Playing with Monsters (Mini-Review)

Playing with Monsters is the first book in the series of the same name by Amelia Hutchins. The book revolves around the witch Lena as she returns home for a ritual called the Awakening. There she encounters a sexy and deadly man called Lucian. The book is told mostly from Lena's Point of View (POV), although small segments are told from Lucian's POV that help give much needed exposition.

World building is important in a book like this. As the book goes on more things are revealed and always in a logical manner. Since Lena doesn't know everything, the reader is in the dark about some things. Lucian's POV helps expand the world when needed, but never to the point where it feels like a cop out.

You know a lot more by the end of the book than you did at the start. But there are many questions for the rest of the series to answer such as what is Lucian? What will be Kendra's final fate? Who is Katrina? Leaving questions unanswered for the rest of the series is just as important as making sure a good majority of questions are answered in the first book.

As for the sex scenes...yes. These were done well and were extremely "satisfying". Lena and Lucian have chemistry from the moment they meet, but it takes some time for them to open up to each other. Lena has trouble being sexual with others and Lucian doesn't like loving anyone.

A warning to those triggered by rape: there is a minor rape scene in this book.

I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a fantasy book that has a good amount of sex along with an intriguing plot.