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energyrae's review
4.0
An olympian fantasy? Yes, please! Gen and Castor each have their reasons for entering the lottery. But when they’re pitted against each other, things heat up, and lives, present and future, are at stake. The blurb promises an adventure, and it wasn’t wrong.
Told in alternating viewpoints, I would cheer on Gen, her persistence and strength, and then when we switched to Cas, even when her actions were extreme and cringey, I wanted to see her succeed. Menard wrote strong characters who, while on opposite sides, had good reasons for what they were doing. The addition of Pollux to Gen’s team added a whole new level.
This is such a fun read. I love the depth of the world, the magic, and the characters. Each new task brought new talents, magical creatures, mythology, and lore. Game of Strength and Storm is well-researched with a fun twist that added tense and kind moments throughout. Overall, this is an addicting, fast-paced adventure with a bit of romance. I can’t wait to see where Menard takes this series.
Told in alternating viewpoints, I would cheer on Gen, her persistence and strength, and then when we switched to Cas, even when her actions were extreme and cringey, I wanted to see her succeed. Menard wrote strong characters who, while on opposite sides, had good reasons for what they were doing. The addition of Pollux to Gen’s team added a whole new level.
This is such a fun read. I love the depth of the world, the magic, and the characters. Each new task brought new talents, magical creatures, mythology, and lore. Game of Strength and Storm is well-researched with a fun twist that added tense and kind moments throughout. Overall, this is an addicting, fast-paced adventure with a bit of romance. I can’t wait to see where Menard takes this series.
sofiasshelves's review against another edition
4.0
i was provided an arc of this book via netgalley in exchange for a honest review. thank you to the publisher, the author and netgalley. all thoughts are my own.
the short version of my review could simply be "this was so fun, i had the time of my life reading this book"
in this story, we follow both genevieve and castor as they enter an annual lottery in which people can request something from the empresses - for a price. castor wants to inherit rather than her twin brother and is angry at being passed over for being born a woman. genevieve wants her father out of prision, and to have their name restored after he was accused of murder.
the book is a reimagining of the 12 labors of hercules/heracles, and it was such a great adaptation. i wanted to mention that first of all because the way the author adapted the greek mythology in this was so fun. it felt done in a way that someone who wasn't interested in mythology could still enjoy this, and obviously to anyone who likes mythology it's so fun to see both the references and how the labors were reworked to fit in the new world created.
the world was also very fun - i loved the magic systems and how balanced everything felt. the pace was also very fast paced and i couldn't stop turning the pages which also great if you are someone who enjoys fast paced books like me.
as far as characters go, i also wanted to mention how great castor is as a character. i haven't felt so much for a character i also disliked in... well, maybe ever. the way the author managed to make me feel bad for her despite every rational thought i had was nothing short of great. my thoughts are my complicated than that but i don't want to get into spoilers and also i do want to see how things progress in the next book, but at least in this one, castor was fascinating. gen was also a great character. she might be a bit more 'generic' in being the hero way, but she had some really great moments as well. and last but not least, pollux was a very nice surprise as a character. i also really loved how things changed depending on the perspective that things were being seen.
i think the one reason why i'm rating this four star rather than five is that it does rely a bit on the miscommunication trope for a particular part of the plot to happen and i'm not fond of that trope, personal preference there. that and the romance felt very very fast, while i didn't mind much because of how sweet it was and i was won over, it did bother me a bit at the end when i realized how little time had passed.
overall i just loved how things were adapted personally. i was also left with questions and curious at the end which i count as a good thing - if i finish a book and want more, want to know what happened next, that's a great thing. overall? just a really fun read.
the short version of my review could simply be "this was so fun, i had the time of my life reading this book"
in this story, we follow both genevieve and castor as they enter an annual lottery in which people can request something from the empresses - for a price. castor wants to inherit rather than her twin brother and is angry at being passed over for being born a woman. genevieve wants her father out of prision, and to have their name restored after he was accused of murder.
the book is a reimagining of the 12 labors of hercules/heracles, and it was such a great adaptation. i wanted to mention that first of all because the way the author adapted the greek mythology in this was so fun. it felt done in a way that someone who wasn't interested in mythology could still enjoy this, and obviously to anyone who likes mythology it's so fun to see both the references and how the labors were reworked to fit in the new world created.
