Greed of Giants

by Angela J. Ford

A forbidden love. A sleeping fire god. A scholar who dares to wake him.

Exiled for breaking too many rules, scholar Ilaris is sent to catalog the forgotten runes of the fire giants, a race erased from history.

Then the earth splits open.

She awakens Killian: a chained fire giant prince, furious, achingly beautiful, and dangerous enough to destroy kingdoms. His touch burns. His freedom could end the world. And a blood oath has bound them together on an impossible quest.

But the one thing they both crave—to touch—is the one thing that could destroy them.

And desire is not the only danger waking beneath the earth.

Killian is only the beginning.

Ancient powers are waking. The gates are weakening. And the Unmaking are coming.

Bound by magic and forbidden desire, Ilaris and Killian must choose what they are willing to sacrifice and whether love is worth burning for.

For readers who love slow-burn yearning, forbidden fantasy romance, mortal/immortal romance, elemental magic, mythology-rich world-building, morally gray heroes, fierce heroines, and impossible quests with heart-wrenching stakes.

Greed of Giants is Book One in the Forbidden Bonds Collection. A multi-author fantasy romance collection where forbidden love, fire magic, and high-stakes danger collide. Featuring standalone romantasy adventures with smoldering tension, impossible choices, elemental magic, and lovers who should never be together. Each book is a standalone and can be read in any order.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Mythology, Fantasy Romance, Adult, Slow Burn

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 7, 2026

About the author

Angela J. Ford is a bestselling fantasy romance author who writes mortal × immortal forbidden romance featuring Black heroines in worlds where gothic cinema meets fantasy.

Angela's standalone novels deliver steamy yearning, atmospheric world-building, and complete emotional satisfaction in one book. No cliffhangers. No waiting years for sequels. No series commitment required.

Perfect for readers who love the ache of mortal/immortal romance, want meaningful Black representation in fantasy, and prefer complete standalone stories over multi-book series commitments.

When she's not crafting fantasy romance worlds, Angela can be found with her nose in a book, curating romantasy book boxes for readers, or exploring new ways to bring her stories to life through signed editions and immersive book experiences.

Visit her website (angelajford.com) for signed hardcovers, exclusive book boxes and luxe bookish candles.

Reviews

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was quite a surprise and I’ll never regret reading it 😭😭😭
💫 BOOK REVIEW 💫

No supero el hecho de que este libro tenga solo 280 páginas porque Angela Ford consigue meter en tan poco espacio más emoción, tensión y desarrollo de personajes que muchas novelas el doble de largas.

Me enganchó desde el principio, pero lo que realmente me conquistó fue la combinación de un banter brillante, un yearning exquisitamente doloroso y una prosa tan bonita que varias veces tuve que releer párrafos solo para disfrutarlos otra vez 🖤🖤

✨ TROPES:
❤️‍🔥Slow burn
😭Yearning
🤯Romantic tension
😜Witty banter
❤️‍🩹Characters you can't stop thinking about

Este ha sido mi primer libro de Angela Ford y puedo asegurar que no será el último. Si el resto de sus historias están escritas con este nivel de cuidado y sensibilidad, necesito leerlas todas.

¡¡Por favor, añadirlo a vuestros TBRs ya!! ¿Cuál has sido la última historia que os ha tenido enganchadas?💌
———————————————————————————-

I genuinely cannot believe this book is only 280 pages long. Angela Ford managed to pack so much emotion, tension, and character work into such a short story that it felt far bigger than its page count.

What stood out the most for me was the balance between the sharp banter, the aching yearning, and a writing style that completely pulled me in from the very first page. 🖤🖤

✨ TROPES:
❤️‍🔥Slow burn
😭Yearning
🤯Romantic tension
😜Witty banter
❤️‍🩹Characters you can't stop thinking about

This was my first Angela Ford book, but it definitely won't be my last. If this is the standard she sets, I can already tell I'm going to be working my way through her entire backlist.

💌 Please add this one to your TBR immediately.
What's the last book that had you completely hooked?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
.

[Maria Elena | pagesofmaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want a Prince of Giants who tells me things like “I want to kiss you because the words that come from your mouth are sweet and beautiful.”

