Synopsis:
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.
My thoughts:
It's no secret I love mythology (Touch of Death is based on a lesser known myth.), so I've had my eye on this book for a while. Kate is surrounded by death. First her mother is dying of cancer and then Ava, an enemy turned friend, drowns. Kate is willing to do anything to keep the people she cares about alive--even make a deal with the Hades, or as he's calling himself, Henry. When Kate goes to Eden Manor to to see if she can take Persephone's place as Henry's queen, she discovers she's being tested all the time. And if she fails, it will mean Henry's death. What she doesn't expect is to fall for him.
I think Carter does a great job weaving the tests throughout the story, but this was one of those times when the prologue kind of ruined the story for me. I figured out the ending ahead of time. I was loving the story up until I had everything figured out. Then it lost a little magic for me. Overall, this was a great read though, and I'll definitely read the next book.
Just for fun: Would you promise to marry Hades and spend six months a year for all eternity with him to save someone you love?
I'll have to check this one out. Thanks for the review. I'd marry Hades to save someone I loved.
ReplyDeleteI would too, Mariah. And with the way some books are portraying Hades, I think I'd be happy in the underworld with him. ;)
DeleteNot a fan of prologues myself, but the premise of this book sounds good! I teach Greek lit and we just talked about Hades in class. He's a juicy character for sure.
ReplyDeleteI agree. He's in the TOUCH OF DEATH trilogy. ;)
DeleteThere are so many good books I want to read if I just had more time!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean.
DeleteI hate when I figure out the book too early. It's frustrating. Still sounds interesting tho. I like myth as well. Glad you shared. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, me too. But I did still really enjoy the book. :)
DeleteSounds interesting, Kelly. I'll check it out.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely worth your time.
DeleteThanks for joining the writers hop, Kelly, and I'm following you now too. Young Adult is such a gread market to be writing in. My first novel sometimes was classfied YA, which maybe boosted its sales! :))
ReplyDeleteOoh, that's great. I love that there are so many crossover books now that appeal to more than one age group. :) Thanks for following.
DeleteI'm with Alice, there are too many books on my pile. I always love your questions about.. love.... It's a favorite topic of mine has you know. Would I give up six months of my life for someone I love.. My says, cautiously, yes, but it would require the love of my love loves me back. But alas this is never a certainty.
ReplyDeleteLOL. No, it never is.
DeleteI am liking mythology-based books too, so this sounds like a fun read. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI'm a sucker for mythology. ;)
DeleteOh it stinks to figure out how things are going to end ahead of time. I don't read jacket flaps or back covers for fear of just that. I like to be surprised by it all.
ReplyDeleteMe too! I don't like read the jacket flaps either. I just open the book and start reading.
DeleteOooh, this sounds good. And you know, I might make that deal...
ReplyDeleteI would, too. ;)
DeleteHmm, I too recently finished a book that was very good -- except I figured it all out on p. 3.
ReplyDeleteNope, no deals with the devil. Everyone has to die, and I want me and mine going the other direction. :)
LOL. But keep in mind that in Greek mythology, heaven (the Elysian Fields) is part of the underworld. Hades rules that, too. It changes things a bit.
DeleteSounds interesting...
ReplyDeleteAnd there is no way I'd marry hades.... Ever
LOL. You should see how he's portrayed in this book. You might change your mind. ;)
DeleteDark. Tortured. Mesmerizing. And I get to save someone I love.
ReplyDeleteYes, I would.
Sounds like a nice story, Kelly. Thanks for sharing.
Love your answer to my question!
DeleteI'm never able to figure out endings ahead of time! Sounds interesting. Stopping by from A Writer Weaves a Tale. :)
ReplyDeleteI wish I didn't sometimes. Thanks for stopping by. :)
DeleteI love the sound of this book! How fun and how original. Thank you for your review.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Glad you liked it.
DeleteThank you for this review. This is a good lesson to all us writers - to be careful to not give the ending away. It does sound like a great read.
ReplyDeleteIt was a great read. I'm looking forward to the next book, which just released.
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