nixienut's reviews
1950 reviews

The Goddess Test by Aimée Carter

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5.0

I have heard nothing but good things about this novel so I was really looking forward to reading this book and I have to say, it definitely delivered.

The Goddess test is not so much based on the the Greek myth of Hades and Persephone but more a continuation of the story. Persephone is gone and Hades (now called Henry) is looking for a new queen to rule the underworld with him and he has less than 20 years left to find her otherwise he will fade away forever.

Kate is the girl he has chosen to be his wife and Queen but she needs to pass seven tests to to be allowed to take on the role and is not even really sure she wants the job. However her mother is dying and this will allow her to spend more time with her before she too is gone forever.

This is a unique take on the whole mythology angle and I believe the idea is pulled off extremely well. The story does not retell the stypry of Hades and Persephone but rather uses the myth as a launch pad for a interesting and compelling read that you won't want to put down. In fact when about to finish it last night, I wanted to hold on to it for one more day to use for my Teaser Tuesday but at the same time didn't want to put off for one more second reaching the conclusion and finding out how it ended.

The story flows at a good pace and there is enough going on to keep your interest the whole way through pulling you too a conclusion that is both surprising and exciting . The two main characters Henry and Kate are both characters with some substance to them and also have their flaws. Kate is extremely selfless and has spent the past couple of years caring for her sick mother but in the process has forgotten how to live and Henry has given up and is ready to finish his last days and fade away. I have never been a huge fan of the love at first sight type story and so I loved that the friendship grew slowly and we got to see it growing throughout the story.

The peripheral characters are also not so peripheral and bring as much colour to the story as the main characters. I particularly enjoyed the characters of Ava and James. These characters ( Ava and James amongst them) and their interactions with Kate and Henry helped round out what was already a wonderful story.

I greatly enjoyed reading this book and thoroughly believe it deserves every glowing review it has received so far and have no hesitation whatsoever in giving this book 5 stars.
Department Nineteen by Will Hill

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2.0

There is a lot of promise offered that goes undelivered in this Alex Rider meets uk tv show Demons novel. Good premise and smartish story but not delivered well.
For my full review see http://sapphireddragon.blogspot.com/2011/06/review-department-19-by-will-hill.html
Thyla by Kate Gordon

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5.0

This novel's mystery had me hooked from the first page. Actually I think I was hooked from the moment I read the back of the book and the acknowledgements at the beginning and the story did not disappoint. In fact I was so hooked that I finished this story in less than a day and after reading some during my lunch break, seriously thought about not going back to work and finishing the story there and then instead. 

Read the rest of my review at : http://sapphireddragon.blogspot.com/2011/06/review-thyla-by-kate-gordon.html