THE GODDESS TEST, the debut novel from Aimee Carter and
the first in a trilogy, gives Greek mythology a modern
twist. Kate has spent the bulk of her high school years
caring for her dying mother. One of her mother's last
wishes is to return to her hometown, so she and Kate pack
up and move to the small town of Eden in the Midwest.
Kate makes a lackadaisical effort to make new friends, but
she spends as much time as possible at her mother's side.
But life gets interesting when Ava, one of the popular
girls at school, plays a trick on her that rebounds. This
is where Kate meets the dark and mysterious Henry who
brings Ava back to life.
But Henry wants something in return. He wants Kate to live
with him for six months of the year and become Persephone
to his Hades. Kate thinks he's crazy, but certain events
change her mind, and when Henry promises that she can
spend as much time with her mother until she's ready to
say goodbye, she accepts.
Kate has to pass seven unknown tests to take her place as
Persephone. Oh, and while she's working on the tests,
someone will try to kill her which is the fate of several
other girls who have applied, for lack of a better word.
Kate becomes more and more attached to Henry and doesn't
want him to fade, which is what will happen if she fails
her tests and doesn't take over as Persephone.
I love Greek mythology, so the concept of a
Persephone/Hades retelling caught my attention. And while
it's a strong premise, the story didn't work as well as
I'd have liked. Kate's devotion to her
mother was incredible. Never a peep about missing out on
teen-age life from her, and that takes a certain amount of
strength in and of itself. But other than that, Kate didn't
have a lot of depth and
nor did her relationships with those around her. She never
seemed to face many tough decisions that were in her
control although she did mature in her ability to accept
the inevitable cycle of life and death.
Carter did a nice job with descriptions, enabling the
reader to visualize Henry's mansion and surrounding
grounds. Her writing is solid.
I don't want to give too much away her, but it seemed like
the mythology was a draw for the story and not necessarily
a focal point. For example, I never understood why Carter
picked Persephone and Hades as the myth about which to
write, and while it's a fast read and enjoyable, I can't
say that I cared all that much for any of the characters.
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.
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