Greed of Giants is Greek Mythology Forbidden Fantasy Romance standalone featuring slow-burn yearning, mythology-rich world-building and a mortal/immortal romance between a sleeping fire god and the scholar who wakes him.

Exiled for breaking too many rules, scholar Ilaris is sent to catalog the forgotten runes of the fire giants, a race erased from history. Then the earth splits open and she awakens Killian, chained fire giant prince, furious, achingly beautiful, and dangerous enough to destroy kingdoms. His touch burns. His freedom could end the world. And a blood oath has bound them together on an impossible quest to wake the other princes and find three ancient relics to stop the Unmaking once and for all.

I loved the mythology in this book, to the point that it made me sad to know that the age of giants was gone. The simple act of the princes waking up from their long slumber made me feel things. Killian and Ilaris were great protagonists to follow through this journey. He’s a man haunted by guilt who just wants to right his wrongs, while Ilaris is intelligent, brave, with a strong moral compass and so much compassion. Together, they make a great power couple, though I would have liked for them to have a slower burn.

The ending left me staring at the ceiling for a long while. I was not expecting it. While I like to think that things will be okay eventually, I would have loved to have a true a happy ending on paper just to put my heart at ease.

Here are some tropes!
Forbidden Love
Lord of the Rings vibes
Greek Mythology
Interracial Romance
Mortal x Immortal
Forced Proximity
Fire Magic

Thank you to the author for sending me an eARC. Opinions are my own.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story will stay with me! From the first page, and the cover art, I was invested in this journey. This is a plot heavy story with some open door romance that fades to black, but there is plenty of yearning throughout.This is a standalone that could've easily been a duology.

[BookishVibesClub · Rating 4 out of 5]

ALL THE YEARNING! You get an academic FMC studying the history of giants… and she accidentally awakens one hidden deep in protected ruins.
I really enjoyed this book with the adventure and the bonded yearning between the MCs. The FMC is likable and I kept saying one more chapter just to see how the next fateful event would unfold for her. I loved the dynamic between the FMC and MMC, how their connection and feelings grew. How they worked together on this quest. And the character growth they both experienced.

The pull between them is instant but you get the tension of them trying to not give in… until they do 🫠

This is a fast paced story that builds the world through the main character’s experiences. This is more modern day world with ancient magic coming to life. So the world building is the history and the power of the giants. I felt the world was built well in a standalone high fantasy like this. I really enjoyed this and would have loved for this to be a series giving each event along the quest more time to immerse in the gravity of it.

This feels like a Jack & the Beanstalk x Revelation inspired romantasy.

❤️‍🔥 Scholar x Giant
❤️‍🔥 Ancient Magic
❤️‍🔥 Yearning
❤️‍🔥 Mortal x Immortal
❤️‍🔥 Mythology based world building
❤️‍🔥 Elemental Powers
❤️‍🔥 High Stakes Quest
❤️‍🔥 Fast paced story
❤️‍🔥 Protective Romance
❤️‍🔥 Forced Proximity
❤️‍🔥 Bittersweet Ending
❤️‍🔥 Sacrificial Love


.5🌶️ (door cracked open, technically happens on page but details fade to black)
Mild Language

[Alacyia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

This book is a standalone closed-door romantasy. Ilaris is as apprentice scholar who, as punishment, is sent away to the ruins of the former land of the giants. She sent there to study the ruins and hopefully, albeit unlikely, discover something within the ruins that would bring her back one the good graces of the scholars. In her exploration, she does something that changes everything. She wakes up a dormant giant, Prince Killian.

Prince Killian is awakened after thousands of years as punishment for digging to deep and almost unleashing a threat to all living beings. Killian is determined to contain the threat he almost unleashed on the world but he needs the scholar to do it. The world he knew is no more and he needs Ilaris to help him navigate this new world so he can hopefully awaken the giants of the other kingdoms. This book follows their journey.

I really wanted more from this book. First off, Killian is supposed to be a giant. He was only like a head and shoulders taller than Ilaris. That is not giant. Killian clearly didn’t think favorably of humans but his hostility towards Ilaris, initially, was weird and unwarranted. He treated her as if she caused the threat to the world. Ilaris, in her quest to redeem herself, agrees to travel the world with someone so openly hostile towards her. A large part of this authors writing style is for the characters to talk a lot about their inner feelings especially regarding how they feel about the other. It doesn’t really sell the chemistry these two are supposed to have for each other. The love really isn’t believable to me. They have these moments of lust for one another but noting really happened, to me, that made the love fluid. On top of that, the journey didn’t really make much sense. They had a small window to reach the former giant kingdoms to get help with the demon threat. It seems as if they traversed the entire world, mostly overland walking, in a matter of weeks.

