The Goddess Inheritance (Goddess Test #3) by Aimee Carter

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): 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.

Book Review:
I am always hesitant to pick up the final book in a series. It's like saying goodbye to an old friend. I waited as long as I could, but finally curiosity got the best of me. I was a wee bit worried about the storyline since Goddess, Interrupted suffered from the second book syndrome, but The Goddess Legacy renewed my faith in the series. I read The Goddess Inheritance with all the fervor of  The Goddess Test. I finally, FINALLY felt the connect between Kate and Henry that had been lacking all along. I noticed that many reviewers felt that their relationship was a bit off. While the strain of the war certainly played its part, I felt that Kate and Henry finally found their foothold. I enjoyed every moment and every scene they were together in. And Milo, sweet Milo. It would be unimaginable to have your child taken away from you before you could hold him. To have someone re-name them and claim them as their own. I craved justice just as much as Kate and Henry. I also felt at peace with Kate and James' relationship. Overall, I have greatly enjoyed this series. I've enjoyed watching Kate grown into a strong and powerful woman, goddess, and wife. I enjoyed watching Kate and Henry enjoy what they both so desperately deserve. While the re-naming of the gods was a bit confusing, I enjoyed their modernization. A fantastic series! I look forward to Carter's other upcoming works!

Favorite Quote:
"'Do you now?' he said, his eyebrows raised. 'Then tell me - how do you plan on getting off of Olympus? By taking the stairs?'

I hesitated. 'Can I?'

'This isn't a Led Zeppelin song, sweetheart. There are no stairways to heaven'."

Cover Art Commentary:
I am really happy that they kept all of the covers within the same design. I love the earthy feel of the background.

Rating:

The Goddess Legacy (Goddess Test #2.5) by Aimee Carter

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): For millennia we've caught only glimpses of the lives and loves of the gods and goddesses on Olympus. Now Aimé e Carter pulls back the curtain on how they became the powerful, petty, loving and dangerous immortals that Kate Winters knows.

Calliope/Hera represented constancy and yet had a husband who never matched her faithfulness...

Ava/Aphrodite was the goddess of love and yet commitment was a totally different deal...

Persephone was urged to marry one man, yet longed for another...

James/Hermes loved to make trouble for others-but never knew true loss before...

Henry/Hades's solitary existence had grown too wearisome to continue. But meeting Kate Winters gave him a new hope...

Five original novellas of love, loss and longing and the will to survive throughout the ages.

Book Review:
Alright, Ms. Carter and I have had a bit of a rocky road. It started out with true love with the first book in this series. Then came disappointment with the second book. For some reason, I thought this was the final book in the series. I was surprised to discover that it was a composition of 5 novellas of Gods and Goddesses. Now, let me tell you I am not a big fan of short stories. I will sometimes buy books from my favorite authors in which they compile their short stories. I'm not really sure why, but I tend to lose interest in them straight away. However, Carter has once again won me over with this book. I enjoyed the varied voices and their respective stories. My favorite was probably Hades, followed closely by Hera. Carter has received criticism for her works not accurately reflecting Greek mythology. My opinion is that this is Carter's spin on classic Greek Mythology. She isn't re-writing history, but rather creating her own world. So far, I'm rather enjoying her spin on things. I recommend this story for all readers. Reading the series isn't necessary to enjoy this book, but it does enhance the story.

Favorite Quote:
“In her he saw possibility. In her he saw the future. And when she was ready for it, he would be, too” 

Cover Art Commentary:
Love this cover. I like the contrast of the lush green background with the goddess dressed in silver. 

Rating:

Goddess Interrupted (Goddess Test #2) by Aimee Carter

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): Kate Winters has won immortality.

But if she wants a life in the Underworld with Henry, she’ll have to fight for it.

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.

Book Review:
Ok, so I was totally in love with The Goddess Test (my review here). Sadly, Goddess Interrupted just wasn't as good. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed the book. However, the majority of the story focused on Kate's inner thoughts and insecurities regarding her relationship with Henry and how she felt he wasn't over Persephone. It was such a short book, but it took me a long time to get through. I enjoyed Kate, Ava, and James' journey into the underworld. The ending was also phenomenal, which is why I will be picking up the next book in the series, The Goddess Inheritance. Please, don't let me deter you from this book. I really did enjoy it overall, and there are many, many readers who enjoyed it even more than I did.

Favorite Quote:

“It is supposed to be the truth." He stared at me and my breath caught in my throat. "If I were a better man, I would be able to show you the love and affection you deserve. As I am not, I can only offer you what I'm capable of giving. But I assure you, just because I do not show it, doesn't mean I do not feel it.”

Cover Art Commentary:
Lovely. It matches the first book in the series. :)

Rating:

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

 

Book Summery (via Goodreads):
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 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.

 
Book Review:
Oh my goddess! What an AWESOME book! First off, Carter gets extra points for basing this book in Michigan (my home state)...W00T! W00T! Secondly, did I mention that this book ROCKED?! I was hooked from page one. It was seriously that good. I eagerly devoured it in two sittings. I most likely would have only needed one, but my pesky job got in the way. ;) This character-driven novel kept the pages flying. Kate is absolutely adorable, she makes a wonderful main character. Told from her perspective, Carter's debut novel takes the reader on a journey of loss, hope, love, betrayal, and endurance. What I love most about Kate is that she is real. She deals with some tough decisions, acknowledging that life isn't fair or easy. But, she perseveres. She instills hope where there is only despair...light, where there is only darkness. She is the kind of character I like read and root for! As wonderful as Kate is, the entire cast of characters are downright sensational and diverse. Overall, I really enjoyed this Greek mythology infused modern-day fairy tale. I wait on the edge of my seat for the next installment, Goddess Interrupted. For more information on Aimee Carter, check out her website.

Favorite Quote:

"I spent my eighteenth birthday driving from New York City to Eden, Michigan, so my mother could die in the town she was born. Nine hundred and fifty-four miles of asphalt, knowing every sign we passed brought me closer to what would undoubtedly be the worst day of my life.

As far as birthdays go, I wouldn't recommend it." (p. 12)

Cover Art Commentary:
Very fitting. The leaves and the girl's outfit highly accentuates the Greek mythology overtones.

Overall Rating: