Ice, storms, sorcery, and pain separate the Karrons from those they hold most dear. With his family scattered across the farthest reaches of Ilbrea, Adrial stands alone in a capital on the brink of flames, facing the dark truth of the Guilds he cherished.
Murder disguised as law. Assassins veiled by beauty. Innocents sacrificed to vile pride. A deadly plot to twist the fate of a kingdom.
With each discovery, the danger grows. Enemies lurk in the shadows, and the call for freedom will not be silenced. The future of his Guild hangs in the balance, and Adrial must choose between saving the one he loves and protecting the world he’s known.
From the epic fantasy world of Ilbrea to the vampire and werewolf-plagued dystopia of the domes, author Megan O'Russell offers readers thirty-two books across nine series.
With a passion for building immersive worlds, uncovering each character’s unique voice, and discovering innovative ways to bring stories to audiences, Megan has created and presented workshops across the country helping fellow authors along their journey, including facing the Indie Publishing process with clear eyes and a workable plan.
Megan's newest novel, Sketchbook of a Wayward Seer, is presented in partnership with the podcast Page by Page: Writing the Book in Real Time, where you can listen to a new, full chapter of the series every week. Other titles include Ember and Stone, Girl of Glass, The Cursebound Thief, and How I Magically Messed Up My Life in Four Freakin' Days.
I don't give out many 5 star ratings, but I cannot express how much I love Ena! This series is so different from the first but we're getting more and more connections as we go. With that said, you could read this series before Ena of Ilbrea without being confused. Life in the city is vastly different than Ena's first adventures, but you gain so many insights to her mysterious past from reading her series.
I love the characters who tell the story. Kai is quick on his feet both physically and mentally and made me giggle several times. Niko is making his way through an underground world and I love how MO'R wrote his POV for the first half or so of the book...it connected us to him without feeling the repetition of his journey. Allora's story feels so different and has evolved from the first book...she's now seeing the fully consequences of her choices while she acknowledges her grief for so many things. And Adrial. He doubts so much of himself because of his injury, but he can see the beauty in so many people. He strives to be the best person he can be and his love for Ena is beautiful.
Ena. She is every bit as feisty and determined as she ever has been. The world keeps throwing things at her that could break her, but with help, she keeps fighting. The scene on the cliff with Adrial was heartbreaking and beautiful. Where they went from there is a spoiler...but it's so good.
I love this world so much and I'm already anxiously awaiting the next book.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What a book!! For those who are looking for a pulse pounding read that will grab you and not let go look no further! In fact, if you haven’t read Megan’s books yet what in the world are you waiting for? Be warned though because her books are addicting and once you read one you will want to get the other books she has written because the same page turning excitement is waiting for you within their pages as well!!
I wholeheartedly recommend all of Megan’s books but the one thing you must remember is that with her writing you MUST read them in sequence; otherwise you won’t have a clue about what is going on but you will know after one book to read them that way so always start with book one in the series so you’ll be on top of what’s happening!
This book picks up from book one as we follow our friends who are striving to return home even though they’ve had experiences they never thought possible! Each character is bound and determined to succeed in their endeavors and aren’t we the lucky ones to read all about how they are striving to accomplish that goal!!
Those who enjoy a epic reading experience whether you are old or young will love this series as well as all the other series Megan has written! You’ll be up all night but what’s sleep when you can’t put the book down!!
I urge you to get ahold of this series today but get Inker and Crown first before Myth and Storm because again these books MUST be read sequentially!!
Once again Megan as it is with all your books you’ve got a mega hit on your hands! I am only frustrated because of the wait before Viper and Steel comes out so I can get back to my friends and see how they get out of their predicaments!! I am also looking forward to seeing if the evil sorcereress is among those that died from the poison Ena administered!
MYTH AND STORM is book 2 in the Guilds of Ilbrea series. The five wards of Lord Karron must trek through mountains, face storms at sea, endure captivity in a kingdom of ice and move forward in a city divided. It is a fast paced book and I didn't want to put it down. Each character's story is building and I can't wait to read the next books in the series. Each series can stand alone, but I highly recommend reading the Ena of Ilbrea series prior to the Guilds of Ilbrea series - just because the world building is more complete and smooth. I voluntarily read a complimentary copy for my honest review.
I was so excited to get back to Ilbrea and this book did not disappoint! I absolutely cannot get enough of the magic and mystery this world has to offer! I love that we get to follow so many different characters, and I enjoy reading each of their POVs equally! I love how each of their stories are so different and yet they tie in perfectly! And I especially love that we got to see a little bit more from Ena’s story mentioned throughout this book! (The Demon’s Torch, the Black Bloods, the Brien Clan; little mentions like that!) I’m dying to find out what’s going to happen with Mara, Tham, Niko, and Kai! I’m just as excited to see what’s in store for Allora, Adrial and Ena’s future as well! This is one story I cannot guess the outcome for no matter how hard I try! I was constantly taken by surprise throughout this book and I cannot tell you how much I love an unpredictable story! Megan O’Russell has done it once again! She’s created a story that will stick with me and has left me dying for the next book so I can continue on this incredible journey!
