Main Character: Kate
Love Interest: Henry
Series: The Goddess Test, Book 1
Author: Website|Facebook|Twitter|Goodreads
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 was kind of hesitant to start this book because I made the mistake of reading some early reviews of it and the reviews that I saw didn’t leave much to be desired but I went ahead and read this book anyway.
Boy am I so glad that I read this book because the romantic in me was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. It took me no time at all to get into the thick of this story and I enjoyed every minute. Getting to know Henry and getting to know Kate was so much fun. This book isn’t one of those light and fluffy stories but I will say this, it was interesting and totally engaging. The story didn’t start off with a bang, it was kind of slow to build but I’m so glad that I stuck with the story. Carter did a great job of sucking me right into Kate’s story.
This story isn’t a retelling of Hades and Persephone’s story and I think that’s what I thought I was going to get by reading the blurb. Kate is not Persephone, she is just Kate. Henry needs a wife to help him rule the underworld and Kate needs to pass a bunch of tests to see if the Gods deem her worthy to trust with the gift of immortality. The story does not revolve around the tests. These aren’t tests that Kate can study for and I liked that. The story revolved around Kate, coming into her own and finding her own answers to pretty much everything.
Henry was a solid hero. He was kind, he was honest and he was strong. I adored him right from the very beginning and the more I got to know him, the more I loved him. I thought he was a great match for Kate and rejoiced in their ups and was saddened by their downs.
The secondary characters in this story were great additions to an already remarkable read and I adored them all. Overall, it was a solid read and I’m so glad that I read it. There is some religious speak in this book but it’s not preachy. There isn’t any of that “COME TO MY CHURCH” business going on in here and really, I just enjoyed the heck out of this.
Kudos to Aimee Carter for writing a wonderfully entertaining story.
..and that’s your scoop!
Book cover and blurb credit: http://barnesandnoble.com
Ooers, I can’t say I liked this book that much. 🙁
but oh well, I’m glad you did.
I have to agree with Alex. The book was fun and I moved through it effortlessly but it didn’t really have what I look for in a book. I’m still going to pick up the second one though!
If you liked this book, stay tuned to my blog, Im having an interview with Aimee Carter next week!
Rowena, you should read Meg Cabot’s Abandon. It’s the first book in her new trilogy that’s a modern reimagination of the Persephone myth. I really enjoyed it.
http://www.megcabot.com/abandon/
Diana
Interesting review! I really thought it was a retelling of Persephone, too (which I just mentioned on my blog… oops!), but in a way, it’s even more original that it isn’t.
@Alex: I think I connected with Kate a lot on this book because everything she was going through with her Mom, was exactly what I was going through with mine and everything she’s feeling, I felt it too. And I adored Henry too. =)
@Honey: Thanks for stopping by, I can’t wait for the next book!
@missrantsypants: Thanks for stopping by my blog, I’ll have to go by and check yours out.
@Diana: I’ll check out Abandon, have you read Insatiable? I have that book to read soon and I wanted to check with someone who’s read it. I’m sure I’ll enjoy it because duh, it’s a Meg Cabot but still….
@kay: Yeah, I think this book was even more original and I enjoyed it heaps!
Yes, I’ve read Insatiable, which I enjoyed. I can’t wait to read the sequel, Overbite, which comes out in early July. I’m not usually into stories with vampires, but I didn’t think Insatiable was annoying. I hope you like it.
Diana