I really wanted to like this book and author enough to possibly read more of her books but I’m just not sure. The cover art to her books may make me try one more of her books.

[Kkaaccyy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐
Okay this was definitely different from the authors normal writing style! I definitely was not prepared for how this was going to end which was a good thing, however, I still did not feel the connection with the main characters. I love them individually but for some reason together I still could not grasp the chemistry. All in all still very enjoyable! Definitely had me lost for words at the end

[Sofi Mascaró · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you so much to Once upon a book tours and the author for the early copy!! all opinions are my own!!

i went in with low expectations but i finished it with a very satisfied smile.
this one really is a romantasy, because the desire and the need are almost "love at first sight," which kind of annoyed me at first and then i was like "eh, i would fall for a fire giant, too. specially is he was like that 😍😍" if you don't like books that happen during travelling, then this one is not for you because it involves a loooot of travelling and at one point i was afraid nothing would be resolved because of the lenght of the book. but it turned out to be really spaced out, with the drama unfolding in the middle with a nice speed. it wasn't necesarily spicy, which i aprove, and i love how the characters really accepted their failings and become better people. my only complain is that sometimes the monologues are kinda long and there were moments i had no idea who was speaking, but it showed their character arc a bit better.
i really enjoyed it, specially because i wasn't expecting that ending 😱😱 i hope i can read more from this author soon!

[Chiara | wordsbychiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the gifted eARC. Opinions are my own.

Greed of Giants is the first book in a multi-author collection of romantasy standalones focused on fire magic and forbidden romance!

It follows Ilaris, an exiled scholar who awakens a fire giant prince and is bound to him by magic.

This is a fun, adventurous story brimming with magic, mythology and exquisite yearning! Experiencing the world through Killian's eyes felt especially nostalgic, and I adored the interactions with Ilaris. She really brings out the best in our fire giant prince with her bravery, selflessness and strong will.

However, I was expecting a slower burn for the romance and more tension, but things develop rather quickly between the two despite the added obstacle of Killian’s fire. I also was not expecting the ending to be quite so bittersweet.

You'll love this story if you enjoy:
💕 Slow burn yearning
💕 Forbidden romance
💕 Mortal x Immortal romance
💕 Elemental magic
💕 Greek Mythology
💕 Quests with high stakes

[Lauren Nash · Rating 4 out of 5]

this one surprised me in the best way.

ilaris is an exiled scholar sent to catalog forgotten ruins, and she ends up waking killian, a chained fire giant prince whose touch could kill her. a blood oath binds them together, and from there it’s a quest to stop something much bigger than either of them.

what stood out:
🔥 forbidden mortal x immortal romance
📜 mythology-rich world building
⚡ their connection builds fast but feels earned by the end
🗝️ high stakes, impossible-quest energy
💔 a hero carrying real guilt, and it shows
🌶️ closed door romance

the ending is what really got me. no easy fixes, just two people deciding what they’re willing to give up for each other. it’s not your typical tidy HEA, and that’s exactly why it’s stayed with me since I finished it.

if you like standalone romantasy with real emotional weight behind the ending, this one’s worth picking up. 🖤

[Sasa]

"the sound of wind moving through rocks, or breath through wood."

"the morning mist parted, displaying the dock that stretched into the gray water like a finger pointing."

"the rhythmic splash of the oars. the brine of salt and water. the musty scent of grass. a wetness clinging to the air and. . .there. a hint of something ancient. it was peppery, almost spicy, and tickled my nose. but that wasn't all. sound rolled up from underneath the waters, a melodic whisper, something like music but not quite."

"then i felt it. a presence. something was following me."

"wind moved through the stones with a low, hollow note, like breath."

"here is where they once walked. giants. the great intellectuals of that day. as close to gods as any race could be."

"at the bottom, a ring of mountains rose in the distance [...]"

"a shape rose from the ground [...]"

"was it the wind moving through the stones to create it?"

