Aron Beauregard is now well recognised as a major force in the subgenres of Extreme Horror and Splatterpunk. His works are eagerly awaited by his rapidly expanding fan base, and he has been receiving recognition in the form of Splatterpunk Award nominations and wins. The story follows a crazy old lady, Geraldine, who gets sexual gratification from others misery. The worse that happens to them, the more turned on she gets. So, as one does, she creates this insanely intricate indoor playground and invites three low-income families with kids to test it out. They just don’t realize this is more ‘Saw’ meets ‘Hostel’ meets ’31’ than Sesame Street. 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. 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. 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.

I did not like this book. I wanted to, I could see that there was a point haunting the edges of the book. But I just, I just couldn't.The narrator hired for the novel was honestly the highlight. Likewise the children in the book are written pretty accurately to their ages. I think those two things are about all the positive things I can say about it though. Years ago I was going through a movie slump, when I saw the preview for a new movie during a coffee break while doing night shift, which made me sit up and go: 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.

Beauregard emphasizes the importance of using fear as a motivator. He outlines how many great thinkers, explorers, and inventors have used it to overcome obstacles. They don’t let fear stop them, but use it to push themselves forward. 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. Fear has a purpose- it comes from our ancestors and reminders us to live carefully in uncertain timesPlayground 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. i about lost all interest when a nazi showed up. it has a good premise, and i felt it had the promise of exploring how low-income families are exploited at the hands of the rich. unfortunately, there was no social commentary. the characters were evil just to be evil. as a jewish person, it's uncomfortable to read about a nazi in this light; the forced german accent was just plain strange. 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 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. 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.