The Goddess Test Review

Author: Aimee Carter
Release Date: April 19, 2011
Pages: 293 (e-galley)
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+ 

Where I Got It: For review through Netgalley

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.

Siiiiiiiigh. After hearing a lot of mixed reviews about The Goddess Test, I'm afraid I have to add my review to the negative pile.

The plot just really didn't grab me at all. I had such a hard time getting into it, and it took me forever to read. I can't really point out major plot flaws to you, because all I know is that it was supposed to interest me more than it did.

Kate was okay. First I thought she was annoying, but either I changed towards the end or she did, cause she began to grow on me a bit. But Henry? UGH. The guy must have had permanent-PMS or something cause DANG. And yes, I know why he was moody and that I'm supposed to be all, "Oh, you poor thing!" But here's the thing: I'm not. I'm not very sympathetic. Especially when this guy has had, what, hundreds of years to heal his broken heart and just GET OVER IT and just HASN'T? And Kate and Henry's relationship was so unhealthy, and angsty, but mostly unhealthy, thanks to Henry and his mood swings.

This book was dripping angst. I have a giant angst-puddle on my kitchen floor because of it. If that's your kind of thing, pick it up. It is not really my thing, so I found myself rolling my eyes more than I could count.

I kept with it, expecting something big to happen and to finally get some answers so everyone would stop being annoyingly vague. (And by "everyone" I mean Henry UGH HENRY.) And they did stop, and I did get--surprising--answers, but I wouldn't say it completely made up for my issues with the book.

Plot: Different, but didn't keep my interest at all.

Characters: Kate was okay, Henry was unbearable, and the side characters were kinda bland.

Writing: Okay but nothing special.

Ending: Good but it didn't answer a lot of questions, still.

Kid Friendly? There was sex, death, and maybe a swear word or two?

Should I read it? If this sounds like your type of book, I guess. But I've read better paranormals.

Overall: