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Arena
Dropped into a terrifying, alien world with only a few cryptic words to guide her, can Callie survive the battle raging between good and evil?
ebook, 0 pages
Published
July 1st 2012
by Bethany House Publishers
(first published May 1st 2002)
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To the person who recommended this book to me, first of all, I would like to say, "Mother, that was one weird bus stop!"
What do you get when you combine a western novel with a sci-fi and a romance and Pilgrim's Progress? You get a cowboy shooting blue laser light at demons to save his true love. That's what. And then you stay up late into the night trying to find out what happens, and you come away with the same sort of impression you have after eating sushi or kimchee for the first time--weird...more
What do you get when you combine a western novel with a sci-fi and a romance and Pilgrim's Progress? You get a cowboy shooting blue laser light at demons to save his true love. That's what. And then you stay up late into the night trying to find out what happens, and you come away with the same sort of impression you have after eating sushi or kimchee for the first time--weird...more
Callie Hayes grudgingly agrees to participate in a psychology study as moral support for a friend. However, frightened by the examiners' secrecy and evasiveness (one vanishes before her eyes), she tries to escape but finds herself cast into the Arena, a testing ground for participants of the study. Armed with only a guidebook and minimal supplies, she is soon forced to trust the enigmatic Pierce, a man who claims to have spent the past five years in the Arena. As Callie journeys toward the Gate,...more
Jan 25, 2013
Kyle Pratt
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Christian science fiction fans
Shelves:
science-fiction,
christian-sci-fi
Karen Hancock is a new strong voice in a genre that is sadly lacking in quality writers. Arena, her debut novel, is a bold Christian science fiction adventure.
The protagonist, Callie Hayes, finds herself transported into the Arena, with only a manual (Bible), and a few other provisions. The arena, representing the world we live in, is a violent and evil place but the rape and brutal murder Callie witnesses is presented but not dwelled upon or described in gory detail. While in the Arena, she enc...more
The protagonist, Callie Hayes, finds herself transported into the Arena, with only a manual (Bible), and a few other provisions. The arena, representing the world we live in, is a violent and evil place but the rape and brutal murder Callie witnesses is presented but not dwelled upon or described in gory detail. While in the Arena, she enc...more
Don't get me wrong, this book was good. But I had several issues with it.
Let's start with the positives.
Callie Hayes was an amazing protagonist. She was someone totally relatable; I rooted for her the whole way. Even when the plot got boring, the preaching too preach-y, and the situation irritating, I stuck with it because of Callie.
The descriptions? Stunning. I felt like I was standing in the Arena, seeing what Callie saw and the terrors she had to overcome. Her love and her hate were equall...more
Let's start with the positives.
Callie Hayes was an amazing protagonist. She was someone totally relatable; I rooted for her the whole way. Even when the plot got boring, the preaching too preach-y, and the situation irritating, I stuck with it because of Callie.
The descriptions? Stunning. I felt like I was standing in the Arena, seeing what Callie saw and the terrors she had to overcome. Her love and her hate were equall...more
This book started off pretty weak for me and finished off just ok. I would have stopped reading if I hadn't loved the authors guardian king series. The writing quality definitely improved throughout the book with some places here and there that were especially good or especially poor. The Christian allegory did not go over well with me like it did in her guardian king series. It did not fit in well to the story and was often overly blatant.. Actually, the whole reason for the arena was plain odd...more
Harrowing adventure, mystery, and loads of fast-paced action – I could not put this book down! At least for the first half, I couldn’t.
The premise is that a young woman agrees to participate in a psychology experiment. She becomes alarmed during the screening and tries to back out, but is not allowed to. Instead she finds herself thrown into a matrix-like “arena” where she must find the exit back to the real world.
But the arena is huge, a world of its own, filled with predatory bio-forms, almos...more
The premise is that a young woman agrees to participate in a psychology experiment. She becomes alarmed during the screening and tries to back out, but is not allowed to. Instead she finds herself thrown into a matrix-like “arena” where she must find the exit back to the real world.
But the arena is huge, a world of its own, filled with predatory bio-forms, almos...more
When Callie allows her friend to convince her to participate in a psychological study to earn $50, she has no idea what she’s getting herself into. She shows up for the test, and her suspicions are aroused by all the high-tech machinery used to evaluate her before the test even begins. And what about those too-gorgeous men running the place? She tries to back out, but instead finds herself transported into another world – the Arena. The ‘test’ is to find the gate back home by following the instr...more
Aug 29, 2009
Dina Sleiman
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Everyone
Recommended to Dina by:
Christi Sleiman
Shelves:
favorites
I wish I could give this book a sixth star. Take a dash of Pilgrim’s Progress, toss in a good helping of The Matrix, and you get Arena by Karen Hancock. Talk about a book I couldn’t put down. My teenaged daughter highly recommended Arena to me, and it turned out to be one of the most fascinating and unique novels I have ever read. Sci-fi fans will go especially crazy for this book, but everyone will appreciate the finely crafted allegory of the Christian experience.
Callie Hayes thinks she is si...more
Callie Hayes thinks she is si...more
I really go back and forth between two and three stars.
It did keep me going but I felt the storyline was a bit repetitous. I did appreciate the book enough to want to see what else she was written which is why I finally decided on the three stars.
I love the idea of Christian themed science fiction and wish more people were writing in this strangely odd but perfect genre, originally started out by Perelandra by CS Lewis, if you ask me. The reviews in the book said this was Pilgrim's Progress mee...more
It did keep me going but I felt the storyline was a bit repetitous. I did appreciate the book enough to want to see what else she was written which is why I finally decided on the three stars.
I love the idea of Christian themed science fiction and wish more people were writing in this strangely odd but perfect genre, originally started out by Perelandra by CS Lewis, if you ask me. The reviews in the book said this was Pilgrim's Progress mee...more
This book was suggested to me by a friend when I discovered I already had it in my bookshelf. I figured I'd give it a look. Aside from the real world implications (that was my biggest complaint and why I give it four stars instead of five) I found the landscape very lurid and almost felt as if the world was a video game (not far off, since it was simulated).
One of the big factors for me was the story was an allegory. I didn't realize this until after I read the book. Allegories in literature can...more
One of the big factors for me was the story was an allegory. I didn't realize this until after I read the book. Allegories in literature can...more
Arena is a Christian allegory with a science fiction bend. Callie lives a quiet, unsuccessful life until her friend encourages her to sign up as a volunteer for a psychology test for some extra cash. She ends up being sent into an arena that she needs to survive. If she follows the instructions, she will become confident and understand herself in ways that she never did.
Parts of the story were interesting, some were confusing, and the allegory sometimes became very obvious.
I'd recommend this bo...more
Parts of the story were interesting, some were confusing, and the allegory sometimes became very obvious.
I'd recommend this bo...more
I really liked this book, and the theme of focusing on Christ to overcome the hurdles, trials, and demons in one's life. I had read a review saying that there was too much focus on rape, but I disagree. The attempted rape scenes were not graphic at all, though they conveyed the emotion of such a trauma well. And when people are totally given over to self-indulgence, there will be rape as they gratify their lusts.
If I have any criticism, it is that there is too much time given to the emotions of...more
If I have any criticism, it is that there is too much time given to the emotions of...more
Arena begins with Callie Hayes, a broke post-college gal working a dead-end job seeking… something more. Desperate for money and enlightenment, she volunteers for a paid psychological research study. What she thinks is an obstacle course simulation lasting only a few hours, is actually a multi-dimensional & highly realistic other realm that she must escape unscathed. She soon finds out that her life problems are quite small and manageable compared to the horrors and dangers inside the Arena....more
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I'm not sure where to start. Though I enjoy this book from a purely sci-fi standpoint, its undertone is simply unbearable. Every time I manage to forget the fact that this book was written as a (rather shitty) allegory, something will come up that practically flaunts it. The best way to put it is your friend is telling a mildly amusing story. He means it to be humorous, but you find it interesting nonetheless. Yet every time you manage to forget how stupid the point of your friend's story is, he...more
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This is one of the most fantastic books I've read in a long time. I love that the author brings you into a world and tells you all these things and never lets you fall into the normal lull of christian fiction where you know what will happen. The scifi/fantasy aspect of the book was really refreshing as well. I tell everyone looking for a book to read to start with this one. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a fun, thoughtful, and well written book.
