Game of Strength and Storm

by Rachel Menard

Victory is the only option. Once a year, the Olympian Empresses grant the wishes of ten people selected by a lottery--for a price. Seventeen-year-old Gen, a former circus performer, wants the freedom of her father, who was sentenced to life in prison for murders she knows he didn't commit. Castor plans to carry the island Arcadia into the future in place of her brother, Pollux, but only after the Empresses force a change in her island's archaic laws that requires a male heir. To get what they want, Gen and Castor must race to complete the better half of ten nearly impossible labors. They have to catch the fastest ship in the sea, slay the immortal Hydra, defeat a gangster called the Boar, and capture the flesh-eating Mares, among other deadly tasks. Gen has her magic, her ability to speak to animals, her inhuman strength--and the help of Pollux, who's been secretly pining for her for years. But Castor has her own gifts: the power of the storms, along with endless coin. Only one can win. The other walks away with nothing--if she walks away at all.

• ISBN10: 1635830761
• ISBN13: 9781635830767
• Publish Date: 7 June 2022
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Flux
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 400
• Language: English

Reviews

[Rach Wood]

A ton of magic, badass heroines, animal companions, impossible tasks, found families and slow-burn romance. This book has it all.

Once a year, the Olympian Empresses grant the wishes of ten people selected by a lottery for a price. But this time, they change the rules and pit two girls against each other; they have to be the ones granting the wishes and only one will have her own desire fulfilled. Inspired by Greek mythology, specifically the Ancient Olympic Games, this fast-paced fantasy novel by Rachel Menard follows a dangerous competition between two 17-year-old girls: Gen, a former circus performer trying to free her wrongfully imprisoned father, who was sentenced to life for a mass murder she knows he didn’t commit; and Castor, who plans to rule Arcadia, but only after the island’s archaic laws are changed and her brother, Pullox, is no longer the rightful heir.

The main characters are diverse and quite intriguing. Genevieve, also known as Gen, is a MindWorker (she can connect, talk and influence animals to their bidding through feeding them her hair, spit or blood) and the last one of the all-female Mazon tribe (which was apparently extinct by Gargareans, an all-male tribe). Born with a fancy title, Castor, Lady of Storms, has endless money and the power to control storms. Both must use their cunning, strength and unique skill-set to master seemingly impossible tasks, including bringing to the empresses the head of a Hydra.

I love Gen: she’s determined, smart, passionate and kind. As for Castor, not so much. I mean, I would love her to be strong-headed, ambitious and proudly queer if she wasn’t too cruel most of the time; she does whatever it takes to get what she wants, even if it means hurting the people she loves. Her brother, Pollux, is the complete opposite: a misunderstood artist with a big heart and a knack for building and playing the violin.

As for the story per se, it was fast-paced but steady, which means the author let us know the characters, their backgrounds and even the lore of the world without ever leaving us dry for action. The writing is compelling and easy to read, and each POV was also very distinct. The twist at the end was expected but leaves space for a fun sequel, which I appreciate (and hope it brings us a much-need map!).

Thanks to NetGalley, Flux and North Star Editions for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an unbiased review.