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Of Greed and Glory
The high seas, a heading, and a hangover.When infamous royal sea-elf captain, Bellona Glenon, proves to be a menace at a ceremony for her baby niece, she is sent on her way—to the nearest tavern—where her plans to drown her sorrows are interrupted by a better an easy wager. The prize? A treasure map—and a chance for one last adventure with her brother, Eevan.
But that ship has sailed for King Eevan, and instead he counters with an ultimatum.
Take their sensible older brother, Peverell, along instead and, most importantly, sober up—or be left out of her niece’s life.
Determined to prove she’s more than just a loose cannon, Bellona puts down the drink and takes up the challenge. It’s only after meeting the scholarly dark-elf, Helio Lothar, she realizes she might just be in over her head.
As Bellona and Helio work together to uncover the ancient secret, dodging coast guards, booby traps, and death at every turn, they draw nearer to the treasure and to each other. The closer they become though, the clearer it is that Helio is thirsting for more than knowledge, and the act first, think later Captain Bellona must decide if she’ll trust her gut, or her heart …
But that ship has sailed for King Eevan, and instead he counters with an ultimatum.
Take their sensible older brother, Peverell, along instead and, most importantly, sober up—or be left out of her niece’s life.
Determined to prove she’s more than just a loose cannon, Bellona puts down the drink and takes up the challenge. It’s only after meeting the scholarly dark-elf, Helio Lothar, she realizes she might just be in over her head.
As Bellona and Helio work together to uncover the ancient secret, dodging coast guards, booby traps, and death at every turn, they draw nearer to the treasure and to each other. The closer they become though, the clearer it is that Helio is thirsting for more than knowledge, and the act first, think later Captain Bellona must decide if she’ll trust her gut, or her heart …
212 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 10, 2024
6 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 11, 2025
"The only difference is whether or not they want the golry."
"Or if they're greedy enough to follow us with hopes of taking it for themselves."
A book with national treasure, treasure planet, and Pirates of the Caribbean vibes all in one book! Yes, and yes.
E.A. Olivieri has written a captivating story once again. I loved every minute of reading this book. It definitely gave me an insight into Bellona, who is the FMC on this book. But she is also a character out of Ashwood and Brimstone. Now I need to read these all over again.
Whatever E.A. writes, I will automatically buy straight away!
"Or if they're greedy enough to follow us with hopes of taking it for themselves."
A book with national treasure, treasure planet, and Pirates of the Caribbean vibes all in one book! Yes, and yes.
E.A. Olivieri has written a captivating story once again. I loved every minute of reading this book. It definitely gave me an insight into Bellona, who is the FMC on this book. But she is also a character out of Ashwood and Brimstone. Now I need to read these all over again.
Whatever E.A. writes, I will automatically buy straight away!
March 8, 2025
I read Of Greed & Glory before I read Ashwood & Brimstone. And though I still enjoyed reading in this order. Since it’s chronological, I would recommend reading in order of books released. Because that will just add to the fun & the surprises!
Loved the adventure in this book & the personality of Bellona & the more in depth look at some of the characters you don’t see as much in Ashwood & Brimstone.
Excited for more from this Author!
Loved the adventure in this book & the personality of Bellona & the more in depth look at some of the characters you don’t see as much in Ashwood & Brimstone.
Excited for more from this Author!
November 12, 2024
Could not put this book down! I absolutely devoured it, the story telling and visual imagery is so awesome and refreshing.
November 22, 2024
This is the second book I’ve read by Olivieri, and I can’t get enough of their work! Here’s the short version: if you love fantasy but are tired of overused tropes, I highly recommend this book. Olivieri’s thoughtful approach to character development and world-building is evident throughout. It’s an enjoyable read that also supports a self-published author and small business owner.
The pacing of the storyline is excellent, and every character, whether they play a major or minor role, feels distinct with their own personalities, mannerisms, and perspectives. For example, the protagonist Bellona describes a scent as “herby,” rather than the more precise “herbaceous.” While subtle, it’s a perfect reflection of her personality and vocabulary. Olivieri has a clear skill in creating authentic characters.
Olivieri is incredibly intentional in her world-building. Though this is a short novel, the amount of research and planning is evident. The kingdoms and queendoms of Carynthia draw respectful inspiration from various cultures, enhancing the setting without feeling derivative.
