Welcome to another Paranormal Book Club post! The Paranormal Book Club is a casual book club I do with my friends Rachel, Kristin & DJ, and it came into being because we decided we wanted to revisit (or experience for the first time) a few older YA paranormal/fantasy books together. Our third quarter pick for this year was The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter, a novel that I read back in 2011.
Summary: Kate has a lot to deal with - her mom is dying, they're moving into her mom's childhood home to fulfill her mother's last wish, and she's starting at a new school where she knows no one. But things get even more complicated when she meets Henry, who claims to be Hades and who offers her a bargain: he can keep her mother alive if she agrees to try to pass seven tests to become his future bride & a goddess.
What were your initial thoughts about the book? Were you excited to read it?
When this title came up as an option for book club this year, I had two immediate responses. First, I recalled an overall fondness for the series itself, as it was one I followed with every new release. However, I didn't necessarily remember anything very specific about the first book, except for the basic premise outlined in the summary. Second, I was curious to see how I would feel since it's been over ten years since it first came out. The landscape of YA publishing has changed so much since then, as have my tastes, so I was a little eager to see how it would hold up.
What was your favorite quote or passage, and why did it resonate with you?
“Keep trying until you have no more chances left," said my mother. There was a hint of steel in her voice that made me wonder if she were really as passive about this as she seemed. "And even then, you keep going." I feel like there's been a theme to the quotes that appeal to me the most lately from the books I read, and that theme is endurance in the face of great odds. I've had to face a lot of difficulties in my own life this year (and still am!), and this particular bit resonated with me.
What character did you relate to the most, and what was it about them that you connected with?
I didn't fully connect with any of the characters as much as I would have liked to, but I do find Kate's love for her mom very relatable. She treasures her relationship with her mom so much and the lengths she is willing to go in order to preserve and honor it were admirable.
Was there anything you wanted to see more of in the book, like more page time for a secondary character or a plot point you wish was explored more?
Since this is a completed series, we do get more of what would have been my answer to this question which is 1) more of Henry, 2) more of Henry and Kate and 3) more about the other gods and goddesses.
What are your final thoughts? Would you read this book again and/or continue with the series? Would you read another book written by the same author?
Overall, it was still an entertaining read that had interesting lore and a compelling story. I don't feel the urge to continue on with the series this time around, since I do know how it ends.
If you're interested in finding out what the others thought, check out their posts below:
I love hearing about your Paranormal Book Club adventures! The Goddess Test sounds intriguing, especially with its blend of mythology and contemporary challenges. Your reflections on endurance and familial love add depth to the discussion. Can't wait to read more reviews!
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