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Goddess Test / Goddess Interrupted / The Goddess Legacy / The Goddess Inheritance by Aimée Carter
andreathereader's review against another edition
4.0
I’m surprised how much I enjoyed this book. As a general rule, I dislike short stories, but since this is more of a between-the-novels story and I’d already read the first 2 novels, I decided to give it a try. It’s 5 separate stories, each one focusing on the above gods. We learn how they come to be the people we met in the first novel, The Goddess Test.
The other gods were present in each story, but mostly as supporting characters. This book was all about Hera, Aphrodite, Persephone, Hermes and Hades. I loved being able to see deeper into their personalities and find out how they ended up, over thousands of years, as the characters we know in the Goddess Test series. After this book, I have more sympathy for the “big bads” from the series. In fact, I’d like to go back and read the first one again, now that I know more about the gods. I would have a whole new point of view on everything.
Aimee Carter has a gift for world-building. She created this whole new world where everything was so lush and rich, and I felt like I could see Olympus in all its glory. I could see the dank caves, the green fields and even the dark Underworld. I’m not at all familiar with Greek mythology, so I don’t know how faithful her versions of the gods are, but I enjoyed them.
The cover is unimpressive. The dress is terribly unflattering and I’m curious to know why the girl is standing in a forest, staring at a tree trunk.
The sum up: A great in-between novel for the Goddess Test series while you wait for the last book to arrive.
The other gods were present in each story, but mostly as supporting characters. This book was all about Hera, Aphrodite, Persephone, Hermes and Hades. I loved being able to see deeper into their personalities and find out how they ended up, over thousands of years, as the characters we know in the Goddess Test series. After this book, I have more sympathy for the “big bads” from the series. In fact, I’d like to go back and read the first one again, now that I know more about the gods. I would have a whole new point of view on everything.
Aimee Carter has a gift for world-building. She created this whole new world where everything was so lush and rich, and I felt like I could see Olympus in all its glory. I could see the dank caves, the green fields and even the dark Underworld. I’m not at all familiar with Greek mythology, so I don’t know how faithful her versions of the gods are, but I enjoyed them.
The cover is unimpressive. The dress is terribly unflattering and I’m curious to know why the girl is standing in a forest, staring at a tree trunk.
The sum up: A great in-between novel for the Goddess Test series while you wait for the last book to arrive.
cookiemonstaly's review against another edition
4.0
Here's what this book has taught me: the Greek gods are more fcked up than humans can ever be.
The Goddess Legacy is a collection of all the novellas Aimee Carter has written. The short stories are told from the POVs of Hera, Persephone, Aphrodite, Hermes and lastly [sweet cinnamon roll, too pure for this world] Hades.
Hera's story is probably the most heartbreaking. After reading her story, you almost feel bad for hating her in the main series. With all the shit she had to go through, I'm surprised it took her so long to crack. She's still accountable for her actions, but the reader will better understand her motive behind her actions.
Aphrodite. Her name pisses me off. If I had doubts about her character in the main series, those doubts are completely squashed here: Aphrodite is 150% the stupidest, most vile, spoiled and disgusting character ever. I have never hated characters as much as I hate Aphrodite and her stupid "daddy", Zeus. The best joke? In Persephone's story, Aphrodite has the guts to tell her that she's selfish. HAH. Take a look in the mirror, you pot!
Persephone's story basically tells of how she came to be with Adonis.
Hermes' story sheds some light on why they decided to change their names.
And Hades. The story that I looked forward to the most left me for wanting. It was short, and barely revealed anything about life before Kate. I was hoping for some POV of when Kate is going through the tests, but alas it only reveals that moment of her crashed birthday picnic in Central Park (if you've read the main series, this is the photo that Kate treasures the most). We do, however, learn of how the Goddess Tests came to be, and the fate of the first girl - Ingrid.
Despite the fact that I mostly hated every character in the book, with their immature antics and childish nature, The Goddess Legacy really gives more depth to the main series.
The Goddess Legacy is a collection of all the novellas Aimee Carter has written. The short stories are told from the POVs of Hera, Persephone, Aphrodite, Hermes and lastly [sweet cinnamon roll, too pure for this world] Hades.
Hera's story is probably the most heartbreaking. After reading her story, you almost feel bad for hating her in the main series. With all the shit she had to go through, I'm surprised it took her so long to crack. She's still accountable for her actions, but the reader will better understand her motive behind her actions.
Aphrodite. Her name pisses me off. If I had doubts about her character in the main series, those doubts are completely squashed here: Aphrodite is 150% the stupidest, most vile, spoiled and disgusting character ever. I have never hated characters as much as I hate Aphrodite and her stupid "daddy", Zeus. The best joke? In Persephone's story, Aphrodite has the guts to tell her that she's selfish. HAH. Take a look in the mirror, you pot!
Persephone's story basically tells of how she came to be with Adonis.
Hermes' story sheds some light on why they decided to change their names.
And Hades. The story that I looked forward to the most left me for wanting. It was short, and barely revealed anything about life before Kate. I was hoping for some POV of when Kate is going through the tests, but alas it only reveals that moment of her crashed birthday picnic in Central Park (if you've read the main series, this is the photo that Kate treasures the most). We do, however, learn of how the Goddess Tests came to be, and the fate of the first girl - Ingrid.
Despite the fact that I mostly hated every character in the book, with their immature antics and childish nature, The Goddess Legacy really gives more depth to the main series.
heather4994's review against another edition
5.0
****Spoilers if you have not read The Goddess Hunt and Goddess Interrupted. If you haven't read BOTH you will be reading spoilers*****
Wow! When I started reading this, I thought it was going to be a novella. But this is 400 pages long and it is every bit or even more engrossing than The Goddess Hunt and Goddess Interrupted. It shows how things got to the point they are at now. If you had questions, any questions, about how the Gods and Goddesses of Olympus had come to the point that they are now at the end of Goddess Interrupted, this book explains it all.
The story opens with just after the original six Olympians have defeated the Titans. They know they couldn't have defeated them without Hera and she wants to be leader. But Zeus quarrels with her over people not following a woman. The first story is Hera's and let me tell you, if you don't have sympathy for her at the end of it, then you're heartless. We all know what a cheating bastard Zeus has always been in mythology. But this story shows just how painful it is to her. Just what he does to her to keep her from being happy.
There is a story from Aphrodite's point of view and how she comes to marry Hephaestus. And her affairs with other men.
There is the story of Persephone and Hades, not quite like we've always known it, but close enough to the original that it is believable. She tries to love Hades, but there is always a wall between them and even though she's known she was always going to marry him, she can't seem to love him. You have to be asleep not to figure out why it isn't working out, but you do have to read the story to figure it out.
Hermes has his own story which was interesting because I've never known a lot about him. It was different and makes sense with regards to his story in The Goddess Hunt series.
And finally Hades has his story. We find out what happened before the Goddess Hunt started and what happened to the other girls. Why he let the test go on even in the wake of the murders. And what happened when he first saw Kate.
I got so immersed in these stories winding them into the other two stories so that by the time I finished I feel like I am so ready for the next book. I know why Hera/Calliope is the way she is and I honestly don't blame her. I hate Walter! In fact, I hate most of the Olympians except Henry. They are all selfish and proud and jealous and really don't deserve any happiness. But God April can't come soon enough!!!
If you enjoy this series, this is a must! You will be lost without it. It makes everything fall into place but don't read it first. Read it after the first two books. I don't know why it's called a .5 though. It's a full book with five really great stories in them. It makes a great addition to the series!
I received an E-ARC from the publishers at Harlequin through NetGalley for review for which I thank them. I'll be buying my own hardbound copy though as I love this series and want it for my collection.
Never too many books, right? The opinions expressed are my own and not compensated in any way.
