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When the Wicked Play #1
Pernicious Red
Little Red, Little Red,
do you want to play a game?
It starts with twelve
and it ends with one.
If you win
you get to live.
There's only one rule
don't go into the woods.
Rosalie Morgue is a simple woman that lives a simple life. She spends her days doing mundane things and her nights trying to forget about her past.
Channing Burrows is a man shrouded in mystery. He comes with a dangerous warning label and lives a life full of chaos and darkness.
One black rose and a riddle written in blood turns Rosalie’s world upside down and spinning right into Channing’s twisted web.
A volatile game of desire, murder, and manipulation ensues.
Truths are exposed and lives are destroyed.
*Each book in this series will be a stand-alone*
Reader discretion is highly advised.
SN>This is not paranormal.
This is not a fluffy romance.
do you want to play a game?
It starts with twelve
and it ends with one.
If you win
you get to live.
There's only one rule
don't go into the woods.
Rosalie Morgue is a simple woman that lives a simple life. She spends her days doing mundane things and her nights trying to forget about her past.
Channing Burrows is a man shrouded in mystery. He comes with a dangerous warning label and lives a life full of chaos and darkness.
One black rose and a riddle written in blood turns Rosalie’s world upside down and spinning right into Channing’s twisted web.
A volatile game of desire, murder, and manipulation ensues.
Truths are exposed and lives are destroyed.
*Each book in this series will be a stand-alone*
Reader discretion is highly advised.
SN>This is not paranormal.
This is not a fluffy romance.
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 17, 2017
35 people are currently reading
256 people want to read
About the author
Natalie Bennett
111 books2,666 followersLover of all things pǝʇsıʍʇ & unusual.
I write unconventional 'romance' with strong elements of horror.
Find all my links here!
linktr.ee/AuthornatB
I write unconventional 'romance' with strong elements of horror.
Find all my links here!
linktr.ee/AuthornatB
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
October 23, 2017
I LOVED this one. A twisted f@cked up Little Red Riding Hood story..how perfect is that? I feel a bit like a broken record at this point but Natalie Bennett just does it for me. I LOVE her dark twisted mind. Her books are always hits with me. They are quick. They are deliciously twisted. They just push every one of my deviant buttons. A quick note before I continue. I guess technically this one can be read as a standalone, but I would HIGHLY recommend reading Rose De Muerte first for a more fuller experience.
So like I said, I enjoyed this one. It was well written and paced. The plot was engaging and kept me turning the pages. There were twists and turns. The sex scenes were hot. It had some intriguing secondary characters that I suspect we will see in upcoming books. And both main characters were likable. My only issue was that I wish it had been a bit longer and a little more fleshed out plot wise. I was also left a tiny bit confused how these characters were related to the characters from Rose De Muerte (other than just sharing last names). I kept doing a word search on first names to try and connect them to Rose De Muerte but kept coming up blank. In any case, even with those issues I still enjoyed this one a lot, and it gets two solid thumbs up from yours truly.
November 13, 2017
A fun dark play on red riding hood!
I was not expecting that ending. Seriously. No matter what you’re thinking is happening, you’re most likely about to be wrong. I loved trying to figure out how this story aligned with Rose De Muerte, and I definitely didn’t guess, but still enjoyable.
I can’t wait to see what comes next. This is not a cliffhanger though. It’s a completed story. The author just leaves one thing open ended, and I hope she expands on it!
I was not expecting that ending. Seriously. No matter what you’re thinking is happening, you’re most likely about to be wrong. I loved trying to figure out how this story aligned with Rose De Muerte, and I definitely didn’t guess, but still enjoyable.
I can’t wait to see what comes next. This is not a cliffhanger though. It’s a completed story. The author just leaves one thing open ended, and I hope she expands on it!
November 2, 2017
This is book one in the When The Wicked Olay series and I highly recommend you read Rose De Muerte first to get a background story of the series.
