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.

A modern retelling of the story of Hades and Persephone.

Characters: Both Kate and Henry really came off as pushovers throughout this story. I felt like being a GOD that Henry really would have taken a stricter and powerful role in the story, but he seemed to have just given up at this point that I really couldn’t help but pity him. Kate also just seemed to have given up and only accepting the bargain to save her mother’s life. Although highly admirable on her part, I thought she would have put more of a fight before giving in.

Originality: Honestly this is the first retelling I have read of this story so I found it highly original. Anything that takes a story that is so old in history and puts a modern twist on it gets the originality stamp of approval from me.

Plot: Kate decides that the bargain is just too good to pass up. She agrees to marry Henry and live with him for 6 months out of the year in exchange for him to save her mother’s life. She has to pass the tests though to see if she qualifies to be the bride of a God. The actual tests that Kate is put through are very subtle but are based on human nature, the most basic needs that people experience in life.

Writing: This was one of those books that was over before you realized it. There was some drama, intense life or death moments and the every day decision making. The flow of the story and development of the plot was very well done. The ending was a perfect fit with the story.

Krista’s Rating: After a lot of books with very strong lead female roles I was desiring more out of Kate. When I first read that she would have to be put through tests, I imagined a lot of life or death fight for your life tests. There was one of those included in here, but the tests to me just seemed to be common sense. Maybe the basis of what it takes to be a Goddess is the ability to make good decisions. I found myself unable to stop thinking about this book, I am very anxious to see where the story goes in book 2. I have a curious need to find out if Kate and Henry grow into the powerful people I think it takes to rule the Underworld.

½