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The Abandoned Gods #2
The Guardians
Not yet published
Expected 3 Nov 26What if saving the world meant choosing what to abandon?
The gods are awakening—but not all of them have risen.
Power is returning unevenly, uncontained, already dividing those who carry it. What was once whole is now fragmented, reshaping itself in ways they do not yet understand.
Mereh is no longer willing to remain what he was.
Ankou finds himself no longer where he once stood.
Aridanos edges toward something that was never meant to be his.
Tsunala holds more than even she realises.
What binds them is no longer simple—and may not survive what they are becoming.
Beyond them, Selene has already begun to move.
The world is shifting toward something it cannot yet name. Not salvation. Not ruin.
A reckoning.
Because to save something means deciding what you are willing to abandon.
For readers drawn to dark romantasy rooted in character, tension, and emotional consequence—
The Guardians continues the Abandoned Gods series.
The gods are awakening—but not all of them have risen.
Power is returning unevenly, uncontained, already dividing those who carry it. What was once whole is now fragmented, reshaping itself in ways they do not yet understand.
Mereh is no longer willing to remain what he was.
Ankou finds himself no longer where he once stood.
Aridanos edges toward something that was never meant to be his.
Tsunala holds more than even she realises.
What binds them is no longer simple—and may not survive what they are becoming.
Beyond them, Selene has already begun to move.
The world is shifting toward something it cannot yet name. Not salvation. Not ruin.
A reckoning.
Because to save something means deciding what you are willing to abandon.
For readers drawn to dark romantasy rooted in character, tension, and emotional consequence—
The Guardians continues the Abandoned Gods series.
461 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 3, 2026
About the author
Alys Mackay
2 books21 followersAlys Mackay is a Melbourne-based fantasy author writing character-driven fantasy romance where magic, power, and devotion collide.
Her stories centre strong heroines, morally complex characters, slow-burn tension, and bonds forged through trial rather than fate.
Her series, The Abandoned Gods, explores forgotten gods, dangerous magic, loyalty, sacrifice, and the choices that can reshape entire realms.
Her stories centre strong heroines, morally complex characters, slow-burn tension, and bonds forged through trial rather than fate.
Her series, The Abandoned Gods, explores forgotten gods, dangerous magic, loyalty, sacrifice, and the choices that can reshape entire realms.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Alys Mackay has done it again in The Guardians, Book 2, of the Abandoned Gods Series.
The world building goes to the next level and the multiple POVs allows you to build, understand, and relate to more of the characters. We continue on the journey with Tsunala and the others as they plan, execute, and work through all of the twists and turns. There is some spice and explored sexuality in this, so if you are not open minded, please take that into consideration as this might affect your personal experience.
Throughout the book, I was kicking my feet and laughing out loud but there are also very deep emotions pulled from various scenarios. It is so hard to write a review without giving ANY spoilers!
I had to write Alys at a couple of the major plot twists with OMG, and WHAT THE HECK! One of my favorite lines is “seems like we just missed a mother of a tantrum”. I was laughing hysterically. If you are prepared for an emotional roller coaster, edge of your seat, and overall good time, this book definitely needs to be on your TBR!
The world building goes to the next level and the multiple POVs allows you to build, understand, and relate to more of the characters. We continue on the journey with Tsunala and the others as they plan, execute, and work through all of the twists and turns. There is some spice and explored sexuality in this, so if you are not open minded, please take that into consideration as this might affect your personal experience.
Throughout the book, I was kicking my feet and laughing out loud but there are also very deep emotions pulled from various scenarios. It is so hard to write a review without giving ANY spoilers!
I had to write Alys at a couple of the major plot twists with OMG, and WHAT THE HECK! One of my favorite lines is “seems like we just missed a mother of a tantrum”. I was laughing hysterically. If you are prepared for an emotional roller coaster, edge of your seat, and overall good time, this book definitely needs to be on your TBR!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I have been selected as an ARC reader of this book and what an honour it has been!
Wow! What an amazing read. I got totally immersed in the Abandoned Gods Series by Alys Mackay.
The guardians follows on from the keepers. I love the multiple POV as it made me relate to every one of the characters throughout the story and made sure I understood the reasons behind actions. What a journey!
The journey continues following the gods and primes through this awful tragedy! I was on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen, lots of twists and turns and when you think there could be the ending another twist and turn.
Incredibly written, creating this double universe while exploring sexuality, a little spice, and using the power of writing to engage with all types of feelings entering and during relationships.
I went through so many feelings! I cannot describe how amazing this is. A definite need to read for everyone!!
I simply cannot wait for The Oath Breakers 🖤
Wow! What an amazing read. I got totally immersed in the Abandoned Gods Series by Alys Mackay.
The guardians follows on from the keepers. I love the multiple POV as it made me relate to every one of the characters throughout the story and made sure I understood the reasons behind actions. What a journey!
The journey continues following the gods and primes through this awful tragedy! I was on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen, lots of twists and turns and when you think there could be the ending another twist and turn.
Incredibly written, creating this double universe while exploring sexuality, a little spice, and using the power of writing to engage with all types of feelings entering and during relationships.
I went through so many feelings! I cannot describe how amazing this is. A definite need to read for everyone!!
I simply cannot wait for The Oath Breakers 🖤
September 20, 2026
4.7/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Right back at it!! Another amazingly intricately woven, character driven continuation.
As always I love the multi POV of each character, giving backstory and thoughts into their decision making and progression.
Plenty of twists, turns, spice, yearning, mysteries, a little sexual exploration, but overall an amazing journey! I absolutely love this world Alys Mackay has created, so much detail has gone into every inch of this world.
Seriously do not want to wait for book three, I need to know what’s going to happen.
A MUST MUST read for any strong fantasy lover.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews