Arena by Karen Hancock

Stand-alone novel

Summary: 

A journey she did not choose will change her life forever.

Transported surreptitiously to a terrifying alien world, with limited resources and only a few cryptic words to guide her, Callie Hayes finds herself engulfed in a perilous battle for freedom – for her very life. After agreeing to participate in a routine psychology research experiment, she must unravel the mysteries shrouding her only route of escape or risk succumbing to the deadly deception of the Arena.

A mesmerizing journey through the treacherous terrain of a strange and terrifying world. A powerful allegory that will capture your imagination with its timelessness and aching familiarity.

Opening Lines: 

"They won't be taking blood or anything, will they?" Callie Hayes looked up from the clipboard in her hands to the dimpled youth behind the receptionist's counter. 

"Our physical evaluations are noninvasive," he assured her. "Completely painless." 

"For goodness' sake, Callie," Meg Riley protested beside her. "It's only a psychology experiment. Why are you giving him the third degrees?"