**This is the second book in the Guilds of Ilbrea series and I strongly recommend reading Inker and Crown first if you haven’t already, as this story picks up where that book leaves off! In addition, Ena of Ilbrea is a series that takes place before this series and while it’s not necessary to read it first, I highly encourage you to read it before starting this series!
Oh my goodness! I don’t even know how to form the words to do justice for Myth and Storm,but I’ll try. Megan sweeps us right into the after math of the uprising, and moments that only divide the guild and the commoners by more than they already were. Life is crumbling around them as all and the 5 wards are scattered facing their own individual challenges. With fights for survival, fights for changes, fighting heart break, and fighting for the right steps forward Megan takes us on a fast paced journey through the mountains, over the stormy sea, held as prisoners in the city of ice, and survival in a city not only that is falling apart at an alarming rate but so divided the outcome is unclear. Pages filled with love, loyalty, self doubt and an incredible amount of courage. Pages that you can’t get a fill of and keep turning to the end. Megan has once again blown my expectations out of the water. One thing I must say is I loved Ena before, but now she has firmly planted herself as one of my all time favorite heroins. Along with Adrial they are a perfect mix. I’m just going to sit eagerly awaiting with zero patience for the next one hahahaha.
An intriguingly, emotionally-gripping, magical journey to change the fate of a kingdom one step at a time.
Written in multiple POVs, but easy to follow. The group continues to face many obstacles separately in their attempts to discover hidden magic and save the world from oppression by the sorcerers. Strong character development and detailed world building. It's filled with magic, action, sacrifice, acceptance, love, sorrow, and many twists that kept me engaged throughout the book.
"A paun life is worth no more than a common one, and a paun death is no more tragic either." "A promise given in a place fed by magic was more dangerous than facing Death himself." "A promise for a promise." "If you know all the blood that coated my hands, you would never want to touch me again. I have been death and vengeance and so many things that would terrify you. But that girl cannot be here." "The world can be changed by the right person's fury." "How many myths are you willing to accept as fact in one day?" "It is the duty of the strong to protect the weak, even if they are too naive to understand the danger they are being rescued from."
I discovered Megan O'Russell quite by accident when a bundle of the first book in four series showed up on my recommended readings. I feel in love with her writing style and purchased the remaining books in those series. One of them was the prequel series to this one and I loved it even though the last book broke my heart. The story continues with the Guilds of Ilbrea and again she had managed to create characters I want to root for. In this second book the story continues following the group as they navigate through the problems thrown at them in the first book. I still love Adrial and hope that he ends the series happy. I love his and Ena's interactions and cannot wait until the next book to see where it takes them. I also hope that Niko and Allora find their way back to each other they both deserve to have a happy ending.
Reviewer’s Note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
The long-awaited sequel to Inker and Crown is finally here, and Myth and Storm didn't disappoint! With every chapter, I fell more in love with the characters and the world of Ilbrea. The book is a well-written page-turner that will keep you up all night.
With each characters' story gradually building, I am eagerly waiting for the third book in the series, Viper and Steel!
As with all my other reviews of Megan's work: I highly recommend picking up one of her series--especially Guilds of Ilbrea or the other series set in the same world, Ena of Ilbrea--if you are looking for a great world to escape into! Seriously, you are missing out if you don't!
This was an excellent book, which kept my attention throughout! I do like action, and there was plenty of it in this book. As it was a while since I had read the first one in this series, I went back to have a quick go through the latter chapters, to remind myself where everyone was and which peril was faced by which party! I think that was helpful, and I would recommend reading the first book in this series before this one. Having said that, I quickly became really vested in this story, and didn't want to put the book down! I was particularly enthralled when Allora was going off to meddle in someone else's affairs - no spoilers here - and that section had me really worried! I did enjoy the stories of all the other participants; my only problem with this book is the wait for the next one! I will find it hard, not being able to follow the stories forward immediately!
I read the previous book and appreciate the way the author brought the reader up to speed with a quick “reminder” of Inker and the Crown’s ending. We get to spend more time with characters from the first book and the author gives us even more to join the fun. Reminds me of Grey’s Anatomy when each year there are a new team of interns/residents that add their flavor to the storylines. One in particular takes snark to an entirely new level. Another thing I like is that, like IRL, not all problems get solved right away (some not at all). The characters have to think and plan, then life happens (yet again), and the cycle begins again. The book is action-packed and the storylines are complex enough to take time for savoring them.
Fave quote: Fragile beauty is too weak for a world that’s caught fire.
Ready for the next one (as well as for Ember and Stone – Ena of Ilbrea #1).
