Thursday, April 14, 2011

Bookanistas: The Goddess Test with a GIVEAWAY!

Appyhay Ookanistabay Ursdaythay!

I am a firm believer that Pig Latin is underused. I'm on a mission to reinvigorate it as a language. But in the meantime, I'm so happy to present my Bookanistas recommendation for the week--THE GODDESS TEST by my friend Aimee Carter! Have you ever met someone for the first time and felt like you've known them for ages? I met Aimee a couple of weeks ago for coffee (and what a comedy of errors THAT was), and it was exactly like that.

Here are the deets, courtesy of Le 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.


As with any book written by someone you know, there's the oh crap moment when you get a copy. Will you hate it? And if so, how're you going to handle that? So I had all my fingers crossed when I opened it up. (I should note that this made holding the book very difficult, but I'm dedicated to my work. DEDICATED, I tell you.) I intended to read a couple of pages, just to get a feel for it, before I went to bed.

I went to bed VERY late that night.

I couldn't put it down. I'm a mythology buff--if it's vaguely related to mythology, I'm interested. I'm not one of those people who memorizes myths, but I do have a favorite Titan (Mnemosyne, the mother of the Muses). And one of the things that often bothers me about mythology based books is that they're so busy putting in references to the original myth that they FORGET THAT THEY NEED A GOOD STORY.

Not so with THE GODDESS TEST. It's a good bleeping story, one that's inspired by the Persephone myth but takes it into new, uncharted territory. It's the kind of book that can be enjoyed by myth-buffs as well as people who run shrieking in the opposite direction at the mention of Athena. But if you ARE a myth person, you'll find yourself guessing at the turn of every page--Was this a test? Is that person one of the gods?

I'll admit it. I guessed, and I wasn't entirely right. And I LOVE THAT.

At the end of the day, what you end up with is a great story with some mythology flavor, one that turns the mean girl stereotype on its ear, one that shows a close relationship between teen and mother (and heaven forbid THAT would ever happen). It's a story in which the gods are believably godlike and slightly incomprehensible. In short, I loved it. If you want my copy, you will have to pry it out of my cold dead hands.

But you don't need to do that, because I'm giving away a signed copy. Comment below to win, and feel free to tweet or blog for an extra entry each. I'll draw the winner next Tuesday, which I believe is the official release date! Trust me, you want a copy of this book!

And in the meantime, checketh out the rest of the Bookanista recommendations for this week!

LiLa Roecker adores Alice-Miranda at School

Christine Fonseca caws about Scrawl

Shannon Messenger gets passionate about Possession

Shelli Johannes-Wells takes a shine to Shimmer

Scott Tracey raves about Red Glove

Jessi Kirby feels The Pull of Gravity

Shana Silver delights in The Day Before

Corrine Jackson swoons for Starcrossed

Stasia Ward Kehoe is outspoken about Addie on the Inside

Sarah Frances Hardy celebrates The Best Birthday Party Ever

Kirsten Hubbard fawns over Family - with giveaway

134 comments:

Jamie Manning said...

Never heard of this one but is sounds amazing...count me in!

jmanni32@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Great review! I need to read The Goddess Test...it's that simple. :)

Apskap at comcast dot net

Unknown said...

Retweeted!

Anonymous said...

This looks sooo intersting!! Count me in :) shannaclmns@yahoo.com

jpetroroy said...

Sounds intriguing--enter me, please!

jpetroroy at gmail dot com

Amber said...

Thanks for the chance to win! I'd really love to read this one! My email is Amberinblunderland@yahoo.com.

I also tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/Amberinblunderl

ashley said...

THANKYOU SO MUCH!!!!

ashtreygonesmokeya@yahoo.com


TWEETED-http://twitter.com/#!/Holt9102/status/58532886470602752

Vidisha said...

Sounds great

GFC follower

vidishamun@gmail.com

Tiana Smith said...

Ooh. Sounds interesting! Count me in!

Tere Kirkland said...

Got this on my tbr list, so I'd love to win a copy!

Cool contest, Carrie, and thanks for the awesome review.

Lasha said...

wow Im so excited to read this book, it sounds amazing! Thank you for this great giveaway!




Lasha
arudd908(at)gmail(dot)com

Ana Lucía said...

