🌟 Dive into the thrilling world of Clash of Fate and Fury by Rachel Menard, a spellbinding retelling of the ten labors of Hercules with a fierce female protagonist at its helm.

🏛️ Prepare to be whisked away on an epic journey through Greek mythology with a fantastical twist that will leave young readers captivated from start to finish.

📚 With its gripping plot and well-developed characters, Clash of Fate and Fury is a must-have addition to any avid reader's shelf, offering a fresh take on familiar tales and diverse representation that will resonate with readers of all backgrounds.

Here's why you should pick it up:

🌿 Experience the thrill of adventure as seventeen-year-old Gen embarks on a quest to retrieve the legendary golden apples of Hesperides and the monstrous Cerberus to save her father from prison.

⚔️ Join Gen, her former enemy Castor, her StormMaker boyfriend Pollux, and a colorful cast of companions as they journey through the perilous lands of the neighboring Elysium Empire, where war and prophecy loom large.

🔮 Delve into a world where magic and mythology collide, where ancient prophecies shape destinies, and where the fate of kingdoms hangs in the balance.

💫 Brace yourself for a tale of bravery, betrayal, and self-discovery as Gen navigates treacherous waters, faces formidable foes, and confronts her own inner demons along the way.

📖 Whether you're a fan of Greek mythology or simply love a good fantasy adventure, Clash of Fate and Fury is sure to leave you spellbound. Don't miss out on this captivating read that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page!

"Clash and the Fury" by Rachel Menard is a gripping novel that seamlessly weaves intricate plotlines with compelling characters. The author's vivid storytelling and well-crafted prose create an immersive experience. The narrative's twists and turns keep readers engaged, while the character development adds depth to the overall story. Menard's ability to balance suspense and emotional resonance makes this novel a captivating read, deserving of four stars.

I’ll try and be as spoiler free here as possible because I truly want everyone to get to experience something like what I did reading book one. Which was really just glee, but not the Traumatising A Generation On TV kind. Picture a Greek mythology inspired labours of Hercules retelling with rival magic girls going head to head to complete deadly tasks at all costs and be granted their greatest desires. Now picture picking up where that left off and launching into an adventure to complete even more deadly tasks (because they hadn’t been through the wringer enough) with appearances from a whole host of mythological creatures (seriously… I wanted to clap every time a new one appeared), all while journeying on a pirate ship captained by a sapphic purple thief that’s ordering around the world’s most dysfunctional found family of characters that pretty much all want to kill and/or kiss each other at all times. And there is danger at every turn. And whales. What’s not to love.

If you enjoyed book one then Clash is not just a cherry but an entire extra sundae on top. It’s beyond exciting and emotional and romantic and clever and I will admit I almost teared up seeing this mess of a team not being at each other’s throats just long enough to do something brave and brilliant together. I highlighted lines like “adorable boots”, “high praise coming from Cas” and “nice shot!” because the GROWTH of it all made me want to put my head through six feet of concrete. I love these characters so much (especially my ruthless little lightning-wielding fave) and I can’t believe their stories end here.

This a book that I tore through so quickly but that will stick with me for a long time. I couldn’t have imagined a more exhilarating conclusion to this duology nor could I recommend it more.

I honestly didn't expect to like this one so much. and now I find myself desperate to read more and more about this world. In fact, I would say its main flaw would be how short it was, I would have read another 200 hundred pages of this.

Clash of Fate and Fury is perfect for readers still interested in Greek Mythology. Continuing the theme of impossible tasks, Gen is put through another set of hurdles. She's immediately, and continually, asked what she will do for family, for ambition, and for freedom. Opening up the world, Clash of Fate and Fury is an action packed sequel which introduces war tension and politics from the beginning. Reading all three of their perspectives - Castor, Pollux, and Gen - immediately gives Clash of Fate and Fury an epic feeling.

The thrilling second novel in a fantasy retelling of Hercules.

When I read the first book in this series, I didn’t think it would get any better. However, I was wrong. A bit like Percy Jackson, this novel blends Greek Mythology with a new fantasy setting, and a wonderful story.

Gen is honestly one of my favourite female characters, and I loved watching her grow from the first novel. Her relationships with the other characters, and Pollux were extremely well-written, and I loved how she’s shifted in her feelings towards some of them from the first novel.

I read this easily in an afternoon, simply because I could not put it down. Like the first novel, the story draws you in from the first few pages, and it feels impossible to stop reading.

Thank you to NetGalley, Flux Books and the author for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I did not realize this was book 2 when I requested it. the story was actually good I just had no idea of where everything came from so a lot did not make sense to me. I have to pick up the first one

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
I started reading this book not knowing it was a sequel. Because of this, I did not enjoy it as much as I think I would have if I had read the first book. There were many references to the first book and the story relied heavily on it. The integration of Greek lore was interesting.

Happy Wednesday y’all! I hope everyone’s been having a great week! Mine has been going by super slowly, but there’s so much to be done, that it’s also going by super quickly at the same time! At least we’re almost at the weekend! Today, I’m super excited to be sharing Clash of Fate and Fury with y’all because it’s my stop on the Clash of Fate and Fury tour with TBR and Beyond Tours! This is the second book in The Labors of Gen series and I really enjoyed book one, so I was super excited for book two!

Clash of Fate and Fury 4/5 Stars

Summary from Goodreads:

Seventeen-year-old Gen may have rescued her beloved father from prison, but she hasn’t saved him yet. If she fails her end of a bargain with the Olympian Empresses, they will send him right back to his cell. To keep the Empresses happy, Gen must bring them the legendary golden apples of Hesperides and the monstrous Cerberus. But both are rumored to be in the neighboring Elysium Empire, which has a long history of war with Olympia. Making matters worse, Gen’s former enemy and newly designated heir to the isle of Arcadia Castor invites herself on the journey, hoping a golden apple could end Arcadia’s reliance on Illumium for storm vials. And Castor’s twin brother, Gen’s StormMaker boyfriend Pollux, has been pulling away from Gen due to troubles stemming from her mind magic.

With Castor’s pirate-thief girlfriend and Pollux’s servant companion in tow, the unlikely team embarks on its voyage. But war is only an insult away in Elysium, and more than the Emperor has their eyes on Gen’s mission. The quest has caught the attention of one of Elysium’s Oracles, and trouble is sure to brew with Prophecy on the rise.

Content Warning: violence, death & sexism

After book one, we knew that Gen was going to have to go off and take on two more tasks that seem to be even harder than her first set of tasks, so I was so excited about us getting right into them in book two! We start out this book with Gen getting her father from the jail and he’s not the same man that she remembers, so that makes her even more determined to get these tasks over and done with so that she can finally live in peace with her dad. Castor is also having trouble post-book one- her father doesn’t want to hand over the reins and accept her as heir, even through the Empresses have ruled it so. And he’s second guessing everything she’s doing- plus, with her having broken her engagement, they no longer have access to the Illumium they need for their storm vials. So, nothing is going her way- her only chance to get things to work out is to join Gen on her quest for the golden apples and Cerberus. I really liked seeing Gen and Castor again in this book and I loved Bane! Pollux annoyed me in this book because he didn’t feel like he had enough of his own personality- he really just felt like either Gen’s boyfriend or Castor’s brother and I’m not sure if that was done on purpose or not, but I wasn’t a huge fan. I liked how the story progressed and how everything ended up happening and how big of a part the oracles played in this book because I wasn’t expecting that at all. And the revelations at the end about Gen’s dad and her mind magic weren’t what I expected but they definitely made sense! Overall, this was a fun read and a great continuation to this series. I highly recommend picking it up today! Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound

Published in full at:

https://onereadingnurse.com/2023/04/24/clash-of-fate-and-fury-by-rachel-menard-arc-review/

My thoughts:

So I know I wasn’t too keen on the first book but so much improved in this one that I quite enjoyed it as a YA fantasy loosely based in Greek mythology. It felt more like a traditional story with harrowing straits, sirens, shipwrecks, fire breathing cranky dogs and more!

The characters grew and learned some hard life lessons and I think their arcs were brought through the story really well. Everyone had to realize that their fates weren’t written in stone and that they needed a team to succeed. Gen had to accept failure and help from her book one rival, Castor. Castor had to accept the help of the team and realize that she’s not a one woman island. I actually liked her in this book. Pollux (and everyone really) also had to accept himself and his powers.

Adikia was a nice addition to the cast but she didn’t get a point of view. There’s the f/f relationship for those who enjoy those aspects. Overall the steam was very light but the relationships themselves were wholesome and good for the characters at the end.