the world was also very fun - i loved the magic systems and how balanced everything felt. the pace was also very fast paced and i couldn't stop turning the pages which also great if you are someone who enjoys fast paced books like me.
as far as characters go, i also wanted to mention how great castor is as a character. i haven't felt so much for a character i also disliked in... well, maybe ever. the way the author managed to make me feel bad for her despite every rational thought i had was nothing short of great. my thoughts are my complicated than that but i don't want to get into spoilers and also i do want to see how things progress in the next book, but at least in this one, castor was fascinating. gen was also a great character. she might be a bit more 'generic' in being the hero way, but she had some really great moments as well. and last but not least, pollux was a very nice surprise as a character. i also really loved how things changed depending on the perspective that things were being seen.
i think the one reason why i'm rating this four star rather than five is that it does rely a bit on the miscommunication trope for a particular part of the plot to happen and i'm not fond of that trope, personal preference there. that and the romance felt very very fast, while i didn't mind much because of how sweet it was and i was won over, it did bother me a bit at the end when i realized how little time had passed.
overall i just loved how things were adapted personally. i was also left with questions and curious at the end which i count as a good thing - if i finish a book and want more, want to know what happened next, that's a great thing. overall? just a really fun read.
midnightsivy's review
5.0
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the arc. I was intrigued by the beautiful artwork on the cover as well as the description but my expectations were low since I'm not really into Greek mythology. Turned out, the story gripped me since the beginning. Even though, most of the second half of the book had me feeling 3 stars but the ending changed my mind. It's a solid 4.5 for me.
The writing style was promising with a good pacing. The characters were 'whale' written (iykyk) but the romance bit felt a bit forced and lukewarm to me, (it might've been because I didn't care much about Lux for the first half). Though Castor's bit were more interesting to read about. Given chance, I'd certainly pick up the second series to learn more about the past and all the secrets of that empire and of course my lovely Castor who has done only one thing wrong that pierced my heart as well as Bale, The empresses and my baby Gen.
The writing style was promising with a good pacing. The characters were 'whale' written (iykyk) but the romance bit felt a bit forced and lukewarm to me, (it might've been because I didn't care much about Lux for the first half). Though Castor's bit were more interesting to read about. Given chance, I'd certainly pick up the second series to learn more about the past and all the secrets of that empire and of course my lovely Castor who has done only one thing wrong that pierced my heart as well as Bale, The empresses and my baby Gen.
biblioellegraphy's review
5.0
Disclaimer: A massive thanks to Flux, North Star Editions and NetGalley for allowing me to read Game of Strength and Storm by Rachel Menard in exchange for an unbiased review.
I was hooked from the first line.
No, I’m not being hyperbolic – I was genuinely hooked by the first line.
“Gen had grown accustomed to wearing soggy boots” is possibly my favourite opening line to a book (aside from the opening line to Joe Hill’s Horns). I can’t really explain why it was so fascinating and so enticing, but it gripped me immediately.
My notes literally read: Why is she accustomed to soggy boots? What does she do that require soggy boots? Can’t she get waterproof boots?
But then we learn that she has soggy boots because she rides inside a whale – not on, inside – and that her clothes are constantly covered in fish guts because of her preferred mode of transportation.
And that is not even the best part!
Gen can control creatures (and people, if she so pleased) through putting parts of herself on or in them. By feeding her hair or spit or blood, she forms a connection with other living things and can control and influence them to do their bidding – and I have to say, this kind of magic is impressive, and it’s impressive to see in a book. Unlike most compulsion magics we see, this was refreshing, and I applaud Menard’s mind.
Then we have the other main character – Castor – a lightning wielding Lady who wishes to inherit the “throne” from her father, rather than see it go to her brother, as is custom.
These two leading ladies enter into a lottery, within which they are pitted against each other in order to earn what they should have simply been given, according to the conventions of the lottery. They must complete a total of 10 tasks (or labours, if you’re familiar with the mythology of Heracles, and you do see many nods towards such mythology) between them in order to have their wishes fulfilled by the Empresses of Olympia.
