"To find out what a story's really about,' the Librarian said,

'you don't ask the writer. You ask the reader."


- SNOW & ROSE by Emily Winfield Martin


Friday, February 22, 2013

*Guest Blogger Review by THE NEXT CHAPTER: The Goddess Inheritance (Goddess Test #3) by Aimee Carter


TGIF my bookish friends!!!
I am SO very excited today to have a very special 'guest post' to share today!!!
As most of you know, I received a wonderful ARC of The Goddess Inheritance from Harlequin Teen Canada recently - I was so thrilled to be honored with this opportunity, but, so sad that I had not been able to read the series yet. I have heard many wonderful things about it... mostly from my sister! 
And then this idea came about... 

I'd like to introduce you to Sarabeth of THE NEXT CHAPTER!
Sarabeth has been blogging for quite a few years now over on The Chronicles of Sarita - where she shares all of her creative scrapbooking layouts, mini-albums and cards. 
She loooves dinosaurs, chicken strips and, of course, books! 
And has decided to create a separate book blog to share all of her most favorite reads :) 

Yes, we're sisters! Best friends, through thick and thin :) 
But, I rarely share my books with her and she knows why, lmao!
And I am so very happy and excited that she has decided to start reviewing her own reads now too - 
our likes and genres are quite different! And she will surely be able to bring a variety of wonderful things to share with you all too!

And I am so very lucky to have her help me out and review The Goddess Inheritance today for us!!!


***Please note that even in the summary provided by various sources have spoilers***

by Aimee Carter
Release date: 02/26/13
Published by: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Romance
Source read: ARC

The Goddess Inheritance (Goddess Test, #3)

Summary:

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.

(back cover reveal 09/20/12)

Sarabeth's review:

"The final battle - it's begun."

Talk about a cliff hanger after reading Goddess Interrupted and thank goodness for The Goddess Legacy to hold me over!  This was by far one of my favorite endings to a series.  A quick page turner for sure!  Aimee Carter nailed it spot on and I couldn't be happier.  I'm so in love with this series that I can't even move on to a new book!  
"A fresh take on the Greek myths adds sparkle to this romantic fable."  Cassandra Clare couldn't have said this any better!

I was always intrigued about the stories of the Greek Gods- Persephone, Aphrodite...even Zues' side of the story; so when I heard that Aimee Carter had created this mythical-paranormal world in the Goddess Test Novels, I was in, no questions asked. 

Whisked away into the land of the Gods, your emotions travel like a roller coaster with excitement, fear, confusion, frustration, hate...but most of all you feel the passion of love and understanding.  We were left with Kate being kidnapped by Calliope after finding out literally moments before that she is pregnant-talk about a jaw dropping cliff hanger sheesh!  Needless to say I was honored to have been passed this ARC and even more so to share my thoughts on it.  Thank you, Margie (Bumbles and Fairytales)!!!!!

“Sadness doesn't equal weakness, sweetheart. If anything, it shows the love you have inside of you, and nothing stronger in this world exists.”

Kate Winters is a strong heroine who we should all admire.  Although she has her share of waterworks going on - she regains her strength and belief in love and continued seeking out the good  giving her the drive to try to do what is right.  Although extremely stubborn at times, she always makes a valid point and I would indefinitely be Team Kate all the way!  Henry (Hades) said it perfectly "I love you.  Even if you are frustratingly good sometimes."  

Ah Henry.  What an amazing couple.  Henry is also tried in this book and must keep his act on to protect Kate and the baby.  His role may seem a bit "off" at some parts but he proves to be the perfect God for the Underworld, an incredible husband and the perfect father for little Milo.  His passion for Kate is simply real and you feel it with them.

“I don't need to be ancient to be worth something.” 

At the end Kate must figure out who she really is in the midst of all the Gods who have been around forever, those who have the experience.  All Kate wants to do is figure out how everyone can just survive.  How can she get her family back.  She also has the most difficult decisions to make that will be crucial to her survival, her family and humanity.  She is poked and prodded, deceived and tested all at the same time.  Poor Kate is constantly reminded of her downfalls because she isn't experienced with any of this...at all.  As the secrets unfold in this tale, even I became saddened and frustrated-how will Kate ever figure this out!  I was clutching my blankets in bed while reading as she was tried and tried, again and again.  

Although he was the reason they were going to into battle, I was intrigued by a newly developed relationship with Cronus - although evil, he did bring some things to surface that was necessary.  Of course being selfish and manipulative as he was, will only get you so far and he did get what he deserved.  

I was curious about a promise made with James (Hermes, her best friend) and furious with Zues' manipulation upon his children and wife.  I was frustrated with the decisions forced upon Aphrodite and in awe at the choices even Kate's mother had to endure!  I'm also not going to lie to you and tell you I did want to give little Calliope a smack down each time her mouth opened.  I became to understand Persephone's tone in the series - as her long lost sister, who wouldn't have some of these issues to begin with.

There is a significant death that I won't go into detail about, however, there does have to be a balance and it was a necessary. The act of giving and sacrificing always comes with a cost.

“Live this love now," I whispered. "And never stop.”

There were so many times I wanted to leap into the book and take care of the things Kate was missing...however, we learn that each action of all the characters was crucial in understanding the big picture-what would you do for life and love.  


***** I gave The Goddess Inheritance 5 stars 
and it absolutely holds a place close to my heart! *****



PS - My favorite part of the book, 
the last page written by the very talented Aimee Carter:

"And so the GODDESS TEST series concludes - for now."

OMG-is there hope for more?  
Perhaps Henry's side of the story
or a little Milo novella adventure?  
Fingers crossed people!


Pre-order your copy today: Barnes & Noble/Amazon


Author Aimee Carter:

I attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and received a degree in Screen Arts and Cultures (a fancy way of saying I was forced to watch a lot of old movies) with a sub-concentration in Screenwriting. I write. I watch a lot of new movies. Read a lot of books. Tweet too much. Love dogs and have two spoiled Papillons.



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THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH, Sarabeth, for sharing your review with us today :) 

Please, be sure to check out her new blog... The Next Chapter... today!!! 

http://costhenextchapter.blogspot.com/

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GIVEAWAY

We are giving away a paperback copy of THE GODDESS INHERITANCE!!!

Giveaway rules:
- Fill in the Rafflecopter.
- Must be 13yo or older to enter.
- International. As long as The Book Depository delivers to you ;) 

Thank you! and good luck!

4 comments:

  1. YAY! I loved the first book- I'm glad to hear the third is equally awesome. :D

    ReplyDelete
  2. I really have to start this series someday!! Great idea to have a guest review...and OMG...I just stalked Sara's site and you guys look so alike!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you so much Margie for allowing me to be a part of your blog for my very first post-I just had to read this book and was so grateful you received it lol! Thanks for all the love and support!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love The Goddess Test series, it's one of my all time favs and kind of a guilty pleasure, too ;) I'm not a huge fan of Henry or Kate, but I love the world, the mythology, the tension and plot twists and.. (tan tan tan!) Calliope! YES, I actually think she's quite interesting and I see where her evilness comes from :)
    Well, anyhoo, I'm looking forward to this last instalment in the series so much! Great guest review!
    Ciao!
    Evie Bookish

    ReplyDelete

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