Playing with Monsters

By: Amelia Hutchins

Narrated by: Aiden Snow, Eva Amar

Length: 15 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's Summary

My coven has remained hidden in the shadows for centuries.

We’ve avoided the ‘real world’ altogether - hiding from monsters and other creatures we share this planet with.

We found protection in the Colville National Forest, nestled in a town protected by magical barriers.

Our powers are locked by an ancient curse, one meant to protect us from being found.

Until now.

The past has a way of repeating itself. A new game is beginning. No one is safe.

He’s coming for me.

He’s hunting.

The monster we’ve run from for centuries has found us.

How far will this deadly game go?

How far will I be able to take it, or will he destroy me and everything I care about?

Will the one thing I can’t live without be the key to destroying and undoing the past?

Or will the past destroy me before I can save the people I love from what I’ve done?

Warning: Intended for listeners 18 and older.

About the hero: Chances are you may not fall instantly in love with him, that’s because I don’t write men you instantly love; you grow to love them. I don’t believe in instant love. I write flawed, raw, caveman-like assholes who eventually let you see their redeeming qualities. They are aggressive, assholes, and one step above a caveman when we meet them. You may not even like him by the time you finish this audiobook, but I promise you will love him by the end of this series. 

About the heroine: There is a chance that you might think she’s a bit naïve, or weak, but then again who starts out as a badass? 

Badasses are a product of growth and I am going to put her through hell, and you get to watch her come up swinging every time I knock her on her ass. That’s just how I do things. How she reacts to the set of circumstances she is put through may not be how you, as the listener, or I, as the author, would react to that same situation. Everyone reacts differently to circumstances and how Magdalena responds to her challenges is how I see her as a character and as a person. I don’t write love stories: I write fast-paced, knock you down, make you sit on the edge of your seat wondering what happens next books. If you’re looking for cookie-cutter romance, this isn’t for you. If you can’t handle the ride, unbuckle your seat belt and get out of the roller-coaster car now. If not, you’ve been warned. If nothing outlined above bothers you, carry on and enjoy the ride!

©2016 Amelia Hutchins (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Two words: “Hot Damn!”

I have been ernestly waiting for an Amelia Hutchins story in audiobook form, and these 2 narrators did not disappoint.

Eva Amar and Aiden Snow are very easy to listen to as they tell the story of Magdalena and Lucian. Eva portrays Lena as I imagined she would sound when I read the books. And, oh boy, does Aiden Snow’s deep and raspy voice really give anyone the tingles.

Playing with Monsters is witty, hot, and dirty. Lucian and his crew are all raw, primal, and purely badass. They don’t sugar coat anything. So if you’re looking for the sweet, romantic, and cute style of romance, where a good girl falls for a bad boy, this book is not for you. The dynamic between Lena and Lucian’s strong personalities, is a constant battle field. They don’t see eye to eye on almost anything, and the sexual dynamic between these two characters is blazing hot. With these talented narrators, you can feel the sexual tension that is brewing between Lena and Lucian at every interaction. I highly recommend this rollercoaster story. Your emotions with range from heart wrenching sadness to anger to horny, all within one book.

I have fallen head over heels for all of Amelia’s books! I have read them over and over again, and they never get old. The Monsters series, is a branch off of her original series, “The Fae Chronicles”. You meet some of the her original characters in this series, however I recommend, if you want to experience the full world she has created, read the Fae Chronicles first and continue with the Monsters series to experience the world from every angle.

14 of 14 people found this review helpful

So good

The story Caught my attention right away, tho I wish there was more chapters for Lucian(aiden snow). Starting the second book right away to see what happens next

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Good story but different female narrator

I started writing this review not having good things to say about this book. I began picking apart the way it was written and how it didn’t flow when the characters were speaking to one another. They were too mechanic and emotionless with their words when interacting with each other. But then I realized it wasn’t the way the book was written but how it was narrated.
The female narrator, Eva Amar, definitely needs more work. I looked up to see what other books she narrated but I guess this spin off series of The Fae Chronicles was her first. She didn’t bring the characters to life and didn’t change her voice to match other characters personalities. She used the same monotone voice throughout the whole book. Most times I couldn’t tell which person was talking and it was also hard to tell the difference of the musings of the main character from when she is speaking. She literally just “read” the book to us and didn’t bring it to life.
However the male narrator, Aiden Snow, was good. I would rather him narrate the whole book. He had a lot more emotion and you can feel the connections and chemistry between the characters. It flowed 10 times better when he spoke. I looked forward to his parts even though it was few and far between.
The story as a whole was interesting and kept me intrigued. However, I would like to know Lena and Lucien ages. I’m thinking she’s at least 21ish and he probably looks mid 35ish (even though he’s immortal). It would help to get a better idea of how they look.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Hot Hot Hot

