Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten)'s Reviews > The Goddess Test

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

by
2406353
's review
Aug 23, 11

bookshelves: arc-s, need-to-buy, covers-to-die-for, netgalley, i-own, harlequin-sent, publisher-sent
Read from February 23 to March 05, 2011

** spoiler alert ** *This ebook was provided to me at no cost by the publisher*

This book....wow! Every now and then, there’s a story that stops you and takes your breath away....this was one of those. I loved it! Simply, completely, loved it. I can barely begin to say how much.
From the very beginning I was caught. I was sucked into Kate’s tale and her story and I didn’t want to leave. I finished it in less than two days and when I wasn’t reading it I was thinking about reading it; eager to get back to the story. I love Greek Myth....I always have. There’s something so magical about it that I love, and I think this story was a wonderful example of how amazing and how much fun it can be. Considering this is a début novel, the author has done an incredible job. The story and characters were brilliant.

I loved all the characters....from Kate and Henry, to Ava and James to Kate’s mum and some others. They were all so fabulous and entertaining. They were each so different and unique and I loved seeing them in the story.
I think Kate was just brilliant! She is without a doubt one of the best heroine’s I’ve had the pleasure of following in a long, long time. It’s very rare to find just a wonderful, well rounded character. I think she reacted to things believably and naturally, and she was a wonderful person. She was kind and considerate, while still being strong and brave. I think I can say that she’s now become one of my all time fave heroines—that’s how much I loved her! I have no faults about her what-so-ever and considering that I usually even see tiny faults with the characters I adore, that’s really saying something!

I found I really liked Henry. He wasn’t exactly what I was expecting from Hades, and while I do still feel there is a bit more about him that we don’t know, I think he was a terrific male lead. He was a kind, considerate person, and I think he was a great match for Kate. I really felt for Henry, and his history with Persephone. I like the way the author changed the tale and showed it in a different way, which actually allowed Hades to be the good guy in the picture. There are not a lot of Greek Myth tales where Hade’s is a good guy at all; he’s always the bad guy, and I liked the change in this. I liked the opportunity for him to be an actual person with feelings and a heart....it was wonderful.
The relationship between Henry and Kate was excellent. I really liked how it developed over time and how they got to know one another. It was very sweet and normal, and I never felt like anything was forced. It seemed very natural and I liked that.

I was shocked with the twists and revelations at the end of this book! I can’t believe what came to light and I was gobsmacked to learn just who everyone actually was. I think the author has done an exceptional job here. It was so smart and wonderful....it couldn’t have been better. I can’t think of a better way to have had the ending and I was so happy to see Kate and Henry wed.
The ending of this book has me excited to read the next one and I simply CANNOT WAIT until it comes out!! If it’s anything as good as this one, I can tell straight out that it’s going to be BRILLANT.

This book was so incredible and I deem it a MUST READ!! Like....NOW, people!!

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Reading Progress

02/23/2011 page 0
0.0% "I cannot wait to freakin' start this!!"
02/24/2011 page 87
29.0% "This is seriously good so far. Kate is an amazing heroine. One of the best i've had the pleasure of following in a long, long time!" 9 comments
02/24/2011 page 165
54.0% "This book? Wow! It's one of the best books i've read in ages! It's incredible and i'm so lost in it...."

Comments (showing 1-50 of 57) (57 new)


message 1: by Ezmirelda (last edited Apr 01, 2012 07:39am) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Ezmirelda I was sooo shocked at the end too! I just finished this book and wanted to see what others thought of it. Great review!


Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) Thank-you! I thought it was incredible. I was so looking forward to is, and seeing as i lot of book i've looked forward to lately let me down, i was nervous, but i'm sooooo glad it didn't disappoint


Diana~ Looking forward to reading this one! :D The summary sounds so good.


Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) You should really enjoy it--i know i did!


Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) Hey,
I'm a member of www.netgalley.com/ and they have a tonne of ARC's to read and review. I found it here. You may still be able to get it, but sometimes they can be picky about what they let people view.


message 6: by Melanie (new) - added it

Melanie What's the link to the goddess test?


Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) The link is:
http://www.netgalley.com/index2.php?m...=

But you may have to be a member and logged in to veiw, idk.....


Adrienne i'd love to read it. i'm totally into the greek gods. I read Betrayal which I thought was phenominal. I noticed you reviewed that too. which dou you think is better?


Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) I actually think they're about the same in my opinion. Betrayal is definitely more for people who love historical novels. That aspect will draw people.
But yeah, if you really want to read this and can't wait try NetGalley. You may be able to get it there too


Adrienne Rachel wrote: "I actually think they're about the same in my opinion. Betrayal is definitely more for people who love historical novels. That aspect will draw people.
But yeah, if you really want to read this a..."


thx for the tip. I just registered there. This book sounds really good!


Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) Adrienne wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I actually think they're about the same in my opinion. Betrayal is definitely more for people who love historical novels. That aspect will draw people.
But yeah, if you really want..."


No problem. I'm actually currently reading Hereafter which i got from there too and it's brilliant. It has a lot of fabulous books!


Adrienne Rachel wrote: "Adrienne wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I actually think they're about the same in my opinion. Betrayal is definitely more for people who love historical novels. That aspect will draw people.
But yeah, i..."


OMG~~~Hereafter~that sounds super spooky. Gotta give that one a try. hopefully I get approved for both (fingers - crossed)!


Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) It is sooooo good so far. I'm about half way through and it's incredible. I hope you get them too.

A good tip is to include the link to your goodreads profile (but you have to have it public first, hence why mine is, lol) and that can sometimes improve your chances of getting the books. Plus if you have a blog at the link to that too =)


message 14: by Nicole (new) - added it

Nicole I've been obsessed with mythology since my parents taught it to me during my home schooling and I can't wait to read this!


Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) I'm always loved mythology too. All kinds. Ancient Egypt, Greek, and Ancient China. Fantasy, Magic, any kind and I'm in heaven.


Inati this was a suckish book


Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) I disagree. I throughly enjoyed it.


Winnie I loved it just finished!


Inati I'm sorry...but it didn't present the mythology at all like it is! Not even just twisting it like Percy or something!


Winnie ♥Izzy (aka Iza-chan)♥ wrote: "I'm sorry...but it didn't present the mythology at all like it is! Not even just twisting it like Percy or something!"

Yes, but Kidnapping isn't supposed to be romantic, which is why is a retelling, Imagination, Fantasy... what if it happened like this... and for once NO love triangle!!!! or disgusting making out session. I loved the drama free teen Kate Winters.


message 21: by Nicole (new) - added it

Nicole Rachel wrote: "I'm always loved mythology too. All kinds. Ancient Egypt, Greek, and Ancient China. Fantasy, Magic, any kind and I'm in heaven."

I think that's where my obsession with fantasy comes from. All mythology is dripping with magic and the supernatural. I want to major in mythology through anthropology! To have a career studying real myths?! HEAVEN!


Winnie Nicole wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I'm always loved mythology too. All kinds. Ancient Egypt, Greek, and Ancient China. Fantasy, Magic, any kind and I'm in heaven."

I think that's where my obsession with fantasy comes..."


Here Here... I am thinking of going for a 3rd degree, and I think it would be in Mythology... I find it fascinating and I really like this authors retelling.
Abandon is another retelling of Hades, but I didn't like book 1. maybe book two would be better. I hope.


Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) Nicole wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I'm always loved mythology too. All kinds. Ancient Egypt, Greek, and Ancient China. Fantasy, Magic, any kind and I'm in heaven."

I think that's where my obsession with fantasy comes..."


That would be an awesome thing to major in. I'd totally sign up for that kind of course, lol.


Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) Winnie wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I'm always loved mythology too. All kinds. Ancient Egypt, Greek, and Ancient China. Fantasy, Magic, any kind and I'm in heaven."

I think that's where my obsession wit..."


I liked Abandon, but didn't adore it either and I read it before I read the goddess test. It just didn't "catch" me the same way. And it wasn't like Meg Cabot's other books which was a disappointment :/ Still, I'll read book 2 as well to see if it gets better!


Winnie Rachel wrote: "Winnie wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I'm always loved mythology too. All kinds. Ancient Egypt, Greek, and Ancient China. Fantasy, Magic, any kind and I'm in heaven."

I think that's where m..."

me too, maybe it get better.


message 26: by Nicole (new) - added it

Nicole Rachel wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I'm always loved mythology too. All kinds. Ancient Egypt, Greek, and Ancient China. Fantasy, Magic, any kind and I'm in heaven."

I think that's where my obsession wit..."


Yeah, to be able to be paid for researching these kinds of myths and supernatural phenomenon would literally be a dream come true! Imagine actually finding some true supernatural thing in this world, that would be my ULTIMATE dream.


Winnie Nicole wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I'm always loved mythology too. All kinds. Ancient Egypt, Greek, and Ancient China. Fantasy, Magic, any kind and I'm in heaven."

I think that's where m..."


I know right?


message 28: by Nicole (new) - added it

Nicole xD


book lover I loved this book ! I dont know why there so many bad reveiws :/ I loved Percy Jackson too ! I just love Greek Mythology period I guess. I liked the spin on the Persephone story


Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) book lover wrote: "I loved this book ! I dont know why there so many bad reveiws :/ I loved Percy Jackson too ! I just love Greek Mythology period I guess. I liked the spin on the Persephone story"

Neither did I! I thought it was fabulous! Have you read Goddess Interrupted, book two, yet? I have a copy for review but I haven't gotten to it yet.