"it rose like an impregnable mountain, towering out of sight."

"they were fiery gold. blazing. staring directly at me."

"i. . .it was a gift and i thought. . .better to wear it in case. . ."

(insert video of miley cyrus screaming, "WHAT DOES IT MEAN?!?!")

dnf 17%. i really wanted to have a good time but this was a slog to try to get through. for something that's supposed to be "mythology-rich", there is no worldbuilding, no character development, and nothing happens except wind in rocks??? "stone" was written 159 times, "wind" showed up 64 times, and "rose" 54 times. i don't need to hear how the wood is breathing or see the phrase "house of scholars" for the 10th time in two chapters without explanation. i'm fine with the book telling readers things but there wasn't even anything of significance to tell. irrelevant details were painfully described without purpose and repeated ad nauseam.

maybe this is a "porn without plot" type of novel but even then, it's not written well and by 5% i stopped caring. after giving it almost 20%, i skipped around and the passages i read were also a whole lot of nothing. also why. are sentences broken up. in 3's like this constantly?? and WHY are ellipses written with spaces in between periods like ". . ."??? not to mention, he kept being described as "giant" and she was so itty bitty teeny weeny. at least one of these awful mechanics were used in every paragraph and it made me physically recoil.

tl;dr: this reads like an unedited first draft. it desperately needed many rounds of rewriting and needed to involve multiple people for peer editing. the book should have been condensed to focus on its weaknesses: worldbuilding, plot, and character development.

thank you angela j ford for the arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

----

cover artist: natalie bernard

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greed of Giants by Angela J. Ford gave me everything I love about classic fantasy: an immersive world, mythology, adventure, magic, and that epic quest feeling that immediately pulled me in.

It had those old-school fantasy vibes that reminded me why I fell in love with the genre in the first place, while still feeling like its own story!

[Deb Wieskamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this paranormal romance story. The two main characters went through considerable changes personally in their search quest to close the rift. They started out being rather selfish having their own agendas in the search to having empathy for civilizations and willing to sacrifice themselves for that cause. I have to mention Jasper the dog/hellhound was a humorous addition to the plot.

[Cassandra Jerido · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT!!!!

Kudos to Ms. Ford for a well written book. It had everything, suspense, drama, and of course romance. I did not want the book to end it was so good.

[Jessica Martinez · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Greed of Giants** by Angela J. Ford was one of my most anticipated reads, largely because of the representation, and I was excited to dive into its unique blend of mythology, fantasy, and romance.

The story starts off strong with Laris, who is punished for exposing one of the wealthy and powerful families in her world. Her punishment sends her to catalog the forgotten runes of the Fire Giants—a race that has been erased from history. Things quickly become interesting when she accidentally releases a Fire Giant prince, Killian, setting off a chain of events that awakens ancient powers, weakens the gates between worlds, and threatens the arrival of the Unmaking.

Unfortunately, this is where the story began to lose me. The plot follows Laris and Killian as they embark on a quest to free his fellow giants in hopes of preventing catastrophe, but along the way the story becomes increasingly muddled. Between the guardians, Lady Justice, ancient prophecies, and the larger conflict, I found it difficult to stay fully invested. There were a lot of moving pieces, and at times the narrative felt overwhelmed by its own ambitions.

My biggest disappointment, however, was the romance. As someone who loves mythological fantasy romances, I was expecting much more from the relationship between Laris and Killian. There is an undeniable connection between them from the start, and the story hints at something deeper—almost a fated mates type of bond. But the romance never quite develops in the way I hoped. I kept waiting for the tension to build, for the emotional payoff, for the declarations and yearning that make these stories so satisfying, but it never fully arrived.

The ending also wasn't what I expected. While not every story needs a traditional happily-ever-after, I finished the book feeling somewhat unsatisfied by both the romantic and overall story arcs.

That said, I did appreciate the representation, the intriguing premise, and the mythology-inspired worldbuilding. There are definitely elements here that will work for readers who enjoy epic fantasy adventures and higher-stakes mythology-driven stories.

Overall, **Greed of Giants** was a solid 3-star read for me. It had a promising beginning and some interesting ideas, but ultimately the romance and plot execution didn't quite deliver what I was hoping for.

*I received an advance reader copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*

[Aly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts!