Wow! When I started reading this, I thought it was going to be a novella. But this is 400 pages long and it is every bit or even more engrossing than The Goddess Hunt and Goddess Interrupted. It shows how things got to the point they are at now. If you had questions, any questions, about how the Gods and Goddesses of Olympus had come to the point that they are now at the end of Goddess Interrupted, this book explains it all.
The story opens with just after the original six Olympians have defeated the Titans. They know they couldn't have defeated them without Hera and she wants to be leader. But Zeus quarrels with her over people not following a woman. The first story is Hera's and let me tell you, if you don't have sympathy for her at the end of it, then you're heartless. We all know what a cheating bastard Zeus has always been in mythology. But this story shows just how painful it is to her. Just what he does to her to keep her from being happy.
There is a story from Aphrodite's point of view and how she comes to marry Hephaestus. And her affairs with other men.
There is the story of Persephone and Hades, not quite like we've always known it, but close enough to the original that it is believable. She tries to love Hades, but there is always a wall between them and even though she's known she was always going to marry him, she can't seem to love him. You have to be asleep not to figure out why it isn't working out, but you do have to read the story to figure it out.
Hermes has his own story which was interesting because I've never known a lot about him. It was different and makes sense with regards to his story in The Goddess Hunt series.
And finally Hades has his story. We find out what happened before the Goddess Hunt started and what happened to the other girls. Why he let the test go on even in the wake of the murders. And what happened when he first saw Kate.
I got so immersed in these stories winding them into the other two stories so that by the time I finished I feel like I am so ready for the next book. I know why Hera/Calliope is the way she is and I honestly don't blame her. I hate Walter! In fact, I hate most of the Olympians except Henry. They are all selfish and proud and jealous and really don't deserve any happiness. But God April can't come soon enough!!!
If you enjoy this series, this is a must! You will be lost without it. It makes everything fall into place but don't read it first. Read it after the first two books. I don't know why it's called a .5 though. It's a full book with five really great stories in them. It makes a great addition to the series!
I received an E-ARC from the publishers at Harlequin through NetGalley for review for which I thank them. I'll be buying my own hardbound copy though as I love this series and want it for my collection.
Never too many books, right? The opinions expressed are my own and not compensated in any way.
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
3.0
wow and I mean WOW! What a great addition to the series.
So the first 3 stories....they were good. It was good to see the perspective of people and things that happened before book 1.
But honestly, it just reinforced my dislike for many of them. They were so selfish and just leave a trial of devistation behind them!
But the last story. Oooooh, the last story. My heart is warm and melty and I'm all *sigh* swoony. Oh, where is this boy in all the other books. I know he keeps his distance for a reason, but I want to see more of THIS guy!
I can't wait for the next book!
So the first 3 stories....they were good. It was good to see the perspective of people and things that happened before book 1.
But honestly, it just reinforced my dislike for many of them. They were so selfish and just leave a trial of devistation behind them!
But the last story. Oooooh, the last story. My heart is warm and melty and I'm all *sigh* swoony. Oh, where is this boy in all the other books. I know he keeps his distance for a reason, but I want to see more of THIS guy!
I can't wait for the next book!
toastymaloney's review against another edition
3.0
These little snippets into the God's lives before Kate came along was really interesting. It
made me like James a little more, Ava a little less, and helped me continue to dislike the other characters as much as I already did. All the cheating made me feel sick.
I hope there is lots of resolution in the next book. More happiness for everyone.
made me like James a little more, Ava a little less, and helped me continue to dislike the other characters as much as I already did. All the cheating made me feel sick.
I hope there is lots of resolution in the next book. More happiness for everyone.
fictionalkate's review against another edition
3.0
Usually I’m not a huge fan of novellas. But I really enjoyed reading this collection of short stories from the Goddess Test universe.