They must fight against each other to be the first to complete the most of the 10 tasks to win, and the loser does not get their wish granted.
Of course, it’s not quite that simple, and emotions and duties get in the way, which is always a 10/10 in my book.
This book is just simply divine, and the twists that Menard puts on common myths is beyond refreshing, and serves only to prove how far the imagination can go.
I would recommend this book for fans of Percy Jackson and The Hunger Games.
I cannot wait to see this book on shelves.
I was hooked from the first line.
No, I’m not being hyperbolic – I was genuinely hooked by the first line.
“Gen had grown accustomed to wearing soggy boots” is possibly my favourite opening line to a book (aside from the opening line to Joe Hill’s Horns). I can’t really explain why it was so fascinating and so enticing, but it gripped me immediately.
My notes literally read: Why is she accustomed to soggy boots? What does she do that require soggy boots? Can’t she get waterproof boots?
But then we learn that she has soggy boots because she rides inside a whale – not on, inside – and that her clothes are constantly covered in fish guts because of her preferred mode of transportation.
And that is not even the best part!
Gen can control creatures (and people, if she so pleased) through putting parts of herself on or in them. By feeding her hair or spit or blood, she forms a connection with other living things and can control and influence them to do their bidding – and I have to say, this kind of magic is impressive, and it’s impressive to see in a book. Unlike most compulsion magics we see, this was refreshing, and I applaud Menard’s mind.
Then we have the other main character – Castor – a lightning wielding Lady who wishes to inherit the “throne” from her father, rather than see it go to her brother, as is custom.
These two leading ladies enter into a lottery, within which they are pitted against each other in order to earn what they should have simply been given, according to the conventions of the lottery. They must complete a total of 10 tasks (or labours, if you’re familiar with the mythology of Heracles, and you do see many nods towards such mythology) between them in order to have their wishes fulfilled by the Empresses of Olympia.
They must fight against each other to be the first to complete the most of the 10 tasks to win, and the loser does not get their wish granted.
Of course, it’s not quite that simple, and emotions and duties get in the way, which is always a 10/10 in my book.
This book is just simply divine, and the twists that Menard puts on common myths is beyond refreshing, and serves only to prove how far the imagination can go.
I would recommend this book for fans of Percy Jackson and The Hunger Games.
I cannot wait to see this book on shelves.
authorlibrarianrachel's review
4.0
I received a copy of the netgalleys in exchange for my review.
Game of Strength and Storm by Rachel Menard tells the story of Gen, a former circus performer trying to rescue her wrongfully imprisoned father and Castor sister to the heir apparent to Arcadia, a country who can control, manipulate, bottle, and sell storms! Both girls enter a contest where the Olympian Empresses grant wishes of ten people who win the lottery. However, as with all magic (and everything else) nothing is given for free. Gen has the magical ability to speak to animals and is the last of the Mazons (Amazonians) who draws strength from the Earth but mostly only in her ancestral homeland. The girls are pitted against each other to complete the tasks wished for by the other lottery winners in order to have their own wish granted. They must use their cunning, strength, and unique skills to master increasingly complex and worrying tasks, the last of which involves bringing the empresses the head of a Hydra. And if you know anything about ancient mythology, you know how problematic that ask is.
First, I absolutely adore modernized mythology/classic tales or myths told with new twists. So when I heard about Game of Strength and Storm, I was all about it. The start of this book is a little slow. I don’t really care that Gen’s new clothes are dirtier than she’d like but I do love the fact that she is traveling in the mouth of a Whale! Also, the ability to communicate with animals is a superpower I have always wanted so that hooked me fast even though I don’t know what it’s like to have a parent in prison, let alone wrongly imprisoned. I do know what it is to feel like you don’t belong. To think everyone hates you, is staring at you everywhere you go, whispering about you.
I instantly connected with Gen because of those things. Castor, not so much. But soon there was Pollux who abides by the tragically misunderstood artist tope, something I also love. Watching these teens fighting for their own autonomy, battling mythical monsters, making deals with unsavory characters, and taking on Sisyphean challenges like cleaning up a never-ending pile of horse poop was fantastic. I loved just about every minute of it even if the fight scenes were a bit too long and took place slightly more often than I would have liked.