I really enjoyed this book- way more than I liked the first one even. This story starts where the first one ended and all Lord Karron's wards are going their separate ways for Ilbrea. Each one faces different obstacles and has to make tough decisions to keep trying to move forward and survive. I found myself reading as quickly as I could to find out what was going to happen to each of the characters and am anxious for the next one to see where they go from here. I loved the story between Adrial and Ena and was smirking at their ending. I silently yelled at Allora throughout the entire book and am still trying to figure out all the myths that have become real throughout their travels. I cannot wait for the third one!
Different than some of Megan's other works, this one is a bit slower. It really builds of the character's from the first books and sets the tone for their feelings for one another. You can't help but to feel their emotions and fall in love as they do - and you can't help but to feel their loyalty, hatred, and will to do the right thing. The fight and action scenes are intense and longer, and this book definitely feels more mature than some of the past.
It has: Strong Female Characters Love Interests (that aren't the whole story!) Action! Incredible World-Building Tie-ins to Other Series
The book is not a challenging read but it does have some mature scenes. Incredible work, as all of O'Russell's books are!
This was, once again, an amazing read! Viper and Steel cannot come soon enough for me! Megan O'Russell continues to amaze with her worldbuilding skills. Her character development left me feeling invested in the lives, the trials, and the futures of these people. It is intriguing to watch the separate stories of this group of friends as they each journey on paths that were meant to discover the outside world, but are also leading them to discover more of themselves and the place of their origin. I loved seeing the re-emergence of the Brien in the story. The author always does such an amazing job of interweaving the stories from her different series' together. I just can't wait to see all of the pieces of this puzzle come together.
So much happened in this book and with several different POV's, I would normally find that overwhelming, but the way Megan O'Russell does it, it's almost refreshing and very easy to follow.
The character development in each character was such a joy to experience and the different obstacles each character finds themselves in was so different and entertaining that I felt like I really was watching a movie.
The world building is great too in this book compared to the first book. Idk..I found myself enjoying more of that in this second book than the first.
All in all, really great read and continuation of this series and I have, of course, already started on the third.
There are problems for everyone in this book. Mara is taken by someone into the blue ice. Tham is distraught and keeps attacking the ice with an axe. But he too disappears into the blue ice. Ena saves the life of Adrial during the uprising. He is very badly injured and it takes quite some time for him to recover from his wounds. Ena stays with him the whole time. There are quite a few problems ahead for them both. Niko has been lost in the caves and tunnels of a mountain for weeks or months. It has been so long and all he wants to see and feel is the sun. What a brilliant story. Cannot wait for the next one.
I was lucky enough to receive this book as an arc read for an honest review.
The first book was good it builds up the characters gets you to fall in love with the journies the Second one has you hooked and makes it hard to put down.
The fact that you read from different pov throughout the whole story makes it feel like a lot of little stories and it's worth every page turned.
Follow Allora, Niko, Adrial, Mara, Tham, Kia, and Ena as they each experience different journies of love, loss, battles, and pain with the same end goal of finding the truth and sticking together.
Ahhh! Ends on a cliffhanger and I will not be able to find out what happens until next summer!? Nooo! Megan, why? This 2nd book was absolutely amazing and the world building and characters you just become so invested in! She has a story that seamlessly spans over multiple characters and locations. The main characters from book 1 are all spread out in far reaching places and never meet but still the story flows and you easily follow along. Ena has been a complex character throughout and the ending makes me wonder about her motives and who she really is...
The romance in this one is just heart stoppingly GORGEOUS!!!!!:-). I just LOVED going on each characters’ journeys & quests alongside them and letting their emotions seep right into my heart!!!:-). There were tragedies and action and rebellion as well!!! This series is NOT TO BE MISSED!!!:-). I am excited to see where this journey will go next…. LOVED IT!!:-)
So in love with this storyline! So many different characters POV which I enjoy and the world is just amazing. Love Ena and Adrial and all that happens with them! Holding my breathe for the third book!!! Megan’s books are a must read. She does not disappoint! I got an eARC in exchange for a honest review. :)
It was interesting to see the progression of relationships, however, the flip of a cliffhanger at the end slightly broke my heart for the head scribe. Looking forward to the next book because I'm hoping that nugget wasn't what it sounded like, for their relationships sake.
This book is an excellent second installment of the series. The story moves along quickly, which is especially good since we jump from point of view to point of view. It was gripping and I was constantly guessing at what would happen next. I also love a character who is willing to let the world burn for what they want or believe is right.
I’m enjoying this series. Slightly frustrated by the lack of resolution between each one in the series - basically it feels like one long novel divided up into sections, so you have to buy more books (I know, it’s not alone in that).
Book 2 of the Guilds of Ilbrea. Same great characters, same great writing. More action since the series setup was completed in book 1. This is an interesting, colorful world, full of conflict, hidden magic, intrigue, revolution, built by a very good author. I highly recommend this book, this series, and this author.