Ena never hoped for a peaceful life. She never dreamt she’d become a killer either.
★★★★★ – “The story is as good as Lord of the Rings, Wheel of Time, or Song of Ice and Fire…Ena is a surprisingly inspirational creature and she will keep you turning the pages.”
★★★★★ – “An amazing book! …fast paced and perfect for SJM lovers.”
★★★★★ – “OMG. This book was absolutely brilliant. Fantastic.”
… absolutely brilliant. Fantastic.”
★★★★★ – “The characters are flawed and fleshed out beautifully…a smooth and unforgettable read!”
Ilbrea: A country mercilessly ruled by the seven Guilds where commoners struggle to survive—no one knows the cost of survival better than illegal healer Ena Ryeland. Ena is offered a life of freedom and a chance to fight the Guilds. But she can’t win the battle alone…
A myth to guide her journey.
A brother she thought she’d lost.
A ghost to steal her fear.
A man to steal her heart.
An impossible enemy. A hope for freedom. Ena is the only one with a chance of fighting the Guilds—if she can survive long enough to try.
“David fights Goliath that will pass the Bechdel test!” – Amazon Review
Ember and Stone is an epic fantasy perfect for fans of Maas and Bardugo. If you’re ready for an epic love story, crave a dose of magic, and need an adventure to carry you away from the ordinary, join Megan O’Russell’s 250,000+ satisfied readers. Download Ember and Stone and begin your journey now!
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Great start to a series!
I listened to this book via audio and Loved the narration.
Solo female narrator does a fantastic job on both male and female voices.
Ena, Emmett, Liam and Finn are the main characters in this book and I actually enjoyed ALL of these characters.
First book as usual focuses on the world building as the focus with a secondary focus on friendship/relationship development.
I am indeed looking forward to continuing this series. Upper YA novel with some mature themes. Violence, attempted rape and sexual themes.
4 star read.
Gifted audio in exchange for an honest review.
What a delightful world that was built! I listened to the audio and absolutely loved it! The narrator, the story line, and the characters! I highly recommend!
This is book 1 in the Ena of Ilbrea series by Megan O’Russell and it’s off to a great start and I can’t wait to get into book 2.
I listened to the audio version narrated beautifully by Alexandra Hunter.
This is high fantasy with a slow burn romance.
Ena lives in a land ruled by the Guild. I use the term live loosely as it’s no life at all.
The guild soldiers are the worst kind of evil torturing, killing, raping and stealing poor peoples land.
Ena is saved by Liam when soldiers cornered her in an alley and she has to go on the run.
Liam is a true born black blood who possesses magic and wants to take a stand against the Guild.
She goes back with him and decides to join his cause and fight for the people. Finally finding meaning in her life.
This is the story of an orphaned girl who is strong and determined to help others with great risk to herself. It’s only just the beginning and we follow her on a mission to make a difference.
In this first book it’s only just scratched the surface and I can see this going to great places.
Can’t wait to continue with this series and I highly recommend the audio version.
4/5 high fantasy stars.
AUDIOBOOK Review
This is one of my absolute favorite stories…Ena is a character who has stayed with me long after I read this. It was just wonderful to experience this story again through an audiobook!
The narrator had such a great tone for Ena and her thoughts. Ena is a character who has gone through so. much. pain. and Alexandra Hunter not only captured that, but she brought Ena’s courage into her words, as well.
Very well done, definitely recommend!
I enjoyed listening to Alexander Hunter, I thought was just right for the first book in this series.
Ena finds herself looking for her brother, in the mountains; after a tragedy happens in her village.
You will find action and suspense and magic Ena is a trainee healer. Sit back and enjoy
A sweeping, beautifully written fantasy, full of love, heartbreak, and strength. When Ena is forced to flee the small village she lives in, which is ruled over by the oppressive and often violent guilds, she is opened up to a world she never realized existed. A world of magic, rebellion, hope, and even peace. A world she wasn’t expected, and one she wants to help build. Ena takes control of her destiny when she decides to join her brother in the rebellion, using her talents for healing to do exactly the opposite, all in the name of freeing themselves from the constant fear of the guilds.
As book one, this books does move at a bit of a slower pace. There is a ton of world building, and the writing paints an amazing picture. As we reach the end of the story, the pace continues to build, and we are left with a very solid and wonderful beginning to the series. We don’t get a ton of information on the magic, it’s very mysterious and I’m sure we will learn more as the story progresses. The touch of romance built into the plot works well, it’s hesitant and quiet, but you can see it building. More to come there, of course, as well. We learn just enough, but not everything, and it left me wanting to keep going, wanting to know more. Overall, a very good book, and I’m looking forward to continuing with the series.
This series is off to a great start. Ena grates on my nerves a bit but at least she’s not perfect. I’m curious what her brother is hiding from her. He’s apparently well known among the locals. Liam is an interesting character and the chemistry between him and Ena is thick. I’m enjoying Ena and Finn’s friendship. He brings some much needed humor. I’m looking forward to seeing what role Ena has in bringing down the Guilds.
I really enjoyed listening to the audio version of this book. It was full of suspense and action, while balancing some really emotional moments. The author did a good job at incorporating some incredibly sensitive material in a way that helped build moral and investment in the story. I’ve received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review
The story focuses on Ena’s journey outside of Harane, and her relationship with her brother and his other two companions. There are some new faces making an appearance in the story. This is more action-packed than the previous one, and more intense. As a reader, I get to see more new places as Ena explore the world outside of Harane. To me, this is an adventurous story and I really loved it.
Of course, there are some dangerous missions that Ena along with the others had to complete. The missions aren’t easy, and I had a hard time trying to remain calm because there are so many things that can go wrong. The whole time I was nervous and on edge, I was hoping things are going smoothly which it did even with a slight error. I really enjoyed seeing how Ena and the others are handling the situation and how they completed their missions. Honestly, I’m so excited to see what they will do in the next book, and if there are so many upcoming missions waiting for them.
The story provide a lot of information regarding the Guild soldiers and what they do. They’re basically working for the sorcerers, and I was wondering if the sorcerers will show up more in the next book seeing they weren’t in this one. A sorcerer showed up in the previous one, so I wonder if the said sorcerer along with other sorcerers will make an appearance, because I need more magic in this type of story.
Not that the lack of magic bothers me seeing the intense fight did just fine to make me enjoy this book, but it might be nice to have some intense magic action or battle too since there has been a mention of magic multiple of times in the story.
The overall storyline and plot was very exciting and it can be so surprising to me when I didn’t expect anything. This book did so well without any plot twist—not that I find one or see one, I’m just saying that this book doesn’t need a plot twist to make it more interesting.
As for the characters, all of them are great. I’m just so glad that the author managed to make all the characters so likable—be it the main ones or the side ones.
Ena in this book has a bit of great character development and I loved that the author doesn’t change her too much or change her in a bad way. Ena is still the same Ena but with an upgraded version—literally the best version. She was still brave and fierce, but in this one, she had more proper training in self-defense. What she went through in the beginning was horrible, and seeing that someone willingly taught her how to defend herself and how to properly fight was a great change. She really need those skills so that she won’t be put in the place where the soldiers can easily harm her again.
There are a lot of strong and good traits that Ena’s character has shown throughout the book. Her bravery and her selflessness are what makes her an amazing character, and make her an overall a good person. She really loves helping others in need, and despite her rough relationship with her brother, she still helped him when he got hurt or injured. There are times when she was feeling so vulnerable and so helpless, but that didn’t stop her from trying her best to help a lot more people who needed help.
I hated seeing how her brother and Liam, doesn’t want her to do so many things, and all they wanted her to do was stay at the camp with the others and just rest. They keep on saying she shouldn’t do this and she shouldn’t do that which get so irritating, like just because she’s a girl that means she don’t have to work or do any light stuff, let alone the heavy ones. I feel bad for her because she doesn’t feel any freedom when she was around the guys. I truly get her a lot, but I’m happy to see she was so determined to do any works even carry out a dangerous mission. Her strong determination and her full confidence are what make her successful in doing her mission. I truly admired her for not letting anyone’s opinions bother her and that she won’t let the guys tell her what she can and cannot do. She’s her own person and can handle basically everything just fine.
Emmet is Ena’s brother, and he finally make an appearance in this book. I’ve been wondering what happened to him in the previous book since he left without any words and he just disappeared. It was nice to know he was helping the Black Bloods and try to protect those who have magic from being taken by the Guild soldiers and sorcerers. What he did was truly remarkable, he just want to make Ilbrea a safe place, and he did it by risking his life. Although he was cold toward Ena for the majority of the story, but Emmet as a whole person is a great guy with a kind heart. Even though he was moody and doesn’t crack a smile. But he does have good intentions.
