readermeetsbook's review against another edition
3.0
The Goddess Test is the first e-book I ever read/finished. It was not easy since I partly was reading this on my itouch. It's also the first ARC I got off Netgalley.
The story behind why I choose to request this ARC is simple. It is because I am a sucker for mythology. As a child, I would check out all the books on myths, fairy tales, fables and folk tales the library had. So I was very drawn to this Hades and Persephone retelling.
One of the best things about this novel is the relationship between Kate and her mom. In YA, majority of stories feature absent/dead parents or conflicts with them so it was refreshing to see a different side of the teen-parent relationship. Kate and her mom have a loving relationship and Kate would do anything to keep her mom from dying... include agreeing to Henry's bargain. Sometimes my skeptical self flares up and questions Kate's selfless nature - no way can she be this good! But she is.
Speaking of the bargain, I thought Carter's the creation of tests is a clever twist to add and make this myth more original. However, I had some issue with how easily Kate accepted this world of magic. As well as living with a complete stranger and entering into a bargain with him. Henry never seems fully nuanced to me - he appears to simply react to the events and never exhibits an independence of his own.
Despite some shortcomings, I enjoyed myself and will look forward to the continuing story.
The story behind why I choose to request this ARC is simple. It is because I am a sucker for mythology. As a child, I would check out all the books on myths, fairy tales, fables and folk tales the library had. So I was very drawn to this Hades and Persephone retelling.
One of the best things about this novel is the relationship between Kate and her mom. In YA, majority of stories feature absent/dead parents or conflicts with them so it was refreshing to see a different side of the teen-parent relationship. Kate and her mom have a loving relationship and Kate would do anything to keep her mom from dying... include agreeing to Henry's bargain. Sometimes my skeptical self flares up and questions Kate's selfless nature - no way can she be this good! But she is.
Speaking of the bargain, I thought Carter's the creation of tests is a clever twist to add and make this myth more original. However, I had some issue with how easily Kate accepted this world of magic. As well as living with a complete stranger and entering into a bargain with him. Henry never seems fully nuanced to me - he appears to simply react to the events and never exhibits an independence of his own.
Despite some shortcomings, I enjoyed myself and will look forward to the continuing story.
aelynreads's review against another edition
3.0
This is such a guilty pleasure read. It reminded me of The Selection series, not because of the plot, but because I knew it was clichéd and unrealistic, but I loved it anyway. I'm an absolute sucker for this kind of book! As much as I enjoyed it, I really can't give it more than 3 stars - it's not particularly well written and the characters aren't that interesting, it's only appeal is the soppy plot line.
dorktaped's review against another edition
5.0
I know that there are a lot of bad reviews out there but speaking as someone who doesn't know a whole lot about Greek mythology (just the basics) I found this book to be quite enjoyable and Kate was likable and relatable, having gone through recent family loss of my own. The bottom line (in my opinion) is that this is a book for enjoyment and not necessarily getting all the details of centuries old myths correct. Read it with an open mind and you might be pleasantly surprised.
inwonderland49's review against another edition
4.0
Review originally posted at In Wonderland
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I've read a few tales on the Persephone/Hades tale and this one took a different spin on it. And I really enjoyed it. I have a soft spot in my heart for any Hades character. Hades could be portrayed as a villain and I would probably take a stance at defending him. While Henry (the Hades character in this book) is not portrayed as a villain, he was cold and distant and he did have a darkish side. But who doesn't?
I really enjoyed every single character within this book. Even the ones who defied Henry and Kate or the ones who tried to kill Kate. I really enjoyed them all. I liked the concept of this book. It was really interesting seeing Kate having to go through 7 tests in order to make it through to the end and be able to save Henry.
The romance in this book was a slow burn romance, which I appreciated. Especially since Kate is thrown into this kind of world unexpectedly and quickly. But Henry is definitely on the list of my book boyfriends. I think all the Hades characters I've read are on there.
Some of the twists I saw coming but there were a few plot twists that I didn't and I was still surprised. I devoured this story in a single sitting and am super excited to read the following installments. I'll also be checking out more of Aimee Carter's books in the future as well!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I've read a few tales on the Persephone/Hades tale and this one took a different spin on it. And I really enjoyed it. I have a soft spot in my heart for any Hades character. Hades could be portrayed as a villain and I would probably take a stance at defending him. While Henry (the Hades character in this book) is not portrayed as a villain, he was cold and distant and he did have a darkish side. But who doesn't?
I really enjoyed every single character within this book. Even the ones who defied Henry and Kate or the ones who tried to kill Kate. I really enjoyed them all. I liked the concept of this book. It was really interesting seeing Kate having to go through 7 tests in order to make it through to the end and be able to save Henry.
The romance in this book was a slow burn romance, which I appreciated. Especially since Kate is thrown into this kind of world unexpectedly and quickly. But Henry is definitely on the list of my book boyfriends. I think all the Hades characters I've read are on there.
