Playground

Product Information

At the heart of this story, one can't help but develop a connection and just feel every gut wrenching punch as each child must make their choices. Wow, this book is a game changer for Aron Beauregard. I feel like it’s equally as important as his seminal release The Slob, if not a tad bit more so simply for the fact that it has had more “mainstream” success and appeal.

This story is what you'd get if you forced children through a series of SAW traps, with all of the tragedy with how you'd expect that to play out.The thing about Playground though that I appreciate about it is the way it doesn't shy away from abuse. That's what this book is about. Abuse. Objectively that is what this is about. With Playground, Aron Beauregard transcends himself, delivering a genuinely chilling, uncomfortable novel that will make even the most jaded horror fan squirm. A harrowing, relentless read that left me breathless." The children will surprise you as your going on this vile and twisted adventure right along with them. The choices they will have to make, the choices some of them do make, and the consequences of thier actions. The familiarity of their childhood is captured really well. The soft hearted, the hard hearted, the shy and meek, the conformed and the broken. I loved them all and was routing for them no matter their character, after all they are just kids.

If you are at all familiar with Aron's writing, then you should be well prepared for the darkness that lies within his storytelling. But you should also be expecting superb character developement, well developed plots, and unique settings. Playground by Aron Beauregard is a gripping and unsettling horror novel that takes readers on a terrifying journey into a nightmarish playground. The story revolves around three low-income families who are offered a substantial sum of money to participate in an unusual experiment. They are invited to Geraldine Borden’s cliffside estate, where they must allow their children to test out her revolutionary playground equipment. The children have been chosen for a reason. Geraldine feels that the parents are undeserving of the lives they are living and the children they have. Somewhat broken families, the daily life struggles of parenthood, and the product the children are becoming because of those parental choices. Beauregard, ever the prolific writer, has released yet another intriguing piece of devastation. As a member of the aforementioned “extreme-light” clique, though, I have yet to read any of his works. They’re fantastic in theory, but severe horror has never held any interest for me. This work was nominated for Best work at this year’s Splatterpunk Awards, and as I strive to support as many authors as I can, I decided it was a good choice.When a band of dysfunctional children is suddenly thrust into a diabolical realm of violence, they must grow up instantly to have a chance at survival. Will they find a way to put their differences aside, or be swallowed up by the insidious architecture all around them? Fear has a purpose- it comes from our ancestors and reminders us to live carefully in uncertain times The characters are well fleshed out, the story makes sense, but deep inside all the gore there is a commentary about parenthood and the ills of the world we live in. Psychologically speaking, this is a study in all that can be done incorrectly to a child.

Why you should buy this: If you’re a fan of Aron’s you probably have already snagged this and most likely have read it. If you’re new to extreme horror and want to see what it’s all about, this is an excellent place to dive in and discover how these novels will contain really well done plots with fantastic writing and some of the most horrific gore-filled scenes you’ll ever read. Of course there is also the bloody, disgusting gore and putridness. Yes, there are descriptions of smells that will possibly engage that gag reflex.What I liked: I mean, the cover should give you some solid indication what you’re in for. If you require ANY sort of Trigger Warnings, you way want to stay away from this one. If you, however, enjoy the brand of brutality Beauregard delivers, this one will make you smile from ear to ear. Playground is a very terrifying and uncomfortable thriller that will make even the most hardened horror fan tremble, according to one critic. It was a relentless nightmare of a book that left me gasping for oxygen. Geraldine and Fuchs are character's that are completely evil and unlikable, disgusting in all their enjoyment they have in living out their dream of watching the suffering of the children. There is a reason Geraldine is doing what she is, and it is somewhat sad, but clearly not justifiable. I did, and it became one of my top 5 movies ever. The concept, while simple, was utterly brilliant and superbly executed.

The reader is also excellent, giving each character a unique voice to make you connect with them even more. Their narration felt like someone holding my hand to help me through the experience. Before wrapping up I do need to touch base on Lila Kerry. Her narration is impeccable. She blasted onto my radar with the double whammy narration of The Slob and Son Of Slob and let me tell you, she doesn’t disappoint! You could hear all of the prep she put into this role. I was impressed throughout with her portrayal of the young boys, a make or break thing that she passed with flying colors. I believe I read that she trained on that especially. While the plot is fairly minimal, this story is more about how the characters interact with the premise they are forced into, with the children reacting to the situation and each other, the parents forced to watch on and try to convince their captures into letting them go, and the antagonists watching each scene with glee. Playground by Aron Beauregard is a truly chilling and uncomfortable novel that will leave even the most seasoned horror fans squirming. The author’s ability to create a relentless and suspenseful atmosphere is commendable. From the very beginning, the story grips you with its intense and diabolical premise, and it never lets go. Amidst the chaos and carnage, the children face unimaginable challenges and must confront their own fears and differences. Some struggle to put their selfishness aside and work together for the greater good, while others succumb to their darkest instincts. As they navigate the treacherous architecture of the playground, the children are forced to make difficult choices that will determine their fate.

Customer reviews

ONCE IN A LIFETIMEThree low-income families have been given a handsome retainer to join Geraldine Borden for a day at her cliffside estate. All the parents must do to collect the rest of their money is allow their children to test out the revolutionary playground equipment Geraldine has been working on for decades. But there’s a reason the structures in the bowels of her gothic castle have taken so long to develop–they were never meant to see the light of day.When a band of dysfunctional children is suddenly thrust into a diabolical realm of violence, they must grow up instantly to have a chance at survival. Will they find a way to put their differences aside, or be swallowed up by the insidious architecture all around them? and “With Playground, Aron Beauregard transcends himself, delivering a genuinely chilling, uncomfortable novel that will make even the most jaded horror fan squirm. A harrowing, relentless read that left me breathless. and “- Brian KeeneThis volume contains 15 interior illustrations.WARNING: This book contains graphic content. Reader discretion is advised. Playground by Aron Beauregard – eBook Details What I enjoyed: I mean, just looking at the cover ought to give you a good idea of what you’re getting yourself into. You should probably avoid this one if you need any kind of Trigger Warnings. But if you like the violence Beauregard dishes down, you’ll be grinning from ear to ear over this one.