Title: Pawn
Author: Aimee Carter (Twitter)
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publish Date: November 26, 2013
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 346
Source: Publisher

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country.

If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter.

There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed …and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.

These days, it seems as though dystopian novels are a dime a dozen and, for the most part, we don't complain because such stories offer us this incredible glimpse into a potential future society; albeit fictional. However, over time, we've watched as many dystopian novels have become watered down and mere shells of what the genre implies. Luckily for us, Pawn does no such thing. Offering readers a broken, fragmented society, a young heroine with the the entire world hanging in the balance and a shot at the ultimate redemption for all, this novel embraces what the dystopian genre us and clings to its shattered reality.

I've read The Goddess Test series by Aimee Carter before, so I was certain we would be given a world in which we could lose ourselves yet again, and I wasn't disappointed. While not altogether different than other different dystopian backstories, Pawn welcomes us into a world in which a test administered to teens determines their future in either poverty or the elite. There is a clever twist to this test though, giving readers a more snide and sadistic turn to this rather commonplace backdrop. There is a score in the novel which a person can get that transforms them into something else entirely. It means their past is erased, their future is pre-determined, and they are funneled down one path alone. 

Kitty, for the most part, is an incredibly likable and accessible protagonist. Throughout Pawn though, we watch as she's transformed into this new person and, in doing so, almost becomes another being entirely. While we can sense that she is the same person, as her moral compass remains intact, we watch as her disposition is slowly but surely altered to fit that of her new identity. Sometimes quiet and comfortably normal, it is a pleasure for us to watch as her status is elevated, and she has the opportunity - and power - to change the future of her people.

Pawn plays host to a whirlwind plot, as well. The pacing is superb, and we're never in one place or one time for too long. Just as we think we know enough, we're thrust into a new scenario, a new plot twist, or another carefully and strategically-revealed secret. Each element is planned out with precision and leads us to the next, but it does so without offering too much foreshadowing so as to give anything away. There is a sweet love interest in this story, but it was refreshing to find that, while it plays a significant role, it's not the end-all, be-all by any means. It was, however, established at the forefront of the story, which I found a bit out of place.

Overall, I was really quite impressed by the depth of Pawn. Ms. Carter has most definitely tightened up her writing style since her previous novels, and the prose itself is clear and fluid. Despite the minor hiccup with the relationship development, I enjoy the story. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy dystopian novels.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Title: Goddess Interrupted
Author: Aimee Carter
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publish Date: March 27, 2012
Genre: YA, Mythology
Pages: 304
Source: Publisher

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.

Kate and James spent the whole summer traveling through Greece as friends, but now as the summer winds down, it's time for her to return to the Underworld...and to Henry. She is to be crowned the new Queen of the Underworld, but nothing is as simple as she could of hoped. All Hell breaks lose, and Henry is abducted, leading for Kate, James and Ava on a wild chase to save him before it's too late. Unfortunately, Kate finds that she needs the help of someone she loathes the most - Henry's former wife, Persephone. With her future on the rocks and Henry's life in the balance, immortality might not be everything she'd hoped it would be...and far more complicated.

Guys, I'm a sucker for mythology. I really am. When done properly, it's an incredible adventure, which is why I enjoyed the first book in this series so much. It took Greek mythology and turned it upside down, transforming it into something new. With Goddess Interrupted, author Aimee Carter is switching things up, yet again. With touches of mythology, twists of drama and romance that equal parts gorgeous and maddening, Goddess Interrupted is a maze of an adventure. Featuring solid world-building and intense action, this novel is for all those who want the perfect blend of entertainment and depth to keep your literary appetite satiated.

As I said, I really, really enjoyed The Goddess Test. I thought it was entirely unique. No, it most certainly was not true to Greek mythology, but it was entertaining, and the literary lover in me admired the twist on the classic. That said, Goddess Interrupted was even less true to Greek mythology than the first installment, and part of the ingenue I loved from book one was lost in book two, leading to my disappointment. Unfortunately, I also had a bit of an issue with Kate in book two. She had a strong demeanor in the first novel, leading me to become invested in her story. In Goddess Interrupted, however, she was weaker, meeker and more doubtful of Henry's love than ever. As you all know, I don't like weak female characters, and she seemed to loser her spine a lot in this one. A highlight for me in this installment were the actual action scenes, which were descriptive and intense, making for a very visual experience. That is when I became most invested in the story because the meat of the novel - the heart and soul - rested there.

