Title: Clash of Fate and Fury (The Labors of Gen #2)
Author: Rachel Menard
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Publishing Date: March 21, 2023
About the Book
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.
Book Links
About the Author
Rachel Menard was born in New Jersey, raised in Arizona, and then relocated to Rhode Island. Throughout her life she has been a barista, college radio DJ, singer in an alt-country band, marketer, designer, and finally, a writer. Her short fiction has been featured on the Cast of Wonders podcast and her non-fiction has been seen in Writer’s Digest. Her debut novel, Game of Strength and Storm, is coming from Flux Books in 2022.
Author Links
My Thoughts
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.
Favorite Quotes
“She would be the rain that washed away the patriarchy that had controlled Arcadia for far too long…”
“This whole thing with the Empresses and the labors had left her strangled. Now it was like she could finally breathe.”
“Coward. The word crept into his thoughts, unbidden. He preferred to think of himself as a conflict-avoider.”
“She wanted to lead Arcadia for her freedom. If she didn’t have that, she had nothing.”
“Why can’t you trust me with your secrets? She asked. Why can’t you let me keep my secrets? He countered.”
“With each failure and setback, that hope had become smaller and smaller. Now she barely had any left.”
Check out the other stops on the blog tour at TBR and Beyond Tours.
Rae's Reading Lounge 
I love the way this series sounds. Nothing I like more than a creative magic system. Throw in some mythology and I’m hooked. Excellent review!
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I love a magical world! Wonderful review, Rae
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Thank you!
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