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Guilds of Ilbrea #4
Tower and Grave
In death their legend grows. The battle for Ilbrea’s soul has long been fought in the shadows, but as the sorcerers’ control of the Guilds is tested, deadly secrets force the Karron clan into a war none can ignore. One will reclaim their heart.
Two will alter the fate of a kingdom.
One will be marked for death. As chaos descends upon Ilara, the faith of a legend will face the might of the Sorcerers Guild. Will the sacrifice victory demands be too great for the Karrons to bear?
Two will alter the fate of a kingdom.
One will be marked for death. As chaos descends upon Ilara, the faith of a legend will face the might of the Sorcerers Guild. Will the sacrifice victory demands be too great for the Karrons to bear?
502 pages, Paperback
Published June 26, 2023
24 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Megan O'Russell
52 books493 followersMegan started writing when she discovered playing Cordelia in King Lear leaves you way too much time waiting backstage. She began her career as an author during an ill-fated trip to Oz. She hasn't stopped writing (even when living on a tour bus) since.
Megan's wanderlust has led her all over the globe. When she's not planning her next escapade, she's diving into fantasy worlds where she doesn't have to worry about what rules she's supposed to follow or how many pairs of socks she can fit in her suitcase.
Her love of storytelling has helped Megan weave her real-life exploits into seven different book series. From the epic fantasy world of Ilbrea to the paranormal dystopian romance of Girl of Glass, there is always is a new way to escape into adventure.
Megan would love to connect with you on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or TikTok but feels obliged to warn you in advance that you will be hearing about her cats…a lot.
If you want to stay up to date on all Megan's books and adventures (and hear about her cats) you can find all her social media links, including where to sign up for her readers community at: https://linktr.ee/meganorussell
Megan's wanderlust has led her all over the globe. When she's not planning her next escapade, she's diving into fantasy worlds where she doesn't have to worry about what rules she's supposed to follow or how many pairs of socks she can fit in her suitcase.
Her love of storytelling has helped Megan weave her real-life exploits into seven different book series. From the epic fantasy world of Ilbrea to the paranormal dystopian romance of Girl of Glass, there is always is a new way to escape into adventure.
Megan would love to connect with you on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or TikTok but feels obliged to warn you in advance that you will be hearing about her cats…a lot.
If you want to stay up to date on all Megan's books and adventures (and hear about her cats) you can find all her social media links, including where to sign up for her readers community at: https://linktr.ee/meganorussell
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 24, 2024
Love the story. I'm just getting annoyed it's taking forever to finish.
July 5, 2023
Megan O'Russell has an extraordinary ability of creating numerous characters with varying personalities, goals, arcs, and struggles and then making you love them. Each POV is so vastly different from the last that the story bounces from place to place in quick succession and before you know it, the book is done. I think I kind of sabotaged this novel though because it's been a year since Viper and Steel came out and I really struggled to remember some of the key plot points (especially in Mara and Tham's story), characters, and motivations behind some actions.
Another thing that O'Russell does well is giving her readers reasons to feel connected to her characters. The Karron clan (Niko, Mara, Tham, Allora, Adrial, and Kai) haven't been together since the beginning of book 1–and now, at the end of book 4, they still haven't reunited–but there is still such cohesiveness in their bonds that you know wholeheartedly that they all belong together. I just want them all to have a happy ending and honestly (after reading this book), I'm struggling to see the possibility of that happening. Niko has fallen in love with the Brien Elder's daughter, Danu–which was a progression that I frankly wasn't pleased about. I hate the captor-to-lover situation going on and I was really holding out hope for Allora and Niko. Like a lot. His story was probably my favourite though because there was so much pertinent action and plot progression. He's also just a really dynamic character. I loved Adrial's story of grief and moving on from trauma; his POV chapters were always fascinating and filled with relevant details and information. I've never loved Mara and Tham's storylines, so they didn't really do anything for me here either. I have to say though, for an author that works so hard to flesh out her characters, Tham is such a 2-dimensional male character. He loves Mara, supports her, and seeks to protect her. That's his whole vibe. Kai's sections were a romp (*wink wink nudge nudge lol*) and full of surprise, intrigue, and danger, which is nothing less that what I'd expect of Kai. Last we have Allora. Boy do I have thoughts. I liked her, truly, but her chapters were strange to read. She made the (very forced) decision to marry the king under the impression that Niko had died on his expedition and is now facing the pressure from the Sorcerer's Guild to fulfil her duty as queen and bear the kingdom's next heir. This is something that I don't particularly jive with in a lot of fantasy because it reiterates this patriarchal and demeaning narrative that women exist to serve men. Allora's POVs were filled (I'm talking every third paragraph) with someone advising Allora to "get in the king's bed", "pleasure the king", or "produce an heir" etc etc. It was a little over the top and though it may present itself as consentual at a quick glance because Allora does repeatedly make those choices and seeks the king out, it's not. Allora is given no choice but to choose the option laid out by the sorcerers. The lives of her people are at stake, the potential lives of her friends are at stake. She cannot just walk away and say no without resounding consequences so she is continually coerced, threatened, and manipulated into sexual encounters with the king by everyone around her. It was honestly very unpleasant to read about and I desperately want better for Allora in the final book.
