YA Paranormal Romance
EVERY GIRL WHO HAS TAKEN THE TEST HAS DIED.
NOW IT'S KATE'S TURN.
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...
Source: Reviewer purchase
My review:
Kate and her mother move back to her mother's hometown, Eden. Kate's mother has been sick with cancer for years and her days are numbered. Making friends and dating has never been a priority for her. She manages to form a friendship with James and make enemies with Ava, the high-school it-girl. Ava invites Kate to a bonfire so she can get to know the rest of her school mates. Ava takes her through the woods and into Eden Manor. Kate realizes that she was tricked into following her. Ava tells her that she should stay away from her boyfriend, Dylan. Ava attempts to leave Kate stranded by swimming down the river. Then, something terrible happens. Ava is injured badly and is unresponsive. A mysterious, handsome stranger named Henry, shows up and asks Kate what she would do to save Ava's life. She tells him that she would do anything. He tells her to look up the myth about Persephone and that he will be back for her decision.
With the help of Ava and James, Kate discovers that Persephone spent six months of each year with Hades, God of the Underworld. Kate's mother takes a turn for the worse and is in the hospital with a coma. Henry comes later that evening for Kate's decision. Of course, Kate thinks he's looney and refuses his offer. Henry takes back the life that he saved. Desperate to help save a friend, Kate goes to Henry to agree to his terms. Henry tells her that he is unable to bring back a life that has already passed, but agrees to give her mother more time as long as she stays.
Kate is thrown into a world of Greek mythology. She has to go through a series of tests to rule with Henry as Goddess of the Underworld. At first, she's going through the motions just to get more time with her mother. As time goes on, her relationship with Henry grows. He tells her that if she were to not pass the tests, his position as ruler will end and he will cease to exist. Kate now has two reasons to pass the tests. There's also another problem, none of the former girls made it past Christmas, they were all murdered.
Will Kate pass all of the tasks to become Henry's wife and an immortal God?
Or will she become another victim?
My thoughts...
I picked up this book for my return flight home. I have heard great things and have been dying the read it. The story was invigorating and I couldn't put it down. Aimee has written an excellent work of fiction with just the right amount of mythology thrown into the mix. Kate's character did rub me the wrong way occasionally, but I think she grew up a bit by the end of the book. I thought I had everything figured out, boy was I wrong! The ending was totally unexpected and I loved it! I like when an author throws you for a loop. When a story gets predictable, it's not very entertaining. I had one chapter left and couldn't wait to finish it this afternoon. I will definitely be ordering the next book.
