Search - Arena

This book I picked up at the library on a whim expecting something completely different than what I got. But I loved this book! I enjoyed the sci-fi fantasy elements of the book and the loose allegory in it. The book had a lot of action in it and it is one of my favorite books. Plus, it isn't too short so you have time to get to know the characters. This also has some romance worked into it. Also, the allegory is bridging the main characters' journey to Christianity, so if you are not a Christian you may not appreciate that. But if you enjoy this book look for other books by Karen Hancock.

I read this book a few years ago and I remember it to be a very strange story about some young people being tricked into volunteering for a study and instead of some clinical work on the campus, they are suddenly transported into some other world. The story is about their journey to try to get back from this place by the choices they make along their journey. It is so loosely based on the Christian life that I really did not understand how it could be classified as a religious novel. The story is fairly interesting and probably would be a great read for science fiction and fantasy fans. Since I am neither, it was a big letdown for me.

A readable and interesting Christian allegory in a science fiction setting. Callie and her friend volunteer for a psychology experiment that in reality transports them to another, alternate world. One of danger and temptation, as they strive to find the passage back to their own world. I'm not a science fiction fan, but found this intriguing.

This was a great allegory about God and the trials that we enter into as faith is tested. The aliens have the humans enter into the arena where their faith is tested and they grow according the way they act on their faith. I found the first two hundred pages to be a little slow but then it really picked up as Callie's character grew. I enjoyed her progression through the arena and her growth. It was a good read.

I picked this book up off the shelf at my local library because I was bored and needed something to get me through my lunch break. I was depressed and lonely. I had no idea that this book had very strong Christian ties. When I figured it out, I was too far into the book to put it down. This book gave me something I thought I lost...hope. It left me with some valuable words of wisdom "It's not trust if it doesn't look bad"

This is Karen Hancock's debut novel and it is a fantastic first work. The story is a Christian allegory, which may not be obvious to those less familiar with the Bible. The love of God is an ultimate message of the story, and, in my opinion, a powerful one. The romantic elements made the story more interesting to me, and made the book science fiction for women. I highly recommend this book and Hancock's Eidon series as well.