Review of The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Release Date: April 19, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 297 pages
Genre: Fantasy, Mythology, Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC from Publisher through NetGalley

Goodreads 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 now 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.  If she fails...

Review: I love Greek mythology and modern retellings so I was very excited to see a few coming out this year, especially for The Goddess Test, a debut novel from Aimee Carter.  Even though Ms. Carter uses characters from Greek myth, this is an original story, not a retelling like I first thought. The book is fresh, touching and romantic with a bit of mystery thrown in.

Lately, I have been reading a few books with smart, brave, strong girls who will put others before themselves, a great trend in YA, and The Goddess Test is no different. I love Kate and her relationship with her mother, the way she takes care of her, is so touching. I love the fact that Kate is a mature 18 year old and not which is much more appropriate for any main character dealing with life-long commitments, sex and marriage.

I must admit, I have a thing for the dark, brooding hero so I really like Henry. I appreciate the way their relationship developed over time and how they slowly fell in love. I want to know more about the secondary characters, especially James, and I hope we get better acquainted with them in upcoming books.

The story does not end with a cliffhanger, but it does leave you wanting more and Goddess Interrupted will be the title of the sequel. I am looking forward to it.

Content:  Characters have sex but there are no details.