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    Night Play
    Night Play
    Night Play
    Audiobook10 hours

    Night Play

    Written by Sherrilyn Kenyon

    Narrated by Fred Berman

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Bride McTierney has had it with men. They're cheap, self-centered, and never love her for who she is. But though she prides herself on being independent, deep down she still yearns for a knight in shining armor.

    She just never expected her knight in shining armor to have a shiny coat of fur...

    Deadly and tortured, Vane Kattalakis isn't what he seems. Most women lament that their boyfriends are dogs. In Bride's case, hers is a wolf. A Were-Hunter wolf. Wanted dead by his enemies, Vane isn't looking for a mate. But the Fates have marked Bride as his. Now he has three weeks to either convince Bride that the supernatural is real or he will spend the rest of his life neutered--something no self-respecting wolf can accept...

    But how does a wolf convince a human to trust him with her life when his enemies are out to end his? In the world of the Were-Hunters, it really is dog-eat-dog. And only one alpha male can win.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMacmillan Audio
    Release dateJun 1, 2010
    ISBN9781427211033
    Night Play
    Author

    Sherrilyn Kenyon

    Sherrilyn Kenyon is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of several series, including the Bureau of American Defense novels BAD Attitude, Phantom in the Night, Whispered Lies, and Silent Truth and the Belador series that includes Blood Trinity, Alterant, and The Curse. Since her first book debuted in 1993 while she was still in college, she has placed more than eighty novels on the New York Times list in all formats and genres, including manga and graphic novels, and has more than 70 million books in print worldwide. She lives with her family near Nashville, Tennessee. Visit her website at SherrilynKenyon.com.

