The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

THE GODDESS TEST
Author: Aimee Carter
Source: Gifted

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (April 19, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373210264
ISBN-13: 978-0373210268

SUMMARY:

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.

MY THOUGHTS:

I was in awe of this story!  To think an author can take a subject that I had no desire in learning in school,  then turning it into a subject that I loved was amazing!  I was never a fan of Greek Mythology in school.  To me it was confusing and not worth my teenage time to learn.  As I started reading this story though, I found myself looking up the tales of the Greeks and finding a spark of interest in it that I didn't realize I would ever find.

The story was amazing and the characters were great!  I seriously am having a hard time trying to think of new and amazing words to describe this book.  I loved how the romance between Henry and Kate was slow building and felt real.  I felt the two connected in a way that is rare in teen books today.  They start as friends, eventually discover they love each other, and they both are real together.  They have issues to deal with that are not only dangerous,  but issues that have happened in the past and present that they face together.

I was constantly looking at each character as a test.  I wanted to know exactly which character was actually which Greek God or Goddess.  While a few were simple enough to figure out,  some where a mystery that is revealed in the end.  The seven tests that Kate must pass to save her Mother and Henry were great.  I loved wondering what was a test and what wasn't throughout the story.  When the tests are revealed in the final scenes,  I found myself wondering if she passed each one since she didn't know what exactly they were.  The author kept me guessing at who was behind the betrayal and how it would play out.

Again, I am in awe with the story!  I feel like rereading the book just so I can get my fix of sweet romance and Greek mythology again. It has been awhile since an author has made me feel so connected in a young adult book to the characters and hooked me for another must read series!  Thank you Ms. Carter for opening my eyes to the Greeks and the story of innocent young love again!

MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading! 5 STARS