TW (PTSD & substance abuse)
Olivieri’s depiction of trauma and addiction is another standout aspect in ‘Of Greed and Glory’. Many fantasy stories either romanticise substance abuse as part of a "misunderstood genius" trope or overdo the self-awareness and self-loathing, making the portrayal feel unrealistic. In contrast, Bellona’s struggle with alcoholism is nuanced and authentic. She recognises her issue and wants to change but remains partially in denial, reflecting the non-linear and complex nature of addiction. This realistic portrayal felt both impactful and necessary.
While the plot follows a familiar quest structure, a few unexpected twists add complexity and intrigue, keeping the story engaging.
This book serves as a prequel to ‘Ashwood & Brimstone’, which I’ve also read. It works perfectly as a standalone story—you don’t need to read ‘Ashwood & Brimstone’ to understand and enjoy it. However, ‘Of Greed and Glory’ adds rich context to the other book that enhances its narrative. Both novels complement each other beautifully, but they can be read independently without losing the integrity of either story.
I am a big fan of Olivier’s work and am anticipating the next book within the Tales of Caryinthia series.
The pacing of the storyline is excellent, and every character, whether they play a major or minor role, feels distinct with their own personalities, mannerisms, and perspectives. For example, the protagonist Bellona describes a scent as “herby,” rather than the more precise “herbaceous.” While subtle, it’s a perfect reflection of her personality and vocabulary. Olivieri has a clear skill in creating authentic characters.
Olivieri is incredibly intentional in her world-building. Though this is a short novel, the amount of research and planning is evident. The kingdoms and queendoms of Carynthia draw respectful inspiration from various cultures, enhancing the setting without feeling derivative.
TW (PTSD & substance abuse)
Olivieri’s depiction of trauma and addiction is another standout aspect in ‘Of Greed and Glory’. Many fantasy stories either romanticise substance abuse as part of a "misunderstood genius" trope or overdo the self-awareness and self-loathing, making the portrayal feel unrealistic. In contrast, Bellona’s struggle with alcoholism is nuanced and authentic. She recognises her issue and wants to change but remains partially in denial, reflecting the non-linear and complex nature of addiction. This realistic portrayal felt both impactful and necessary.
While the plot follows a familiar quest structure, a few unexpected twists add complexity and intrigue, keeping the story engaging.
This book serves as a prequel to ‘Ashwood & Brimstone’, which I’ve also read. It works perfectly as a standalone story—you don’t need to read ‘Ashwood & Brimstone’ to understand and enjoy it. However, ‘Of Greed and Glory’ adds rich context to the other book that enhances its narrative. Both novels complement each other beautifully, but they can be read independently without losing the integrity of either story.
I am a big fan of Olivier’s work and am anticipating the next book within the Tales of Caryinthia series.
January 7, 2025
Plot: 5
Characters: 5
Writing: 4.5
Entertainment: 4.5
Method: Kindle (free at time of reading)
I love a quest. This book almost felt like a DND one-shot with the main quest, side quests, monster encounters, magical elements, dungeons, traps, and general tomfoolery. The main character, Bellona has a very interesting gender-neutral vibe that I could see a lot of readers being able to empathize with once you get past the general drunken Jack Sparrow vibes. She was super strong and sassy, and I loved her dynamics with all of the different characters. The other characters also had so much personality.
The only reason I debate whether to rate this 4 or 5 stars is just because the pacing seemed off to me. In the book’s defense, I’m also reading literally like 6 other books right now, and nothing’s really able to catch my attention. But I’ve been reading this book for almost two months now, and it seems like every time I picked it up I could only read 5-10 pages before I got distracted by something else. That being said, it’s currently 1:33am (I have to wake up for work in 5 hours 😭) and I just powered through 30% of the book in one sitting. So it truly could have just been a Me Thing, lol.
Overall, this book was super fun, and I would recommend it to anybody who likes the Quest for a Magical Artifact trope!
Characters: 5
Writing: 4.5
Entertainment: 4.5
Method: Kindle (free at time of reading)
I love a quest. This book almost felt like a DND one-shot with the main quest, side quests, monster encounters, magical elements, dungeons, traps, and general tomfoolery. The main character, Bellona has a very interesting gender-neutral vibe that I could see a lot of readers being able to empathize with once you get past the general drunken Jack Sparrow vibes. She was super strong and sassy, and I loved her dynamics with all of the different characters. The other characters also had so much personality.