If y’all can’t love yourselves for who you are, how can you expect anyone else to? I think that’s the crutch here. The other crutch is fate and prophecy, which resulted in “the big twist” that I didn’t see coming.

There’s also a ton of action compared to book one and it’s spaced out a little more evenly. I was never bored. Book one took me three weeks to finish, and this one only about four days. I liked the trials and the teamwork and Menard also did a better job bringing overall setting and atmosphere into the book.

The themes of family were still there too, whether it was accepting and fighting for the one you have or finding one that suits you better. Or both. It’s ok to want these things Castor, Pollux, Gen, you guys can do it! You’re made of more than your dreams!

Overall/ TLDR:
I was sketchy on book one but I totally recommend these for teens. The content is clean and there are good themes. 4 stars overall for the duology and for bringing the duology home with a vastly improved second novel

I thought I loved the first book, but this was amazing. Gen completed the trials, and the Empresses have more in stock for Gen. With these new tasks, Gen will have to walk a fine line, or she'll get more than what she bargained for. Menard continues to do a great job with world-building and character development. This didn't focus too much on romance, which is cool. I'm really intrigued by Gen's magic. I would love to learn more about it. I'm hoping there's a third book because this was genuinely a good time.

I adored the first book in this duology. So when I was preapproved for book two, I leapt at the chance to read it. I love seeing the character growth for Castor and Pollux and Gen. The beauty of having to team up with your enemy and learn to recognize your own strengths and weaknesses (chef's kiss). This book is action packed, thoughtful, and it wraps up the stories so nicely without being overly simplistic. The only negative comment I have is my extreme disappointment that the series seems to be over. Sure there's room for a separate series featuring some or all of the main cast but it won't be the same.

- thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc to review!

- the sequel to one of my favorite stories of last year did not disappoint, that’s for sure. the dynamics of Gen, Castor, and Pollux were as fun and entertaining as the first book, and i loved the development they all went through. the setting was well explored, and the writing style flowed nicely across the page.

- if you’re into a gender bent version of Hercules’s trials, this book (and it’s predecessor) is for you!

Strong 4 stars

After completing the impossible tasks the Empresses gave her in the first book, Gen is forced to go on yet another impossible mission to free her father. The Empresses will release Alcmen only after Gen brings back the legendary apples of Hesperides and the deadly Cerberus from Elysium. As if this quest was not nearly impossible already, Gen must be extra vigilant and careful as Elysium and Olympia used to be at war, and it would not take much for the two nations to declare war on each other again.

The world-building is expanding in this sequel as Gen and her group have to visit new lands, and we also get to see more of the different types of magic. The pace of this book is similar to the first book, with the difference that this time, Castor and Gen have to work together instead of competing against each other. There is still a lot of action and running around to fulfill the Empresses’ quest, and once you get into this book, it’s easy to get lost in it and to fly through it in a few sittings.

Gen remained a great, likable, and relatable main character in this book. She is driven, and determined to do whatever it takes to save her father, yet she is also open to reasoning, and when she sees that her quest might put her friends in danger, she is willing to turn around and let it go, even if it means not freeing her father. She is headstrong, but not too obstinate to see what's happening around her, or how her choices and actions impact others, and I like that about her. She is also still a strong kickass fighter when she needs to be, but at the same time, we can clearly see that she does not enjoy violence, and she prefers to find peaceful solutions to her problems.

Pollux remained a steady, mature, and soothing presence by Gen’s side, and I love his calm vibe. I also loved to learn more about Bale and see more depth in his character in this book. Those two were great secondary characters, and the author did a great job with their development. Those two mixed with Gen, Castor, Akidia, and even Chomp created an explosive mix though, and I like the tension it added to the already difficult quest Gen had. Everyone was tiptoeing around each other, while also trying to make themselves heard and hold some power in the decision-making process… It was a ticking bomb waiting to explode.

While this book does not focus on the romance that much, the relationship between Gen and Pollux was sweet, and their problems and relationship development was well integrated into the plot. There was no drama between them just for the sake of adding drama to the book. Their feelings and conversations were believable and relatable. That being said, I would have liked for them to tackle the issue of Gen’s gift sometimes in the book. I feel that it was a big issue, and it just wasn’t really addressed. Besides that though, I don’t have any complaints about them. There is also the beginning of a more serious relationship between Castor and Akidia, and hopefully, this will have a good influence on Castor and will help her get more levelheaded and less selfish in the future.