That single-minded focus on accomplishments and recognition. She wanted the world to know who she was and what she'd done- more importantly, what she'd discovered. - Greed of Giants

I very much enjoyed this book! I liked reading about the two main characters, Ilaris and Killian. As a huge history buff, I found the history of the giants just as fascinating as Ilaris did. I found myself wanting to know more about the lore of the giants and what exactly it was like to live back during their time. One of the characters that definitely stole the entire book for me was Jasper, and if you read it, you'll definitely understand why!

When I started reading this, I genuinely thought that there would be some more build up to Ilaris and Killian, but there definitely was some insta-lust from Ilaris's side. For a while, it seemed very much one-sided, but it eventually played out more.

While I enjoyed the characters and the overall plot of the story, there were a few things that kind of blared at me. One of the things that was a bit much was the pacing of the story. For a standalone, I feel like it should have been longer or put into two books. There was so much that Ilaris and Killian had to do, especially traveling wise, that how it played out was too fast. At some points what should have been a few chapters, just ended up being a few pages, was quickly figured out, and was moved on from. Usually I'm on the other side where books are too slow, but this one was too fast. While the tropes say Lord of the Rings vibes, I definitely did not get any from that (especially as a LOTR nerd).

I also just had issues with how the world building was in general. I was super into the lore in the beginning, but it just kind of fell off in favor of the fast paced plot, and I genuinely was sad that I couldn't learn anything else about the world, historical or in the present time.

One of the other things that didn't quite make sense to me was the fact that Ilaris had read from the scroll, but she never continued to read the rest. While she stated she was afraid to, this is the same woman that is a huge scholar, and that is not something that would deter her. I felt like this was such a weird thing from a scholarly character!

Overall, while I did have a few issues with the book, I still very much enjoyed the story!

[unzeniablybookish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC. This review contains my own honest thoughts.

My Rating: 3 / 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐

​The Greed of Giants was a wild ride for me. While I’m leaving this book with mixed feelings, I ultimately had a pretty good time reading it!

​What I loved:
The book is a very fast and smooth read from the very first page. The writing style is lovely, and the formatting and editing were clean, I didn’t spot any typos, which is always a huge plus for an ARC. On top of that, the main characters (Killian and Ilaris) are genuinely likeable. Their chemistry felt real and engaging, which easily kept me hooked and turning the pages.

​Structure, world-building & plot twists:
Where the story fell short for me was the overall consistency in both structure and world-building. Right from the start, there was a noticeable difference between the prologue (written from Killian’s perspective) and the later POV chapter from Ilaris that covers the exact same moment. Having the same scene play out differently depending on the POV felt like a major oversight.

​As the book progressed, the world-building turned into a massive blend of genres It starts out with ancient Greek mythology and giant vibes, but quickly throws in steampunk elements like modern transportation, specific modern drinks, and humming air balloons. There were also very obvious lore parallels to The Lord of the Rings (with an underground setting that felt a bit too much like the Mines of Moria), followed by a literal classic fairy tale trope overnight to reach a 'Sky Kingdom'. It took me out of the story a couple of times.

​Additionally, there was a frustrating plothole in the epilogue involving a character named Scholar Ben. Without giving too much away, the way a certain information exchange was handled made a previous plot point feel a bit pointless, which was a shame for the overall wrap-up.

​The ending:
That being said, I was actually very satisfied with the actual ending for Killian and Ilaris. The emotional and romantic sacrifice they make together (no cheap magical fixes here!) was beautifully done and fit their dynamic perfectly.

​Overall, it’s a fun, easy slump-breaker with great characters, but the structural flaws and chaotic world-building definitely could have used some more consistency.

[Lilith's_Library_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Angela J. Ford for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

Greed of Giants is the kind of fantasy that reminds me why I love the genre. Filled with epic adventure, dangerous secrets, unforgettable characters, and a world brimming with magic, this was a story that completely swept me away from the very first page.

Angela J. Ford has crafted a richly imagined world where ancient legends and looming threats shape every decision the characters make. The world-building is immersive, gradually revealing layers of history, mythology, and mystery that kept me completely invested. Every new revelation raised the stakes, making it impossible not to keep turning the pages.

