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Title: Arena by Karen Hancock ISBN: 0-7642-2631-2 Publisher: Bethany House Publishers Pub. Date: 01 August, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $12.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.52 (33 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Amazing Allegorical Adventure, Alleluia!
Comment: Callie Hayes is still at loose ends after graduating college, and doesn't have a serious relationship or any good prospects. Encouraged by her friend Meg she signs up as a volunteer for a "psychological experiment," and finds herself transported to a harsh alien world to carry out her assignment. Unfortunately she didn't pay much attention during the orientation and quickly finds herself lost, over-whelmed and in mortal danger.
The story quickly progresses as Callie struggles to survive and somehow get back home. In the course of her struggles she faces the limits of her own intellect, learns how much of her own effort is futile, and begins to understand faith in a much deeper way. And learns how to maintain contact with, well, God. And meets Pierce who is at first arrogant and obnoxious, but... well, you'll just have to read it. It's quite exciting and it will keep you turning pages.
Yes, it's an allegorical story about a Christian's spiritual journey; you can also read it as a plain old whiz-bang adventure story. It works either way.
Author Karen Hancock makes it clear from the beginning that this is a Christian book dedicated to Jesus Christ. For the most part she handles her material deftly and without preaching, but there are times when the theology becomes just a bit heavy-handed. And there are times when she offers too much explanation for all the strange happenings, rather than just showing the reader. Sometimes there is too much blood and gore, too much danger, too many impossible situations, but--hey! I still kept on reading, and so will you. This is not a perfect book, but a good one and an uplifting one as well. I recommend it. Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber
Rating: 4
Summary: Surprised by Arena
Comment: I am thrilled to see the rebirth of interest in Christian speculative fiction, something long neglected in this age of mostly pagan-influenced writings. Though, like Tolkien, I "cordially dislike allegory" as a general rule, I nonetheless found myself impressed with Karen Hancock's first published book (I hear that her Guardian King series was actually written first). It's action-filled, and generally illustrative of her points without being preachy (as a Christian writer myself, I find that this task is more difficult than it seems). Though occasionally lapsing into what I would deem Romance Novel cliches (the main character falls for a rich cowboy named Pierce), the overall story is dramatic, and the characters are believably flawed. I found myself wincing at the truths that found their way into my heart ("We are holding his leash..."), and actually felt that I had read a complete and refreshing story. Fans of Randy Alcorn may find this novel a little too similar to his Edge of Eternity, but it is different enough in its general structure and approach to make it original and worthwhile in its own right (and perhaps even more readable).
I can definitely say that it was worth the money, and that I plan to buy all of Karen Hancock's books from this point on, as soon as they hit the shelves. Brava, Mrs. Hancock. Keep those fingers tapping.
Rating: 5
Summary: Awesome Writing--Outstanding Book
Comment: I worked for a Christian book distrubutor and read a lot of books, but this one is a definate stand-out. I love absolutely love it! The characters are original, and the plot is different from others. Karen Hancock did a wonderful job on her first book and has definately make me a fan!
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Title: The Light of Eidon (Legends of the Guardian-King, 1) by Karen Hancock ISBN: 0764227947 Publisher: Bethany House Publishers Pub. Date: 01 July, 2003 List Price(USD): $12.99 |
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Title: Oxygen by Randall Ingermanson, John Olson ISBN: 0764224425 Publisher: Bethany House Publishers Pub. Date: 01 May, 2001 List Price(USD): $12.99 |
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Title: Premonition (City of God, 1) by Randy Ingermanson ISBN: 0310247055 Publisher: Zondervan Publishing Company Pub. Date: 01 August, 2003 List Price(USD): $12.99 |
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Title: Three ISBN: 0849943728 Publisher: WestBow Press Pub. Date: 05 June, 2003 List Price(USD): $19.99 |
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Title: Transgression: A Novel by Randall Ingermanson ISBN: 0736901957 Publisher: Harvest House Publishers Pub. Date: 01 March, 2000 List Price(USD): $10.99 |
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