The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

I saw this title on netgalley and was intrigued since it was Greek Mythology. I have always read the Greek and Roman myths and read Percy Jackson right after I finished Harry Potter. Here’s the description I got of the galley:

"EVERY GIRL who has taken the test has DIED.

Not it's KATE'S TURN.

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.

If she fails..."

I liked the aspect of trying to figure out who has been killing the previous girls that have tried the tests. Some failed during the tests and others seem to mysteriously die. It reminded me a little of Kimberly Derting’s writing as I spent a lot of my time reading trying to figure out what was going on and who was responsible for the murders. This added to the story and made it difficult to put down.

I really enjoyed the love story that evolved between Henry and Kate. I think as a couple they rank in my top 10 couples that I enjoy reading about. Their love is realistic and not a life or death devotion. It also evolves over the course of time. I think the fact that they are both somewhat broken adds to things. **Mild Spoiler** Henry is broken from his relationship with Persephone and Kate is broken from taking care of her sick mom. However, I think over the course of the series they will have many obstacles to overcome but will be able to heal one another in the process.

I have been very skeptical of the latest trend to retell stories. I really thought this was going to be a retelling of Persephone when I first picked it up but was pleasantly surprised to find it was not what I was expecting. The book releases 4/26/2011 and I highly recommend pre-ordering this one. I give it a 5/5 and think if you enjoyed Kimberly Derting’s style of plot you will enjoy this book as well.