Book Review - Arena (Arena #1) by Holly Jennings

Photo Credit - Amazon

Kali Ling was chosen to be the first female captain in the RAGE tournaments. She along with hundreds of modern day gamers who train like athletes fight in the virtual world. In game, they fight and kill each other but while the deaths are fake the pain is real. However, that changes when one of Kali's team member overdoses on HP and dies. Unable to cope with the pain; the virtual world and reality starts to blend for Kali. Her life comes crashing down when the new recruit and her continuously butt heads. 

When I first read the description of the novel, I had very high hopes for this novel. Sadly, I was left very disappointed. The supporting characters didn't seem fully developed unless they were Kali or Rooke. I also found Kali's personality to be very abrasive and arrogant -- hard to want her to succeed.  The writing felt flat and forced like the writer was trying to hard to look like a gamer herself. I don't recall anyone writing "pwned" in the recent years and I doubt with how far in the future this book takes place that they would even know what it means. It is like the author bashes the gamer lingo on the reader's head.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - Dragon Seed by Marty Machowski

Photo Credit  - Amazon

A single mother with two teens each facing their own demons. Nick, her son is angry and doesn't like to be told what to do. Martha, her daughter believes that everyone is wrong and judges others on their mistakes. When Nick and his mother get into another argument and Nick decides his only option is to run away; he receives a letter bound story that was passed down to him from his great grandfather. The book which is named "Dragon Seed", is reimagination of the exile of Satan from the Kingdom along with the arrival of Jesus. While reading the story, Nick is introduce to another angry young man. Nick bonds with this other young man and realizes that the story fits his life and the struggles he also faces in life. Will Nick be able to use the lessons to fit his own lifestyles? What are these shadows that keep following Nick and his sister?

The novel was an interesting and enjoyable read. I enjoyed reading the parts of both "real life" struggle of Nick and his mother along with the spiritual story. However, I felt some of the conversation between Nick and his family felt stilted and forced while the spiritual story felt rushed towards the end especially since it was drawn out in the beginning. It was an interesting read and a good read for children to help with their spiritual lessons. The author included a 12 step biblical teaching guide for readers to reinforce the biblical principles.

**Disclosure - I receieved a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion**