Rating: 10/10
Books Like This: The Starcrossed Series, Angelfire Series, The Iron Fey Series, The Covenant Series
For People Who Like: Greek Mythology, Romance, Drama, Betrayal, Rewriting of Famous Stories, Mystery and Plot twists
*Spoilers Ahead
Synopsis:
It’s always been just Kate and her mom, but now her mother is dying. Her last wish is 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 amazingly possible. If she succeeds, she’ll become Henry’s future bride—and a goddess. But what Kate doesn’t know is that no one has ever passed the Goddess Test.
Introduction:
Okay, so I have had this obsession with greek mythology ever since I read The Lost Heroes Series by Rick Riordan ( which was amazing btw). And that was quite a while ago. Over time I have seen the Hades and Persephone myth come up many, MANY times. And I've seen the interpretation of their relationship differ from telling to telling. Sometimes Hades kidnapped Persephone and sometimes he rescued her. It really depends on the point of view of the author. But, -- wow --, this story was different. The Goddess Test is the first book in the Goddess Test Series by Aimee Carter.
Rating Explanation/ Review:
So, first off, I want to say how much I loved this version of the Hades and Persephone myth. I tend to gravitate more towards stories where Hades didn't necessarily "kidnap" Persephone and the whole thing was a misunderstanding lost in time. But anyway, I loved everything about Henry's character. If you're not into the cool, calm, collected, ancient, serious but funny love interest thing, this book is SO not for you. And I love the modernized names, that isn't something we see very often and I was so into it.
The background plot of the book that sets the whole thing in motion is that [spoilers (kinda)] Henry/Hades has to give up ruling the underworld because Persephone left him to die with a human she loved. I know, sad right. So over the last century Henry has been trying to find someone to take Persephone's place. The role would be given to anyone who could pass the 7 tests that Henry's siblings administered and came up with. Henry has said that he will only allow one more girl to be put through the tests because they were all killed mysteriously before Christmas. This is such a unique plot. Just the tests, gods and heartbreak in this book, mwah (french kiss), amazing.
Now, the main character...is....incredible. I mean she's so selfless and strong and brave and so many other things. Another plot of this book is that Kate's mom is dying of cancer so she wants to go back to her "childhood" home. (You'll understand why I put that in quotes when you read the book.) And that's kinda what prompts Kate to meet Henry. So, Kate has to make up for a year or 2 of missing high school to take care of her mother. Can I tell you, this is the most realistic selfless thing I've seen the MC do in a fantasy romance book EVER? I mean, usually we see the MC sacrificing her life in some epic battle or risky plot or something. But Kate's putting her life on hold to help her sick and dying mother. I mean --- wow ---.
To be honest I couldn't find anything wrong with this book. But, please keep in mind this is my opinion and you don't have to agree with everything I said to enjoy this book and enjoy reading my review.
I completely recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
Congratulations to Aimee Carter and I wish you luck on all of your future endeavors.