The Goddess Hunt (Goddess Test, #1.5)

by Aimée Carter

A holiday in Greece sounds like the perfect way for Kate Winters to spend her first sabbatical away from the Underworld…until she gets caught up in an immortal feud going back millennia.

Castor and Pollux have been on the run from Zeus and Hades's wrath for centuries, hiding from the gods who hunt them. The last person they trust is Kate, the new Queen of the Underworld. Nevertheless, she is determined to help their cause. But when it comes to dealing with immortals, Kate still has a lot to learn….

A Goddess Series ebook novella

• ISBN13: 9781408994825
• Publish Date: 1 June 2012 (first published 1 January 2012)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Imprint: Mira Ink
• Format: eBook (EPUB)
• Pages: 336
• Language: English
• URL: http://harpercollins.co.uk

Reviews

[Katie King]

**2 Stars**

I'll keep this short. This was pretty much what I expected after having read The Goddess Test. Short, but not very sweet. I do feel like I need to make two points:

1. James set up this whole thing just to prove a point? He could've ruined people's lives...

2. If I were Kate, I would feel really uncomfortable spending six months with James considering the creepy comments he makes. That would get really old, really fast.

[stefu1]

I loved it. And I love Henry. That all.

[Angie]

The Goddess Hunt was an interesting novella. Kate and James have just started their six month long Greek vacation. However, on their first day, they get lost in the woods near Athens. The pair stumble upon twins, Castor and Pollux, who are on the run from the council. The twins are convinced that Kate has been sent to hunt them down for her husband, but she really has no idea what's going on. They tell their story, which of course, causes Kate to want to help them. She knows how hard it is to be separated from the person you love most in the world, and is willing to challenge Zeus and Henry to let them be together. I really just love how Kate stands up to the council, and is willing to fight for change and what she believes is right. The gods are too dead set in their ways and let their pride rule them, but Kate is slowly but surely worming her way under their skin.

I don't think The Goddess Hunt is a required read for the series. It's just a short interlude of part of Kate's time away from Eden. It's barely even referenced in the next book. However, if you are a fan of mythology retellings (which I assume you are if you're interested in this series), then this is probably worth a read. I liked learning a bit more about the myth of the Gemini twins, as well as the authors twist on their lives and afterlives. Plus, it's just worth witnessing Kate tell off Zeus!

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

[Kim Deister]

The Goddess Hunt tells the story of Kate and James during her time away from the Underworld. It was supposed to be a fun-filled trip to Greece, right up to the point that Kate finds herself in the middle of a feud between immortals. And then the action begins...

This book was action-packed and we see a lot more of Kate's strength in it. I also fell just a little bit more in love with James, which is awkward since Kate isn't free to be with him, no matter how much I want that to happen! I am not all that into overly broody, seemingly unattainable romantic heroes, so it was nice to see a little bit more of human, empathetic side of Henry in this story. Kate's compassion is also the central focus in this book when she champions for Castor and Pollux. I love that the fact that she is now living among the most powerful beings does not deter from doing what she feels is right. She is fiercely independent, her own person.

Some Quotastic Goodness

--Six months. One hundred and eighty-four days. That was how long I had to stay away from Eden, where Henry, my brand-new husband, waited for me to return in September. Looking forward, it seemed like forever, and the idea of being away from him for so long made me ache (Loc.67).
--“You know that Kate called Walter a heartless bastard?"
"And an asshole. I am quite proud (Loc. 667).”
--I opened my mouth, but before I could say a word, Henry’s enraged cries filled my ears, and I fell to my knees as the world went black (Loc. 1095).

My Recommendation: If you love Greek mythology and enjoy retellings and reimaginings of traditional legends, then I highly recommend this book. The first book The Goddess Test, should be read before this installment.

*This review originally appeared on my blog, http://thecaffeinateddivareads.multifacetedmama.com/?p=8727.

[ellieroth]

2.5

http://el-extrano-gato-del-cuento.blogspot.com/

[Artemis]

Eh, still not impressed with this series.

[Stephanie]

What I Liked: This is a novella intended to hold us over between The Goddess Test and Goddess Interrupted. It gives us a look at the future Queen of the Underworld. Kate is still a strong young woman with a sharp sense of right and wrong. Without knowing the entire back story Kate is able to discern that the gods are allowing their pride to blind them to the injustice they are inflicting upon Pollux and Castor. It was a nice quick read and Aimee Carter included a showdown between Walter and Kate. :)

What I Could Have Lived Without: James kind of got on my nerves in The Goddess Hunt. He was incessantly reminding Kate that she had a choice and she didn’t have to do what everyone thought she should. I mean it was great that Kate had someone interested in her best interest but James wants her so it’s not even close to unbiased.

Recommended For: Readers who have read the first book. It’s not necessary but it does add value to the book.

Avoid If: You have no interest in picking up either book in the series. It doesn’t stand alone well (which it wasn’t intended to)

[lizarodz]

The Goddess Hunt is a short story that happens right after Kate leaves Henry for the first time to spend her six months apart from him. As you might recall from the end of The Goddess Test, her plan is to go to Greece with James. While in Greece she gets in the middle of a power struggle among gods that has been going on for over a thousand years.

I love The Goddess Hunt, and let me count the ways: 1)it was short and sweet, 2)we get to see how gods think, how petty they are, and how long they can hold a grudge for (after all they live forever, right?). 3) It also shows a stronger, fearless Kate, with firm ideas of what is right and wrong, 4) we also learn how much Kate really doesn’t understand about the inner workings of the family she just inherited. AND 5) we get a bit of insight about Henry since some parts are told from his point of view. I think this is what I liked the most, his pragmatic personality and his carefully concealed feelings (I assure you he has plenty!)

The Goddess Hunt is a short story that I really enjoyed (more than book #2 actually) and I hope we get to see more adventures like this in the next installments. A must read for Aimee Carter’s fans.

About the cover: Gorgeous like all the covers in the series :)