The only reason I debate whether to rate this 4 or 5 stars is just because the pacing seemed off to me. In the book’s defense, I’m also reading literally like 6 other books right now, and nothing’s really able to catch my attention. But I’ve been reading this book for almost two months now, and it seems like every time I picked it up I could only read 5-10 pages before I got distracted by something else. That being said, it’s currently 1:33am (I have to wake up for work in 5 hours 😭) and I just powered through 30% of the book in one sitting. So it truly could have just been a Me Thing, lol.
Overall, this book was super fun, and I would recommend it to anybody who likes the Quest for a Magical Artifact trope!
March 6, 2025
If you love a Pirates of the Caribbean meets Indiana Jones high-stakes fast-paced adventure! This one is for you!
This story was a quick read, it's a novella that can be read before or after the authors first book Ashwood & Brimstone. I have already read Ashwood & Brimstone and loved that, but I will say reading Ashwood first and then Of Greed and Glory hit me sooooo much harder than I think it would hit if you read the novella first.
This story kept me at the edge of my seat every chapter and kept me up until 4am last night finishing and thinking about the ending. If you've read Ashwood then you'll know what I mean.
This book is also great for pirate and sea enthusiasts and also readers looking for a slow-burn romance with a little bit of spice. Have fun!
This story was a quick read, it's a novella that can be read before or after the authors first book Ashwood & Brimstone. I have already read Ashwood & Brimstone and loved that, but I will say reading Ashwood first and then Of Greed and Glory hit me sooooo much harder than I think it would hit if you read the novella first.
This story kept me at the edge of my seat every chapter and kept me up until 4am last night finishing and thinking about the ending. If you've read Ashwood then you'll know what I mean.
This book is also great for pirate and sea enthusiasts and also readers looking for a slow-burn romance with a little bit of spice. Have fun!
January 8, 2025
So much happens in this fast-paced adventure!
Read this if you like headstrong FMCs, adventure at sea, booby traps, masses of action, a myriad of interesting characters, and hot morally ambiguous elves.
You don't have to have read Ashwood and Brimstone first, but I really think you should.
Read this if you like headstrong FMCs, adventure at sea, booby traps, masses of action, a myriad of interesting characters, and hot morally ambiguous elves.
You don't have to have read Ashwood and Brimstone first, but I really think you should.
January 27, 2025
Method: kindle
This novella is a quick fast paced read!!
I couldn’t put it down, I actually devoured it!!!
Fast paced adventure, I loved the quest, loved the hot elves.
Would love to read more it was awesome
May 17, 2025
This was a really fun adventure. Ballona is an enjoyable character to follow as she deals with both her quest and personal demons. The world and characters were great and the story was engaging throughout.
July 11, 2025
I have been craving more epic fantasy/ adventure lately and this was the perfect read. I couldn’t put it down and loved Bellonas’ character, seeing the way her relationships with other characters and her mindset changed throughout the novel was really interesting and the ending!!!
January 24, 2025
This novella was such a fun, quick read! Well done 🙂
March 20, 2025
2.5 but rounded up. It was fine. Well written but not for me
October 20, 2025
Of Greed and Glory is a refreshing fantasy novel that skilfully avoids common tropes through thoughtful character development and immersive world-building. This fast-paced adventure is packed with action and intrigue from start to finish. The story’s pacing is excellent, featuring distinct and authentic characters such as Bellona, whose nuanced portrayal of trauma and addiction adds significant depth and realism.
While the plot follows a familiar quest structure, unexpected twists keep the narrative compelling. Fans of headstrong female main characters, sea adventures, booby traps, abundant action, a myriad of interesting characters, and morally ambiguous elves will find much to enjoy. The world-building and characterisation are expertly crafted, ensuring the story remains engaging throughout.
The intricate relationships between characters further enrich the narrative, making each confrontation and alliance feel meaningful. As the journey unfolds, readers will become immersed in a richly woven tapestry of intrigue and emotion, eager to discover how each character’s arc resolves.
While the plot follows a familiar quest structure, unexpected twists keep the narrative compelling. Fans of headstrong female main characters, sea adventures, booby traps, abundant action, a myriad of interesting characters, and morally ambiguous elves will find much to enjoy. The world-building and characterisation are expertly crafted, ensuring the story remains engaging throughout.
The intricate relationships between characters further enrich the narrative, making each confrontation and alliance feel meaningful. As the journey unfolds, readers will become immersed in a richly woven tapestry of intrigue and emotion, eager to discover how each character’s arc resolves.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews