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mushroomreader 's review for:
The Goddess Test
by Aimée Carter
I had really high hopes for this novel, but unfortunately I was so disappointed.
I will not pretend that I am more knowledgeable about Greek Mythology than I actually am, I know a few basics thanks to having read the Percy Jackson series (which I am aware isn’t an accurate portrayal). However, I know enough to know that these portrayals of the Gods are wildly inaccurate, and more than stereotypical when they bother trying. Whatever, I can mostly deal with this as it was just how the author was choosing to portray them.
But what I cannot deal with was the mixing of Greek Mythology with Christian sentiments and Ideals. WHY would Gods and Goddess who have free rein and power over their own domains choose to test someone over The Seven Deadly Sins when they are not morals or even an ideology that they recognize, much less care about. I know they make a vague reference that whatever a person chooses to believe is the afterlife that they receive but how does this apply to Literal Gods who would have no reason to adhere to the beliefs of another religion, especially one that denies their very existence? Characters used the term “Oh my god” in the story, does this mean Jesus exists within this story as well? Does he know about Zeus? Don’t even get me started on the Garden of Eden comment made by Henry in the beginning. Comparing Elysium and Annwn to the Garden of Eden is not a fair statement. Eden could be compared to the Garden of Eden, as it is paradise on Earth which is a fair Statement based on the story. But also adding Elysium and Annwn, is not as these are their own separate afterlife’s NOT located on Earth. Why would Zeus, who has f’cked his way through life more than a Bard in D&D, care about something as stupid as lust? Why would they care about sloth, greed, envy, or gluttony when these “sins” basically sum up their entire existences. It doesn’t make sense.
Despite these flaws, the story was mildly entertaining, if not super predictable at times. I knew James was gonna be one of the Gods, and that we would see Avas Ex again as one as well, I guessed Philip was Poseidon when the horses were mentioned and figured out Ella and Theo were Artemis and Apollo. I thought her mother would be Persephone so her being Demeter was only mildly a twist as I was already in that realm of thought. Ava being Aphrodite was a surprise but not really the more I thought about it. Unfortunately the portrayal was so biased against her, painting her to be obsessed with sex, and her looks and conveniently forgetting that she’s also the Goddess of War, along with Goddess of the Sea.
The plot was a typical YA one, focusing more on the boring and predictable love story surrounding this Mary Sue and her brooding boyfriend instead of the arsenal of interesting characters types that they can represent with the Gods
I will not pretend that I am more knowledgeable about Greek Mythology than I actually am, I know a few basics thanks to having read the Percy Jackson series (which I am aware isn’t an accurate portrayal). However, I know enough to know that these portrayals of the Gods are wildly inaccurate, and more than stereotypical when they bother trying. Whatever, I can mostly deal with this as it was just how the author was choosing to portray them.
But what I cannot deal with was the mixing of Greek Mythology with Christian sentiments and Ideals. WHY would Gods and Goddess who have free rein and power over their own domains choose to test someone over The Seven Deadly Sins when they are not morals or even an ideology that they recognize, much less care about. I know they make a vague reference that whatever a person chooses to believe is the afterlife that they receive but how does this apply to Literal Gods who would have no reason to adhere to the beliefs of another religion, especially one that denies their very existence? Characters used the term “Oh my god” in the story, does this mean Jesus exists within this story as well? Does he know about Zeus? Don’t even get me started on the Garden of Eden comment made by Henry in the beginning. Comparing Elysium and Annwn to the Garden of Eden is not a fair statement. Eden could be compared to the Garden of Eden, as it is paradise on Earth which is a fair Statement based on the story. But also adding Elysium and Annwn, is not as these are their own separate afterlife’s NOT located on Earth. Why would Zeus, who has f’cked his way through life more than a Bard in D&D, care about something as stupid as lust? Why would they care about sloth, greed, envy, or gluttony when these “sins” basically sum up their entire existences. It doesn’t make sense.
Despite these flaws, the story was mildly entertaining, if not super predictable at times. I knew James was gonna be one of the Gods, and that we would see Avas Ex again as one as well, I guessed Philip was Poseidon when the horses were mentioned and figured out Ella and Theo were Artemis and Apollo. I thought her mother would be Persephone so her being Demeter was only mildly a twist as I was already in that realm of thought. Ava being Aphrodite was a surprise but not really the more I thought about it. Unfortunately the portrayal was so biased against her, painting her to be obsessed with sex, and her looks and conveniently forgetting that she’s also the Goddess of War, along with Goddess of the Sea.
The plot was a typical YA one, focusing more on the boring and predictable love story surrounding this Mary Sue and her brooding boyfriend instead of the arsenal of interesting characters types that they can represent with the Gods