title: The Banquet of the Gods
author: Macaire, Jennifer
description: Book VII in the Alexander series. Sailing back to Egypt, Alexander and Ashley stop in Carthage, where they save a boy intended for a bloody sacrifice. Taking refuge in Rome, Alexander is recognised and captured, and made to take part in the terrifying 'Game of Phersu' in the arena. No doubt having Alexander the Great as a gladiator will draw the crowds...but can it mean the end of his adventures? “...Alexander angered the high priest, saved a boy from a bloody sacrifice, and sealed the fate of Carthage.” “How?” “He took the boy he saved to Rome where he married a beautiful women, and his descendant defeated Hannibal, destroying Carthage once and for all.” “That sounds like something he’d do. Yet I thought he didn’t like Rome, and here he is, helping to destroy Rome’s bitterest enemy.” “He liked Rome, he just didn’t like the Romans. He thought they were barbaric. He also hated the Game of Phersu.” “The Game of what?” “Listen, and I will tell you.” “And Nearque, what happened to him?” “No one knows. The last we saw of him he was sailing around Africa.” “Is that why we’re heading across the desert? Are we searching for Nearque?” “Yes, and the elephants, the striped horses, and the place where the Gods go to have their banquets.” “Will we see all that?” “That and much, much more.” ~Ashley to Paul.