#arena

About the Book

Book: Arena
Author: Karen Hancock
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: April 16, 2022

A Journey She Did Not Choose Will Change Her Life Forever

Transported surreptitiously to a terrifying alien world, with limited resources and only a few cryptic words to guide her, Callie Hayes finds herself engulfed in a perilous battle for freedom – for her very life. After agreeing to participate in a routine psychology research experiment, she must unravel the mysteries shrouding her only route of escape or risk succumbing to the deadly deception of the Arena.

A mesmerizing journey through the treacherous terrain of a strange and terrifying world. A powerful allegory that will capture your imagination with its timelessness and aching familiarity. If you missed this classic, now is the time to enjoy the 20th Anniversary Edition of the Christy Award-winning novel, Arena, now in hardcover for the first time!

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Karen Hancock has won Christy Awards for each of her first four novels—Arena and the first three books in the Legends of the Guardian-King series, The Light of Eidon, The Shadow Within, and Shadow over Kiriath. She graduated from the University of Arizona with bachelor’s degrees in biology and wildlife biology. Along with writing, she is a semi-professional watercolorist and has exhibited her work in a number of national juried shows. She and her family reside in Arizona.

My Review

Arena
by Karen Hancock
Rating: 4/5

A modern take of Pilgrim’s Progress meets Hunger Games with aliens makes this book a fun and interesting story. One of my friends had recommended this book to me so when the opportunity came to review the 20th anniversary edition, I was excited to read what she was so excited about.

First, the new book cover is absolutely gorgeous. I had to preorder my own copy.
Second, the story starts off right away and hooks the reader. This sci-fi fantasy is thrilling and the world-building is ridiculously good. The story does stay fast paced and slow-paced at the same time. I don’t know how to explain it but it did take me a few days to finish the book.
Third, the characters are great. I got so frustrated with the main character, Callie, a lot but could definitely relate to her fears.
Fourth, the allegory is clever and super creative. I loved the author’s imagination and faith.

I can see why this book was a big hit and a classic. I found it a good read but maybe not as entertaining as I was hoping. It still gets 4 stars though because it is well written and a beautiful adventure story.

Highly recommend if you enjoy Christian fantasy with sci-fi and romance.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

More from Karen

Arena was not my first novel. The Light of Eidon was. In those days, however, Christian publishers were not interested in the fantasy genre because it had too much magic and wizards and such, despite the publication of the works of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. They were softening to science fiction, however, and thanks to Kathy Tyers, Randy Ingermanson, John Olson and others the door was opened in 2001 for what is called “speculative fiction.” Arena fit right in, and was published by Bethany House in 2002. It went on to win a Christy Award, which started the ball rolling for the Guardian King series. Three out of the four Guardian King books in that series also won Christy Awards, at which point I was the first speculative fiction author inducted into the Christy Award Hall of Fame in 2013.

I am thrilled to have Arena appear again in this 20th anniversary edition with a new cover and in limited-edition hardcover. Oasis Audio will also be producing the audiobook, for the first time, so it can be available for every type of reader.