The last thing that's been jarring me during this read: the writing style has changed since book 3. I started reading and immediately felt that something was different. There was an increase in language, sexually explicit scenes (which are still fairly tame considering, but a definite increase from the previous three books), and one of the characters felt like they were going a bit off the rails in a way that I wasn't expected from them at all. I'm not sure if Megan O'Russell is evolving as a writing and so her novel is reflecting that or if it's just been too long since I read the series and now am getting tripped up over minor details. I'm not sure at this point.
Overall, I felt a little bit let down by this book as I was expecting more from the story, plot, and characters, but I still enjoyed it. 3.5/5
Another thing that O'Russell does well is giving her readers reasons to feel connected to her characters. The Karron clan (Niko, Mara, Tham, Allora, Adrial, and Kai) haven't been together since the beginning of book 1–and now, at the end of book 4, they still haven't reunited–but there is still such cohesiveness in their bonds that you know wholeheartedly that they all belong together. I just want them all to have a happy ending and honestly (after reading this book), I'm struggling to see the possibility of that happening. Niko has fallen in love with the Brien Elder's daughter, Danu–which was a progression that I frankly wasn't pleased about. I hate the captor-to-lover situation going on and I was really holding out hope for Allora and Niko. Like a lot. His story was probably my favourite though because there was so much pertinent action and plot progression. He's also just a really dynamic character. I loved Adrial's story of grief and moving on from trauma; his POV chapters were always fascinating and filled with relevant details and information. I've never loved Mara and Tham's storylines, so they didn't really do anything for me here either. I have to say though, for an author that works so hard to flesh out her characters, Tham is such a 2-dimensional male character. He loves Mara, supports her, and seeks to protect her. That's his whole vibe. Kai's sections were a romp (*wink wink nudge nudge lol*) and full of surprise, intrigue, and danger, which is nothing less that what I'd expect of Kai. Last we have Allora. Boy do I have thoughts. I liked her, truly, but her chapters were strange to read. She made the (very forced) decision to marry the king under the impression that Niko had died on his expedition and is now facing the pressure from the Sorcerer's Guild to fulfil her duty as queen and bear the kingdom's next heir. This is something that I don't particularly jive with in a lot of fantasy because it reiterates this patriarchal and demeaning narrative that women exist to serve men. Allora's POVs were filled (I'm talking every third paragraph) with someone advising Allora to "get in the king's bed", "pleasure the king", or "produce an heir" etc etc. It was a little over the top and though it may present itself as consentual at a quick glance because Allora does repeatedly make those choices and seeks the king out, it's not. Allora is given no choice but to choose the option laid out by the sorcerers. The lives of her people are at stake, the potential lives of her friends are at stake. She cannot just walk away and say no without resounding consequences so she is continually coerced, threatened, and manipulated into sexual encounters with the king by everyone around her. It was honestly very unpleasant to read about and I desperately want better for Allora in the final book.
The last thing that's been jarring me during this read: the writing style has changed since book 3. I started reading and immediately felt that something was different. There was an increase in language, sexually explicit scenes (which are still fairly tame considering, but a definite increase from the previous three books), and one of the characters felt like they were going a bit off the rails in a way that I wasn't expected from them at all. I'm not sure if Megan O'Russell is evolving as a writing and so her novel is reflecting that or if it's just been too long since I read the series and now am getting tripped up over minor details. I'm not sure at this point.
