Comments on: Book Review: Girl in the Arena by Lise Haines

By: Girl in the Arena ~ Lise Haines « Tempting Persephone…

Girl in the Arena ~ Lise Haines « Tempting Persephone… — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:44:45 +0000

[...] review The Compulsive Reader’s review The Book Smuggler’s review Becky’s review Maw Books’ [...]

By: Ginny

Ginny — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:18:53 +0000

That trailer just sold the book for me. I especially love that the guy complaining about his crappy book had what looked like a copy of New Moon. This is going on my wish list.
x

By: Adrienne

Adrienne — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:10:56 +0000

So excited! I didn’t buy this yet because yours is the only opinion I value on book reviews (and buy about 90% of what you recommend)-sooo going to get this today after work!

BTW-Melissa’s recommendation of Beautiful Creatures was spot on-one of the best books I read this year for YA

By: katiebabs

katiebabs — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:47:45 +0000

Thea, I wish I had the same experience you did while reading this book. Girl in the Arena was a DNF for me. I couldn’t figure out if the author started things as a present day novel but then switched to a science fiction/futuristic tale because of the sudden talk of technology used such as holograms and some mention of phones that can do interesting things.

I just couldn’t connect with the story at all.

By: Lisa Richards

Lisa Richards — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:03:27 +0000

Hummm, definitely different from the “normal” books I read. Will have to check out more reviews before I would commit myself to reading it.

By: Dishonor

Dishonor — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 01:16:51 +0000

HOLY AWESOME.
This has Dishonor crack written all over it too. I loved Hunger Games, and this looks even more intriguing.

By: Thea

Thea — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:53:33 +0000

Angie – *fist pump* Hells yes! I read your review and I was sitting there nodding my head, doing the fist pump thing all the while I loved this book so much. Lyn totally effing rules. One of my favorite heroines of the year!

By: Thea

Thea — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:51:46 +0000

Li – It’s a really powerful scene, as you can see! The dashes v. quotation marks might be a bit hard to get used to, but at least for me, once I wrapped my mind around it, it wasn’t a problem! And, again, I do think the writing style (abbreviation choice and first person present tense) really adds some rawness to the story that just works. But that’s just my opinion I’d definitely be interested in seeing what you think!

LustyReader – YA Dystopian/Post-Apocalypse Lit fans unite! *highfive* And yes, the plausibility of this book really works to its credit. The fact that Lyn isn’t some uberbadass chick that can take down dudes much larger, stronger, and better trained than her is a major plus. But even more important I think is how believable this sort of alternate history and evolution of the GSA feels (to me, at least). As someone who does love to watch a good fight, it’s a little scary and jarring to think of how close we actually are today to televised fight-to-the-deaths, when you really think about it. I definitely think this is a book you’ll love and cannot wait to see what you think of it when you get a chance!!!

Veronica – The cover is awfully pretty, ain’t it? Though it is a bit misleading (Lyn’s head is shaved when she finally gets in the Arena!). I really hope you enjoy this one and let me know what you think when you’ve read it!

By: Angie

Angie — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:50:38 +0000

Yes! *fistpump*

I’m thrilled with your reaction to GIRL IN THE ARENA, Thea. I was feeling the exact same way when it came up in my queue. So blaah about everything. And then–voila! It hit me over the head with its quiet awesomeness. Love writing, love the careful craftiness, love, love, love Lyn.

By: Thea

Thea — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:44:56 +0000

Thanks for the comments, everyone!

Danielle – Hmm, could be the ARC versus final copy, or maybe just a matter of personal taste? I’ve seen a number of less enthusiastic reviews online too, which is completely fair. Just for me, personally, I really enjoyed this one and it took me by surprise (in a “I was expecting 300 and got Spartacus instead” kind of way!)

KMont – Yep, that’s the official book trailer and it is hilariously wonderful! Love it. And yes, I agree with you – I love the Hunger Games books, but they do feel derivative and repetitive to a certain extent (sorry! That doesn’t mean I don’t gobble them up, though ). In comparison, Girl in the Arena is much more…introspective and yes, personal, as you say. And I think that’s really cool. (Plus, if we’re comparing characters, Lyn is so much more in tune with herself than Katniss is, which makes her more of a standout in my opinion!) As for the quotation marks and the brevity of the sentences, I think it really adds power and something memorable to the book. It may be a bit daunting at first, but you get the hang of it

Ana – You know what also gets me? How in some UK/Australian published books, there’s the prevalence of single apostrophes in place of quotation marks! It’s cool how it varies from place to place. I agree though, once you get used to the idea, it’s totally fine.

(And yes, the song is stuck in my head too!)

Rhiannon – You know this book is right up your alley too, right? I hope you get a chance to read it! I’m interested in finding out what you think!