Reviews: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
Published:  September 2011 (first published 19th April 2011)

By: Mira Ink
ISBN: 1848450400
Source: Copy from Publisher
Target Audience: Young Adult

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The Goddess Test was a book I, initially, wasn't interested in reading, but when I was offered a review copy along with a copy of Goddess Interrupted, to be reviewed at my leisure, no pressure, I accepted. And I'm really glad I did. I hadn't realised I was missing out on a fantastic book. This has become one of my favourite series. I was caught up from the first few pages and I just couldn't put it down.


I really enjoyed the mythology in this book. It is loosely based on the story of Hades and Persephone. Having never had much interest in mythology, I really know very little about it. I've learned some in the last few mythology based books that I've read. This was very easy to keep up with though. I didn't feel like I was getting lots of mythology information thrown at me to try to remember throughout the book which I have in the past.


Our protag, Kate, agrees to spend the Autumn and Winter with a stranger, Henry, in exchange for the life of her friend. Her mother is dying and she doesn't want anyone else around her to die. She figures she will have very little in her life once her mother dies anyway as she has spent the last four years nursing her mother.


The world that Kate creates around Eden Manor is fascinating and exciting, I really enjoyed being immersed in it. Kate finds herself living among the dead and enjoying it. There is some mystery too. Someone wants Kate dead, and has killed the eleven girls who were there before her. Kate has ladies in waiting, a food taster and personal guards. She is rarely left alone. During the six months that she stays with Henry, she must pass a total of seven tests, then she can become immortal, Henry's wife and the Queen of the Underworld. Then she will be required to spend the autumn and winter of every year for eternity with Henry, but for the other six months, she can do as she pleases.


I really liked Kate. She steps up to the mark for other people constantly. Even when she has no real feelings for Henry, she wants to pass the tests for him, so she can see him happy and keep him from fading. She is fair when she has to judge and treats people equally.


I liked Henry too. But when he was first introduced, I wasn't sure if he was supposed to be a good or bad guy. Was he just a jailer who would lock a young girl away for six months of her life. After all, he had kidnapped Persephone. Henry was quiet and distant with Kate at first but he made sure she was comfortable and had everything she required. She just couldn't leave the grounds of Eden Manor. He was always kind and friendly, with a sadness about him, and I really warmed towards him. He is still deeply in love with Persephone and heartbroken over her leaving him. He tugged at my heart strings, but I also felt for Kate, as she really tries hard to get close to him.


The interaction and relationship between Kate and Henry was well done and I enjoyed it thorougly. Things move really slowly and we see Kate making most of the advances, which was different.


There is an enemy within the walls who wants Kate dead and it was interesting to find out who it was and the reason behind it. But Kate does make a couple of good friends in Ava and James. The ending has a few twists and turns, some of which I did see coming. From the way this ends, I do have a small concern going into the next book, a love triangle. I really hope not.

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