The characters are wonderfully developed, each carrying their own fears, strengths, and ambitions. Their journeys are filled with impossible choices, personal sacrifices, and moments of triumph that felt genuinely earned. I loved watching the relationships evolve throughout the story, proving that courage isn't the absence of fear—it's choosing to move forward despite it.

One of my favourite aspects of this novel was its balance between epic action and emotional storytelling. The battles are thrilling, the mysteries are compelling, and the quieter moments allow the characters to truly shine. Every victory felt hard-won, every setback carried weight, and I found myself emotionally invested until the very last chapter.

By the time I reached the ending, I was already eager to return to this world. Greed of Giants is an exciting fantasy filled with adventure, heart, and the promise of even greater things to come.

"The greatest monsters aren't always the giants we fear—they're the greed, ambition, and choices that shape who we become."

If you're looking for a fantasy packed with ancient legends, epic quests, powerful magic, and characters who refuse to give up when everything is against them, Greed of Giants deserves a place on your TBR.

✨ Tropes & Themes
🗿 Giants & Ancient Legends
⚔️ Epic Fantasy Adventure
✨ Magic & Mythology
🗺️ Quest Fantasy
👑 Kingdoms in Conflict
🗝️ Hidden Secrets
🤝 Found Family
💖 Character Growth
🔥 High Stakes
📚 Rich World-Building

[pageswithlindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huge thank you to MTMC Tours and Angela J. Ford for gifting me a copy of this book and letting me be a part of the book tour!

I would’ve finished this sooner but I was at prom/wedding fashion week!

Book Blurb;
A forbidden love. A sleeping fire god. A scholar who dares to wake him.
A disgraced scholar awakens a fire giant prince and finds herself bound to the one thing in the world she cannot touch. Perfect for readers who love slow-burn yearning, morally gray heroes, fierce heroines and impossible quests with heart-wrenching stakes.

Greed of Giants is a standalone mythology-inspired Fantasy Romance. Out now & available to read with Kindle Unlimited!

Tropes;
🔥Forbidden love
🔥Immortal x mortal
🔥Quest driven
🔥Smoldering tension
🔥Slow burn romance
🔥Mythology rich

Rating;
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

My Thoughts;
Greed of Giants was such a fun, quick standalone read!

Also can we talk about how gorgeous this book is?!

This book follows Ilaris. A scholar who exposes a dark secret and is forced out of her scholar life. She is given one last chance to prove herself and return to the House of Scholars by traveling to the old giant ruins to collect research for six months.

Things don’t go as planned when she discovers a fire giant prince and demons. After awakening Prince Killian, the two set off on a journey to figure out how to close the demon gates they’ve opened and awaken the other giants to help save the world.

Ilaris was such a strong FMC! She started this journey wanting fame and glory. Watching her character grow and ultimately help save the world was so good. I also really enjoyed Killian as the MMC. I loved seeing his feelings develop throughout the story. Especially when they finally admitted their feelings toward the end 🥹 I loved seeing him go from trying to keep information about the relics from Ilaris to helping her save the world.

And obviously.....my favorite character was Jasper🥺 He was the sweetest little companion. I NEED to know what happened to him!

I really liked the ending! I do wish we knew if Killian and Ilaris awakened again!

Overall I really enjoyed this book! If you’re looking for a quick standalone that gives you Pandora Box vibes with slow burn, forced proximity, mortal x immortal, and mythology, definitely add this one to your TBR! 📖

[Elizabeth Dragina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this book excited for the possibility of high stakes fantasy with a side of romance. Maybe it’s my own fault for setting expectations high?

I was immediately disappointed by the author’s total lack of consistent world building. Then as soon as the characters meet they are in “love” (lusting over each other).

I tried to decipher whether it was part of the magical bond that they shared or something to due with the “awakening” but nothing was ever explained?

There were so many plot holes and unanswered questions. I was left at the end of a chapter wondering what just happened and how that was at all realistic within the world building. Things were way too convenient and it kept giving me the impression it was lazy writing? Not that I ever want to assume or discredit the amount of work an author puts into their book ….. but it seemed to me some good editing would have caught the plot holes.

I did not connect with the characters at all. They “fell in love immediately” and started lusting after each other while at the same time trying to convince themselves they weren’t attracted to the other. There were so many inconsistencies within their characters that I had a hard time understanding how they truly felt about a situation.