I'm dying to read this book. Please pretty please. You have no idea how many times I've enter to win this book. (Of course I'd buy it but can't find it in my country and I can't buy online).

luarroyave(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I've been hearing great things about this book. I would love to win!
andreat78@yahoo.com

Ana Lucía said...

I forgot about the extra entry, here it is: https://twitter.com/#!/luarroyave/status/58557939262308352

luarroyave(at)hotmail(dot)com

KelseyAnne said...

I sooo badly want to read this book =] I LOVE anything to do with Gods and goddesses. count me in!

kelseyanne90@hotmail.com

KelseyAnne said...

I retweeted =]

http://twitter.com/#!/KelseysBookBlog/status/58558281945329664

kelseyanne90@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I have already read this thanks to NetGalley, but this is a book that I need on bookshelf, and signed? *faints* Thank you for this amazing giveaway!

I tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/MrsTeeMae_Books/status/58556620644433920

AND I blogged:http://girlinterruptedbybooks.blogspot.com/2011/04/giveaway-goddess-test.html

WEEEEEEEEEEEEE! lol

Christine Fonseca said...

This looks so awesome!!!

KelseyAnne said...

I also facebooked it =D yep that's right I badly want a signed copy =D

http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=160039934057259&id=611250149

kelseyanne90@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

I have had this one on my wishlist for a while now.... can't wait to read it! Oh, God...HADES! ;)

If it's international, please count me in.
tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/vollkopf/status/58560585691955200

Aik said...

Awesome! Please enter me!

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

I tweeted:

http://twitter.com/aikchien/status/58561417074327553

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

Shared on FB:

http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=159439257449603&id=1467072730

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Ana Lucía said...

I don't have blog but I also facebooked (now you know how badly I want to win)

https://www.facebook.com/#!/alarroyave

luarroyave(at)hotmail(dot)com

M Cris said...

Oh, me too! If it's open internationally, please count me in. :-)

+1: http://twitter.com/#!/mcrism1/status/58562414995709953

cris_mv at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I'll kick myself later for saying this but count me in
sugarsweetfirefly@gmail.com

your review made me want to read it

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I've only read good things about The Goddess Test and can't wait to read it.

safaripoet@live.com

Regina said...

I've heard so many great things about this book.

regina.linton@gmail.com

iffath said...

I only just finished this a few days ago, but WOW. Isn't it just so amazing?!!

Please don't enter me, I already have signed copy ;)

Emily said...

This sounds so good!! Glad my sister @abbymumford told me about it. RT @emumfy

Anonymous said...

Please enter me, I've heard some great things about The Goddess Test!

Email address: underastarstuddedsky@gmx.com

P.s. I know sharing this is really immature, but my word verification is "butspa". Childish chuckle :)

caren said...

I'd love to enter!

caren at fictionators.com

Aydrea said...

Awesome giveaway, I definitely want to win this one!

danceislove27(at)gmail(dot)com

Aydrea said...

Tweeted it - http://twitter.com/#!/arick01/status/58586881188831232

Anonymous said...

I want to win this book so bad! And your review made it sound EVEN BETTER!

rebeccaenzor@gmail.com and I'm tweeting it as @stickynotestory!

ArtemisG said...

Book sounds very interesting and the cover is amazing. Thanks for the giveaway.

artgiote at gmail dot com

Inês "Selene" Cruz said...

The book sounds great. I have to read it... Count me in ;)

bastet.selene.maia@gmail.com

Marsha Sigman said...

I want this. I'll only hold off buying long enough to see if I win!

Must Read.

Sonia said...

Oh, great! I can't wait for this book :)

thestoryqueen@hotmail.com

Tawni said...

I love mythology too! Thanks for the giveaway, please count me in :)

Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/TawniBookWorm/statuses/58625026798260224

thebookwormsorg(at)gmail.com

Lucia (iLive, iLaugh, iLove Books) said...

This book looks AMAZING. Thanks for the giveaway!! :)

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/Leecheeeee_3LB/status/58625117810466816

iLiveiLaughiLoveBooks@gmail.com

Lucia (iLive, iLaugh, iLove Books) said...