As much as I personally did not want to be friends with (or on the wrong side of) Castor, I thought she was a wonderfully written character who isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty but who is not merely strong because she can fight good. She will do whatever it takes to get what she wants, even if it means hurting the people she loves. Gen is, surprisingly the same way she just goes about it differently. Where Castor will strike physical blows to her own family, Gen cuts herself off from the world, refusing to accept help, love, or friendship from anyone. Please read this book. The cliffhanger ending makes me want very much to read the sequel but we won’t get that if people aren’t buying and talking about this book.
Game of Strength and Storm by Rachel Menard tells the story of Gen, a former circus performer trying to rescue her wrongfully imprisoned father and Castor sister to the heir apparent to Arcadia, a country who can control, manipulate, bottle, and sell storms! Both girls enter a contest where the Olympian Empresses grant wishes of ten people who win the lottery. However, as with all magic (and everything else) nothing is given for free. Gen has the magical ability to speak to animals and is the last of the Mazons (Amazonians) who draws strength from the Earth but mostly only in her ancestral homeland. The girls are pitted against each other to complete the tasks wished for by the other lottery winners in order to have their own wish granted. They must use their cunning, strength, and unique skills to master increasingly complex and worrying tasks, the last of which involves bringing the empresses the head of a Hydra. And if you know anything about ancient mythology, you know how problematic that ask is.
First, I absolutely adore modernized mythology/classic tales or myths told with new twists. So when I heard about Game of Strength and Storm, I was all about it. The start of this book is a little slow. I don’t really care that Gen’s new clothes are dirtier than she’d like but I do love the fact that she is traveling in the mouth of a Whale! Also, the ability to communicate with animals is a superpower I have always wanted so that hooked me fast even though I don’t know what it’s like to have a parent in prison, let alone wrongly imprisoned. I do know what it is to feel like you don’t belong. To think everyone hates you, is staring at you everywhere you go, whispering about you.
I instantly connected with Gen because of those things. Castor, not so much. But soon there was Pollux who abides by the tragically misunderstood artist tope, something I also love. Watching these teens fighting for their own autonomy, battling mythical monsters, making deals with unsavory characters, and taking on Sisyphean challenges like cleaning up a never-ending pile of horse poop was fantastic. I loved just about every minute of it even if the fight scenes were a bit too long and took place slightly more often than I would have liked.
As much as I personally did not want to be friends with (or on the wrong side of) Castor, I thought she was a wonderfully written character who isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty but who is not merely strong because she can fight good. She will do whatever it takes to get what she wants, even if it means hurting the people she loves. Gen is, surprisingly the same way she just goes about it differently. Where Castor will strike physical blows to her own family, Gen cuts herself off from the world, refusing to accept help, love, or friendship from anyone. Please read this book. The cliffhanger ending makes me want very much to read the sequel but we won’t get that if people aren’t buying and talking about this book.
wienerschnitzel315's review
4.0
I’m not a big fan of Greek mythology retellings but this was quite intriguing. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this fast-paced thrilling adventure. I was definitely interested more in the story of Castor than Gen and can’t wait to find out more about Cas in the sequel!
allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
In a reimagining of the Herculean labors, Gen must compete with the power-hungry Castor for a boon from their Empresses. Gen will use her Amazonian (here called Mazon) strength and her ability to influence or even control animals' minds to try and exonerate her father of a crime she's sure he didn't commit. Intervention from the Empresses is the only way to get him released from prison, especially since public opinion has labeled him a terrifying mind-control murderer. Castor has her own reasons for taking on impossible tasks. Her island's primogeniture laws mean the duchy will pass to her useless brother instead of to her, the one with actual business acumen and ambition. She needs the Empresses to change the outdated, misogynistic laws since her father will never see reason otherwise. She completes challenges using her twin powers of throwing both lightning bolts and money at problems that present themselves. When all else fails, she's happy to bully others into submission or intimidate them into compliance.
Throughout the challenges, I appreciated the way the multiple POVs are handled. Castor shines as this twisted version of someone who could have been a heroine if she weren't ruthless, self-centered, and arrogant. She's also queer (possibly a lesbian), so we love that for her. Gen is a blend of ferocity and insecurity, growing in strength on multiple fronts the more tasks she completes. Her love interest, Pollux, is also Castor's brother. He adds a nice third flavor to the POVs as someone who trusts and loves easily, a sort of kind, bumbling helper. He also happens to be a violin virtuoso and capable of hurling weather around like his sister.