Whilst not imperative to understanding the novels of the series, this book does give a huge insight to why the characters behave in the way that they do. And finally I think I’ve got it straightened out just who is related/married to who and which modern names match up with each ancient god/goddess.
The first novella explains why Calliope/Hera seems to distrust her husband and why she hates Kate so much. The second focuses on Ava/Aphrodite and the exact relationship that exists between her and her husband. After being introduced to Persephone in the second novel, Goddess Interrupted, we’re shown just why she left the Underworld to be with Adonis. James/Hermes’ story is next and in it we get to see him not as Henry’s rival but as a romantic lead in his own right. We also get to see the beginning of how the gods and goddesses starting becoming the more modern figures we see in this series. The final story is that of Henry/Hades and how he made the decision to Fade… and how meeting Kate changed his mind.
These stories are entertaining and they answer a lot of questions that I’ve been accumulating since beginning the series. Why is Calliope so bitter? Just what is the deal between Henry and James? Who exactly is Ava in a relationship with?
But it also gives some much-needed insight into the behaviours of the characters. I think that from now on I’ll be seeing James and his actions in an entirely different light.
This was an enjoyable read for me. A little melodramatic at times but that’s just how these characters roll. And whilst I don’t think this is required reading to fully understand the events of the other books, I do think it adds just a little extra element to the motives of some of the secondary characters.
Whilst not imperative to understanding the novels of the series, this book does give a huge insight to why the characters behave in the way that they do. And finally I think I’ve got it straightened out just who is related/married to who and which modern names match up with each ancient god/goddess.
The first novella explains why Calliope/Hera seems to distrust her husband and why she hates Kate so much. The second focuses on Ava/Aphrodite and the exact relationship that exists between her and her husband. After being introduced to Persephone in the second novel, Goddess Interrupted, we’re shown just why she left the Underworld to be with Adonis. James/Hermes’ story is next and in it we get to see him not as Henry’s rival but as a romantic lead in his own right. We also get to see the beginning of how the gods and goddesses starting becoming the more modern figures we see in this series. The final story is that of Henry/Hades and how he made the decision to Fade… and how meeting Kate changed his mind.
These stories are entertaining and they answer a lot of questions that I’ve been accumulating since beginning the series. Why is Calliope so bitter? Just what is the deal between Henry and James? Who exactly is Ava in a relationship with?
But it also gives some much-needed insight into the behaviours of the characters. I think that from now on I’ll be seeing James and his actions in an entirely different light.
This was an enjoyable read for me. A little melodramatic at times but that’s just how these characters roll. And whilst I don’t think this is required reading to fully understand the events of the other books, I do think it adds just a little extra element to the motives of some of the secondary characters.
chmila's review against another edition
5.0
This book was my favorite of the Goddess Test series because this book allowed us to understand the pasts of the other main characters and see their petty, emotional, and all-to-relatable stories. Their characters really embody how the Greek Gods were viewed... as godly beings with the emotions, vices, and virtues of mortals. Of course, I also enjoyed the snatches of witty retorts that help create the background that the rest of the series recounts.
raquelzc's review against another edition
3.0
Through 5 short stories, Aimee Carter shows us the hidden side of Olympus. Five gods, with their secrets and their stories brought to light.
I loved them all. I really can't complain. They aren't long nor too short, but just right, with the perfect amount of story, full of action, some romance, heartbreak, everything. I feel I got to know these characters a lot better and now understand some of the actions they made in The Goddess Test and Goddess Inheritance.
So sad that I read this so fast!! I'm only missing Book 3 and I can't wait to see how the series ends.
I loved them all. I really can't complain. They aren't long nor too short, but just right, with the perfect amount of story, full of action, some romance, heartbreak, everything. I feel I got to know these characters a lot better and now understand some of the actions they made in The Goddess Test and Goddess Inheritance.
