Friday, July 6, 2012

REVIEW: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

The Goddess Test (Goddess Test, #1)
Title: The Goddess Test
Author: Aimee Carter
Series:  Goddess Test (#1)
Pages:  293
Publisher:  Harlequin Teen
Format:  Paperback
Source:  Borrowed

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...


_______________________________________
Favorite Quote:
“Maybe you'll win when hell freezes over."
He raised an eyebrow.
"That could be easily arranged.”
______________________________________

I've always enjoyed Greek Mythology so when I read the blurb for this series I was intrigued.  Kate is a mortal, her mother is dying of cancer, she's moved to a new town and she starts a new school.  When she meets Henry and he claims to be Hades she thinks he's obviously nuts.  But when a friend dies and Henry bring her back to life she realizes he may be telling the truth.  He tells her that he wants her to take a test and if she passes she'll become a goddess and his wife.  In exchange he agrees to keep her mother alive long enough for Kate tell her good-bye properly.

Kate is a character that is a little hard to get a good grasp on.  She seems like such a strong person, but then suddenly she's crying her eyes out.  I never quite connected with her the way I wanted to.  She's been through a lot watching her mother battle cancer, and she's extremely lonely.  She's put her entire life on hold, even quiting school her senior year to take care of her mother, and she's unsure what she'll do with her life when her mother's gone.  When Henry gives her a chance at a life and a home, she can't help but be drawn to it, and to him.  Henry is a tragic soul and that makes him a complicated character.  He's lived thousands of years alone since his first wife, Persephone, left him for a mortal man.  He's still in love with her and it has nearly driven him mad.  He needs a new wife to help him rule the Underworld, but he doesn't believe he will ever love another woman and he's perfectly happy to hand over his realm to someone else so he can fade away.  Even though a part of me wanted to scream at him to "Get over it, already!", I also can't help but sympathize with him.  Watching Kate try to tear down his defenses should be a sweet and loving process, but instead I get a "tough love" feeling that didn't quite fit.  While I enjoyed the modern take on Greek Mythology, Henry manages to completely destroy my picture of the evil and terrifying Hades, and he replaces him with someone sincere and romantic.  I'm not sure yet whether I like that or not.  I really wanted to love this book, and while it wasn't amazing, it was good enough that I immediately began the next in the series.

3 * * *

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