The Goddess Test (Review)

Title: The Goddess Test

Author(s): Aimee Carter
Edition: Paperback, 293 pages

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Publication Date: April 19, 2011

Source: Borrowed from library

Buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble

The Summary

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It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

(Goodreads)

My Opinion
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The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter was a really sweet story.  I loved the change in mythology that Carter made within the book, and each character was different from each other, but still retained a part of the original mythos for that god or goddess.  The Greek Gods are some of my favorite mythological systems, and I love reading books that take the original stories and remix them!

I felt like Carter put a lot of heart into this book.  There was a focus on family and what you would do for a someone that you loved, that really added a layer of urgency and importance to each thing within the story.  I felt the way the plot was quiet with pops of action really made the story exciting.  I liked the focus on feelings because what Kate goes through is much more of an internal change, rather than an external.

Speaking of Kate, I felt she was a great protagonist.  She is a young women struggling to keep her mother alive, giving up a lot of things to do so.  I think this is what makes her so great.  She isn't some demi-god or superhero or a warrior; she is a scared girl fighting for the one person that means the world to her.  I thought Kate's reactions to everything happening to her were very realistic, and I love when authors manage to do this.  It makes the story, even though it's filled with crazy stuff, much more relatable.

Each character, as I mentioned, were interesting in their own way, but I have a huge crush on Henry!  He is just so intense, but in such a great way.  He cares so deeply, and you can see the struggle he has between caring for Kate and holding on to his love of Persephone.  The way that Carter re-imagined the myth of Hades into Henry was fantastic.  Yes, he is still dark and intimidating, but overall he is protective and so giving.  I love him so much!

Overall, I really loved The Goddess Test!  I thought it was a really original story, and used a mix of character development and action sequences really well.  I thought the writing was solid, and I loved the way Carter focused inward, letting the reader's feel the emotional struggle Kate was going through, rather than focusing on the physical things.  Very beautiful, and very romantic.  I think The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter is well worth a read, and the next book in the series, Goddess Interrupted (coming out March 27th 2012), is going to be just as good.

Extras

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Some of my favorite quotes!

“No matter what happens, I will always be there for you, even if you do not remember who I am.” - Henry

“It has been a very long time since I've received a gift as extraordinary as you.” - Henry

I don't want to have too many as to not spoil anything, but come one!  Henry is one eloquent guy, right?  I am, literally, melting.

Final Rating

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Book Cover: 5/5

Book Title: 4/5

Plot: 9.5/10

Characters: 9/10

Writing: 9/10

Ending: 9/10

Overall: 45.5/50: A-

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