Review & GIVEAWAY: The Goddess Test

 

Title: The Goddess Test

Author: Aimee Carter

Publisher: HarlequinTEEN

Release Date: April 21st, 2011

Format: Paperback (Sent from Author)

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 love Greek mythology and I love books about them, whether it's non-fiction or fiction. The Goddess Test definitely falls into my favourites. Its pages turned itself because of the suspense and the brilliant plot; there was no way it could wait for its reader to catch up.

I feel that the story moved really smoothly and the characters stayed true to themselves. The plot was thought out and executed in style. I don't think the romance was cheesy, bad, or not tasteful at all. There was no romance at first but when it bloomed between Henry and Kate, it seemed real. Not the romance made of fluffy bunnies and flowers and summers on the beach. It was forced at first, because Henry was having conflicting emotions.

How does an ancient god give up his emotions for his long dead lover, Persephone, who didn't want him in return? And then transfer them to a girl he's only known for six months? But, Kate manages to give him hope and to care for him which eventually blooms into real love.

Throughout all the romance and friendships, Kate is tested by the council. These tests measure if she's able to become the Queen of the Underworld with Henry and become immortal. If she fails, she loses her mom and forgets everything that happened between her and Henry. If she wins, she can choose to live normally, live with Henry, as well as hold onto her mom.

Plot aside, I think Aimee Carter did a nice job of pairing up the characters with their god and goddess counterparts as well as making them each represent their true nature. (Except for Ella, perhaps.) I loved a lot about this book, and I believe it's now one of my favourites. Can't wait for the second book!

I gave it FIVE out of FIVE sporks

The Goddess Test Giveaway!!

The awesome author of The Goddess Test, Aimee Carter, has very kindly given me a copy of her book to give away to all you lovely people! And the BEST part about it!??! It's SIGNED!

Are you as excited about this as I am? I hope so! :D

So, if you want to have the chance to be the lucky owner of this lovely signed copy of The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter, just enter below! This is only open to residents of the US and you must be a follower! (Sorry, international peeps. Can't afford the extra postage.)
Contest ends August 31st.

Good luck!