I pretty much inhaled this story as soon as I’d finished Rose De Muerte. I just didn’t want to put it down. Like previous books I’ve read by this author she certainly knows how to captivate her readers. She’s becoming one of those select authors that I’ll 1-click anything she writes and I know I’ll love it.
I’m really looking forward to reading more in this series.
I pretty much inhaled this story as soon as I’d finished Rose De Muerte. I just didn’t want to put it down. Like previous books I’ve read by this author she certainly knows how to captivate her readers. She’s becoming one of those select authors that I’ll 1-click anything she writes and I know I’ll love it.
I’m really looking forward to reading more in this series.
November 10, 2020
I am trash for serial killers 🖤
Io so che per leggere roba pesante devo andare indietro nel tempo, a quando la Bennett scriveva cose del genere, mica la roba che (ogni tanto, visto che sparisce 10 mesi l'anno) pubblica ora.
Nonostante abbia letto il prequel anni fa non mi sono sentita persa. I personaggi hanno nomi molto simili e in ogni caso ci vuole poco a fare 2 + 2 - ma consiglio caldamente, e non solo perchè è fantastico, di leggere prima il prequel, Rose De Muerte.
Io so che per leggere roba pesante devo andare indietro nel tempo, a quando la Bennett scriveva cose del genere, mica la roba che (ogni tanto, visto che sparisce 10 mesi l'anno) pubblica ora.
Nonostante abbia letto il prequel anni fa non mi sono sentita persa. I personaggi hanno nomi molto simili e in ogni caso ci vuole poco a fare 2 + 2 - ma consiglio caldamente, e non solo perchè è fantastico, di leggere prima il prequel, Rose De Muerte.
October 31, 2017
Pern Red
There were so many questions runing through my mind. Who knew there were different levels of creepy? What fate brought Rosalie and Channing together? Questions just kept popping up in my head.
Rosalie was forced to play a game. This was definitely not of her making. This wasn't cat and mouse. The game, which was being played, was more Red and the Wolf. I loved every crazy wtf moment and I trying to figure out the mystery along with Rosalie.
The twist at the end caught me off guard but I loved it. It made sense. This is a definite must read. Once you start, there won't be a stopping point until you reach the end.
There were so many questions runing through my mind. Who knew there were different levels of creepy? What fate brought Rosalie and Channing together? Questions just kept popping up in my head.
Rosalie was forced to play a game. This was definitely not of her making. This wasn't cat and mouse. The game, which was being played, was more Red and the Wolf. I loved every crazy wtf moment and I trying to figure out the mystery along with Rosalie.
The twist at the end caught me off guard but I loved it. It made sense. This is a definite must read. Once you start, there won't be a stopping point until you reach the end.
April 19, 2018
Pernicious Red
I have mixed feelings about this book. Sure, it’s sick. It’s twisty. It’s a totally mind-f. It was good, but.... I needed more. It was very short, and I felt like I could have used more bonding time with the two main characters. I would have liked to get to know them better. I didn’t feel connected to them at all- couldn’t care less if they lived or died. Or maybe that was the point? That said, there are more books to come. It will be interesting to see where this will go from here.
I have mixed feelings about this book. Sure, it’s sick. It’s twisty. It’s a totally mind-f. It was good, but.... I needed more. It was very short, and I felt like I could have used more bonding time with the two main characters. I would have liked to get to know them better. I didn’t feel connected to them at all- couldn’t care less if they lived or died. Or maybe that was the point? That said, there are more books to come. It will be interesting to see where this will go from here.
October 23, 2017
I seriously love anything that Natalie Bennett writes. And this book was nothing more than perfect. Twisted and dark but I feel like this is a little lighter than most of her novellas. But it still craved that itch that I needed to scratch. I highly recommend this too everyone that loves dark romance.
May 6, 2020
Complexo, é a palavra que combina com o livro. Ele têm uma pegada mais de suspense e contradição. E interessando, mas tem pontos da estória que faz você desejar arrancar a cabeça da mocinha, por ser tão tapada (penso que essa é a melhor palavra), devo dizer que não sou fã de mocinhas tão bobinhas, gosto mais das que tem atitude, e ela só ganha essa atitude quase no fim do livro, mas foi interessante ler a trama que ocorre, e saber que o vilão, não era o vilão, mas que se tornou por amor, foi indescritivelmente emocionante. A re-leitura da Chapeuzinho Vermelho nesse estilo psicótico foi bem interessante.
October 31, 2019
WTH?
I try not to leave one-star reviews--the author's effort is worth something--but this is terrible. There's almost no plot, the ending makes zero sense, the folkloric connections are thin to the point of invisibility. There is no conflict, the characters don't learn or develop or change (for better or worse)! I have no problem with dark themes, but this more like a bunch of deleted scenes mashed together purely for page counts.
I try not to leave one-star reviews--the author's effort is worth something--but this is terrible. There's almost no plot, the ending makes zero sense, the folkloric connections are thin to the point of invisibility. There is no conflict, the characters don't learn or develop or change (for better or worse)! I have no problem with dark themes, but this more like a bunch of deleted scenes mashed together purely for page counts.
January 4, 2019
Huh
I honestly don’t even know what in the heck I just read. I thought by the end I would receive some answers as to why everything was happening to the MC however I’m left with more questions. Just huh??
I honestly don’t even know what in the heck I just read. I thought by the end I would receive some answers as to why everything was happening to the MC however I’m left with more questions. Just huh??
October 4, 2017
Pernicious Red is book 1 in When the Wicked Play series, but you must read the prequel Rose De Muerte as a background story to this series. If this book is anything to go by you are in for one wicked and twisted ride if you start this series.
These are great books if you are looking for something a little but different and a lot outside of the realm of normality. You need to have a very strong constitution when reading these stories as they can get a little bit on the gruesome side but if you are a regular reader of Natalie's then this is expected.
"It starts with twelve and ends with one..."
You are about to be drawn into a very dangerous game, one where many lives hang in the balance, and only if you play along will you find the truth you seek. Unfortunately for Rosalie Morgue she is the centerpiece that holds the game together. The more she plays the deeper she is tangled in the twisted web of lies, deceit and cunning that has been unknowingly weaved around her.
The revelations in this book are astounding. The intrigue and mystery pulls you into the story and begs you to continue reading. Cannot wait to see where Natalie takes this series.
I voluntarily read and advanced review copy of this book.
These are great books if you are looking for something a little but different and a lot outside of the realm of normality. You need to have a very strong constitution when reading these stories as they can get a little bit on the gruesome side but if you are a regular reader of Natalie's then this is expected.
"It starts with twelve and ends with one..."
You are about to be drawn into a very dangerous game, one where many lives hang in the balance, and only if you play along will you find the truth you seek. Unfortunately for Rosalie Morgue she is the centerpiece that holds the game together. The more she plays the deeper she is tangled in the twisted web of lies, deceit and cunning that has been unknowingly weaved around her.
The revelations in this book are astounding. The intrigue and mystery pulls you into the story and begs you to continue reading. Cannot wait to see where Natalie takes this series.
I voluntarily read and advanced review copy of this book.
November 1, 2017
Pernicious Red is another insanely dark read that I won't even try to describe because then spoiler douchery would ensue accidentally. Natalie Bennett has a diabolically brilliant writing style that is so dark, that many times throughout, I couldn't decide if I needed to put it down, or beg for more. She definitely overfed my inner dark beast so much so much so, that my twisty part doesn't know what to do with itself. Which has me trying to decide if I'm even more dark than I like to believe, because I can't get enough of this craziness of the When The Wicked Play series since I didn't put it down cover to cover. Twists & turns were around every corner, so the only words I could utter were f-bombs, and they rained down everywhere. I'm going to make this review very short, as I could never portray the insanity correctly, so it's just better if peeps go and read it for themselves if they are brave enough, especially since this review is probably confusing since I'm still confused! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
October 18, 2017
This was the very first book that I have read from this writer. I can honestly say I had no clue what I was getting into when I started reading this book. I didnt read up on it to see what it was about. After reading it I can honestly say I loved it from the beginning to the end. It was well written and full of suspense from the beginning to the end. Not only was it full of suspense but at times I wanted to not turn the page because i was in fear of what was going to happen next. This indeed was a very gripping intense storyline with twists and turns on every page. I absolutely loved how by the end you realize it is about your favorite fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood. But this is no where near like that fairy tale. This is dark, intense and absolutely amazing. Natalie has written a book that has gotten my attention. I cant wait to read more from her especially regarding any more twists on my favorite fairy tales. Highly recommend.
