Book: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Book Info: Published by Harlequin Teen; 267 pages; purchased for my Nook

Genre: YA: Mythology

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Goodreads.com 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 really liked The Goddess Test, and thought it was a refreshing take on Greek mythology.  I remember thinking at one point that the search for a new Persephone reminded me of the Dread Pirate Roberts from The Princess Bride.

But I liked that the council, composed of the Greek gods and goddesses, made the decision and that there was a series of tests that Kate had to pass.  I also liked that Henry (or Hades) would fade if he didn’t find a new queen.  I’m glad the tests were contained to one book and weren’t spread out over several books.  Plus, I would like to see how Kate adjusts to being the “new Persephone.”

I think the only thing that irritated me was the “reveal” at the ending.  Finding out that she knew most of the council was predictable and while it did make sense within the confines of the novel, I still found myself irritated.  Did Carter even try to do something else with the ending?

The character development wasn’t great, which is a shame, because they clearly are more than just gods and goddesses.  But hopefully we’ll see more of them and who they really are in the next book.  The romance was okay- a little forced, of course, but not irritating.  And the relationship between all the different characters were just okay too.

Overall, I really liked it, and it’s definitely a really interesting take on Greek mythology.  I like that it focuses on the Hades and Persephone myth and I can’t wait to read the next one!  It gets a 4 out of 5.