5 Hot Hot Hot Stars

This book was 100% worth $3. What a steal! I can’t believe the ebook was only $1 and the audio was only $1.99.

Playing with Monsters is a spin-off of The Fae Chronicles, I highly suggest you read The Fae Chronicles because a lot is given away. Also it’s an awesome series and I like the order I read them in. As much as I want to jump into Sleeping with Monsters, I need to read Unraveling Destiny next, too bad it’s not in audio.

So the audio was fabulous. I kind of wished there was more male parts only because I LOVED the male narrator. He was so deep and so masculine, it fit Lucian completely. Gah, I want to listen to his voice all day long.

As for the female narrator, she was okay. I found it a bit too deep for me, but I love a high-pitch girl voice, so that’s a personal thing. It didn’t hinder my listening experience, but I’m not sure I will do the audio version for Playing with Monsters.

There’s a lot that goes on in Playing with Monsters and I felt like the author did a great job in character and plot development. We start out the story of Lucian going through many lives and each life he has to find a girl and kill her. We are not sure what’s that all about but that’s how the story starts.

I will admit at some parts I was trying to follow along and I know if I read this verse listened to it, I probably could have done a better job, but I feel like I got 95% of the story. I liked Lena. She’s that strong Heroine you want to get sucked into. She’s all about family and doing what is right for her people.

Lena is a witch and I have no idea what Lucian is. I hope it wasn’t revealed in the story because I didn’t get it. I guess it’s not that important.

Anyhow what makes this book so great is the tension and chemistry between Lena and Lucian. Oh my goodness, it will make you mad but a happy mad. I found myself trying to listen to the book when I usually don’t listen to books because I wanted to know what was going to happen.

Oh and the steam. I love a PNR book that is steamy and kinky and there’s not insta-anything. I loved the buildup. Gah.

The book leaves you very satisfied when you are done, but the series goes on just FYI.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Uh what the hell is this?

I’m surprised this got so many good reviews. This is a typical trying to be 50 shades of gray with a paranormal twist that was barely there. The female narrator did a terrible job and everything just fell flat for me. I couldn’t even finish it. At the beginning I thought it would be interesting even tho the narrator sucked because I was thinking the lead got reincarnated. As the story played out, the lead became whiny. She became like a little girl in high school with a bully who sleeps with everyone she liked. She kept saying I’m not a virgin and it was just silly. With the hard core sex and the little girl act I just couldn’t take it. I literally stopped went to the last chapter to see how it ended and yup it still sucked. Returning book for a refund. Waste of a credit and an hour of my life.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Ugh

It’s hard to get over this narrator. But I push through. And the story is all over the place. I tried. I can’t finish it.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Almost

The premise and concept of this story was actually pretty compelling; the writing, though, was lazy. Could’ve used a good edit. I didn’t actually mind the female narrator, but my expectations were low after reading the other reviews.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Intense

This Book /Series is very intense in-depth a love hate relationship between the two charters but it makes you want to keep listening not to miss a this .& quite frankly im non the wise of what is actually happening..On to the next ... <3 :-)

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Couldn't Finish

Not really my cup of tea.... narration was decent enough, but story went from dragging to gross, and didn't really have enough development between the characters.
Felt like I was missing a crucial piece of info for most of the story, and wasn't interested enough to stick around to figure it out.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great story but.....

Struggled to finish with the female narration. Couldn't tell between male and female voices. I love Ameilia Hutchins but the female audio was a bit too young and monotone. Aiden Snow was brilliant as always but barely used.

3 of 5 people found this review helpful

Jumbled mess of a book

I got halfway through this book then gave up. I didn’t feel remotely emotionally invested, and it was so clumsily written that I kept getting distracted and I just can’t be bothered to carry on. Shame as I was looking forward to it from reading the synopsis.