One of my favorite books, re-read it again, have already read it a couple of times. It is a very different kind of book, blending sci-fi and Christian allegory, but it also is a great adventure and quite a ride, one of those books you can't put down. A bit on the edgy side, so not for everyone, but very clear allegory. On the back of the book it is described as a modern blending of elements of the Matrix and Pilgrim's Progress, and I would add: and more! If you want something different, check it...more
I can't believe I've waited this long to read this novel. Couldn't put it down. If you enjoy Kathy Tyers, you'll like this one. A few descriptions are a tad bit sensual, but they are written with taste and make sense within the context of the story. I do agree with some of the reviewers that at times the allegory was a little obvious, but hey... so was the allegory in The Chronicles of Narnia and I loved that. It really does make you look at your Christian walk in a new light.
It was pretty decent, especially considering it was her first book. A little blatant but I could mostly deal. I liked the fact that she wasn't afraid to deal with some gritty subjects such as rape and though it wasn't graphic it conveyed the trauma well. It was different from other allegories I've read. I think that I'm just not a big fan of allegory in general with the only exception being Hinds Feet on High places.
A friend recommended this to me, so I sat down and read it -- in about six hours. You are kept wanting to know more, to find out what will happen to Callie and her friends. But therein lies the frustration -- it takes so long to reach the end. I sometimes found myself skim-reading, and the pacing in the second half was rather slow. But I liked the symbolism and she had some great and unique touches here and there.
I didn't expect to enjoy this one, but I ended up really liking it. It was sometimes hard so see past the heavy-handed, rather corny fundamentalist Christian metaphors, though. Once I finished rolling my eyes, however, I was completely sucked into the wonderfully crafted, full, lush world that she created. Like every good book I have read, I was left wanting to stay in that world a little longer.
This is my favorite book. I didn't know what to expect when I picked this one up, but two days later I still couldn't put it down for more than a few minutes. I read it years ago and I still reread it. It's got great plot, characters, pacing, and is a fabulous allegory of the Christian walk from before salvation til God takes u home. I can't say enough good things about it. It's a must read.
Arena is a little bit of a vague and too quick paced book with a very good message. The character is dull and slow to think, but it is all in an effort for the reader to associate with the life of Christ not the actual world the author creates. In the end I was frustrated, but several of my friends enjoyed it, so take this review with a grain of salt and a teaspoon of sugar.
This was almost on the Tathea level for me.. It generated some of the same thoughts and emotions. It made me wonder how close the Savior really walks with us.
This didn't go as deep as Tathea did or else it was just easier to follow the allegory.
I highly recommend this one I just happened to spot on the library shelf. Do you ever feel "led" to books when you are there?
This didn't go as deep as Tathea did or else it was just easier to follow the allegory.
I highly recommend this one I just happened to spot on the library shelf. Do you ever feel "led" to books when you are there?
I detested this book. Although I don't mind an allegorical novel (The Witch, the Lion and the Wardrobe comes to mind), I prefer them to be more subtle. This one basically took a sledgehammer to your head over and over again. Without the "finding Jesus" allegory, this book became just a routine fantasy novel. So, the question is: why did I waste my time finishing this?
Callie expected the experiment to help her make decisions . . . Not whisk her into an alien world! Totally unprepared for the adventure, danger, or the man she meets, Callie is more than confused. Could the way out of this Arena be as simple as following the rules? Or is there no truth on this alien planet?
I know this is religious propaganda which I usually shy away from but I have been reading this book twice a year for about 6 years. I love the story, the characters and the message overall. There are parallels in here that speak to so many situations and personality's in your own life. Good stuff.
I really enjoyed this book. I felt like Karen Hancock created such a realistic world and I felt very connected to the characters. I was sad when it ended because I wanted the story to go on longer. I also wished there was a second book but it might have been too much of a good thing.
This won a Christy award a few years back as a Sci-fi book, which piqued my interest. Coming from an LDS perspective, I had a few points of theological disagreement, but on the whole, a very well-done allegory with likable characters and a well-imagined world. It was very exciting!
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Aug 29, 2009 07:09pm