Harlequin Teen has been so gracious to allow me review an ARC of this novel (through Netgalley) which hits bookstores late April this year!  So, without further ado, here’s the synopsis from Goodreads: “It’s always been just Kate and her mom–and now 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 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…”

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In terms of spectacular novels, this one takes the cake!  It’s a fresh and intriguing modern re-telling of Hades and Persephone, and it is beautifully told.  Carter develops her characters so magnificently that you will laugh and cry with them, and truly feel like they are your close friends.  Carter also encompasses mystery, deception, and suspense throughout the novel, while maintaining the love story; you’ll be glued to the book from page one!  One aspect that I really commend Carter on is the fact that she leaves no stone unturned, no questions unanswered.  As I read The Goddess Test, I questioned certain aspects of the story line, but even though not all of those questions were answered right away, all of them were answered before the completion of the novel.  A lot of thought and love went into this story, and it shows.

Carter is the next up-and-coming author to watch—and I cannot wait for the sequel, Goddess Interrupted, to come out early next year!  I highly recommend this series! Five stars!

I can’t wait to buy a hardcopy of this novel for my collection!!!