[Some Spoilers]
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
I’ve loved Greek Mythology since I was a kid, and I appreciate a new twist on well-known characters and relationships. The Goddess Test does exactly this. There’s something about this story, something I can’t quite put my finger on, that has me hooked. From the beginning, I have a lot of questions and truly enjoy taking the path to the answers. While, at the end of the story, I still have several questions, this isn’t a bad thing. I give The Goddess Test 3.5 stars, with great anticipation for the remainder of the series.
We meet Kate Winters, 18 year old girl from New York. Her mother is dying, so we meet Kate as she’s taking her mom home to Eden, Michigan to spend her last days. As Kate starts her senior year of high school in Eden, an interesting turn of events leads her to entering a deal with Henry, god of the Underworld. In exchange for saving a life, she makes a deal with Henry, not really understanding the consequences. Kate must spend Autumn and Winter at Eden Manor with Henry. During this time, she must take and pass 7 tests to decide if you are worthy of ruling the Underworld alongside Henry for the remainder of eternity. However, Kate is 12th in a line of girls who have died in the midst of these trials. As she negotiates her time at Eden Manor and her budding relationship with Henry, will Kate make it to the Spring?
As Kate herself says:
“So my choices now were live forever or die trying…”
I like Kate. She’s super compassionate, kind, and thoughtful. She wants the best for her family and friends and is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure their safety. With that said, I don’t like how Kate constantly blames herself, taking responsibility for things that are SO not her fault. It’s like she’s a permanent martyr. I appreciate that she cares deeply for people, but sometimes it goes too far.
I also like Henry, better known by his Greek name Hades. It’s sad to watch him deal with the heartbreak of Persephone leaving him and the subsequent death of the previous contenders for the role of his helpmate. It’s also interesting to see how Henry separates himself from the other gods, not really considering himself a part of the living world. But it’s wonderful to watch Henry open up to Kate and learn to love again.
Some favorite moments:
1. I enjoy learning about Carter’s twist on Greek mythology. For example, gods aren’t really brother and sister, though they have the same creator. And over the years, they take on different names, like Henry = Hades and Diana = Demeter.
I also like Carter’s interpretation of the afterlife:
“The afterlife is whatever a soul wished believes it to be….it depends soley on their belief structure.” Very interesting… Simple but can get real complex… Endless possibilities…
2. Kate’s friendship with Ava and James is a bit odd, slightly unexpected, but I like it.
3. It’s crazy to see Kate’s life in Eden Manor: a court, tutors, handmaids, guards, food tasters…
4. For me, the moment after the ball when Henry is waiting in Kate’s bed…from then on, I am HOOKED! Henry is so sweet! For example:
-H: “It is my understanding that one does not get a pet with someone if one does not expect… If one foes not hope to spend quite a bit of time with that person in the future.” Awwwwww 🙂
-Their first kiss :))))) on Christmas :))))))))
-H: “I care. I care so much…” :)))))))
-K: “I’m not really sure what falling in love feels like, but I think –I know I have. With you.”
H: “Did you know that this is the first time anyone has ever told me they loved me?” *FEELINGS*
However, time moves pretty quickly, it’s hard to tell when things shift in relationships…When does Kate fall in love with Henry???? Has Henry always loved Kate?
And then the sexy times: “This time we didn’t stop.” It’s pretty much glossed over, but even more unfortunate is that we don’t get a real sense of how this changes Henry and Kate’s relationship.
By the end, several of my questions are answered in a very intriguing way which leaves things WIDE open for more. I’m desperate for a Henry POV. What are his thoughts of Kate’s time in Eden? Is he still pining for Persephone? What does he think of Calliope?
And I’m still super curious and Kate’s history…who’s her father???
What do the new developments mean for Kate and Henry’s relationship?
I’m definitely looking forward to the rest of the series. The Goddess Test creates a wildly interesting world, and I’m quite excited about what lies ahead.