Overall, I felt a little bit let down by this book as I was expecting more from the story, plot, and characters, but I still enjoyed it. 3.5/5
June 20, 2023
The continuation of seven friends who formed their own family. Ena survives a death sentence, Mara and Tham make it back to Ilbrea to inform the sorcerer guild of the impending danger heading their way from the north. Niko meets Ena inside the mountain and wants to accompany her back to Ilbrea. Allora is in a no win situation with the king she married, Kai is trying to disrupt the sorcerer guild with others attacking sorcerers and Adrial is grieving over his lost wife until he is informed that she and the baby she was carrying are alive and well but has to provide information to a secret source to get any news about her. Things heat up when the ice walker’s arrive with their sights set on one particular place.
This book will consume you as you jump from one person to the next as in previous books in this series as these friends stories are told so you know where each is and what is happening to them as things rush towards the conclusion of the series! There is at least one more book to finish this series and tie it all up but
the finish will be bitter sweet because you’ll want the series to continue on and on! These characters became your friends with book one and as you watch them survive in each book since the opening lines of book one, you want that magic that has kept you spellbound since the first book to never end so you can enjoy their further exploits!
I heartily recommend this book but in so doing stress that you must read this series from book one up to this one in sequence!
When you finish that, if book five isn’t out yet, I invite
you to get Ena of Ilbrea and read of Ena’s life before she came into Ilbrea and into Adrial’s life! You will then know of why she feels as she does and her commitment to bring Ilbrea and the guilds to their knees!
If you’re looking for a story with heart and fierce determination to succeed where it looks like no hope
is possible, then get these series and join with the thousands of devoted fans of Megan’s who love these two series as well as the other series’s she has
written which also enchanted her readers!
Her books are not to be missed and you’ll be a devoted follower of hers as well when you start a series of hers!
This book will consume you as you jump from one person to the next as in previous books in this series as these friends stories are told so you know where each is and what is happening to them as things rush towards the conclusion of the series! There is at least one more book to finish this series and tie it all up but
the finish will be bitter sweet because you’ll want the series to continue on and on! These characters became your friends with book one and as you watch them survive in each book since the opening lines of book one, you want that magic that has kept you spellbound since the first book to never end so you can enjoy their further exploits!
I heartily recommend this book but in so doing stress that you must read this series from book one up to this one in sequence!
When you finish that, if book five isn’t out yet, I invite
you to get Ena of Ilbrea and read of Ena’s life before she came into Ilbrea and into Adrial’s life! You will then know of why she feels as she does and her commitment to bring Ilbrea and the guilds to their knees!
If you’re looking for a story with heart and fierce determination to succeed where it looks like no hope
is possible, then get these series and join with the thousands of devoted fans of Megan’s who love these two series as well as the other series’s she has
written which also enchanted her readers!
Her books are not to be missed and you’ll be a devoted follower of hers as well when you start a series of hers!
June 29, 2023
This new book is definitely the best of the series so far! Some parts of the previous books, notably those who made me sad, were revealed in this book to be part of what has lead us to this point. A bit wordy, I'm afraid, but I don't see how else to say it without spoilers, which I hate.
As usual this book is from several points of view, but all of characters we now know well. It is fascinating to see how the Karrons, who were once so close, physically and mentally, have each pursued their own paths, and to see the way they interact with each other. Sometimes, knowing they are so physically close to each other, without being aware of it, almost made me feel like shouting at the book! Look next door...!
As usual, the characters are well developed and believable, and the entrancing writing style by this author keeps my attention, as well as being inventive, unusual (thank goodness) and having great ideas.
But I think the thing most interesting about this book is how engrossed I was in it. Once started, it was very hard to put down, and I do recommend that you start it when you can devote yourself to it, as taking your nose out of this fascinating novel will be very hard indeed!
As usual this book is from several points of view, but all of characters we now know well. It is fascinating to see how the Karrons, who were once so close, physically and mentally, have each pursued their own paths, and to see the way they interact with each other. Sometimes, knowing they are so physically close to each other, without being aware of it, almost made me feel like shouting at the book! Look next door...!
As usual, the characters are well developed and believable, and the entrancing writing style by this author keeps my attention, as well as being inventive, unusual (thank goodness) and having great ideas.
