Review: The Goddess Inheritance by Aimee Carter

ISBN: 9780373210671
Source: Purchased
Series: The Goddess Test #3
Release Date: February 26, 2013
Find it on Goodreads
See my review of other books in this series

     GOODREADS SYNOPSIS:

During nine months of captivity, Kate Winters has survived a jealous goddess, a vengeful Titan and a pregnancy she never asked for. Now the Queen of the Gods wants her unborn child, and Kate can't stop her--until Cronus offers a deal.
In exchange for her loyalty and devotion, the King of the Titans will spare humanity and let Kate keep her child. Yet even if Kate agrees, he'll destroy Henry, her mother and the rest of the council. And if she refuses, Cronus will tear the world apart until every last god and mortal is dead.
With the fate of everyone she loves resting on her shoulders, Kate must do the impossible: find a way to defeat the most powerful being in existence, even if it costs her everything.
Even if it costs her eternity.

     REVIEW:

I read this book shortly after reading Carter's first in her newest series, Pawn. I guess I'll just come right out with it - I didn't love this book either. When I read the first book in the Goddess Test series, I enjoyed it very much, but I think I was enjoying being immersed in another Greek mythology novel, and didn't look to deep into the rest of the story. When I read the second book, Goddess Interrupted, I couldn't find the love I had for the first book in the second one. I wondered idly if this was a case of middle book syndrome, a filler book, and that the third one would be more like the first. Well... it was not.

The plot in The Goddess Inheritance was poorly executed, and now I can see that the same goes for Pawn and the other two books in this particular series. It seems to me that Carter's strong suit is developing relationships in her novels and coming up with promising ideas for the plot, but she doesn't really follow through. There were some major plot holes, and (just like in the other books I mentioned) part of the way through, I started to become confused and wondered if I was missing something in the story altogether, because I couldn't figure out what the heck was going on. In some cases, this issue was resolved. In others, I just barreled forward and decided I didn't care enough about the story to try to figure out what I apparently misunderstood.

I disliked Kate a lot in this final installment. Don't get me wrong, she was whiny and weepy for much of the series, but this one... I just couldn't stand it.The only saving grace was that I actually liked Henry a lot in this one. If you have skimmed my past reviews in this series, you will see that there was not much there for me in the way of Henry and that I particularly disliked the way his dialogue was presented. I still hated that aspect, but Henry was a much stronger character this time around in my opinion... and almost a little swoon worthy.

Something else that bothered me... and this may sound a little ridiculous... but there is a baby in this book, and the baby is only a few days old through most of it from what I recall. Carter constantly wrote things describing the baby as reaching for someone or something or smiling or having some sort of emotion. I have been around a lot of babies in my life. The ones that just escaped their mother's womb yesterday generally do not reach for things during say, week one - at least not on purpose. It just annoyed me. I don't care how immortal this baby is.. it is NOT reaching for anyone!!

When I first finished the book, I was somewhat pleased with the way it ended... or maybe I was just pleased that it ended. But after some further thought, I realized that it all happened way too easily, just like in some of her other books. The ending was a bit of a cop out in a situation where more action could have been used (Carter has a problem with writing action scenes, too).

All in all, this was not a favorite series of mine and I don't really see myself recommending it to anyone who really values my opinion because.. well... I'd feel like a fool. I am in desperate need to read Percy Jackson right now to get the bad Greek taste out of my mouth and have some real adventure in my life.

     RATING: ★★ 1/2

For a girl who loves and is obsessed with Greek mythology, this one was a bit of a disappointment to me. I didn't expect anything to be as on point and amazing as PJ, but I guess I'd hoped for a bit more. I think it was a little too juvenile for my tastes without really meaning to be juvenile (hence all the sex). The writing was a bit too simple and the plot poorly executed, so all around, I am just not a fan.

Have any of you read this series in its entirety? What did you think of it as compared to how I feel? I'd love to hear why you all love it or don't love it!

A.

Review: Pawn by Aimee Carter

ISBN: 9780373210558
Source: Netgalley
Series: The Blackcoat Rebellion #1
Release Date: November 26, 2013
Page Count: 352 Pages
Find it on Goodreads
*Disclaimer* I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

GOODREADS SYNOPSIS:

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country.
If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked - surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter.
There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed, and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.