Some of the twists I saw coming but there were a few plot twists that I didn't and I was still surprised. I devoured this story in a single sitting and am super excited to read the following installments. I'll also be checking out more of Aimee Carter's books in the future as well!
sara_evaney's review against another edition
3.0
*SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS!!!*
Well, well, I read some reviews before I started this and a lot of people said that the mythology was very inaccurate. I hardly know anything about mythology, so I figured it wouldn't bother me. But my god, even I know this much: Gods are cruel, they do What ever they want and they do not care about something as humane as the seven deadly sins. (Why would they, it's not like they can die.) The gids in this book didn't seem very godish at all. They were just nice people who really wanted Kate To pass the stupid test, that every one of the gods would have failed! Just look at Calliope and her envy! I guess They are just a little hypocritical.. Also I believe the Olympians are actually related? They don't just call each other family, because they just happened to have spend a lot of time together, they are all related! I know incest isn't good and it makes you feel all uncomfortable, but You can't just change a thousand year old story because of that!
Also the author didn't bother to have any human characters, did she? Literally everyone Kate Ever knew was a fricking god, like come on! That seems a little unrealistic, doesn't it? What you also shouldn't do, is mention a character once on page fifty and expect the reader to remember him 200 pages later. #WhoTheHellIsWalter
A lot happened in this time!
I admit there were a few surprises, for example I didn't expect Ava to be a goddess, but That's because I figured there'd have to be a couple normal people. Other things that were supposed to be surprising weren't at all to me. I knew from the first chapter that Kate's mother was Diana and after a little bit I also figured out that she was Demeter. And I never trusted Calliope, so it didn't shock me when She killed Kate. #YouCan'tTradeYourLife (I'm sorry, I don't know what's up with the Hashtags ^^) But Seriously, if you are dead living people can't trade themselves in for you, I have read Starcrossed, I know how it works. (Yes, those are the facts that I got from another novel.. It is proof, okay!?)
But Back to Calliope. The author really tried to convince us that Calliope was this nice girl, but That just made her more suspicious to me. Ella On the other hand was probably supposed to be the person that everyone thought was the killer. Yeah, well, your mystery didn't really work out. Did it ever even get explained why Ella Was so grumpy and hateful all the time? I don't think so.
But Yes, in spite of all the bad things I said I give this book three stars, because I think it was an original story and I enjoyed reading it once I tried to ignore all the wrong facts.
Well, well, I read some reviews before I started this and a lot of people said that the mythology was very inaccurate. I hardly know anything about mythology, so I figured it wouldn't bother me. But my god, even I know this much: Gods are cruel, they do What ever they want and they do not care about something as humane as the seven deadly sins. (Why would they, it's not like they can die.) The gids in this book didn't seem very godish at all. They were just nice people who really wanted Kate To pass the stupid test, that every one of the gods would have failed! Just look at Calliope and her envy! I guess They are just a little hypocritical.. Also I believe the Olympians are actually related? They don't just call each other family, because they just happened to have spend a lot of time together, they are all related! I know incest isn't good and it makes you feel all uncomfortable, but You can't just change a thousand year old story because of that!
Also the author didn't bother to have any human characters, did she? Literally everyone Kate Ever knew was a fricking god, like come on! That seems a little unrealistic, doesn't it? What you also shouldn't do, is mention a character once on page fifty and expect the reader to remember him 200 pages later. #WhoTheHellIsWalter
A lot happened in this time!
I admit there were a few surprises, for example I didn't expect Ava to be a goddess, but That's because I figured there'd have to be a couple normal people. Other things that were supposed to be surprising weren't at all to me. I knew from the first chapter that Kate's mother was Diana and after a little bit I also figured out that she was Demeter. And I never trusted Calliope, so it didn't shock me when She killed Kate. #YouCan'tTradeYourLife (I'm sorry, I don't know what's up with the Hashtags ^^) But Seriously, if you are dead living people can't trade themselves in for you, I have read Starcrossed, I know how it works. (Yes, those are the facts that I got from another novel.. It is proof, okay!?)
But Back to Calliope. The author really tried to convince us that Calliope was this nice girl, but That just made her more suspicious to me. Ella On the other hand was probably supposed to be the person that everyone thought was the killer. Yeah, well, your mystery didn't really work out. Did it ever even get explained why Ella Was so grumpy and hateful all the time? I don't think so.
But Yes, in spite of all the bad things I said I give this book three stars, because I think it was an original story and I enjoyed reading it once I tried to ignore all the wrong facts.
abbyh1011's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
justcrystalxo's review against another edition
5.0
i absolutely loved this book. it reminded me a little of beauty and the beast mixed in with greek mythology. ( yeah i don't really know much greek mythology ) it was awesome and i cant wait for another book!
cvanders's review against another edition
5.0
I love the book. I liked how Kate can be selfish and selfless at the same time. I'm glad her my is a goddess, so she doesn't feel the pain of her mom gone long.
geo_ix's review against another edition
5.0
I regret not reading this when I first downloaded it. I was put off by the whole Greek god thing, as I haven't really read anything like that before. While I've noticed this wasn't most reviewers cup of tea, it is without a doubt mine. I loved the characters, writing style and plot.
I will 100% be reading the next when I put the next lot of new books on my kindle!
I will 100% be reading the next when I put the next lot of new books on my kindle!
rubyshmuby's review against another edition
4.0
Kate is a great character. She's got an attitude and has a sense of humor. There are two things I look for in a main character. I considered re-reading this book but then I found out about the second one. Kate and Henry make the perfect couple and James seems nice at first. I don't want too much away because lots of people haven't read this. Aimee Carter plotted this out perfectly. With a great plot and setting. It's interesting to think of being in Kate's position. I would like to because of special reasons, one of which is named Henry. :D I recommend this to older readers because of swearing and inappropriate material. Loved this book! 5 stars!