ARENA MODE by Blake Northcott (review)

review by VJ Miller, Sr.

Arena modeArena Mode is one of those books you just can’t seem to put down; you have to know what’s going to happen next. I found myself in that same position. I must admit, I had to stop reading twice because I had other things to get done; but I didn’t stay away long.

As a former digester of comic books I enjoyed the references to many well known heroes by both DC and Marvel. The allusion to the war on terror did not go unnoticed even if Blake did not mean it that way
The similarities were there to: that of Matt Moxon as the pseudo Batman against Russia’s Son as an ersatz Superman, along with the ersatz Flash or Quicksilver (depending on choice) the Hulk and Aquaman. Cameron Frost could be placed in the role of Lex Luthor.

The protagonist (Moxon) not having any superpower other than extreme intelligence, again put me in mind of Bruce Wayne (Batman). The reason for entering the Arena are interesting and somewhat different. Overcoming all odds is not new but Blake has her own twist on that. Though I wonder if a real human could accept that much abuse and still be able to continue.

Action, intrigue, betrayal and downright cheating are all involved to the max and the real truth won’t be known until the very end… unless you are very intelligent.

Excelsior.

Five Stars

©Copyright Realms Uncharted and VJ Miller, Sr. 2015

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