January 4, 2021
2.5 Stars
In the beginning, this book had a promising start. It had a mysterious feel to the storyline with some horror aspects and sexual tensions between the main characters.
By the middle of the story, I was completely invested and was obsessively trying to fit the puzzle pieces together. Unfortunately, the ending felt very rushed. So rushed that the ending felt unfulfilled and unanswered. To be honest, the ending had me more confused than the rest of the book!
The reason I’m giving it 2.5 stars is because how choppy the writing was. It seemed like it was all over the place! Secondly, the character development was completely nonexistent. I felt like the two main characters met and then fast forward to them being intimate to imagining a future of living together within a few short chapters. Also, the ending made zero sense!
In the beginning, this book had a promising start. It had a mysterious feel to the storyline with some horror aspects and sexual tensions between the main characters.
By the middle of the story, I was completely invested and was obsessively trying to fit the puzzle pieces together. Unfortunately, the ending felt very rushed. So rushed that the ending felt unfulfilled and unanswered. To be honest, the ending had me more confused than the rest of the book!
The reason I’m giving it 2.5 stars is because how choppy the writing was. It seemed like it was all over the place! Secondly, the character development was completely nonexistent. I felt like the two main characters met and then fast forward to them being intimate to imagining a future of living together within a few short chapters. Also, the ending made zero sense!
November 12, 2017
I enjoyed Pernicious Red but feel I'd have enjoyed it more if I'd not read Rose De Muerte first. I kind of went into it thinking we would get more of the same Rose and didn't take into account this would be different (See I didn't do spoilers!!).
I liked the characters enough but felt that Channing was lacking compared to Con, again though you had to look at it as a separate piece of work and this was more down to me than the book. Red wasn't as mysterious either, which is why this was more of a 3.5 than a 4 star. As I said I do feel if I'd read it alone and hadn't read the other book I could have seen this as 4 stars. Nice way to bring things together at the end which then made sense to me.
I liked the characters enough but felt that Channing was lacking compared to Con, again though you had to look at it as a separate piece of work and this was more down to me than the book. Red wasn't as mysterious either, which is why this was more of a 3.5 than a 4 star. As I said I do feel if I'd read it alone and hadn't read the other book I could have seen this as 4 stars. Nice way to bring things together at the end which then made sense to me.
October 31, 2017
I absoutely loved this book! I love the characters Channing is an over the top alpha intense man, and I aboustely loved his character. Rosalie thinks that she invisible and no one notices her and is completely shocked when she finds out just how much Channing has notice her and how she not as invisible as she wants to be. The storyline is amazing this story sucks you in from the prologue and doesn't ever let you go and even when its over the story is still stuck in your head. The only thing I would say is to read Rose De Muterte because I was a little confused as to how certain events took place but overall its so worth a read.
October 13, 2017
This is the second story I have read by Natalie Bennett and it amazing.
Where Rose De Muerte was all darkness and brutality Pernicious Red is a soft savagery. By the time I got to the end I was sighing with the HEA. Dark and smooth, you end up falling for Channing and wondering how it was planned so well.
Needless to say I cannot wait to see what Natalie has coming to us readers in the future. I am certainly following this author to see what twisted treats I can get next.
Where Rose De Muerte was all darkness and brutality Pernicious Red is a soft savagery. By the time I got to the end I was sighing with the HEA. Dark and smooth, you end up falling for Channing and wondering how it was planned so well.