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    Reviews for Night Play

    4/5

    711 ratings26 reviews

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    • 5/5
      I have read this book more than 10 years ago and it still had the same effect on me. I still think this is a great book and the best from the series. I would read it again in the future.
    • 5/5
      This was by far my favourite of the series so far! Vane has an emotional side to him that allowed me to make an instant connection, which was amplified by out past introduction of him from ‘Night Embrace’. His character had yearned after Bride then and here we meet him 8 months on from then, now emotionally traumatised and a little broken. He’s a tough, sexy man who’s truthful and naive in human ways. This makes for a light-hearted humour at his expense as well as interesting plot twists to how he behaves as a human to ‘woo’ Bride. Bride for me was an interesting character because she wasn’t your average skinny woman that exists in a large amount of paranormal books. She was a real women, who was independent, successful and looking for a husband to marry and have children with. She’s an ordinary character that made her easy to relate to. Her problems with weight were a genuine issue that many women suffer with or the feelings of being uncomfortable with ones body allowed me to relate to her. Vane allowed her to become comfortable and feel beautiful in her skin, and this was a major reason I enjoyed the book so much because the promotion of feeling comfortable in your human skin brought the paranormal to a realistic level that we could dream about. Despite paranormal being there to make us desire the fantasy, this brought a realistic touch that only enhanced the read. The mixture of old and new characters offset the story for an interesting pace, which ranged between speedy and slow, but there was never a dull moment. The old characters allowed us to reflect on their progression, whilst the new characters only bolstered the past of the old, and brought in future glimpses of tales to be told. This story has an exciting mixture of lovin’, romance and dirty-fighting. It was an all around, very enjoyable read that would certainly thrill me to read again. The characters were ones that you can attach to well and the story had a great balance of realism and fantasy that made it perfect for me!
    • 5/5
      This book is my favorite of the Dark Hunter series.
    • 5/5
      This one is my favorite Dark Hunter novel from Kenyon thus far. It is totally character driven and I adore the heroine, Bride. She’s a real woman and her feelings are so well expressed (by showing not telling,) SK hits dead on with this one.
    • 5/5
      A tale about the history and founding of the ware hunters and the Arcadian children of Lycaon. That are humans who hold the heart of the human. And then those who hold the heart of animals known as Katagaria. The goddesses sent Discordia among these two creatures, making them both enemies with one another. For the disobedient of their father, King Lycaon of Arcadia, whose wife died of the fate caused by their gods. Again, for this reason, Lycaon seeks to make his two sons lived longer. Therefore, he made his creation from two different races that are as follows: The Arcadian, those with human hearts. The Katagaria those with animal hearts. The goddesses knowns as Clotho cause Lycaon children to become thorns in each other skin. So, it began the war between these brothers and families seeking each other to kill them. Markus Kattalakis forcedly mated Bryani, who gave birth to both werewolf or were-Hunters or Katagaria. The other side of the children were the Arcadians who possess human hearts. Their fathers sacrificed the children that were Kategaria’s to the demons in exchange for sharing those children’s supernatural gifts. Since his gift was gone, by taking Bryani as his mate out of her own will. She refused him, therefore, making him impotence and the loss of his natural gifts.
      The two children that were sacrificed this time were Fang Kattalakis and Vane Kattalakis were left for the daimon who were to drink them dry and taking their gift. Eventually, both were able to get away, but not without some damage done to Fang Kattalakis. Another brother was beating and left by their mother for death, but he also made it and joined the family of Katagaria by the name Fury Kattalakis. A set of an assassin put together by their father to finish killing his sons this time around.
      Vane Kattalakis had fallen in love with a human by the name Bride McTierney. Both had their different problems but at the same time find love between each other and then deciding to love their friendship. But yet again, discovering what and how they can accept each other and come to complete their mating ritual. But not without its ups and downs. After all, bride had to fight Bryani for coming to hurt Fang Kattalakis at the time when he was most vulnerable. She outperformed her and drugged her, including locking her up in a cage. They both got their wish from their ancient gods or deity known as Arheron Parthenopaeus, giving Fang, Fury, and Vane’s parent the desire both asked, allowing them to fight each other for the rest of their natural life.
      Excellent book and great read.!
    • 5/5
      The Dark-Hunter series has had some ups and downs for me, but I have to say that I'm glad that I have continued with it or I would have missed out on some wonderful stories. When Sherrilyn Kenyon is “up”, she can write a very good story, and Night Play was definitely an “up” book for me. It had the swoon-worthy romance that I've loved in some of Ms. Kenyon's other books, lots of fun and interesting characters, and a good plot. Night Play picks up the narrative of Were-Hunter Vane Kattalakis right where book #2 of the series, Night Embrace, had left him. Things got off to a steamy start right in chapter one with a hot love scene between Vane and Bride. Normally I'm not fond of the quick hook-up or stranger sex, but this time it worked for me. Ms. Kenyon managed to infuse both characters with a deep vulnerability that made their lovemaking very honest and real even though they had barely met. Vane had also seen and had been thoroughly enthralled by Bride months before in a scene in Night Embrace. He hadn't been able to stop thinking about her ever since, and when he found her again, it was obvious that he desired more than just a one night stand. Both Vane and Bride are completely accepting of one another, flaws and all, right from the start, making them one of the most romantic and perfect-for-each-other couples that I have ever read.Vane was a hero I won't soon forget who has earned a spot near the top of my favorite heroes list. He is rather typical of Sherrilyn Keyon's heroes in the Dark-Hunter series with his long hair