Party Games

De: Jon Athan

Narrado por: Beau Thomas

After years apart, a group of estranged friends gather at a secluded cabin in the woods for a reunion party. Their celebration is interrupted when Chase Bowen—a mysterious, handsome young man—shows up at their door, wet, cold and stranded. Despite some reluctance amongst the guests, the visitor is invited into the cabin to wait for a mechanic.

But Chase has different plans for them. He wants to play his favorite party games with the guests. And in his versions of these games, there are violent, sadistic consequences for losing...

Jon Athan, the author of Our Dead Girlfriend and Blender Babies, invites you to join the party. Be warned, though: You might lose a finger... or two.

WARNING: This book contains graphic content. Listener discretion is advised.

©2018, 2025 Jonathan Sixtos (P)2025 Jonathan Sixtos

A story that will just piss you off, mostly

So I was thinking maybe this story would be like Harbinger of Vengeance. That’s one of my favorites by Athan. This story is its own thing, though. At least in Harbinger of Vengeance, we know WHY. This story has left me walking away pissed, confused and needing more. I love Athans stories though, he’s one of my favorites. As for Party Games, it’s mid. I struggle with stories that don’t end with justice. That’s a me issue probably

worst nightmare

Another fun and terrifying book by Jon Athan!
He has taken a common fear and made it even more horrifying! The narrator is one of the best. His ability to transform seamlessly into different characters and voices makes it easy to follow along with the storyline.

Couldn’t stop listening

First off, the narrator was phenomenal. And the author knows how to keep you wanting more. A great short listen. Kept me on my toes on what would happen next.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions

A beautifully unique and violent mix of funny games and the strangers. Athon never disappoints between realistic dialog, brutal torture, and cringe inducing gore descriptions (in the best way). The premise can be summed up in the line "because you were home" along the same vein as the Do not disturb series, sometimes there is no reason, they just wanted too. The only problem I had was sometimes the narrator sounded really whiny when voicing female characters and it kinda took me out of it at some points.

There are warnings for a reason!

I loved this! This story makes you want to think twice about answering a knock at the door and being kind enough to help someone out. Brutal and an edge of your seat listen! I'll forever think of this book when anyone says "would you rather" . Bravo Jon Athan!

predictable ending

plot seemed rushed at the end. spent a lot of time on graphic violence and almost nothing on character development.

Chapter 11

The book as a whole was a disgusting thrill but chapter 11 was a hard listen, points on how descriptive that was. whoo-wee

Do Not open the door for strangers!

A bunch of old college friends get together at a remote cabin to catch up. A stranger knocks on the door, asking for help. What follows is exactly why we are taught, NEVER OPEN YOUR DOOR TO A STRANGER!
Great plot, realistic dialogue and wonderful story telling. The characters however, I didn't really get too attached to. But maybe that is a good thing.
5 stars for a riveting story that will have you squirming in your seat. Remember, don't open the door to strangers!

A Solid, Bloody Good Time

Party Games hooked me right away with its setup: old friends reuniting at a remote cabin, unresolved tensions simmering beneath the surface, and a sense that one simple act of kindness is about to blow their whole weekend to pieces. Athan builds a genuinely strong foundation here: Jackson’s bitterness, Brian’s insecurity, the complicated history between them all; I was fully invested in seeing where those threads led.

Once Chase and his partners, Rory and Hazel, crash into the story, things shift hard into Funny Games territory. The psychological warfare turns physical fast, and from there it becomes a full-on splatterfest of sadistic challenges and brutal confrontations. The tortures are undeniably creative, the villains completely heartless, and I kept wanting to go full John Wick on them myself. As a Splatterpunk fan, I can’t deny the kills were satisfying in exactly the way I hoped.

Overall, Party Games is a bloody, furious, adrenaline-fueled read with plenty to enjoy if you’re here for violent creativity. I just wish the excellent setup had carried through all the way. Still, a solid 3.5 stars.