Castor remains an annoying, selfish, egoistical brat, and I can’t stand her. That being said, the author did a great job developing her character and making her consistent throughout both books. Sure, she gave Castor a small hint of a redemption arc near the end, but it was nothing over the top, and while she did soften a little bit, her priorities remained mostly the same, and she didn’t do a complete 180. I like how she made Castor a strong character, yet a character that I hated, and how Castor’s arc made sense in the end. She didn’t just magically become nice and forgot about her ambition just because it suited the plot better. I also really wanted her to get slapped in the face, figuratively or not, and realize the hurt and problems she left in her wake wherever she went because of her selfishness.

The ending leaves an opening for a potential third book, but every loose end is resolved, and I am very satisfied with the ending the characters got. I enjoyed both books, and I like the characters, but I am happy with this being a duology.

OH.MY.GOD! Thank goodness for Netgalley, was able to obtain a copy of this book. At first, I requested for a copy because of the cover and the blurb. Diiving into the book without any expectations, I was blown away by how awesome this was!

Second book on a series (but can be read as a stand alone), takes us on the adventures of Gen, 17 year old Mindbender heroine all the way from Olympia to Elysium in order to obtain the legendary golden apples of Hesperides and the monstrous Cerberus. Soubds familiar? This series referenced the 12 Labors of Hercules and more...

1. I like the fact that the Hercules was an Amazonian -strong willed, family oriented and just simply loves fiercely
2. Castor and Pollux - I really love how the author took these 2 mythology personas and shaped in as driving force characters on the series.
3. The addition of magic system + mythological aspect is the bomb. It was written delicately and deliberately at the same time.
4. The storyline was just 🫶 I know I was reading but man, the descriptives are so particular that my imagination was also on overdrive 😅 I felt like watching all the action items on the sidelines and I have no complaints at all!
5. LGBTQ+ represented well. I usually comment on how this representation goes on books as either try hard or lacking sensibilities but on this one, just sinoly written beautifully

As someone who completely adored Game of Strength and Storm, and immediately added it to my 2022 favorites lists, I was so, so excited to read the sequel, Clash of Fate and Fury. While the first book is probably still my favorite, I also really enjoyed this one, and I’m so glad I got to see Gen and crew go through one more journey.

One of my favorite parts of Game and Strength and Storm was the world building, and that was still definitely true of Clash of Fate and Fury. I’m blown away by how easily I was able to picture every single place the characters visited by just a few sentences from Menard. Additionally, I absolutely love the way this is a Heracles retelling, but also completely different at the same time. Yes, the story draws on Greek mythology, but it does so in such a unique and creative way that I’ve never seen before. It fascinates me, and I hope, even if we don’t get anymore stories from Gen, that we get more books set in this world.

We also got an even deeper dive into the MindWorker and StormMaker magics, which I loved. I said it in my review of the last book, and I’ll say it again: I absolutely love the magic in these books. The fact that StormMakers have the ability to control an entire storm from a tiny vial is genius, especially when you consider some of the more technical facets behind the power that we get a glimpse of in Clash of Fate and Fury. Gen’s power, being a MindWorker, is one that is equally fascinating and terrifying. Because, while she has the ability to talk to animals, she also has the ability to control not only them, but also humans, all with a little drop of her blood. It’s easily a power that could be used for ill, and I appreciated the conversations had about it in this book.

Meanwhile, the characters were just as captivating here as they were in the first book. They have so much depth and each one has their own personality and motivations. Gen was my favorite in the first book, and I’d say that’s pretty much the same here, too, though I really liked Bale as well. I was just as conflicted about Castor during this book, though. She’s so intriguing to read about, but she’s also kind of a terrible person, so rooting for her should be hard, but it’s also not? I don’t really know how to describe it, but Menard does an excellent job of making us care for her, despite how infuriating and self-centered she can be. I kind of love it, haha.

Additionally, I loved the dynamics between our group of main characters. They were all kind of like a powder keg just waiting to explode. Between Gen, Pollux, Bale, Castor, Adikia, and Chomp, hardly any of them got along with each other, but they were still so much fun to follow along. And even though they didn’t always like each other, they still protected each other.