The world is vaguely Greek inspired in terms of names and creatures. A monkey with a hundred eyes is Argos, for example. However, this isn't a retelling or even set in Greece. It's its own world with its own rules. In some ways, I think that's a refreshing take since it's not beholden to an ancient society as the sole source of material. I didn't find it hard to follow the magic system or the touch of lore.
In terms of relationships, the tumultuous sibling bond between Castor and Pollux is intriguing, but the romantic entanglement between Pollux and Gen fell flat for me. Pollux has long held a starstruck crush on Gen, resulting in a cross between hero worship and love. Gen ends up falling for Pollux because of his relatively straightforward adoration. I didn't think there was anything wrong with it, exactly. But I'm not particularly inspired by an emotional bond with that as the foundation.
Furthermore, I didn't find the plot as engaging as I anticipated. It's an adventure story in constant motion, which often appeals to me, but in this case, nothing roused my curiosity, empathy, or enthusiasm to make the journey worth it. Approaching each task felt like crossing something off a list rather than an experience unto itself that held my whole attention. This book has good bones, and it's kicking off a new series with a cast of fun characters and many adventures ahead. I think many ya fantasy readers will enjoy the ride and come back for more. Thanks to Flux for my copy to read and review!
Throughout the challenges, I appreciated the way the multiple POVs are handled. Castor shines as this twisted version of someone who could have been a heroine if she weren't ruthless, self-centered, and arrogant. She's also queer (possibly a lesbian), so we love that for her. Gen is a blend of ferocity and insecurity, growing in strength on multiple fronts the more tasks she completes. Her love interest, Pollux, is also Castor's brother. He adds a nice third flavor to the POVs as someone who trusts and loves easily, a sort of kind, bumbling helper. He also happens to be a violin virtuoso and capable of hurling weather around like his sister.
The world is vaguely Greek inspired in terms of names and creatures. A monkey with a hundred eyes is Argos, for example. However, this isn't a retelling or even set in Greece. It's its own world with its own rules. In some ways, I think that's a refreshing take since it's not beholden to an ancient society as the sole source of material. I didn't find it hard to follow the magic system or the touch of lore.
In terms of relationships, the tumultuous sibling bond between Castor and Pollux is intriguing, but the romantic entanglement between Pollux and Gen fell flat for me. Pollux has long held a starstruck crush on Gen, resulting in a cross between hero worship and love. Gen ends up falling for Pollux because of his relatively straightforward adoration. I didn't think there was anything wrong with it, exactly. But I'm not particularly inspired by an emotional bond with that as the foundation.
Furthermore, I didn't find the plot as engaging as I anticipated. It's an adventure story in constant motion, which often appeals to me, but in this case, nothing roused my curiosity, empathy, or enthusiasm to make the journey worth it. Approaching each task felt like crossing something off a list rather than an experience unto itself that held my whole attention. This book has good bones, and it's kicking off a new series with a cast of fun characters and many adventures ahead. I think many ya fantasy readers will enjoy the ride and come back for more. Thanks to Flux for my copy to read and review!
bookishwithbeth's review
5.0
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an eArc in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
I'm obsessed. This was such a fun Hercules retelling, and the fact that it was gender-bent made it even more interesting to me. I loved the competition aspect of it and how our two characters are fighting for their goals. I felt that the characters were well written and even the side characters had personalities and dreams of their own.
If you're looking for a new YA Fantasy with Greek Mythology, a cinnamon-roll love interested, and heroines willing to do anything for what they want, this is the book for you!
I'm obsessed. This was such a fun Hercules retelling, and the fact that it was gender-bent made it even more interesting to me. I loved the competition aspect of it and how our two characters are fighting for their goals. I felt that the characters were well written and even the side characters had personalities and dreams of their own.
