THE LOWDOWN:
Love or life.
Henry or their child.
The end of her family or the end of the world.
Kate must choose.
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.
FIRST IMPRESSION:
Throughout his eternal life, Walter had witnessed countless summers, but never one as endless as this.
He sat behind his glass desk, his head bowed as he read the petition before him, signed by nearly all the minor gods and goddesses scattered throughout the world. Each vowed to stand aside and allow Cronus supremacy so long as it meant there would be no war. None of them seemed to understand that they were already in the middle of one.
SNAPSHOT:
This conclusion to the Goddess Test series will appeal to fans but probably leave others confused. A lot of action happens off-screen that will affect those who have read the supplemental novellas, but lacks impact for the rest of the audience.
Kate Winters is devoid of agency throughout most of the book. She spends whole chapters languishing in pretty locals, worrying about the men in her life and fuming over how her female friends have hurt her. As a teenage protagonist, she is not relatable; her situation and motivations, while slim, would be better suited for an adult romance novel.
The Greek Gods continue to feel watered-down. Their impending war never feels urgent and plays out as a glaringly obvious backdrop to Kate’ personal drama. Cutting one-third of the plot would have greatly improved the pacing, making a tighter story.
Appropriate for ages 14+. Some strong language, pan-to-the-window sexual situations, and discussions of war and natural disasters without visible bloodshed or horror.
All young readers should be encouraged to discuss the reality vs. the fantasy of Kate’s situation. Particularly:
– That, by having Cronus immediately ‘heal’ her body of all traces of her pregnancy after she gives birth, Kate never has to deal with the mundane repercussions of such a life-changing event;
– Kate’s blind love for her uncle-husband Henry and tendency to literally risk her life and safety for him and their newborn child;
– Her ability to quickly forgive all evil acts and empathize with Henry, Cronus, and Dylan, while being unwilling to forgive her best friend Ava (even after learning she was coerced, and that their motivations are the same: love and devotion to their husbands) or attempt to empathize with the motivations of the scorned-and-lonely Calliope;
– That, throughout the series, Kate has been told in no uncertain terms that she was conceived, born, and raised with the sole intent of being Henry’s bride so that he would not kill himself.
Includes but does not have the characters realistically deal with multiple abusive relationships, manipulative families, fantasy-world incest, brainwashing-after-kidnapping, and forced pregnancy.
GET IT ON YOUR SHELF:
If you…
– Loved the other Goddess Test books
– Have completionist tendencies
– Enjoy but are not obsessed with Greek Mythology
– Know how to hold a grudge
– Need your heroines to be self-sacrificing
THE ESSENTIALS:
YA fantasy romance
Paperback & Ebook, 283 pages
Published February 26th, 2013 by Harlequin TEEN (ISBN 0373210671)
http://www.harlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=27701&cid=2903
(Review copy provided by Harlequin TEEN via NetGalley.)