Ena of Ilbrea Series by Megan O'Russell

Read in February 2025

Summary:

Set in the oppressive land of Ilbrea, where seven powerful Guilds control every aspect of life, this series follows Ena Ryeland, an illegal healer. After a traumatic event forces her to flee her village, Ena becomes entangled with a group of rebels aiming to dismantle the Guilds' tyranny. Throughout the series, Ena transitions from a clandestine healer to a formidable assassin, confronting myths, magic, and the harsh realities of rebellion.

 

Main Characters:

Ena: an illegal healer. She is compelling, kind, and complex. 

Emmett: Ena's older brother. A member of the rebel forces hoping to fell the Guild.

Liam: a mage and rebel leader. Hails from a long-forgotten bloodline of magicians called Black Bloods.

There are many others.

 

World-Building:

There is quite a bit of world-building here, which I found well done and fascinating. It's set in a medieval style setting with unique lore and magic. Overall, I found the world-building good.

 

Themes/Tropes:

• Slow-Burn Romance
• Fight for Freedom
• Forbidden Magic
• Rebellion
• Humor
• Overcoming the Monster
• Unhappy Ending!

Entertainment Value:

The series starts promising. I loved the first book (Ember and Stone) and enjoyed the second book (Mountain and Ash) as well. The second book is paced more slowly than the first and the third even more so. Throughout the first three books, the author indicates Ena is special in some way, but it's never explained. There are scenes in book two that never get explained in the series and don't really have anything to do with the plot.

The characters were the best part of what I read of the series. Their banter and bonds were fascinating and believable. 

Once I got into book three, the plot was moving further and further from the main rebellion plot, and I began suspecting I wouldn't like the ending. Therefore, I read the last chapter in book four and put the series down. I was a third through the third book (Ice and Sky), and I DNF'd it and didn't pick up the last one. 

I don't like unhappy endings, it's just my preference, and all hell breaks loose at the end of this series, and to me, the author breaks every promise made at the beginning of the series. I was frustrated enough with the author that I doubt I will ever read anything else by her.

I think this series should be marked as a "tragedy," not a romance, since romance implies either happily ever after or happy for now, which this series is not. If you enjoy stories of star-crossed lovers with tragic endings, then you might appreciate this series.

 

Cover Art:

I think the cover art for the series is good for the first three, but the last one doesn't seem to match.

 

Would I read this book again?

Nope, and I won't continue this series.

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