If you're looking for a new YA Fantasy with Greek Mythology, a cinnamon-roll love interested, and heroines willing to do anything for what they want, this is the book for you!
warriorfaeriequeen's review
4.0
loved 2/3 of the mcs but COULD NOT GET INTO THE THIRD every time I read her perspective I was mad at her. LOVE the magic system tho it's wonderful
fairestofthestars's review
4.0
The premise of this book made me want to read it as soon as I saw it, and it really delivered everything it promised! It was fast-paced, fun, adventurous and the competition was as interesting as you might imagine.
Game of Strength and Storm brings us a story of two characters, both determined to win a competition but with very different methods and overall goals. It brings us a reimagined story of the labors of Hercules, with the tasks divided between two girls. Our first protagonist, Gen, has found herself here because she wants the empresses' pardon for her father who's in prison for crimes Gen believes he didn't commit. She is fierce and determined, but most of all good and kind and her morals guide her through some very tough situations. She is judged harshly for the magic she possesses, but she's still full of love, for her family, and her animal friends. On the other hand, we have Castor, who is here because she wants to inherit the island of Arcadia instead of her brother Pollux. With her father currently reigning, she knows there's no other way to accomplish that but to gain the empresses' endorsement. She possesses much different magic from Gen's but she is ruthless and determined to a fault. To achieve their goals, the girls must race against each other, as there are ten tasks to be completed and there can be only one winner - the one who completes more challenges first.
First of all, I want to say I'm so glad I read this. I've been in the mood for exactly a book like Game of Strength and Storm, with its magic, its interesting world, and the impossible challenges. The plot was great and the pacing was really good, fast, and even - there was no dragging towards the middle. It took me maybe a chapter to really get into the story. I think the world was really interesting, and I wish there was a bit more world-building. The world is clearly ancient Greece-adjacent, and I wish we got a bit more information about how everything works. There are Oracles mentioned, and there are the Empresses but I wish we knew if there are gods or any such entities. Other than that, I really liked the different types of magic we see, and I hope the next book will explore them even more.
Gen is definitely my favorite character in the novel. We know the most about her, she's the most developed character, with a full backstory, and with her personality, it's easy to love her. Gen's mother was a Mazon (where she gets her superhuman strength from) and her father is a MindWorker, just like she is. Being a MindWorker for her means she gets to communicate with animals and also that she is ostracized from wider society, as everyone is afraid of her. Especially with her father, in prison for murders for which it's believed he used his powers. She walks into the challenges selflessly, only thinking about her father and saving him. She also refuses to make her animal friends stay with her, she wants them to want to be there. She is a great, strong character, she is what you would imagine if you thought of a hero. We know much more about her, and we see more of her so I've defaulted to seeing Gen as the main main character, if that makes sense, but her story and her character are interesting enough that it is no surprise.
Castor, on the other hand, is definitely harder to sympathize with. Yet, I do like her as a character. She comes off as cunning, cold, and ambitious, but beneath that, she just seemed scared. Terrified of not being good enough, of being left behind of being in her brother, Pollux's shade. She sees her brother as soft and therefore unfit to rule, so she justifies her actions as wanting what's best for Arcadia, but frankly, I think she wants to be the one in power for once. While Pollux is willing to share his throne, she constantly says she doesn't want a pity-half of everything, she wants the entire thing. She definitely does many inexcusable things, and hurts many people (and animals) without any real necessity, so she's very hard to like but she's nonetheless a very interesting character. She has many moments in her chapters where we see her lashing out of hurt, acting impulsively, and often expressing regret for the things she's done. Her place in the world, in her family, is what's hardened her, so we see her snapping back to her cold self even after honest moments of doubt. I think there is so much more to her than we saw in the book, and I wish the second book puts her in the forefront more, as I would love to see more of her (and maybe see how her story with a girl she's met plays out).
I will be very short on Pollux, I loved him as a character but I definitely wish we knew more about him as well as Castor. This is probably why I felt like Gen was the sole main character, even though all three have their POV chapters - she is the most fleshed-out one. Pollux was super sweet from what we've seen. He and Castor are twins, and they could not be more different. He is fierce in his own way, but he is quiet, thoughtful, and gentle. I really liked him as a love interest, and this is a great book if you love stories where the boy falls first.