and beautiful physique, but his is the first full-length Were-Hunter story that I've read. Vane is a Katagaria wolf whose animal form is that of the Arctic wolf, one of my favorite breeds. In the scenes where he is in his wolf form, I thought he was rather cute. When he is a human though, which is for most of the story, Vane is a seriously sexy man. He doesn't think that he knows or understands anything about humans, but time and time again, proves that he is more humane than many full-blooded humans. Vane does a very respectable job of comforting and wooing Bride just on instinct alone, and makes a great impression on her by just being himself (albeit initially hiding his wolf side and magical powers). I absolutely love the way he protected and tenderly cared for Bride and made her feel so special, something no man had ever done for her before. Vane sees her not as a full-figured woman, but as one who is beautiful and sexy with lots of soft, luscious curves. He just can't imagine why any man wouldn't find her attractive. Vane is a tortured soul whose own parents not only disowned him but are actually out to kill him. In the past, he has been conditioned to rather violent animalistic matings that were meant to show dominance, and although the animal part of him still wants that, the man in him is completely undone by Bride's gentle touches and easy acceptance of him in both his human and wolf forms. No one except his siblings ever showed Vane any love, and he just basks in the warmth of Bride's affections and cherishes every moment with her. He even showed compassion for an abused and abandoned dog, earning its trust almost instantly, not just because he's part animal himself, but because of his kindness and loyalty. Vane may have been the alpha of his pack, but when it came to his interactions with Bride, Vane behaves more like a sweet beta which is pretty much my idea of perfection in a hero.As a heroine, Bride was no slouch herself. She had a much healthier upbringing than Vane did, surrounded by a loving, supportive family, with the possible exception of her sister who said some hurtful things to her. However, Bride's plump figure has been the object of many an individual's derision over the years, and she has just had her heart broken by a jerk of an ex who used her to get a glamorous job and then dumped her for not looking good enough to be seen on his arm in public. He also badgered Bride to go on numerous diets over the years that they were dating. Although she doesn't have major self-esteem issues like many women in her position would, Bride understandably is skeptical when the gorgeous Vane comes along, saying how beautiful and perfect she is. Bride is a real sweetheart who is a very loving and giving person. When she found out what Vane really was, she had a very normal human reaction, but still came around pretty quickly, continuing to show him all the gentleness and unconditional love that he deserved. Bride may have been sweet, but she was no pushover. She's a successful business woman who owns her own boutique, and when push came to shove, Bride showed she had the heart of a warrior with plenty of spunk and spirit. As with all her other Dark-Hunter books, Sherrilyn Kenyon brings in a huge cast of secondary characters. It's fun to be able to visit with characters from past and future books, even if it's just a cameo, and to meet the occasional new character. Vane and Bride both first appeared in Night Embrace, along with Vane's brother, Fang (Bad Moon Rising). Based on the prologue, it looked like there would be an interesting and humorous relationship between the brothers, but Fang sadly ended up spending the rest of the book unconscious. Fury (“Shadow of the Moon” from Dead After Dark), a new Were-Hunter, picked up the slack in that department by being endearingly awkward while still letting it be known that he was viciously lethal. He and Vane had some witty interplay, as did Tabitha (Seize the Night) and her brother-in-law, Kyrian (Night Pleasures). I loved Bride's family, and wish we could have seen more of them. The Thanksgiving dinner scenes at their house were a lot of fun, as were the ones at Sanctuary later. The other members of Vane's family, particularly his mother and father, are essentially the bad guys. I liked the creative punishment that the author came up with for them. Other Dark-Hunter characters who put in an appearance: The Peletier Bear Clan including Aimee (Bad Moon Rising) & Dev (No Mercy - coming April 2010); Wren (Unleash the Night) with his first ever actual lines; Julian & Grace (Fantsay Lover); Amanda (Night Pleasures); Valerius (Seize the Night) with a bit more depth being added to his character; the squires Nick, Liz, and Otto, and Ash's little demon, Simi, all as wacky as ever; and last but not least Acheron himself (Acheron). As always, Ash nearly walks away with every scene that he's in while also being totally scrumptious and swoon-worthy. If he's this good as a mere supporting character, I can only imagine what he'll be like in his own book. I can't wait.;-)There were a few of Ms. Keyon's writing traits that I usually find a bit annoying that did surface in Night Play such as her tendency to bring the flow of the story to a screeching halt in order to explain some new bit of mythology. She also can sometimes be a little repetitive. I realize that she reiterates certain details from book to book to assist readers who may have picked up a book in the middle of the series to get up to speed, but occasionally she unnecessarily repeats herself within the same book. There were also a few moments where she adapted the world to fit the plot rather than the other way around which I usually don't care for. Overall though, most of these things were relatively minor this time around. In fact, I have to give Ms. Kenyon kudos for building on existing mythology and utilizing lots of characters who were already on the canvas instead of creating new ones to confuse me. These things and her, for once, not giving the human characters unbelievable superpowers really helped to make the story much more enjoyable for me than some of the others in the series have been. Night Play is book #5 in the Dark-Hunter series. It was filled with sweet, tender romance, had a great hero and heroine that I found to be very relatable, and everything together kept me fully engaged, earning this book a spot on my keeper shelf. I'm really looking forward to reading the next book in the series. There are currently a total of 17 full-length novels in the Dark-Hunter series and quite a number of related novellas and graphic novels as well, with more still to come. A complete list of all the books and their recommended reading order can be found on Sherrilyn Kenyon's website.
    • 5/5
      Great book. I was laughing hysterically at the end.
    • 4/5
      Night Play
      4 Stars