But I think the thing most interesting about this book is how engrossed I was in it. Once started, it was very hard to put down, and I do recommend that you start it when you can devote yourself to it, as taking your nose out of this fascinating novel will be very hard indeed!
July 14, 2023
This is hands down one of my favourite series! I’m completely obsessed with everything Ilbrea! Each book makes me fall even more in love with the characters, and I wish the story would never, ever end!
While I felt like this book might have been a little less exciting in terms of action and adventure compared to some of the previous books, it was certainly no less addicting! It’s so easy to get sucked into the story and immerse yourself in the pages!
Even though this is the fourth book, I still don’t actually have a clue where the story is going (which is kind of great in my opinion)! I’m enjoying the build up, and loving how each of the storylines are slowly coming back together now that everyone has basically returned home (even if they’re yet to be reunited). And knowing that Spell and Secret is planned to be about the Sorcerers of Ilbrea, I’m left wondering if we’ll still be getting more from the characters I’ve grown so attached to, or if we’ll be seeing more of their stories through Isla’s eyes.
Regardless of how the story continues to be told, I’m beyond excited for more! Ena’s story will probably always be my favourite, and I’m dying to know what will happen with her and Adrial, but I’m also excited to see how Allora, Niko, Kai, Mara and Tham all make out. I really, really hope the group all reunite soon! 🤞
As I said before, this is seriously one of my all time favourite series, and I would absolutely recommend it!
While I felt like this book might have been a little less exciting in terms of action and adventure compared to some of the previous books, it was certainly no less addicting! It’s so easy to get sucked into the story and immerse yourself in the pages!
Even though this is the fourth book, I still don’t actually have a clue where the story is going (which is kind of great in my opinion)! I’m enjoying the build up, and loving how each of the storylines are slowly coming back together now that everyone has basically returned home (even if they’re yet to be reunited). And knowing that Spell and Secret is planned to be about the Sorcerers of Ilbrea, I’m left wondering if we’ll still be getting more from the characters I’ve grown so attached to, or if we’ll be seeing more of their stories through Isla’s eyes.
Regardless of how the story continues to be told, I’m beyond excited for more! Ena’s story will probably always be my favourite, and I’m dying to know what will happen with her and Adrial, but I’m also excited to see how Allora, Niko, Kai, Mara and Tham all make out. I really, really hope the group all reunite soon! 🤞
As I said before, this is seriously one of my all time favourite series, and I would absolutely recommend it!
August 2, 2023
great series!
This series is amazing! I hate waiting between books, but this is worth the wait! I couldn’t put it down. I feel like I know the characters & am watching it all play out.
This series is amazing! I hate waiting between books, but this is worth the wait! I couldn’t put it down. I feel like I know the characters & am watching it all play out.
September 21, 2023
This series started slow (at least it seemed like it to me), but I really enjoyed reading the later books (meaning books 3+4). They were brutal at times, don't get me wrong, but the pace was more to my liking.
July 14, 2023
Incredible. Already cannot wait for the next one.
August 4, 2023
Looking forward to the next book in the series.
June 4, 2024
3.5-3.75
August 4, 2023
Book 4 in the Guilds of Ilbrea series
A nerve-rackingly, heart-pounding, action-packed, emotionally-gripping, heartbreaking, magical journey that often left me on the edge of my seat. Once again, brilliantly written storyline that captivated and kept me invested in the characters. As with the other books in the series, this book is written in multiple POVs which are easy to follow. Strongly developed characters and intricately detailed world building.
"I'll face any ghost for you."
"Love makes fools of the wisest men."
"May the mountain ever guide your steps."
"Death prowls on the horizon."
"On the blood of all the ones we've lost, I swear it."
"Peace comes at a price."
A nerve-rackingly, heart-pounding, action-packed, emotionally-gripping, heartbreaking, magical journey that often left me on the edge of my seat. Once again, brilliantly written storyline that captivated and kept me invested in the characters. As with the other books in the series, this book is written in multiple POVs which are easy to follow. Strongly developed characters and intricately detailed world building.
"I'll face any ghost for you."
"Love makes fools of the wisest men."
"May the mountain ever guide your steps."
"Death prowls on the horizon."
"On the blood of all the ones we've lost, I swear it."
"Peace comes at a price."
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews