Book Review: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: April 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 293
Series: 1st in a series
Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary:

EVERY GIRL WHO HAS TAKEN THE TEST HAS DIED.

NOW 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 that 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… (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
I wasn't quite sure what to expect at first from The Goddess Test. I really love Greek mythology but I was worried it would either be too heavy and not very well explained or too unimportant and irrelevant. Thankfully, The Goddess Test was neither of these things! The mythology was represented really well and it was easy to get wrapped up in the story without feeling overwhelmed with facts.

I loved the natural flow of the story and it's characters -nothing felt rushed. I did find myself shaking my head a few times. Mostly over the romance and at times a few of the supporting characters were a little over the top. For the most part though, I really enjoyed everything.

Final verdict:
The entire story and really the entire world of these characters takes place in a sort of bubble. You have to suspend your grasp on reality a bit to get the full experience. In that respect it reads more like a fantasy novel then a paranormal one. I happen to love fantasy so I didn't have a problem with this but I can see how those who were hoping for a fun YA paranormal romance might be a little disappointed.

Overall I was pretty captivated by Kate's journey and I know Goddess Test is going to be a series I finish. I'm a little surprised because the romance did have hints of insta-love, which I normally can't stand. I guess in this case, I really wanted Henry to be happy and I really felt invested in Kate, that I was able to overlook the less then perfect aspects of their relationship.

Overall Rating:

4 / 5 Stars

Books in the Goddess Test Series:
#1 The Goddess Test
#1.5 The Goddess Hunt
#2 Goddess Interrupted
#2.5 The Goddess Legacy - July 2012
#3 The Goddess Inheritance - April 2013

Author's website / Goodreads / IndieBound

Book Review: Wildefire by Karsten Knight

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: July 26, 2011
Pages: 393
Series: 1st in a series
Acquisition: received for review via SandS Galley Grab

Summary:

Every flame begins with a spark.

Ashline Wilde is having a rough sophomore year. She’s struggling to find her place as the only Polynesian girl in school, her boyfriend just cheated on her, and now her runaway sister, Eve, has decided to barge back into her life. When Eve’s violent behavior escalates and she does the unthinkable, Ash transfers to a remote private school nestled in California’s redwoods, hoping to put the tragedy behind her. But her fresh start at Blackwood Academy doesn’t go as planned. Just as Ash is beginning to enjoy the perks of her new school—being captain of the tennis team, a steamy romance with a hot, local park ranger—Ash discovers that a group of gods and goddesses have mysteriously enrolled at Blackwood…and she’s one of them. To make matters worse, Eve has resurfaced to haunt Ash, and she’s got some strange abilities of her own. With a war between the gods looming over campus, Ash must master the new fire smoldering within before she clashes with her sister one more time… And when warm and cold fronts collide, there’s guaranteed to be a storm. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
First off - have to get it out of the way -- "Holy Cliff Hanger Batman!"

The story was pretty much over and there was some wrapping up to do, which I liked, and then….wham! Seriously?! What the hell was that!?

With all the things that bug me in YA lit (love triangles and vampires that sparkle instead of kill to name a few)  you would think I would also hate cliff hangers, right? They are kind of mean. Like the author is dangling book 2 in front of your face going "Oh, you want to know what happens next? Sucks to be you!" But no, I don't hate them. I personally think they are inspiring. Cliff hangers fully root a book into my brain. It stays with me. It lingers and when book 2 does come around, I am so ready! Even if I wasn't already really enjoying Wildefire by the end, those last couple of sentences did me in!

Aside from really digging the suspenseful ending, I absolutely loved Ashline. She is strong and she is determined and she never backs down - no nonsense and tough as nails. Characters like her really appeal to me. I felt invested in her story and I was routing for her. I love when this happens.

I also really loved Ash and her sister's back story as there is so much more there to explore. Also, I'm hoping we find out more about the other gods and goddesses. There is a lot going on and I'm not sure who to believe yet. The mystery of it all really moved the story along.

Final verdict:
With Wildefire, there wasn't one main thing that I loved about it. Rather, it was all the little pieces individually.  If you were to take out any one element and drop it in another book it would still work for me. Ashline, I loved. The setting was believable and easy to envision. The supporting cast were original and pretty kick ass in their own respects. And the myth and mystery? Spot on. Love it.

The elements you'll find in Widlefire aren't ones you typically find in young adult novels these days and that, in my opinion, is a very good thing. It's more mythology then paranormal. More mystery then adventure. Wildefire has a lot more...well...just more.  Every page was a pleasure to read and seriously, that cliff hanger was just...arg!

I highly recommend this one and I'm dying to get my hands on book 2!

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love:
Simon and Schuster
Author's Website
Goodreads