      Synopsis:
      Deadly and tortured, Vane Kattalakis is a Were-Hunter with the ability to transform into a wolf. Pursued by his enemies, Vane is not looking for love and is staggered to learn that the Fates have marked Bride McTierney, a human woman, as his mate. Bride has been hurt in the past and Vane must work his way past her insecurities to convince her that she can trust him not only with her life but with her heart as well.

      Review:
      **Note**: This is book six in the Dark Hunter series but the first book to explore the world of the Were-Hunters and is this respect it provides many new and interesting details, especially regarding the distinction between the Arcadians and Katagaria.

      Vane and Bride are a sweet and likeable couple, and their romance is engaging. Nevertheless, Bride’s preoccupation with her physical size, while understandable, becomes tiresome after a while, especially considering the fact that Vane could not care less and sees her as sexy and voluptuous. Vane is gorgeous both inside and out, and he is among my favorite characters in the series.

      While the plot is predictable and clichéd, the book has some great laugh-out-loud dialogue and exceptional secondary characters (gotta love Ash and Simi, Valerius and Otto) that more than make up for it. The contrast between Vane and Fury’s characterization is another highlight of the story.

      Backstory and world building are Kenyon's strong suit and Night Play is no exception. The writing flows and the descriptions are detailed and intriguing even if her characters are a little too good to be true.

      I am slowly working my way through this series and enjoying every minute. I do suggest that the books be read in order so as not to miss out on any of the interesting tidbits.
    • 3/5
      This had a little change of pace from the others in the series.
    • 4/5
      I didn't actually mean to read this book when I did; but when I was checking the reading order of the series, this one had high marks all around, so I dug in. I read it in 2 days (I normally give myself 4 days for a book of this type - 5 if I am busy at work). It was a really fun read! It was a departure from the other DH novels, in that it focused on characters from other arenas. Ash makes a few fun appearances as do several beloved DHs from past books. I REALLY appreciate the heroine though! I am thin but my BFF (for over 30 years) is a lovely Full-Figured woman. I LOVE that this book featured someone who looked like her. Someone who worried about the same things she worries about, someone who is often left in the cold by romance novels. This is definitely an underserved, underrepresented population. This book featured the standard hunk-of-a(nearly)-man who carries the standard baggage all heros carry, with the standard, "will-she-love-me-for-who-I-REALLY-am" worries; but he loves the woman who is often ignored. Overall, this was great to read and I recommend it - especially for the female reader who isn't built like a supermodel~ you won't be disappointed.
    • 3/5
      Better than the last one but no better or worse than the others.These books could be so, so good. As it is, they're stuck around the 'fun' mark.Although, it was a nice break from the norm to have a shifter as the leading man instead of a Dark-Hunter this time. ALSO, Bride? Amazing! It's about time the voluptuous woman got her time in the lime-light as well as her hunky man. It's nice to shake things up.Being five books into the series, I have to say that Acheron is, without a doubt, my favourite character. I'm looking forward to getting to his book, but I still have a way to go.For now, I think I'm going to take a little break from the series and come back at a later date.
    • 4/5
      Another Author Spotlight re-read. This was my favorite Dark Hunter book back in the day. Some things bothered me about it more this time, but overall I enjoyed it.

      Of course Bride's constant whining about how Vane couldn't really love her and Vane's constant whining about how Bride would be better without him got old, I still enjoyed their romance.

      The cheesy dialogue stuck out more this time around. Way more.
    • 5/5
      Very good Were story. The main characters really had chemistry and I love how Bride gets through any hang ups.

      In this book you really get introduced to the were-hunters and acolites. There are a bunch of twists that you somewhat see coming but interesting. The were-world becomes much more complex and more defined. New characters with future stories abound and they are compelling.
    • 4/5
      Good book...loved learining more about the Katagaria and Arcadians
    • 4/5
      I'm still thoroughly enjoying the series and devouring it like a kid in a candy store. I was a bit lost in this book, though, because of the Were-Hunters being brought in. I wasn't quite sure where some stuff came from, but it wasn't enough that it made the book hard to read.Really do love this mix of genres. A lot.
    • 4/5
      Possibly my favourite Dark Hunter book, although the story is about were-hunter Vane rather than a dark-hunter. Fast, easy read, with a believable attraction between Vane and Bride. I liked the introduction of Fury too, and the fact you couldn't understood his motivation initially.
    • 5/5
      This is the first Were-Hunter entry to Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series, and I truly enjoyed it. First, hats off to Kenyon for having a plus-sized heroine. I've never encountered one before in romance (paranormal or otherwise), and it was nice to see a heroine who isn't built like a supermodel. Everyone deserves true love, even the overweight, and in the real world some men like meat on their women! Bride is very real. She has her insecurities, but also owns her own shop, bickers with a family she loves and is waiting for love. Vane is a werewolf. And, as in many paranormal romances, he has a destined mate. But, in Kenyon's world there are also some new rules. He has magic, for one. Second, there are two kinds of weres. Those born animals and those born human - and they do not get along. Yes, Vane is a too good to be true hero (pretty much faultless). However, though I want my characters to have some realism, I read for escapism. He swept me off my feet right along with Bride. The romance was sweet, and the sex was hot!This entry expanded even more on the mythological universe Kenyon created. It provides a good counter-point to the Dark-Hunters, since the weres are not governed by Artemis and have their own agendas and power struggles. An engrossing read - highly recommended.
    • 1/5
      Night Play suffers from a similar complaint I had with Kiss of the Night. I had difficulty seeing why the hero and heroine ended up together. It seems to me as if Bride and Vane chose each other because of what they are rather than who they are. Bride because Vane, as a Were-Hunter could never cheat or abandon her while Vane hungers for the gentleness and comfort a female Were could not provide. So, wouldn't that mean that Bride would have been just as happy were she mated to another Were-Hunter by the Fates ? Earlier on Bride asks Vane if he loves her because of the mating mark or because of her. From what I saw, this question was never answered even until the end.Another issue I had with the book was some minor discrepancies with the behavior or knowledge of the characters. Can you imagine a medieval time-traveler who knows nothing of modern pop culture but owns a romance novel from that time ? Or that a werewolf who has built a fortune through investments has no idea at all of acceptable behavior on dates ? There's probably more but these are the more obvious ones to me.Once again, it's the supporting characters who keeps the story interesting. Acheron's appearances always makes one eager to read his story while Simi never fails to bring a smile to my face with her antics. Vane's newly discovered brother, Fury also injects some much needed humor through his interactions with the other characters. In fact, I liked Vane and Bride more than Wulf and Cassandra because Fury adds more depth to their characters.Another one to read only if you're a Dark-Hunter fan.
    • 4/5
      I really enjoyed Vane and Brides story. I thought it was funny, exciting, sweet, and showed that a romance doesn't have to be about typical gal/guy but about those of us that fall in that other category. I liked the family aspect and learning more about the "were" community. Can't wait to see more of them in the books to come!
    • 5/5
      I'm absolutely loving the Dark Hunter series. This one was near and dear to my heart what with me being a plus size girl myself. Bride was one of my favorite heroines so far. I love the idea of a seriously hot and ripped warrior being able to love a size 18 girl. A real woman! The story was great and the romance hot, what's not to love.
    • 4/5
