The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

The Goddess Test
Author: Aimee Carter
Publisher: Harlequin Teen (a part of Harlequin)
Release Date: April 19, 2011
Edition: e-ARC
* Received through NetGalley

Summary from GoodReads:
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:

When faced with the chance to save a life, Kate agrees to do anything. Unfortunately, she doesn't realize what she's getting herself into. Based upon the myth of Persephone and Hades, The Goddess Test is all about Kate's various tests and trials; from her ailing mother to the seven tests that will be administered to her in order to fulfill her promise, levelheaded Kate is determined to see things through.

I should warn you now that The Goddess Test does not follow the story of Persephone and Hades to the letter, but it was, regardless, pleasantly surprising. Kate is strong-willed, has a dislike of both dresses and water, and she's determined to save Henry--from himself if need be. This means spending time at Eden Manor and being tested on a variety of things necessary to become a goddess. It sounds straight forward enough, but then you must remember that someone has killed off the previous candidates.

I rather liked Henry, and not because he was a bit broody, but because he gave Kate the room that she needed and never pushed her for anything--although you could argue that he "pushed" her towards agreeing to take the tests/staying at Eden Manor. James on the other hand did not get a lot of air time during The Goddess Test although we should (I hope) be seeing a lot of him in Goddess Interrupted which is set for release in February of 2012 (well, at least at the moment). Because of this, I really can't say much about him and thus, so far, I'm really crushing on Henry.

What else can I tell you? The Goddess Test starts with Kate's arrival in Eden, Michigan and ends with--well, I can't very well go off and give that away, now can I? Instead I will tell you that I rather liked Ella's taste in clothes--although corsets, I imagine, have never been fun--and that Kate's sense of justice serves her well. In conclusion, I loved The Goddess Test and if the plot appeals to you, definitely look into reading it!

Overall Rating: ★★★★