Liam is a new addition, and he is also a great character. He came off as this mysterious stranger but the more time he has in the story, the more I get to know him as a person. His character is pretty much different than the others and is nearly too-perfect, but I’m glad to know he does have flaws too. He doesn’t share a lot about his life and I do hope the next book will explore more on it. Overall, he is a great guy and he does protect those he cares a lot. He is still a mystery to me, he still doesn’t like revealing a lot of things and he always guard his feelings. Liam is surely a hard character to solve. But I do like him, and his personality. Also his protective behavior made him so intimidating, and I wonder what’s in store for him next.
Finn is also a new addition, and he is definitely my top favorite character. He was so funny and just an overall a hilarious person. He is literally a mood. He lived in a dangerous world, and did a dangerous mission, and yet all he can think about is food all the time. First thing that always came to his mind is food. No wonder I connect to his character more than I do with the others. Finn and food is a whole mood. That one scene where he was sleeping and he suddenly woke up sniffing the air and said, ”Is that food?” Definitely relatable!
I loved Finn so much and I adored his character. Aside from his huge love for food, he was also a great guy with a kind heart, and a mood-maker of the group. The whole story was just him along with Ena, Emmet, and Liam traveling to other parts of Ilbrea together to do a very dangerous mission. So out of the four of them, Finn always be the one to say hilarious things. There are times when he was being serious too but not too much, and he was also an excellent fighter and is good at handling some difficult situations. I need to see more of him fighting the Guild soldiers like he did in the last few chapters, that was just so impressive.
The sibling bond between Ena and Emmet was very shaky, there are so many things that still remain unfinished between them. It was sad to see how they aren’t as close as they were before. Both of them are struggling to repair their broken bond. And despite the hurt and the anger, both of them still protect each other and making sure none of them are in danger or get injured.
This story doesn’t have a lot of romance in it and I’m glad that the romance isn’t the focus or a big deal in the story. There was a spark between Liam and Ena, and I admit that they look good together but to me, it was way too soon for Ena to jump into a new relationship. She ended things badly with Cal—which I’m still bitter about—and I definitely want her to take her time to discover herself first before she even think of a future with Liam. They do have chemistry, but Liam is fighting his inner battle and he just doesn’t seem so sure about his relationship with Ena. I had a hard time trying to like the idea of these two together, but as the story goes on, I slowly warm up to the idea of them getting together romantically. They do fit together because of who they are as a person, and that their personality matched.
Finn and Ena has the best friendship in the story. I adored every scene these two were in. All their scenes are straight up hilarious. I loved that Finn welcomes Ena so easily, and he always entertained her by giving her more information about the Black Bloods, the Guild soldiers and sorcerers, and most importantly, foods. Food is his main topic and even Ena always mention foods to him. She knew him so well even though they just met. Their friendship was so pure and wonderful, and I liked seeing how comfortable Ena was around Finn.
There are so many great things happening in this story. This book is an action-packed book and those who love reading fantasy stories with lots of great actions/fights like me, you’ll love this one for sure. This is a wonderful story, there are some happy moments and some sad moments but overall I feel so satisfied by the direction the author go for.
I’ve received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Ena an orphaned girl lives her usual life in a town called Ilbrea – for her, is the pure definition of hell. Guilds are tormenting the inhabitants of her town, taking what they desire, when they desire, and at all costs. But one day is enough to change someone’s fate and take their innocence away.
Ena is young and lives her normal life in Ilbrea, tending and learning about healing people from Lily, the woman that took her in. Every day is just like any other day, until one day when guilds are ravaging the Ilbrea, killing and burning houses just to teach people a lesson. Caught in the middle of the nightmare and very closed being raped and killed by a pawn of a Guild, she’s being saved by her brother’s mysterious friend – Liam. Liam is a true born of the Black Bloods clan. The power of the mountain runs into his veins making him powerful and with a goal to save the sorcis children from the Sorceress’s hands.
This story catches you into a twirl of despair, adventure, and magic from the very first pages. It does contain triggers like attempted rape, murder, and abuse inflicted on people. I loved the details offered in the book, you get to know Ena’s past, present, and somehow her future. Details about the Guilds and what they’re doing and a tiny glimpse of what the Black Bloods cause is and what’s their power and also the legend of the mountains.
The book keeps you on edge, and without knowing what can happen on the next page you’re being caught by surprise more often than not. I loved how Ena pushed back all the old conceptions about women that she’s fragile and should stay at the compound, conceptions coming from her own brother but also Liam. The book contains a lot of important characters including Finn who along the way becomes the best friend of Ena and together they’re doing runs to save the sorcis kids.