      This book was more about the romance than some of the other books in this series. I liked Bride (but I’m not crazy about her name) and Vane, though the book followed Kenyon’s usual “supernatural man finds love with human woman but he thinks they shouldn’t be together” formula. I also like how Kenyon’s leading ladies are not the stereotypical drop dead gorgeous bombshells. Not a lot of substance here, but that’s really not what I was looking for. You read these books for a fun supernatural romp complete with some hot between the sheets action.
    • 5/5
      This book is HOT!..Vane and Bride are a fantastic couple. He is afraid of love, she isn't use to it. Wonderful story, one of Kenyon's best.
    • 5/5
      Night Play is one of my favorites in this series so far - it's right up there with Fantasy Lover and Dance with the Devil, although I think DwtD might come out ahead. I love, love, loved it! It was one of those books that just got better. The plot was slightly different than the previous books in the series and focused more on the love story. Bride was a wonderful, size eighteen human heroine, who knows (or knew anyway) nothing about what goes bump in the night, while Vane is a to-die-for hunky hero. Need I say more? Everyone would love a guy like him - I know I would! This was one of those books that a few times at the end I had that big, goofy, dumb smile on my face, and don't pretend I'm the only one! ;PValerius makes another appearance as a slightly more likable character and he looks to be a very interesting and intriguing hero in his installment. Actually, a lot of the characters who make appearances sound like they'd be great heroes/heroines. Too bad Sherrilyn can't turn them out faster and most likely won't have time for all of them! :P
    • 4/5
      Night Play is Sherrilyn Kenyon's latest "Dark-Hunter" book, although this time the hero is not a Dark-Hunter but a Were-Hunter. Vane Kattalakis is a Lykos Were-Hunter; both a wolf and a man, born with a wolf's soul and destined to love with a man's. He's also in a lot of trouble. He's being hunted by just about everyone there is, and currently hiding out (as much as an alpha male such as he is likely to hide) at the Sanctuary Bar in New Orleans, a safe refuge for Weres of all clans and affiliations. His brother, Fang, is seriously injured after they were both betrayed and Vane's focus is to see to Fang's safety and healing. He certainly isn't looking for a mate. He isn't even looking for a little short-term female attention. Then he meets Bride McTierney. She's everything he's looked for in a woman; well-rounded, intelligent and loving. She's also sworn off men after being dumped - by FedEx - by her now ex-fiance. She certainly doesn't expect serious attention from a man as stunning as Vane. She prefers the wolf that has started hanging around her. These two people are not exactly what fated lovers are supposed to be. For one thing, they aren't even the same species, which is about as big as barriers can get. Add to that the fact Vane is on the run as well as being caught up in a long-time family feud and romance doesn't seem to stand much of a chance. As for Bride, once she learns Vane's big secret and begins to understand the situation, she faces a world she never knew existed, new enemies and the possibility her children might be puppies. Kenyon has created a detailed and complex mythology for her ever-expanding series. She's done a lot of work and this adds great depth to her books. However, it can also be very confusing and sometimes distracting for the reader. I have to admit that I still haven't got it all straight and I've even joined a discussion list to help me work it all out. Night Play harks back to the earlier books, without the machinations of gods, goddesses and great fates. I enjoyed it for exactly that reason. As much as it can be fun to work out all the hints and little revelations, sometimes it is nice just to sit back and devour a story. That's what I got to do this time. Bride is a wonderful heroine and one I could relate to. For one thing, she's a little plump - and that's one of the things Vane loves about her. All of us "larger" women can relate to the power of that. She takes all the new things in her life well, but not automatically. There is less angst in this book that some of the others - and certainly than there will be in the next one, which is Valerius's story - and that made it a lovely relaxing read while I was away from home.
    • 4/5
      We get a good look at were-hunters in this go round of the Dark Hunter series. Vane is mated with Bride – a human – and must convice her to be with him in 3 weeks time. Decent story but the ending was somewhat lame.
    • 4/5
      Bride has been dumped via FedEx, Vane sees her crying and has a sudden urge to try to make her feel better, and then he finds himself attracted, but she's a regular human and he's a wolf, sometimes.