Book Review of The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Title:  The Goddess Test

Author:  Aimee Carter

Release Date:  April 19th, 2011

Genre:  Young Adult Paranormal Romance

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.

Summary from Goodreads.com

My Review:  I am a huge fan of Greek mythology.  I actually have a bookshelf in my house dedicated just to Greek mythology, so any book that has it intertwined in the plot is one I am going to read.

I have also seen a lot of buzz for The Goddess Test around the blogging world and after reading this book I can see why.  The Goddess Test is filled with familiar mythology that will lure you in, but has a fresh twist that will keep you engrossed from start to finish.  I started this book one night before bed and found myself sneaking in as much reading time as possible the next day so I could finish and see where the story would lead me next.

While I would consider this book a young adult paranormal romance, I liked that the relationship was not the main focus of the story.  The bond between Kate and Henry formed naturally and was given time to mature properly.  You are not forced into this “OMG, I love you so much” type of reaction as soon as the two main characters meet.  It was refreshing to watch two people get to know each other instead of just jumping into instant lust.

Something else that I found interesting was the “tests” that Kate was put through.  I thought we would know them even if Kate didn’t, but as the reader I was just as clueless as she was.  Something that might sound frustrating, but it just left me eager to discover how she was being tested that much more.  I was dissecting every event that transpired trying to decipher the clues left for me.  This book kept me completely intrigued and guessing the entire time.

The Greek mythology was also very prevalent and was a welcomed element to the story.  I loved getting a new spin on a classic tale and getting a peek at how the immortals were adapting in this ever changing world.  It was also fun to try and guess who was who since the Gods and Goddesses have all changed their names.  They want to keep up with modern times so their true identities are a mystery.  While I did have some of the plot riddled out by the end, I was completely taken aback at some revelations.  I love puzzles and The Goddess Test definitely holds plenty of them.

Overall, I am really happy I picked this book up!  I fell in love with the sweet relationship that bloomed between Henry and Kate through the book and was fascinated by the new mythology that was mixed in with the old.  The Goddess Test is a fresh take on the legends of the Greek Gods that has left me breathless and made me fall in love with Greek mythology all over again.  Kate takes a journey through, love, loss and finding her own inner strength and I was thrilled to be on that trek with her.  I am looking forward to the next installment in this captivating trilogy to see where this road leads Henry and Kate next.

FTC:  I received an e-galley of this book from NetGalley