This book looks AMAZING. Thanks for the giveaway!! :)

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/Leecheeeee_3LB/status/58625117810466816

iLiveiLaughiLoveBooks@gmail.com

holls said...

Thanks for the giveaway!! Hollybwright at comcast dot net

Pedro Pablo said...

Thanks for this giveaway, it will the perfect gift if win. The book sounds great!

pepoarroyave(at)hotmail(dot)com

Hanna said...

Sounds like a great book.... yes please!!

angeltorp@hotmail.com

Jolene and Family said...

Squeee!!! I'm dying to read this book!! Thanks so much for the chance to win

june111(at)att(dot)net

Jolene and Family said...

I tweeted

http://twitter.com/#!/joleneallcock/status/58637899687661568

june111(at)att(dot)net

LilyxJames said...

Ive heard only great things about this book. Cant wait to read it! If its international, Im definitely in!
ivaondrejkova@gmail.com

http://twitter.com/#!/LilyxJames/status/58643469958250496

Anonymous said...

I read a lot of reviews of thos book I really want to read ir. thanks for the giveaway.

flaka.077@gmail.com

tweeted -http://twitter.com/#!/Ronyka7/status/58643686174625793

Amy @ bookgoonie said...

I so want this book. Thanks for a great review and the giveaway opportunity. Amy bookgoonie at yahoo. I will RT @bookgoonie

Andrea said...

count me in please!

roarseto@yahoo.ca

Jamie Kline (Bookerella) said...

I tweeted as JamesterCK (not sure how to find link for tweets, sorry!). This is too awesome, I love this book and to have a signed edition...wow, too cool.

JamesterCK@yahoo.com

Diana said...

please enter me! :) thanks for hosting!

Diana
lovelygetaway@gmail.com

Lauren said...

I've so much about this book and I'm so excited to read it!

mylaurel (@) gmail . com

Z. Taco said...

Thanks for the awesome contest! I read Starcrossed a few weeks back and am itching for another YA novel containing Greek mythology.

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/ShiningStar786/statuses/58664859360952321

mizzbookworm@gmail.com

Anni said...

Ooh! Consider me entered!

Christina Farley said...

Oh I am totallly interested in this book1 I love mythology, from any culture. I'd love to be entered.

farley.christinal@gmail.com

Jenny said...

Thanks for this awesome contest!
mimosastimulus[at]gmail[dot]com

Laura Morales said...

Sounds interesting count me in!!

lgmorales18@gmail.com

Laura Morales said...

My tweet https://twitter.com/#!/laurabooknerd/status/58678898984095745

Unknown said...

Love your review. I've heard a lot of great things about this one and I'm so excited to read it. Please count me in if this is open internationally!

sauvadeavelle @ yahoo.com

Dina said...

sounds like a great book!

Dina said...

rubolino@comcast.net

Lisa said...

sounds really good :)

http://twitter.com/#!/jlhsperry624/status/58700342635929600

jlhsperry624@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to read this one! Thanks for the giveaway!

socalgal82(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Sounds awesome!

thriftshopgrrl@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the giveaway! (:
booksaredreams @gmail.com

Alexis said...

This looks interesting!

wenzowsa at canisius dot edu

Unknown said...

This book sounds amazing! I would love to win it!

Zee said...

wow! i love the story of persephone.

Dina said...

tweeted: @lilybella2

Giveaway by @carrharr A signed copy of The Goddess Test by @aimee_carter http://bit.ly/h8ljV8

Teresa Myers said...

I've been eagerly awaiting this book. Me too please.

tmyers.2006@yahoo.com

Lexie@BookBug said...

Can't wait to read this book! Thanks for the chance to win it!
Tweeted at http://twitter.com/#!/LexieBookBug/status/58725160479502336
lexie.bookbug at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

iay elieveblay atthay igpay atinlay siay otnay edusay oughenay!!

I am a firm believer in pig latin too! (in case your wondering, that is pig latin above)! I taught both my kids pig latin & we have a blast out in public speaking it to each other! It is a SUPER good time!!

I would LOVE to win this book. I have read SUCH incredible reviews about it and MYTHOLOGY rocks! Especially with a twist! thanks!!!

Unknown said...