REVIEW:

Have any of you read Carter's Goddess Test series? I've read the first two and an e-novella and am currently reading the last one in the series. I wasn't a huge fan of the series, though I did enjoy it enough to finish it, but I've come to realize that writing adaptations of Greek myths is a tough one and its hard to judge an author on something like that. With that being said, I only found some similarities between The Goddess Test series and and Pawn, and I think Carter's writing was much stronger in Pawn.

I love the premise for this series - a society based on an IQ test of sorts. It's an idea I had toyed with in the past, though not to this extreme. In the world Carter creates, people are given the life they "earned", and hey, if they are average or below average in intelligence, then they work crap jobs, aren't allowed to buy certain luxuries such as oranges (crazy, right?!) and only are allowed one child. Talk about population control.

I liked Kitty well enough as the heroine, though I think she was a little too focused on her boyfriend Benjy, considering every decision she makes in the book comes with the prerequisite "how will this affect Benjy" inner monologue. I also liked that Carter made Kitty unable to read... probably dyslexic from what I can tell. Kitty was a smart, self-sufficient, caring, and kind of bad-ass heroine who was not perfect. She couldn't read, but she still managed to score a III (out of VI) on her aptitude test, which may sound horrible to her, but at least she wasnt sent Elsewhere. I don't even want to get into Elsewhere, which I found to be a a lot creepy.

This novel was very character- and relationship-centered, as there wasn't a ton of plot movement, though there was some. However, Kitty did spend most of her time in the Somerset mansion (just like Kate does in The Goddess Test) and that kind of keeps the plot stagnant.

As far as world-building goes, I think there was a good amount of it right at the start of the book, then we see some information interspersed throughout the book, but with such an promising world to work with, I wish there had been more.

Its hard for me to say if I feel more than just... *shrug*... about this book, because everything was kind of so-so on the Amanda-ratings scale. The world building, when it was there, was good and fresh and unique. The characters, when they did develop, it was interesting and they were strong, but then they kind of went... flat. Plot... moved along well enough, but there was only so much action before Kitty found herself sitting around somewhere again. Not to mention Carter skimming over some parts of the plot that I felt she definitely could've gone into more detail with, like the speeches Lila gave.

Also, and though the dialogue itself never came off as awkward or unrealistic, there were times when I felt myself saying "huh?". I felt as though I had missed something important in the dialogue or plot movement and found myself confused about what was going on a couple of times.

I do have to say though, by the end of the book I was gasping and slapping my forehead in surprise at the twists the story took and I think Carter did a good enough job setting up for what has the potential to be a very good series.


RATING: ★★★ 1/2

I enjoyed this well enough and thanks to a couple of good plot twists and a world with a ton of potential, I think I'll be coming back to read the next one when it is released, probably some time next year.

Have any of you read this book? If, so what did you think? If not, will you be picking up a copy when it is released on November 26? I'd love to hear from you!

A.

Review: Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

ISBN: 9780373210459
Release Date: March 27, 2012
Series: The Goddess Test, #2
Page Count: 296 pages
Find it on Goodreads
My past reviews in this series
*Disclaimer - if you havent yet read the first book in the series, please note that this review may have first-book spoilers in it. Please see my past reviews in this series (above) for spoiler-free reviews of each book.

     GOODREADS SYNOPSIS:

Becoming immortal wasn't supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she's as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he's becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate's coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.
As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.
Henry's first wife, Persephone.

     REVIEW:
WHAT I LIKED:

• The story was short and sweet. The writing is very simple (which is sometimes a good thing, sometimes not so good) and makes it very easy to read this quick novel.
• The character interactions are mostly believable. Unbelievably so, at times. Kate and Henry's fights (because thats basically what they do most of the novel) and even their happy moments felt super real. Carter doesnt sugar coat the real.
• Kate's neediness. Okay I didnt like that she was needy (see below) but I liked that it was a real portrayal of relationships. I, for one, tend to get needy at times, and her constant "just show me that you love me" is something that many women deal with in real relationships.
• Persephone. She is super bad ass. I dont think I like her as a person (...um...character?) but she was a fun character. Sassy and honest and kind of a jerk, but she meant well and I liked that.
• They had... (dun dun dun) sex! And lots of it! I know, its almost crazy to even say it out loud, but in a YA novel, the main characters had sex. Yes, Kate is already 19 and Henry is.. well, yeah. But I like that this was something that really happens when you're young (sometimes) and I think YA authors need to find a way to portray truth (ex: teenagers probably have more sex than we do!) more often without being inappropriate for the younger readers.

WHAT I DIDNT LIKE:

• I didnt like that the story kind of let an almost-cheating incident seem like absolutely nothing when Kate was outraged by the idea of cheating among the "family" as a whole.
• The action was not very...action-y. Frankly, it was kind of boring. The scenes full of dialogue and social interactions were more exciting and emotionally taxing than the action scenes. I mean, the words said that things were happening, but it didnt feel like anything was happening at all. The scenes definitely lack something more.
• I still hate the way Henry talks. I feel like the author is trying too hard to make Henry seem more mature and more distant by making him sound like the story is set in the 1800's, when no one else in the story talks that way. Its annoying!
• Alright, now I know I said (above) that I liked how Kate's neediness was a true portrayal of many relationships - it was still super annoying! Quit crying, Kate! Grow a set. If he doesn't want to show you affection, stop begging for it, cause that ain't gonna make him give it to you!! Ugh...

     RATING: ★★★ (3 stars)

I was slightly disappointed after reading this book because it was kind of boring. I feel like there was not enough plot for this to be an entire book on its own. It kind of felt like a space-filler between the first and last book. The book got better toward the middle to end and I flew right through it because it is a swift and simple read. I really enjoyed the first book though and this one was enough to get me on to the next. I definitely love Kate and Henry's relationship because it feels so real to me, and considering that both of Carter's books made me cry, I think its only fair that I finish up the series.

Have any of you read this series yet? What did you think? Planning on reading the next one?

A.

Mini Review: The Goddess Hunt by Aimee Carter

ISBN: 9781426834158
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: March 1, 2012
Series: The Goddess Test #1.5 (E-book)
Page Count: 92 pages

GOODREADS SYNOPSIS:

A vacation in Greece sounds like the perfect way for Kate Winters to spend her first sabbatical away from the Underworld...until she gets caught up in an immortal feud going back millennia. Castor and Pollux have been on the run from Zeus and Hades' wrath for centuries, hiding from the gods who hunt them. The last person they trust is Kate, the new Queen of the Underworld. Nevertheless, she is determined to help their cause. But when it comes to dealing with immortals, Kate still has a lot to learn...

REVIEW:

I never realized I had this e-book download on my nook app on my phone from long before I even read book #1 in this series. I only got it at the time because it was free. Now that I've read and liked the first book a lot, boy am I glad I had it.
I picked up my phone today and decided to flip through and noticed I had it, so in my downtime (which is often at my job) I read this e-novella in about an hour and a half.

This was a nice short addition to the series that takes place immediately after Kate leaves Eden Manor to spend her 6 months on her own - which she chooses to spend with... JAMES?! I mean really Kate. You love Henry, but you choose to do this, because James is your "best friend" (that lied to you!). Okay, I'm sorry, I may like the book so far, but James is not my favorite. He's got to go!

The Goddess Hunt didn't do too much to add to what we already knew except to cement what Henry told Kate at the end of book that her relationships with the Gods and Goddesses would change. And change they did. This made me feel a little better because she still got along with Ava and James, they were still friends, but her relationship with Walter and Ella were noticably different. I wondered how this would play out because at the end of the first novel this was one of my biggest worries - that I wouldnt like the rest of the series because of how different it was.

I loved that Kate stood up to the council and didnt let them walk all over her because she was freshly immortal. All in all, this was just a nice quick read giving us a short adventure with our friends from Eden Manor one more time. I cant wait to read Goddess Interrupted for a full fledged adventure and some character development, maybe even some more world building of Eden Manor or the Underworld!

RATING: ★★★ 1/2
I gave this one 3 1/2 stars. I enjoyed it a lot but there wasn't much progression to the actual trilogy, such as these little additions usually are, so I guess I cant hate.

Have any of you read this or the first book in the series? What did you think?

A.

P.S. Is it fair to count this "100 page" book  toward my reading goal? I mean, Goodreads counts it. So yes? I dont feel so guilty now! :)

Review: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

ISBN: 9780373210268
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release date: April, 2011
Series: The Goddess Test Series #1
Page count: 304 pages

GOODREADS SYNOPSIS:

"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..."

