforward tale. I’ve followed Natalie’s work for a while now, and I think this is by far one of her best series starters yet, and Lana is by far one of her most interesting, dynamic, and enigmatic heroines. Brava!
Received ARC from Author for Honest Review.
I Give this Book a 4.5/5 Star Rating, Listing as 4.
Cliffhanger(?): Hell’s to the Yeah! I Have no idea what’s going to be happening in the next book and I can’t wait to find out!!
Dark: 3.5-4/5, this my be darker for other readers 🙂
Psychological: 4/5
Heat: 4.5/5
Romance: Hmmm…No Rating , we’ll see what happens in the next book!
Drama & Suspense: 4.5/5
I will not Spoil this book!
I was a little confused in the beginning, it took a little bit to understand what I was reading. But after that then DAMN! I got drawn in so fast, I was kept at the edge of my seat waiting to see what was going to happen next. Then the cliffhanger came , I can’t wait to read the next book! It ended too soon! Must Have More! Lol
I am at a lose for words! What an amazing read that has my mind all over the place. Natalie Bennett is a master at these dark maze reads. I can’t even express how much I LOVE her books. And this one is absolutely no different, my mind is all over the place trying to think of what will happen next, and I know I will be nowhere near close to right. Dying for the next book!