Review: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

THE GODDESS TEST
By: Aimee Carter
Published By: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: April 19, 2011
Series: Goddess Test (#1)
Pages: 293
Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: Young Adult
Source: ALA
Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads Summary: EVERY GIRL WHO HAS TAKEN THE TEST HAS DIED.

NOW IT'S KATE'S TURN.

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 that 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 suceeds, she'll become Henry's future bride and a goddess.

IF SHE FAILS...



I've had The Goddess Test for a while, but I only recently read it. I'm so glad I did! I really like mythology, and this book brings Greek myths to life in an inventive new way.

For years, Kate's life has revolved around caring for her mother, who is dying of cancer. It's always been the two of them against the world, and Kate is dreading the time when her mother passes away. Her mother's last request is to move back to Eden, the town where she grew up, and so Kate bids goodbye to New York City and goes to Michigan with her mother. In the process of trying to make new friends, however, she meets Henry instead. After he does her an impossible favor, he tells her that in exchange she will need to come with him on the autumnal equinox to the Underworld. It seems that Henry - or Hades - has plans for Kate, plans that include making her his future queen. But for her to become queen, Kate will have to pass seven tests. Seven tests that have killed eleven other girls... Can Kate leave the world behind and to join Henry, even if it means saving her mother. And more importantly, if she does...can she pass?

At first glance, it might seem like The Goddess Test is a simple retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth, but it is really so much more than that. Though the myth is incorporated, it is only a basis for the story, not the story in itself, and Kate is not the long-lost reincarnation of Persephone. Instead, this is a story about love, sacrifice, and courage. I loved that Kate didn't simply accept Henry's story about being Hades. She was not ready to run off with him to the Underworld just because of his good looks. She questioned him, wanted proof, and even throughout their time together she continued to challenge him and push him. Kate was a strong character who would do anything to protect those she loved she loved, including risking her life to save her mother. In addition, I really appreciated that even though there was attraction between Henry and Kate, there was no insta-love. They did talk, though admittedly Henry was rather quiet sometimes, and over time they built their relationship. Because of this, and because of Henry himself, I found myself being drawn to him just as Kate was.

That being said, I wanted to know Henry better than I did. Eventually his secrecy ceased being intriguing and began to be frustrating. There were lulls in the plot at times and the tests were not quite what I was expecting. However, there were just enough twists in this novel (though some were fairly easy to guess) to continue to keep me interested. And even though the ending tied up many things, I am curious to see what will happen in the next book of this trilogy.

The Goddess Test brings a fresh twist to classic mythology, drawing you in and keeping you turning the pages. I will look forward to Goddess Interrupted!