REVIEW:

     WHAT I LIKED:

• This book gripped me emotionally within the first 10 pages and I was hooked.
• Carter's writing is beautiful. I read a few reviews on this one saying her writing was elementary and too simple. I thought it was more along the lines of straightforward and I connected very well with the story.
• I liked that though Kate was "broken", she was the stronger one in this story - emotionally, I mean. Henry was the vulnerable and wounded one though many feared him. It's nice to see a female character who pursues a man (one that isn't a cheating, lying asshole - cause girls pursue guys all the time. Just not the right ones.)
• This book was based around Greek mythology, but I connected to the characters as separate people, as humans, not just Gods and Goddesses.
• I also saw a few reviews saying that none of the characters acted like their godly counterparts and they couldn't tell who was who. I beg to differ - I knew James, Ava, Diana and Phillip immediately, and only had to look in the back to verify or check for a few of them. Though that may be because I spent so much time researching while reading the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan.
• Henry's attitude toward Kate. I know, I know, shouldn't I hate him because I feel bad for Kate? For some reason, it seems realistic to me and that's what made me like it - not necessarily the pain or heartache between them or whatever. Do you know how many people out there spend their lives with one person while very well knowing that there was once a person they loved much more? Its sad and horrible, but I think some of you may know I dig the difficult subjects and things that tug at my heartstrings, such as not-quite-requited love.
• Unpredictable but not in a bad way. I was able to tell who was who and I wasn't so confused by the God/Goddess thing that I couldn't keep up, but there was still the element of mystery. I'm usually good at figuring out whodunit long before the book is over, but this one kept me guessing almost until the very end.

     WHAT I DIDNT LIKE:

• Kate was just all of a sudden okay with leaving her whole life behind to live with Hades, and though she recognized that it was crazy, she kind of just went along with it. It didn't seem totally realistic.
• I was confused throughout the whole book as to whether the characters that I knew to be Gods and Goddesses also knew who they were. I had a sneaking suspicion that things would end up the way they did, but it was confusing trying to figure it out throughout the book.
• I did lose a bit of my connection in a small part in the middle of the book, mainly when Kate is studying and the weeks are skipping by as she spent time with Henry. I think the book could've been a little longer and Carter could've spent more time on showing HOW Kate and Henry connected and ended up at the point they did.
• I don't like the way the book ended in that James told Kate that things would "be different" between her and Henry, James, friends, etc. I know that they get to act like Gods/Goddesses now, but I liked them as they were!
• The seven deadly sins thing - I think it was cool and clever - just weird when mixed with the whole Greek mythology thing. It almost didn't fit.
• I didn't like the concept of the Underworld in this book as compared to the "real myth" if that makes any sense. Though, in theory, I like the idea of the "real" afterlife being so open to interpretation, I like my mythology to be pretty straightforward, and I think I accepted enough deviation with the Gods/Goddesses being so different to begin with. I'm not sure why but that aspect kind of ticked me off.

SUMMARY:

I can honestly say I cried from like page 1 to page 50 consistently, and if I hadn't been sitting in front of a couple of my fiancé's co-workers when I finished this book, I would've been crying also. It gripped me right from the beginning with the impending loss of her mother and kept me hooked most of the time with her growing relationship with Henry.

I would also like to give a whopping THANK YOU to Rick Riordan, the author of the Percy Jackson series for introducing and so accurately teaching me about Greek mythology. I wouldn't have understood this book so well if I didn't know what the hell was going on, and though I may have enjoyed it more if I didn't know anything, I was pleased. I didn't like the weird changes to the Underworld as described by Henry, but I liked the story of what happened to Persephone as it was a believable continuation to what the myth says happened.

There were some things that annoyed me but I couldn't put this one down and I was rooting for Kate and Henry the whole time, hoping Kate could be the one to heal him. Damn you Persephone! All in all, this was a great read and I really want to read the next one to see what happens with Kate and Henry.


RATING: ★★★★

I enjoyed this story very much and I cant wait to read the next one. I would recommend this to any one who likes YA fiction or unique retellings of Greek mythology or any mythology at all, really. Great read!

Have any of you read this? What did you think? Do you agree or disagree with my opinion?

A.