Needless to say I cannot wait to see what Natalie has coming to us readers in the future. I am certainly following this author to see what twisted treats I can get next.
October 30, 2017
This is the first book in the “When the Wicked Play” series, and Rose De Muerte definitely needs to be read first in order to get a full background story.
This story is intense, gritty, dark, and with suspense and twists throughout which had me hooked from the very beginning. I am in awe of this talented author, and she certainly never disappoints her readers. I look forward to reading the second book in this series!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book!
This story is intense, gritty, dark, and with suspense and twists throughout which had me hooked from the very beginning. I am in awe of this talented author, and she certainly never disappoints her readers. I look forward to reading the second book in this series!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book!
October 31, 2017
What a story! A modern day Little Red Riding Hood, but not as you'd imagine it would be.
You do need to have read Rose De Muerte before this, or you won't really understand what's going on.
Rosalie is quiet and unassuming. Channing, well, he's hot and seriously twisted!
This is a very dark read, full of blood, murder, mystery and more twists than you would believe possible. The story is really fast paced and pulls you in to it. I can't wait for the next one.
You do need to have read Rose De Muerte before this, or you won't really understand what's going on.
Rosalie is quiet and unassuming. Channing, well, he's hot and seriously twisted!
This is a very dark read, full of blood, murder, mystery and more twists than you would believe possible. The story is really fast paced and pulls you in to it. I can't wait for the next one.
July 26, 2021
I love this book. Even though the vibes is like sometime in a horrer movie and someone is being murdered and kidnap. But still I love the book. I finished it in one day. Although it's short, it still a full length book with no cliffhanger or unanswered happenings. And I love the romance although the hot scene is weird in the current situation of the female MC but I still love the weirdness of it. The horror only added the sexual tension in the hot scene. Love it.
October 25, 2017
Wow what a crazy, twisted, psychotic Little Red Riding hood story. A thrill ride right from the beginning. Channing what is his story and why is he so obsessed with Rosalie? A quick short story that had me loving every page. Are you afraid of the big bad wolf? *** I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Copy of this book ***
January 18, 2018
Another interesting read
While I didn’t find this one as F**KED up as Rose De Muerte, I also felt it lacked a bit of darkness that the first book had..
Was still an interesting read, and kept me turning the pages, although I’m not sure where the first book and this one fit...?
4 stars
While I didn’t find this one as F**KED up as Rose De Muerte, I also felt it lacked a bit of darkness that the first book had..
Was still an interesting read, and kept me turning the pages, although I’m not sure where the first book and this one fit...?
4 stars
November 16, 2017
Good quick read
I love when an author has a book that's entertaining from start to finish, is able to capture darkness and depravity and gives me a twisted HEA all in a little package!!
I love when an author has a book that's entertaining from start to finish, is able to capture darkness and depravity and gives me a twisted HEA all in a little package!!
January 12, 2019
Understanding confusion
Deeply confusing from the start. That confusion was kept me going with this book. To see if things would make sense. They did to a point. Not a bad read at all. Just a mind f**k.
Deeply confusing from the start. That confusion was kept me going with this book. To see if things would make sense. They did to a point. Not a bad read at all. Just a mind f**k.
May 16, 2021
Normally I can come up with a bunch of praises for a Natalie Bennett book, but not now. This book had no plot or point. Nothing made sense and there was no connection to the story Little Red Riding Hood besides Cole calling her Red. By the end I was more confused.
November 1, 2017
Wow!! Phenomenal!! So many twists and turns!! Intense and dark! From the very beginning I was hooked and captivated! Just brilliant!!
December 20, 2017
Wow! The book was amazing! I loved how twisted the books was and how I never expected the wolf to be..... well you will have to read to figure out who the wolf is......
January 28, 2018
I really enjoyed this book I liked everything about. I can't wait for the next book.
July 15, 2018
I’m really confused as to how these characters are related to the other book’s characters. Again, suspenseful. Just a bit confusing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews