Arena (Arena, #1)

by Holly Jennings

[Ashley]

Thank goodness Arena made a comeback!

My timeline of thoughts was pretty much:

- Oohh, cool.
- Mmhmm..
- Ugh, drugs.
- STAAAAHHHPPP
- Maybe I'll DNF.
- Okay she's coming to her senses.
- Fuck yes, awesome.
- YESSSSS
- Too far.
- Hmm, okay awesome.

Arena was a super cool idea and I loooved the whole gamer/gladiator concept. It's like two of my greatest loves mated to become super great love. #weird

But then there was this whole drinking/partying/crazy drug scene that I honestly wish was cut from the book. I get that it was semi necessary for the main character's character development, but ughh.. I hated it. I was so close to quitting the book because of it. If it weren't for the MC's spiral into chaos and insanely annoying drug issues, I think I could have given this five stars.

Luckily that phase ends and then it 100% focuses on the gaming, which was so.awesome. Then there's this romance, which was equally awesome.

For a while I felt like the MC overdid it with some philosophical, deep thought stuff, but whatever. I kind of tried to ignore it.

I had some issues with the details of this book, but those issues aside, Arena was solidly entertaining (except.. you know.. the part I hated). Particularly at the end — I was on the edge of my seat and pretty sure I started sweating in anticipation. I think my knuckles turned white from how tightly I was gripping my kindle.

I'm not sure yet if I'll check out the second book though. I quite like the idea of this being a standalone. But we'll see..