Posted on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=108360272581066&id=1556456189

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/#!/fangedmom73/status/58742788359073792 I tweeted a tweet on twitter had to remove prior post because I forgot the link! :)

Oodgay objay Indymay! ahay ahay ahay!

Unknown said...

forgot my email address. I should really go to bed!!

boo2bosh(at)gmail(dot)com

Megan said...

I actually read an egalley of this and LOVED IT! I SO want a signed hard copy!! I think this is going to be one of the best books of 2011.

amethystdaydreams at zoho dot com

tweeeted! http://twitter.com/#!/mekyser/status/58744525014835200

Anki said...

Awesome read! Thanks for the giveaway!

coolccs.anki@gmail.com

Unknown said...

-This book sounds interesting! I'd love to win a copy! :]

Sierra.
ittssierraily@yahoo.com

mariska said...

Yes, i trust you. and i would really like to have this book :)

uniquas at ymail dot com

Bwyatt said...

Awesome! I'm really looking forward to reading this one! Thanks for the chance to win!
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/BritneyWyatt/status/58858636348375040

britneywyatt[at]gmail[dot]com

starryeyedjen said...

i've been looking forward to this book for awhile now!!! thx for the giveaway!

tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/starryeyedjen/status/58863759862661120

mrsjbruce(at)gmail(dot)com

hernameisavril said...

I would love to win thanks for this giveaway I hope you choose me

Jasmine said...

That sounds absolutely fabulous! Greek mythology has always been interesting to read, I just wonder how The Goddess Test goes about it.

Count me in! :)

lil-miss-random@hotmail.co.uk

Susan said...

This sounds AMAZING. I love books having to do with mythology as well! All of it is so fascinating, and I love the new spin that authors consistently put on it (:

Thank you for the giveaway!
I also tweeted:
http://twitter.com/#!/OneOfAKind308

My email is oneofakind308@gmail.com

Can't wait to read this! <3 I'd love to win!

Vikki said...

Me, too!!! Me, too!!!

(okay, I'm going to try and re-tweet. Though I'm still twitter challenged and in serious need of tweet tutoring.)

Anonymous said...

This book sounds great - I'd like to entered please!

banana83854 said...

Sounds good...another one to add to my billion book long to-read list. I also Facebooked and Tweeted about this.

http://www.facebook.com/banana83854

http://twitter.com/#!/banana83854

Luciana said...

Thank you for this, I really hope I win.

luciana.amedrano(at)gmail(dot)com

Noelli Spanelli said...

This book sounds amazing:D I love books about Greek mythology, with a twist. The cover is gorgeous too!! I really hope I win!! Fingers crossed (which also makes it really difficult to type haha)
email: ur.bloody.valentine@hotmail(dot)com

Noelli Spanelli said...

I tweeted too and tagged you:)
twitter:
@bookgiveaways_

email:
ur.bloody.valentine@hotmail(dot)com

Gabrielle said...

Wow this sounds like a wonderful book. I can't wait to read it.

Fractured.doll@gmail.com

Samara said...

I LOVE mythological adeptations and I keep hearing good things about this book.....sign me up! I'd love to win a copy. :)

samaramae.photographics@yahoo.com

Larissa said...

Yay! I <3 mythology, too! :)

lchardesty at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I would love to get a copy! This book sounds great!
zoejohnson993@yahoo.com

Jessica said...

I love mythological retellings! This book sounds soo good. Thanks for having a giveaway!
ireadtorelax@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Enter me please!

skully_light@yahoo.com

Cates said...

Being a fellow mythology buff, I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS BOOK!!!!! The YA world most definitely needs more books like this. Please enter me for this fabulous copy! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

ooo! sounds great! count me in!
jennylao8@hotmail.com

Sarena said...

I love Greek mythology, and a book about Hades sounds very interesting! Thanks for the giveaway!

Litza said...

Ooh! I've had my eye on this one for a while now. I'm a total mythology addict & after your wonderful review, I can't wait to get my greedy little hands on The Goddess Test!

I've tweeted- http://bit.ly/ehfQCP

& blogged about it one my sidebar - kaleidoscopicmusings.blogspot.com/

peaceandreading said...