My only complaint would be regarding Gen and Pollux’s relationship. It’s a minor one, which is why I didn’t take any stars off for it, but I just wish that they’d had more conversation about their dynamic, especially concerning Gen’s MindWorker power. Whenever she and Pollux kissed, she would then be able to see into Pollux’s thoughts, which was something that caused some strain between the two of them. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to discuss how romantic relationships don’t always have to be purely physical, but that was never really brought up, which was a bit of a disappointment.

Even so, I really did love Clash of Fate and Fury! It was a fantastic follow up to Game of Strength and Storm, and I had so much fun following Gen and crew on their (maybe) last adventure. I know the acknowledgements made it sound like this’ll be the last, but it was left open enough that a third book could eventually happen, so my fingers are crossed that it will!

WHAT DO YOU MEAN THIS IS THE END? I REFUSE TO PART WITH THESE CHARACTERS, YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!!!

When I was at 70% I was like "no way is this ending in this book", same thing when I hit 80%, 90%, then I got to the author's note and saw it was supposed to be the end of their journey and I'm just so????? THIS CANNOT BE THE END, I NEED MORE!!!

Although, the ending did leave room for another book, either following these characters or not. But I'd of course prefer to read countless books about our heroes, I could never get tired of them.

Clash of Fate and Fury is just as amazing as the first book, if not more. I even started to like Castor (but I still don't forgive her for what she did to that poor whale).

I feel like someone put me in a washing machine and tumbled my whole life around, just because I cycled through so many emotions while reading this, and trust me THERE WAS NO TEAR SHORTAGE EITHER.

Rachel Menard somehow managed to pack all the feels into these two books, I don't know what to say except wow.

Gen and Pollux (and Chomp and Andromeda) are my faves still, but like I said Castor is kinda okay to me now, and I'm even more attached to Bale, Flek and Adikia than I already was.

I like Castor and Adikia together, I do however wish that we saw even more of them. Because while I want to believe they'll last and be happy together, I don't feel their love for one another like I do Pollux & Gen's. But maybe they're not in love YET and will be in some future book? This is me campaigning for another one, mhm.

I also didn't get my circus wish. So once again BOOK THREE, PLEASE. And it's okay to end this series on a happy note, but it feels incomplete, there's so much more for the characters to do.

For example if we had seen the main reason the empresses sent Gen on all her labours actually come to pass, then perhaps I'd feel differently. But it's been looming in the background the whole book, and now it's over? I don't think so.

Either way I will be sticking with Rachel Menard, and will read absolutely anything she writes, whether in this world or another.

*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Okay, wow. Having read book 1, I raced to request this as soon as I saw it on NetGalley. And imagine my utter delight that I get to be on the blog tour for it as well!

We’re back with Cas, Pollux, and Gen. Cas is going in one direction, Gen another. But it’s the Empresses pulling the strings. But to what end? This book is mythology come to life. With non-stop action, Menard pulls you into the story. The reader gets to know the characters intimately and becomes invested in their trials.

I love how creative the magic is in this world. It’s a bonus to the mythology that gives both books something more, making it almost impossible to put down. And this cover is even more stunning on the paperback. This is a fantastic read from start to finish. It’s a fun yet sad journey, as I’m not ready to let the characters go.

Rachel Menard owes me compensation for the emotional turmoil she put me through!! this series has been just such a wonderful ride. I loved the first book and I’m so happy to say that the second one was even better! The stakes were higher, the adventures were wilder, and the relationships grew even deeper. it was so beautiful to read this story and I’m really going to miss this series and these characters (though…the ending did leave room for a third book! maybe someday I’ll see my loves again!?!) I really admire this duology for how unique it is. It’s inspired by Greek mythology obviously but it’s done in the most unique way. I was a Percy Jackson kid growing up and reading this series reminded me of what it felt like to read PJO for the first time. These books are so much fun and if you’re looking for a cool adventure, amazing found family, and cool magic, definitely read these!!

NOTE: Thank you to Rachel Menard and FLUX Books for reaching out to me to review Clash of Fate and Fury, Book 2 of the Labours of Gen. After reviewing Book 1, I am honoured to have once again been asked to provide an honest review.

Menard has done it again.

I loved the retellings of the labours of Heracles, and to see this story continue in much the same fashion? Wonderful. Stunning. Absolutely and utterly *perfect.*

Mythological retellings are a dime a dozen at the moment, particularly Greek mythology retellings, but I am continuously impressed with both the quality of Menard's work and the refreshing aspects of how such beautiful stories are being retold.