The Goddess Test

Gr 7 Up—To fulfill her dying mother's request, Kate Winters and her mom move from New York City to Eden, MI, where Kate will finish her senior year and her mother will live out her last days. Though her primary concern is spending time with her mother, Kate attracts the attention of several of the students in her small high school, including mean girl Ava. When a prank on Kate backfires, resulting in Ava's death, Kate makes a deal with the mysterious Henry in order to save Ava's life, which ultimately results in Kate agreeing to spend each autumn and winter with him at Eden Manor. There, she discovers that Henry is actually Hades, who has been looking for a suitable replacement to co-rule the underworld ever since Persephone left. The only problem is that the prior 11 candidates have all died trying to pass the tests set up by the council of deities, and Kate is Henry's last chance to remain alive as ruler. Though most of the characters are not as well developed as Kate, it is obvious that her mother's long battle with cancer has prepared her for the tests she is to face and the possibility of co-ruling the underworld. Carter's liberal take on the myth of Hades and Persephone is unique. Many girls will be drawn to Kate's budding romance with the brooding Henry in this evenly paced paranormal romance.—Adrienne L. Strock, Maricopa County Library District, AZ