Overall, Goddess Interrupted wasn't a bad book, but it was a weaker sequel than I had hoped for. The bane of my existence is when a series loses its merit as it goes. I give it a 3 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy twists on Greek mythology and romance.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

In My Mailbox is an amazing weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren that features the books we have received during the week. It's so much fun because we get to see what our fellow bloggers stumbled upon this week and add even more to our piles of books! Without further ado, this week I received the following books:

Pieces of Us by Margie Gelbwasser (ARC) - Thank you, Flux

Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter (eARC) - Thank you, HarlequinTeen

Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown (ARC) - Thank you, Delacorte BYR

The Agency: The Traitor in the Tunnel by Y.S. Lee (ARC) - Thank you, Y.S. Lee

Starters by Lissa Price (ARC) - Thank you, Delacorte BYR

Ripper by Amy Carol Reeves (ARC) - Thank you, Flux

Title: The Goddess Test
Author: Aimée Carter
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Published: April 19, 2011
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Pages: 297
Source: Netgalley

Every girl who has taken the test has died. Now it's Kate's turn.

It's always been just Kate and her mom--and now 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. If she fails...

Kate's life is up in the air. Her mother is dying and her deathbed wish is to return to her obscure hometown which will, essentially, uproot Kate from everything she's ever known. Nevertheless, she does it, and she's thrown into a brand new world where she is surprised to find she makes new friends and finds herself building a new life for herself. Then Henry promises her the one thing she wants most - her mother to live a long, happy and healthy life. But choosing to follow her heart and save her mother might just be her own undoing.

The Goddess Test is one of the books I've been most looking forward to most this year, and I was so excited to see it featured on Netgalley. Presenting a world where Greek mythology and contemporary fiction collide, The Goddess Test is the perfect blend of fact and fiction, merging a story line with fascinating characters, layers of intrigue and story that sinks its teeth into you and doesn't let go. Aimée Carter has created a fresh debut with equal parts romance and turmoil with a fabulous writing voice that's engaging and moves with a steady, fluid pace.

Kate, the heroine of The Goddess Test, was the perfect character for me. She had this vulnerability about her that made her relatable in her situation, but she was strong, too. She never lost her inner voice or her power, despite her struggles. The secondary characters like James and Ava, though slightly stereotypical as the nerdy best friend and the cynically-tongued friend, respectively, added a touch of humour to a fairly dark and twisty tale. Above all else though, Henry, was perfection. He added a subtle depth to The Goddess Test, rather quietly, through his dark demeanor and hidden agenda. There was much more to him than what originally meets the eye (tall, dark and handsome, of course.)

The Goddess Test was a fabulous debut. It's a whirlwind of twists and turns, and the intermix of Greek mythology was refreshing and interesting. I give it a firm 5 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to fans who enjoy YA fiction, especially those who enjoy fantasy and paranormal stories, as well as Greek mythology.

I received this eARC free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

In My Mailbox is an amazing weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren that features the books we have received during the week. It's so much fun because we get to see what our fellow bloggers stumbled upon this week and add even more to our piles of books! Without further ado, this week I received the following books:

FOR REVIEW

Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky

(ARC - Thank you, Cornucopia of Dystopia)

Maddie lives in a world where everything is done on the computer. Whether it’s to go to school or on a date, people don’t venture out of their home. There’s really no need. For the most part, Maddie’s okay with the solitary, digital life—until she meets Justin. Justin likes being with people. He enjoys the physical closeness of face-to-face interactions. People aren’t meant to be alone, he tells her. Suddenly, Maddie feels something awakening inside her—a feeling that maybe there is a different, better way to live.

FOR REVIEW

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

(eARC - Thank you, Harlequin Teen & Netgalley)

Every girl who has taken the test has died. Now it's Kate's turn. It's always been just Kate and her mom--and now 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.

FREE NOOK BOOK

The Demon Girl by Penelope Fletcher

(Thank you, Barnes & Noble)

Rae Wilder has problems. Plunged into a world of dark magic, fierce creatures and ritual sacrifice, she is charged with a guarding a magical amulet. 

Rae finds herself beaten up, repeatedly, and forced to make a choice: to live and die human, or embrace her birth-right and wield magics that could turn her into something wicked, a force of nature nothing can control.