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The Games: The second book in the Mya of Thebes Chronicles

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The Games are coming, but can Mya see through the shadows to discover who is playing who?

After returning from Monthys Island, Mya is plagued by the mystery of the vanishing woman. But life is coming at her quickly, and she has no time to dwell on the mystery. She and the rest of Eagle Room must prepare themselves to win the Games, a gladiatorial contest. The winner will join the Protectorate on an official mission to Verievo. Meanwhile, they are completely unaware of the danger growing in Triskia.

An unassuming, elderly man named Tarek has a mission. United under a common banner, Tarek is raising an army he calls the Followers of the Evening Star. Unfortunately for Mya, their mission is to destroy the Protectorate. A new hero emerges from the darkness to fight them in Mya’s place. Lela is a paladin of the Daughters of the Sun, and she has been tasked with finding out who is behind the growing riots in Shereen’s hometown of Al-Kemet.

The Games, the second book in the Mya of Thebes Chronicles, follows Mya, Tarek, and Lela on their adventures, melding and merging several tropes that have been used in other genres, creating a beautifully terrifying twist on a classic fantasy adventure novel.

333 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 21, 2024

2 people are currently reading
7 people want to read

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M.A. McAlpine

6 books5 followers

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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Profile Image for Ginger Reads.
125 reviews25 followers
March 17, 2024
I'm thrilled to be a member of the ARC team for this book, I love this series!

This book is a fun, fast-paced follow up to Kamun-ra in which we see main character Mya training for a competition called "The Games". Mya and the rest of Eagle room are training every day to win victory in the "Mas Ultimas" competition, in which all of the other houses are competing to win an opportunity for a real Protectorate mission.

While Mya and her friends train, trouble is brewing in one of the cities the protectorate has sworn to protect. The title "The Games" isn't just referring to the competition Mya is training for, and we are introduced to a new antagonist character who is playing deadly power games with the people of that city. This person has decided he wants to take the protectorate down, and he doesn't care how many people he has to manipulate or hurt in the process.

We also get a closer look at the creatures mentioned in book one called a heptet. A heptet infection is a group of people who have been cursed by the gods as punishment. They are flesh-eating creatures that hunt humans and hold them in cages until they are ready to eat them. The chapter where one of the characters finds herself locked in a heptet encampment trying to escape were some of my favorite in the series so far.

After the competition, Mya and the other members of the Eagle room are dispatched to the city to try to quell the unrest and prevent the riot that is about to happen. Mya discovers too late that they've walked into a trap, and she is set up to take the fall for impending war between the citizens and the protectorate.

This series has all of the elements you need for a great young adult fantasy adventure story: a young protagonist coming of age, the hero's quest, found family, scary monsters, power hungry antagonists, magic, and Egyptian lore. I can't wait to see what happens with Mya and the rest of her squad as they face the battles ahead. I highly recommend this series to fans of young adult adventure fantasy!
Profile Image for Βίκυ Χ..
190 reviews5 followers
June 26, 2024
The Games is the second installment in the utterly fascinating fantasy adventure series The Mya of Thebes Chronicles, penned by M.A. McAlpine. It's an engaging tale that had me flipping pages nonstop.
As the months pass, Mya and her chosen family—Shereen, Octavian, Uzzle, and Zaz—immerse themselves in courses, gaining knowledge and honing their skills. When Maaz, her “guardian angel” since their serendipitous meeting in her hometown, announces that it’s time for The Games—a gladiatorial tradition of the Protectorate—the Eagle Room springs into action. They train rigorously while simultaneously confronting both familiar adversaries and new threats. Dark forces, with Tarek at the helm, conspire to uproot the Protectorate and reshape the world they know.
Book two exceeded all our expectations, shining even brighter than its predecessor. The talented author skillfully subverts assumptions, surprising and challenging readers. As the stakes escalate, characters face their limits, while new arcs unfold alongside familiar ones. The intricate world-building deepens, revealing hidden layers that immerse readers further into this captivating fantastical realm.
In The Games, an action-packed sequel, readers are transported to distant realms where heroes battle dark forces, magic sizzles in the air, and destinies unfurl. Amidst the chaos, a once dormant love rekindles like a long-forgotten flame. I wholeheartedly recommend it, especially for the unexpected ending that left me craving more of Mya’s adventures.
I extend heartfelt thanks to the author for granting me access to the eARC of this remarkable book.
Profile Image for Robin.Bookish.Escape.
281 reviews11 followers
December 26, 2024
This fast-paced second installment of the Mya of Thebes Chronicles has all the action and ancient magical cities, adventure daring escapes, hidden dangers and zealots, that keep the pages turning.

In this part of the story, Mya and her companions are gearing up in the Eagle room in anticipation of the Games, a competition that allows the champions to embark on their first official Protectorate mission. As the time passes, the comrades take in all the knowledge and skill they can to not only inspire each other but hopefully bring a victory. With the current uprising and the darkness looming, Mya finds herself with a difficult task ahead, her hard work and dedication may not be enough to escape the chaos that seems to be looming.

Easy to read and imaginative, this is a great YA read that will have you whisked away on adventures that will captivate your imagination and have you enjoying attending “The Games”. Off to Soulstone I go as the cliffhanger has me NEEDING to know what happens!!
Profile Image for K.R. Hansen.
Author 1 book28 followers
May 1, 2024
What a fun, fast paced follow up to book one, Kamun-Ra!

In book two, the world opens up. We are introduced to sectors outside the protectorate. Zealots who wish to end the Protectorate's reign.

Meanwhile, Mya and her classmates in Eagle Room are training every day for the Games. A big competition that could earn them a REAL protectorate mission.

Of course evil is afoot, one of the cities the protectorate is supposed to protect...an uprising is happening.

I hate to give away spoilers, but I have to say that I enjoyed this book almost as much as the first. I loved meeting the new antagonists, seeing the world from a larger, birds eye view, and all the troubles that are brewing. My favorite scenes were with the Heptet. Some of the creepiest things I have encountered in a book. Their tattoos...well...you just gotta read it. *Shiver*

The end hangs on a note that will move seamlessly into book three. I loved the ending. All of Mya's hard work and dreams....might be fully shattered. I can not wait to see how she digs herself out of this mess!
Profile Image for Jax.
254 reviews8 followers
March 18, 2025
The Games continues Mya’s adventure as she learns harsh truths behind the place she now calls home and it’s involvement with the world around them. Full of action, adventure, danger, and mishaps.

This is more a 4.5 star read than a full 5 stars but it’s certainly an enjoyable read. I think it helps continue the story told in book one very well and it has a lot of explainers to help if you started late in the series or just missed a lot of book one’s information.
Profile Image for Parker Steeves.
Author 3 books7 followers
March 13, 2024
Super blessed to be an ARC reader for this book! M A McAlpine continues what was a thrilling introduction in book 1 with a fast-paced, thematically-rich book 2. Mya and her friends face challenges open and dangers hidden. New POVs are introduced. And the reader is taken on a journey to new parts of this rich world inspired by ancient Egypt.
Excited to see where the rest of this story takes us!
Profile Image for smith.
40 reviews5 followers
March 16, 2025
A Thrilling Fantasy Adventure!
The Games masterfully blends danger, intrigue, and heroism as Mya, Tarek, and Lela face gladiatorial battles and rising rebellion. A dark, captivating twist on classic fantasy!
Profile Image for Tiernan.
58 reviews1 follower
May 29, 2025
Just like book 1, a fun read that moves along well. Characters are well-drawn and beleivable, especially Mya. Looking forward to book 3!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews

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