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Book Reviews of Girl in the Arena

Girl in the Arena
Girl in the Arena
Author: Lise Haines
ISBN-13: 9781599905211
ISBN-10: 1599905213
Publication Date: 8/17/2010
Pages: 336
Reading Level: Young Adult
Rating:
  • Currently 2.3/5 Stars.
 6

2.3 stars, based on 6 ratings
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

4 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

GeniusJen avatar reviewed Girl in the Arena on + 5322 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Reviewed by Karin Librarian for TeensReadToo.com

In today's society, we enjoy brutal sports like World Wrestling Entertainment and the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Imagine, if you will, a world where we also couldn't wait for the next gladiator match.

Lyn lives in just such a world. In fact, she is deeply entrenched in the Glad lifestyle. Lyn's mother has had seven husbands - all Glad fighters. She has been widowed six times, her husbands always dying in the arena. Her latest husband, Tommy, is set to fight in a championship battle against Uber, a young up-and-comer in the Neo-Glad world.

When the worst possible thing happens and Tommy is killed in the fight, Lyn, her mother, and her brother are left in a desperate situation. Either Lyn marries Uber and becomes a Glad Wife, or the family loses everything. Lyn must look deep within herself to decide what she is willing to do.

I really enjoyed reading GIRL IN THE ARENA, even though the writing style took a little getting used to. The only reason it didn't get 5 Stars is the ending. It seems a little rushed and leaves too much up in the air. GIRL IN THE ARENA doesn't seem to need a sequel, so the reader will be left with their questions forever.
softrbreeze avatar reviewed Girl in the Arena on + 27 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I'll prequalify this by saying I have not yet finished the book (about 2/3 of the way through) but so far, very disappointed. Such an interesting premise for a plot, but the follow-through is lacking. The style of writing is very off-putting and creates an atmosphere of having to WADE through the dialogue. It just does not flow smoothly- the author frequently does not utilize punctuation to indicate if what you are reading is thought or speech of the characters. I can't say the characters are all that engaging either, although there is potential there.

Update: I finished the book and trust me- it did not get any better. Don't waste your time.
rosethorn6 avatar reviewed Girl in the Arena on
IT DOESN'T END!!!! The writing just stops!
LimeBlack avatar reviewed Girl in the Arena on + 9 more book reviews
Decent book. Despite the dramatic looking cover and description, it's fairly slow-paced. Could've done with more time spent in the arena + training instead her relationships with others and her thoughtprocesses, which took up a good deal of the book. Most of the book took place in the space between her father's death and her battle at the end, and didn't have much high-paced or even really all that interesting content. OK to read once but wouldn't bother reading it a second time.