So sad that I read this so fast!! I'm only missing Book 3 and I can't wait to see how the series ends.
its_tara's review against another edition
5.0
Review:
There’s always a risk with novellas in a series. On the one hand, it could be pointless, and add nothing to the story, and on the other, it could add too much, and make the subsequent novels confusing for anyone who didn’t pick up the novella. However, The Goddess Legacy fits into neither of these categories, adding backstory to the Olympians, but not detracting from or confusing the main storyline.
One of my favourite things about Aimee Carter’s writing has always been her amazing ability to build detailed characters who are also perfectly believable. This book contains five novellas, each detailing a small section of the life of one of the gods. It also introduces more minor gods and goddesses, and for me, really padded out the Greek mythology side of the main story.
Each of the stories, for me, had some emotional moments, and really helped to explain the natures of the gods and goddesses, and why they act the way they do in the main books. I think this collection really highlights how dysfunctional Kate’s new “family” is, and how the inter-Olympian (would that be the phrase?) politics seem to work, as well as explaining relationships within the group.
Whilst, this book doesn’t add to the series in the sense that it doesn’t progress the story, so it’s easy to see why it’s a 2.5 rather than being the next book. However, for fans of the series, I’d very much recommend this, as it adds depth, and makes you feel some surprising things for some of the gods – for example, I found myself feeling sorry for Hera/Calliope, which was something I honestly never expected I would. It also helps explain why Hermes/James and Hades/Henry don’t always see eye-to-eye, and why Hades/Henry distances himself from Kate in the beginning.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this, and would very much like to thank HarperTEEN/Netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review this book. I very much think this is a very nice little addition, especially for fans of the series, though I also think it would suit someone who hasn’t read the series but is interested in Greek mythology and would like a fresh take. I also think this book would be appropriate to read at any point in the series, as it’s more of an addition than a sequel.
Overall rating: 4.5/5
Writing: 5/5
Originality: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
My Enjoyment: 4/5
There’s always a risk with novellas in a series. On the one hand, it could be pointless, and add nothing to the story, and on the other, it could add too much, and make the subsequent novels confusing for anyone who didn’t pick up the novella. However, The Goddess Legacy fits into neither of these categories, adding backstory to the Olympians, but not detracting from or confusing the main storyline.
One of my favourite things about Aimee Carter’s writing has always been her amazing ability to build detailed characters who are also perfectly believable. This book contains five novellas, each detailing a small section of the life of one of the gods. It also introduces more minor gods and goddesses, and for me, really padded out the Greek mythology side of the main story.
Each of the stories, for me, had some emotional moments, and really helped to explain the natures of the gods and goddesses, and why they act the way they do in the main books. I think this collection really highlights how dysfunctional Kate’s new “family” is, and how the inter-Olympian (would that be the phrase?) politics seem to work, as well as explaining relationships within the group.
Whilst, this book doesn’t add to the series in the sense that it doesn’t progress the story, so it’s easy to see why it’s a 2.5 rather than being the next book. However, for fans of the series, I’d very much recommend this, as it adds depth, and makes you feel some surprising things for some of the gods – for example, I found myself feeling sorry for Hera/Calliope, which was something I honestly never expected I would. It also helps explain why Hermes/James and Hades/Henry don’t always see eye-to-eye, and why Hades/Henry distances himself from Kate in the beginning.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this, and would very much like to thank HarperTEEN/Netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review this book. I very much think this is a very nice little addition, especially for fans of the series, though I also think it would suit someone who hasn’t read the series but is interested in Greek mythology and would like a fresh take. I also think this book would be appropriate to read at any point in the series, as it’s more of an addition than a sequel.
Overall rating: 4.5/5
Writing: 5/5
Originality: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
My Enjoyment: 4/5
kerrisbooks13's review against another edition
3.0
3.75 stars! Probably would’ve loved it more if i read it shortly after reading the original trilogy (this is a bind up of short stories) but still entertaining. A look into the Greek gods, even if it wasn’t anything particularly groundbreaking it was fun and entertaining. Only one (the one from James/Hermes perspective) that I just couldn’t find myself to care about