Its sounds so interesting ! Gotta love Greek mythology :)

blm-xo@hotmail.com

MissMilitaryMauler said...

this book looks EPIC!!! i cannot wait to read it!!!

turtleno7@yahoo.com

Manda said...

That sounds awesome! I'm a mythology person myself :) And I tweeted! http://twitter.com/#!/AmandaH56

Anonymous said...

YES! Love Greek Mythology! Percy Jackson series and Heros of Olympus series--best yet, but I think this book might beat them. I can't wait to read this book and I hope I win. But if not congrats to the person that does.

Anonymous said...

its been a while since a book has caught my attention, & after reading this summary i vow to get this book. This new book sounds amazing;) I love goddess/ gods, and what betters than a story about Hades, and a girl with a dying mother.i have crossed my fingers;P

Jay said...

I read a sneak peak of it and its seemed so good. I really really want to know what happens!!! THANKS!!
-Jay
jazzy_jay673(at)hotmail(dot)com

Kimberly (ksmeza) said...

Oh yes! I think its a sign! I have been seeing this beautiful book everywhere today and I am anticipating the chance to read it :)

Tweet! https://twitter.com/#!/ksmeza/status/59047987908837376

tHanks !
chapis.luvs@gmail.com

Badass Bookie said...

Thansk for the giveaway Carrie! I have no idea what Pig Latin is...I still trying to decipher how it works :P

callmeghostgirl@yahoo.com.au

Tweet - http://twitter.com/#!/BadassBookie/status/59043834285400064

Penny said...

Great post! This is an amazing giveaway, and I've been anticipating this book for a while now. Count me in this contest! I've also tweeted about it:
http://twitter.com/#!/precociouspenny/status/59051070307041280

RubyPhoenix112(at)gmail(dot)com

Tony said...

Count me in
greyline108 (at) gmail (dot) com

Lyddz said...

I've seen this book on a lot of different blogs and I sooo can't wait to read it! Thanks for the chance to win!

slitheringseamonster(at)gmail(dot)com

Gabbie said...

Thanks for the giveaway! Count me in, I can't wait to read it :)

Gabbie-ethela@hotmail.com

Jeigh said...

I love mythology! Yes, please. I'm crossing all my crossables.

MyVampireisHawt said...

This sounds very appealing! I'll give it a go! Sign. Me. Up. =)

Jenn said...

count me in!

Anonymous said...

Stories of the gods are so fun to play with. Can't wait to read it!

Kmarmstrong@ymail. Com

Pokadots1121 said...

I would love to win this book. I've heard so many good things about it.
Pokadots1121@yahoo.com

Ala said...

Thanks for the giveaway! Sounds like an awesome book! Can't wait to read!

ala_tineh(at)hotmail(dot)com

Emily said...

I had not heard of this book yet, and now I want to read it! I love mythology books!

Lucy said...

This book sounds amazing. I would love to read it!

lucy_zhang_blue (at) yahoo (dot) com

Emmy Landeros said...

Count me in!!

http://twitter.com/#!/Emmys322/status/59519987064381441

hotaru_2218@yahoo.com

Gabi said...

This looks really good! :'

Victoria Allen said...

I want one!!

vickerenallen@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

wow this book sounds amazing I love a good god/goddess book! Please pick me!

cinni_spark@yahoo.com

Linda: Book Ninja said...

Ahh! I'm dying to read the book since I've heard about it and I've seen it plenty of times since. After reading your spiel, I want to read it even more!
Tweeted: http://mobile.twitter.com/linda2060/status/60105899620040704
Lindadao2060 at yahoo for com

Unknown said...

I would love to win this book! I love mythology!!!

http://twitter.com/#!/StefansGal/status/60128225266892800

Karen said...

I love pig latin and mythology! I've already got The Goddess Test on my 'to read' shelf at Goodreads. Hope you get some real spring in Michigan soon.

kelkerry@gmail.com

Katie said...

I'd like to enter!

~The Book Pixie said...

The Goddess Test is really high on my wishlist for this year. Thanks so much for the giveaway! :D

~Briana
thebookpixie[at]yahoo[dot]com

Abigail Joy said...

I love books like that. Ones that are different are aren't about vampires and werewolves and people fallinging in love. Mythology is some of the best.
My email is joyfulapple94@gmail.com