The book is raw and takes your heart out and torn’s it to pieces. Ena’s suffering, despair but also the light moments you can feel them, they’re so palpable. The pov is told only from Ena’s side from what she’s gone through to what she’s going through right now.
Once I started reading this book, I got lost in a world full of rage, hate, and magic, with people trying to do good, while others would want to see the world burn just for their own pleasure. Ember and Stone is the 1st book out of 4 from Ena of Ilbrea and it’s an amazing epic fantasy book that will keep you hooked from the first pages to the end.
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As Ena’s world collapses around her in
blood and flame, a new path opens for
her with hope and freedom beckoning.
How will she deal with this new chapter
in her story ?
Enjoy !!
Ena had more of an existence than a life in her small town until unspeakable tragedy struck. In a world where an authoritarian oligarchy rules through fear and violence, people survive by remaining unnoticed, or for the fortunate few, hiding out of reach.
When does that become untenable? When is it time to strike back? Ena is not the type to sit back and hide. What she has witnessed haunts her. This is the story of the seeds of revolution – and how no plan survives contact with the enemy, and how even the best laid plans can have very unexpected consequences. And how even in the middle of such life shattering events, there is still time for things like romance, pranks, and petty jealousy.
This book reads more mature than the prequel both in subject matter and the concepts dealt with. As it is book 1 there is a lot of character development and world building going on, and a lot of questions being left unanswered. Most noticeably the guilds and the role Ena’s brother plays in the story. We see the effects, and they are terrifying. What horrible monster could be the source of all this pain and devastation?
Huge story, fast moving, full of action, yet with a tight, personal focus and some light moments too.
Now this was my kind of story. I was instantly hooked from the start and spent the next several hours in a reading coma not wanting to put it down. It weaves such a brilliant start of a series I love the characters and the world building and I am withdrawing for more!
I loved this book. The beginning was a bit slow for me, but once things picked up, boy did this story take flight. The world building was great and the characters were amazing. If you’re a fan of slow burn romances, brave heroes and heroines, and love new worlds to fall head over heels into, this book is for you. I can’t wait to learn more about Emmet and his past and see how things progress in book 2!
This is a book in which the reader will experience the highs and lows of humanity. It’s a page turner that will have you hooked from the beginning to the final written line which will leave you emotionally exhausted but anxiously awaiting the next book in the series
Aside from magically endured rocks this story could easily be written about people and societies in our present day. Unfortunately there are people in the world who are subjugated to monsters such as the ones in this book. The oppressed exist only at the whim of the oppressors and their lives could be forfeited at any time!
Megan has done a masterful job in telling a very believable story of people who want to throw off those chains and be free once more. I cheered at their small victories and wept at the evil the oppressors displayed.
I recommend this book to young adults and adults alike who enjoy a thrilling book of adventures to read about. You will find it here within these pages. You will love the good characters and really despise the evil ones!
Pick up a copy today and be ready to start an adventure you won’t soon forget!
Ember and Stone is the first in a new fantasy series about oppression and hope and the fight for freedom. It is a quick and compelling read, with a very strong and likable main character. Ena is smart and caring, and makes rather thoughtful decisions throughout the book. She’s not a wilting flower but she also isn’t automatically The Next Savior (a trope which I am pretty over at this point). The other characters are all interesting, although they don’t get as much development time as Ena, which I hope is remedied in the next book. I also hope we learn more about the land in which they all live, and the Guilds and how they came to rule the land. It’ll be exciting to learn more about the mythologies present and how they manifest themselves during the conflict. It’s a strong start to a series and I am looking forward to reading the rest of it!!
**I received an advanced copy of this book but my opinions are all my own!
Ena becomes a orphan when her home has been suddenly taken away. She finds a home with a local till one fateful day, all of it disappears. When the Guild takes whatever and whoever they want Ena must chose which path to take. I loved the addition of Emmett, Liam and Finn. Liam is a interesting character and I can’t wait to see what may evolve later. Finn is my book bestie! He is a totally and hoot and always thinking of food.
I enjoyed the world building, and I can’t wait to learn more about this secret group and the stones.
I highly recommend the audiobook. The author did a wonderful job portraying the characters. The variety of voices and inflections used were very easy to follow along.
OMG. This book was absolutely brilliant. Fantastic. And I cannot wait to read the next one, especially if it is as good as this one.