Winnie Rachel wrote: "book lover wrote: "I loved this book ! I dont know why there so many bad reveiws :/ I loved Percy Jackson too ! I just love Greek Mythology period I guess. I liked the spin on the Persephone story..."

i have read book two, and wow.


Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) Good wow or bad wow, Winnie?


Winnie Rachel wrote: "Good wow or bad wow, Winnie?"

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! you will see! i still have the ARC on my kindle, but I dont know how to send it to you so you can read and REVIEW it and TALK about it with me. Just OMG WOW! Good and BAD!


Winnie Rachel wrote: "Good wow or bad wow, Winnie?"

Got any ideas on how i could send it to you?


Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) Oh, that's so sweet of you but I've already got a copy. Thanks anyway though--it means a lot that you'd send it. The Aussie release isn't for a month but I have an ARC sitting on my shelf and I just haven't had time to read it. Can't wait to chat with you about it once I've read it. Been wanting to read it for so long!


Winnie Rachel wrote: "Oh, that's so sweet of you but I've already got a copy. Thanks anyway though--it means a lot that you'd send it. The Aussie release isn't for a month but I have an ARC sitting on my shelf and I jus..."

JUST read Plssssssssss! I Swear you would want to scream! WOW! it has a major cliffy that would make you want to pull your hair out.


Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) Winnie wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Oh, that's so sweet of you but I've already got a copy. Thanks anyway though--it means a lot that you'd send it. The Aussie release isn't for a month but I have an ARC sitting on my ..."

That doesn't make me feel better. Cos then I'll have to wait for the next book. Damn those cliffhangers. So good but do bad!


Winnie Rachel wrote: "Winnie wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Oh, that's so sweet of you but I've already got a copy. Thanks anyway though--it means a lot that you'd send it. The Aussie release isn't for a month but I have an ARC..."

Please read it! I want to know what you think about james.


Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) James?? Huh? Never heard of him. Don't tell me there's a love triangle brewing *groans* I don't want one of those in this series!


Winnie Rachel wrote: "James?? Huh? Never heard of him. Don't tell me there's a love triangle brewing *groans* I don't want one of those in this series!"

James, Remember the end of GT? James and Kate went to Greece… Hermes( James, Henry's successor). you know? NOT love triangle, trust me.


Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) Oh that's right. Been a while since I've read the book and at 1am in the morning my mind isn't as fast as it usually is.


Winnie Rachel wrote: "Oh that's right. Been a while since I've read the book and at 1am in the morning my mind isn't as fast as it usually is."

oh, and you are still up?


Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) Winnie wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Oh that's right. Been a while since I've read the book and at 1am in the morning my mind isn't as fast as it usually is."

oh, and you are still up?"


Yeah I was and it's around the same time again do I better go to bed, lol.


message 44: by Nicole (new) - added it

Nicole book lover wrote: "I loved this book ! I dont know why there so many bad reveiws :/ I loved Percy Jackson too ! I just love Greek Mythology period I guess. I liked the spin on the Persephone story"

You should read Psyche In A Dress by Francesca Lia Block, Abandon by Meg Cabot and Radiant Darkness by Emily Whitman, all retellings of mythology. Psyche In A Dress is one of my personal favorites!


message 45: by LazerWraith (new)

LazerWraith book lover wrote: "I loved this book ! I dont know why there so many bad reveiws :/ I loved Percy Jackson too ! I just love Greek Mythology period I guess. I liked the spin on the Persephone story"

Probably because the author sucks so bad at Greek mythology it isn't funny, and a lot of people are rightly sick of an author trying to force Greek gods into a wimpy Western UF framework.

Though if you guys liked the foolish morality tests and lack of any real mythology, go ahead and praise the book, but this is why the bad reviews make so much sense.


message 46: by Nicole (new) - added it

Nicole LaserWraith wrote: "book lover wrote: "I loved this book ! I dont know why there so many bad reveiws :/ I loved Percy Jackson too ! I just love Greek Mythology period I guess. I liked the spin on the Persephone story"..."

I am so sick of this. This was just rude. If she liked the book then good for her. Enjoy a book for what it is, not comparing it to every bit of research and evidence saying "She was WRONG about this!" It's her imagining, ever think the author changed some things?! Most of us were just discussing how much we love reading regular mythology anyway!

Rachel is too nice for this crap to happen on her reviews.


message 47: by Ezmirelda (last edited Apr 01, 2012 07:45am) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Ezmirelda LaserWraith wrote: "book lover wrote: "I loved this book ! I dont know why there so many bad reveiws :/ I loved Percy Jackson too ! I just love Greek Mythology period I guess. I liked the spin on the Persephone story"..."

