This book was much better than the first too me, but that only says so much. Again, I really like the ideas behind this series, and I love the main character. She is great, but this book lacked some serious editing that makes me question how it made it to publication. Things that made me question the sanity of this book?-I mean come on when they name the dog after referring to the dog by Penelope for several pages. That is insane that NOBODY saw that before publication.- I am pleased to not be the only one to wonder why 5 people went through two mature deer so fast? That made zero sense especially considering three were girls and one was dying. They acted like they were starving all the time, but it seemed like they had tons to eat all the time. -The whole Rose thing was awful. I couldn't believe they give a tiny girl booze and pills that would knock a grown man out, but they just act like it is nothing. - Why would characters i.e. Ben get off boat and leave his weapons in said boat when looking for gas? I mean come on who leaves their weapon in a hostile environment and gets it stolen?-Further, I keep wondering who/where are all of these characters we hear about? So far there is no organization of anyone trying to stop this weird arena games. I kind of don't understand/believe these arena games could continue for three years and still have kids to kill. I also do not understand why the mutants are enjoying this stuff? Where are the adults? Heck I keep half expecting a twist in the third book to be her finding her Dad and have a utopian plot to solve all the problems. It just seems like we got a lot of characters mentioned but no depth so normally that means they come back up. Like Logan's girlfriend WTH we never even really learn how she reminds him of his girlfriend or what happened to her. I liked the arena two setup. It was brutal and interesting. The traveling wasn't as boring in this book as the first one. This was about all that was interesting in this book, but it was enough to merit the three stars. I kind of want to know what happens, but I don't know why the release date isn't expected till 2015. You would think with such a long time before final release the book might actually be edited this time. Goodreads Synopsis: Having just escaped from the treacherous island that was once Manhattan, Brooke, Ben, Logan, Bree and Rose make their way up the Hudson river in their stolen boat, low on fuel, low on food, and desperately needing shelter from the cold. On their tails are the slaverunners, who will stop at nothing until they capture them and bring them back.As they make their way upriver in this post-apocalyptic, action-packed thriller, on their way to try to find the mythical city in Canada, they will need to use all their ingenuity and survival skills to stay alive. Along the way they will encounter crazed survivors, roving gangs of predators, cannibals, wild animals, a desolate wasteland, and an unstoppable blizzard. They sustain injuries, get sick, and the Hudson freezes over as they do their best to salvage what they can and avoid the slaverunners’ pursuit. They find a small island and think they have found respite—until events don’t go their way. It is not until they board a mysterious train to nowhere that they find that things can always get worse.Along the way, Brooke’s feelings for Logan intensify, as do her feelings for Ben. Torn between these two boys, caught between their jealousy, she is unsure how she feels—until events choose for her. As they find themselves thrown back into an arena, they are shocked to discover that Arena Two is even worse. Thrown into a barbaric fighting stage, equipped with weapons, pitted against other teenagers—and against themselves—Brooke and the others will be forced to choose what’s important, and to make the most difficult sacrifices of their lives. Because in Arena Two, no one survives. Ever.My Review: This book was crazy. It starts, and everyone's on a boat. Brooke had been passed out drunk. I guess you need to celebrate when you escape Arena One. I'm not sure if the second book was as good as the first one. I felt like I was reading the same book again, only with a couple different characters, and a different arena. It's weird, I wasn't expecting that. The book is good enough on it's own, aside from that big thing. It's a fun read. I liked it. I mean sure there were parts I didn't like, like how easy the escape was for them, and and how they just kind of sat around for a chunk of the book, but that's okay with me. It is a middle story in a series. It happens. I'll definitely check out the last one, and hopefully it's not the exact same as the other two... Anyways. Thanks for reading. (Radioactivebookreviews.wordpress.com)
What do You think about Arena Two (2012)?
Amazing!!!!!!!!!One of the best series I've read!Much better version of the Hunger Games!
—emmar
The only bad thing is the lack of editing
—CelticSold1er