All in all, I thought this was a great book, a great start to the story and I cannot wait for the next one! The way it ended definitely left me wanting more immediately. As I mentioned, I hope the next book brings more world-building, magic, and Castor and Pollux! I would highly recommend this book if you enjoy fast-paced adventures and interesting characters.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review!
Game of Strength and Storm brings us a story of two characters, both determined to win a competition but with very different methods and overall goals. It brings us a reimagined story of the labors of Hercules, with the tasks divided between two girls. Our first protagonist, Gen, has found herself here because she wants the empresses' pardon for her father who's in prison for crimes Gen believes he didn't commit. She is fierce and determined, but most of all good and kind and her morals guide her through some very tough situations. She is judged harshly for the magic she possesses, but she's still full of love, for her family, and her animal friends. On the other hand, we have Castor, who is here because she wants to inherit the island of Arcadia instead of her brother Pollux. With her father currently reigning, she knows there's no other way to accomplish that but to gain the empresses' endorsement. She possesses much different magic from Gen's but she is ruthless and determined to a fault. To achieve their goals, the girls must race against each other, as there are ten tasks to be completed and there can be only one winner - the one who completes more challenges first.
First of all, I want to say I'm so glad I read this. I've been in the mood for exactly a book like Game of Strength and Storm, with its magic, its interesting world, and the impossible challenges. The plot was great and the pacing was really good, fast, and even - there was no dragging towards the middle. It took me maybe a chapter to really get into the story. I think the world was really interesting, and I wish there was a bit more world-building. The world is clearly ancient Greece-adjacent, and I wish we got a bit more information about how everything works. There are Oracles mentioned, and there are the Empresses but I wish we knew if there are gods or any such entities. Other than that, I really liked the different types of magic we see, and I hope the next book will explore them even more.
Gen is definitely my favorite character in the novel. We know the most about her, she's the most developed character, with a full backstory, and with her personality, it's easy to love her. Gen's mother was a Mazon (where she gets her superhuman strength from) and her father is a MindWorker, just like she is. Being a MindWorker for her means she gets to communicate with animals and also that she is ostracized from wider society, as everyone is afraid of her. Especially with her father, in prison for murders for which it's believed he used his powers. She walks into the challenges selflessly, only thinking about her father and saving him. She also refuses to make her animal friends stay with her, she wants them to want to be there. She is a great, strong character, she is what you would imagine if you thought of a hero. We know much more about her, and we see more of her so I've defaulted to seeing Gen as the main main character, if that makes sense, but her story and her character are interesting enough that it is no surprise.
Castor, on the other hand, is definitely harder to sympathize with. Yet, I do like her as a character. She comes off as cunning, cold, and ambitious, but beneath that, she just seemed scared. Terrified of not being good enough, of being left behind of being in her brother, Pollux's shade. She sees her brother as soft and therefore unfit to rule, so she justifies her actions as wanting what's best for Arcadia, but frankly, I think she wants to be the one in power for once. While Pollux is willing to share his throne, she constantly says she doesn't want a pity-half of everything, she wants the entire thing. She definitely does many inexcusable things, and hurts many people (and animals) without any real necessity, so she's very hard to like but she's nonetheless a very interesting character. She has many moments in her chapters where we see her lashing out of hurt, acting impulsively, and often expressing regret for the things she's done. Her place in the world, in her family, is what's hardened her, so we see her snapping back to her cold self even after honest moments of doubt. I think there is so much more to her than we saw in the book, and I wish the second book puts her in the forefront more, as I would love to see more of her (and maybe see how her story with a girl she's met plays out).
I will be very short on Pollux, I loved him as a character but I definitely wish we knew more about him as well as Castor. This is probably why I felt like Gen was the sole main character, even though all three have their POV chapters - she is the most fleshed-out one. Pollux was super sweet from what we've seen. He and Castor are twins, and they could not be more different. He is fierce in his own way, but he is quiet, thoughtful, and gentle. I really liked him as a love interest, and this is a great book if you love stories where the boy falls first.
All in all, I thought this was a great book, a great start to the story and I cannot wait for the next one! The way it ended definitely left me wanting more immediately. As I mentioned, I hope the next book brings more world-building, magic, and Castor and Pollux! I would highly recommend this book if you enjoy fast-paced adventures and interesting characters.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review!