I agree with Nicole. That was just plain rude. That is why they're good reviews and bad reviews here on goodreads--so that those who loved it could discuss it in their reviews and those who hated it could discuss it in theirs. Trolling good reviews because you didn't like the book is completely unnecessary. Then you go on to say:

"Though if you guys liked the foolish morality tests and lack of any real mythology, go ahead and praise the book, but this is why the bad reviews make so much sense."

You basically say that anyone who liked this book was stupid for liking it. Which is again, highly unnecessary. They're always going to be people who like a book and people who don't a the book. This series definetely has it's flaws but why should we feel bad for liking it just because you think it's stupid? Why should we not priase it?

Sometimes even if a book isn't the best I like it just because I do. I don't really have a reason for it. I completely respect your opinions of the book because as a person who's been studying Greek Mythology for YEARS I know that her portrayal of it wasn't very good, and honestly I was thinking the same thing as you while reading it. I dont like the way the author hashes the myths and the characters any better than you do. Don't tell the rest of us how we're supposed to feel about a book because it won't change our minds about it.


message 48: by LazerWraith (new)

LazerWraith Nicole wrote: "I am so sick of this. This was just rude. If she liked the book then good for her. Enjoy a book for what it is, not comparing it to every bit of research and evidence saying "She was WRONG about this!" It's her imagining, ever think the author changed some things?! Most of us were just discussing how much we love reading regular mythology anyway!

Rachel is too nice for this crap to happen on her reviews. "



She wondered WHY there were so many bad reviews, as if she couldn't understand. Maybe I made a mistake in my previous comment by saying "rightly" (that is my opinion, though), but everything else holds true.

You can like any book you want, I'm just saying why so many bad reviews are near the top of the review list.

"Trolling good reviews because you didn't like the book is completely unnecessary."

She asked a question.


"You basically say that anyone who liked this book was stupid for liking it."

Did I? I said the bad reviews made sense (which they still do), and I said you can like a book with a silly interpretation of Greek mythology if you want to.

I don't think that means I'm saying people who like the book are stupid, just they don't really care about the accuracy.


message 49: by Ezmirelda (last edited Apr 03, 2012 02:55pm) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Ezmirelda LaserWraith wrote: "Nicole wrote: "I am so sick of this. This was just rude. If she liked the book then good for her. Enjoy a book for what it is, not comparing it to every bit of research and evidence saying "She was..."

Well that's fine then. Just the way you worded it sounded slightly offensive. I agreed wih the first setence of the first comment you made, it was the second one that sort of threw me off.

I really don't think it's about the readers not caring for the accuracy. I think it's more that they don't know what to compare it to for accuracy because they never read the myths or know who the Greek Gods and Goddesses well enough to come to the same conclusion as we did. You have to have some sort of background knowledge in order to tell how poorly researched this story was and there a ton of people who didn't.


message 50: by Nicole (last edited Apr 07, 2012 10:36pm) (new) - added it

Nicole LaserWraith wrote: "Nicole wrote: "I am so sick of this. This was just rude. If she liked the book then good for her. Enjoy a book for what it is, not comparing it to every bit of research and evidence saying "She was..."

That's exactly what I meant. It seemed rude because it was attacking all of us and lumping us together. I didn't even read the book, I was just in on the discussion of a love of real myth. A LOT of people probably go into this book not knowing tons about mythology and like the book as is without judging its accuracy. So let them like it, no one has the right to attack people for enjoying a book. Doesn't that destroy the whole point of reading? Also, this is the second time I've seen something like this in Rachel's reviews and she's too nice for this!

I read both for pleasure and to gain knowledge but not everyone does so if people who don't read about mythology love this book they have every right to do that without fear of being harassed for their opinion, that was my point with my first comment. I've just seen so many mean comments on reviews that I don't understand. Some people (I'm convinced you are not one of these people now that you've stated your opinion more clearly) literally look for reviews they can bash and I just see that as pathetic and it gets me very upset. I don't think that's what you were trying to do as your second comment clears up what we saw as an attack in the first.

As someone who loves mythology (as in wants to make a career out of it using anthropology) and appreciates proper background in their stories I can understand your frustration but it could have been said nicer because yes, it did seem like you were saying anyone who did like the book was an idiot. Now that you've clarified that that isn't what you meant it's all settled then? I understand you getting upset though because when I read a book and they get their mythology and folklore wrong (unless they are purposely changing something and writing their own mythology based with tidbits of real myth) when they claim to "stay true" to it, I get really pissed off. Like throw the book against the wall pissed. xD


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