Title: The Goddess Test
Author: Aimee Carter
Publisher: Harlequin TEEN
Pages: 304

Summary: 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.

I read this a few weeks ago, and since I’d much rather deal my book-crack for books that are already released, I decided to put off posting this for a few weeks until it was on the shelves and ready to be consumed by anyone who might actually listen to me, hehe.

Let me tell you, I kept hearing so much about this book, and talking to the sweet author herself over on Twitter, so I couldn’t wait to read this. I was lucky that netGalley provided me an early copy so I could review and when I finally did get it, I was in the middle of another series. After finishing it, I wished I’d flounced that other crap to read this sooner, hah.

I absolutely loved it. Love, death, romance and a really intriguing story… definitely all of my favorite things!

Now, we went over a few weeks ago that Greek mythology really isn’t my thing, which as I’ve said before, helped me enjoy this book for what it was. I didn’t go into it expecting anything. And you’ll probably laugh to find this out, mostly, I don’t read book summaries. I usually read books based on word-of-mouth recommendations from friends or pretty covers. This one had both. I mean seriously, is that cover not gorgeous?

(Hint, authors, if your cover is ugly, I probably won’t read your book, I’m a total cover-snob). Okay, I’m getting off topic. Let me tell you about the book:

In The Goddess Test, Aimee Carter takes some pretty common stories/concepts that we’ve all heard about since grade school and put her own creative and unique spin on them. It’s a modern day telling of the story of Persephone. But, if you go into this expecting it to be what you think it is, you’ll be disappointed. Things are not always what they seem. Let your preconceived ideas go, and remember that this book is a work of fiction. The whole point of being a writer is taking something and making it your own. That’s exactly what I feel Aimee does, and I have nothing but love for her because of it.

The main character, Kate, is being forced to move away because her mother is ill. Kate knows she’ll be gone soon, and she wants nothing more than for her mother to enjoy her last days. This brings Kate and her mom to Eden, Michigan. Almost immediately, Kate’s figured out that things in Eden aren’t quite what they seem.

In addition to making a new friend, James, Kate immediately attracts the attention of one of the popular boys at school, Dylan. And his girlfriend, Ava, doesn’t seem to like it at all. Ava invites her to a party, only to play a mean and nasty trick on her.

Which leads Kate to Henry.

”Kate, have you ever heard the story of Persephone?”

My mother loved Greek mythology, and she used to read the stories to me as a child. But what did that have to do with anything? “What? I—yes, a long time ago,” I said, bewildered. “Can you fix her? Is she—can you? Please?”

Henry stood. “Yes, if you promise me one thing.”

“Whatever you want.” I stood, too, daring to hope.

“Read the myth of Persephone again, and you will figure it out.”

In order to save Ava’s life—and her mothers—Kate makes a bargain with Henry that leads her to seven tests the Gods have designed to prove whether she’s worthy of being Henry’s saving grace. If she fails, she dies. And so does he.

Aimee’s characters were well developed, and the plot moved along perfectly until the big finish. Which I have to admit, surprised the heck out of me. The struggle Kate faces with her mother, and moving to a new place felt believable. And I don’t blame her for making the deal she did. We do crazy things to save the ones we love, right?

And when you add in the mysterious moony-eyed boy, Henry… well, yeah, I was hooked.

I hope you will be too, because I know I can’t wait to find out what’s in store for these characters next!

Read The Goddess Test now!

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