The entire story felt like it had no structure. They had a plan and then the plan got changed like 4x. Also can someone explain how they had no map and they were both lost about the exact location of all these “stone frozen giants” but somehow conveniently ended up everywhere they needed to be “on accident”.

The romance felt so rushed and forced and entirely lust driven while the author tried to paint it as “sacrificial love”.

While I did appreciate the end of the story and the overall message I couldn’t connect with the writing or the characters at all. I can’t help but think if the story was flushed out a bit more and gave the characters more time to get from point A to point B it could have been truly magnificent.

*FTC DISCLOSURE* I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are meant to be constructive and not rude. Thank you!

[Sonderous Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ilaris dreams of finding answers that will carry her name across lifetimes. Unfortunately, as an acolyte not yet recognized by the House of Scholars, her research creates more scandal than it does fame and success. Now tasked with the research of rocks and ruins on the Island of Vold, Ilaris hopes to uncover something new about the giants that once lived there. And she does… somehow, through a blood oath and an ancient scroll, Ilaris awakens Killian, the Prince of the Fire giants, whose second-chance at life comes as the harbinger of a fate of fear and fiends. Together, the scholar and the prince must traverse the world and find the means to stop the end before the creatures of the deep claw their way back to the surface. If not, the age of man will end just as the giants had. What price will they pay to stop fate? 


“Greed of Giants” is the first novel of the “Forbidden Bonds” collection. Each book is its own story, celebrating the heartbreaking connections made by the star-crossed. It's clear to see why this book would be the first foray into the collection. Though bound together by fate and blood oaths, Killian and Ilaris are forbidden to touch. The heat of his magic could kill her, devouring her and leaving naught but ash and dust and heartbreak ever after. And the longer they are in each other's company, the harder it is to pull away. While their quest is exciting, it's their emotional journeys that take center stage. I finished this in literal hours because of how close I felt to the characters.


By the time I reached the end of their story, I had grown in ways I hadn't expected. It forced me to face the questions I would have chosen to run from; it asked me to contemplate what I wanted from my future and if it was the same thing that had started me on my journey so long ago. We find ourselves in every book in so many different ways. Ilaris and Killian carried not only their burdens but the fragments of the heroes we were before we had to choose between ourselves and the world. I think I will carry this book with me forever.

[Nova McCormack · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this read. The pacing was quick, and while it's a shorter book, I never felt like anything was sacrificed because of it. The story flowed effortlessly, kept me completely engaged, and I found myself getting swept away in the adventure.

Ilaris is an apprentice at the House of Scholars, but after a scandal leaves her disgraced and on probation, she's sent away for six months to study the runes of the ancient giant gods. She sees it as the perfect opportunity to let the whispers surrounding her fade and hopefully earn back the House's trust.

What she doesn't expect is to discover a mysterious scroll that awakens and blood bonds her to Kilian, Prince of the Fire Giants. Even worse, the magical seals holding the terrifying creatures known as the Unmaking are beginning to weaken. With the world on the brink of disaster, the two must embark on a quest to restore the ancient protections before the Unmaking escapes and destroys everything.

I just love a good quest!! It gave us all the forced proximity, high stakes, elemental magic, and fickle gods. The mythology was especially interesting, and the take on Pandora's box was so smart. If anything, I wanted more of that, but that’s just because I’m selfish and love it all!

What I loved most was the emotional depth woven into the story. Kilian carries the crushing weight of guilt, knowing that his own greed and ambition ultimately led to the downfall of his people. In many ways, Ilaris and Kilian’s journeys mirrored each other. They both longed to prove themselves, to discover more, to be significant, and to leave behind a legacy worth remembering.

Their relationship was a true slow burn, and for good reason. Kilian is literally a fire giant, so getting too close would actually burn Ilaris. It made every moment of yearning feel even more intense, and the tension between them was so worth the wait. I loved watching their reluctant alliance build into something real, something easy, and something inevitable.

The story didn't unfold the way I expected, but I loved where it ended up. It was the perfect conclusion for these characters, bringing their journey to a heartfelt and memorable close.

Thank you so much to Angela J Ford for this gifted ecopy!!

[Magpie's Reading Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Thank you Angela J. Ford for this ARC. All opinions are my own.***

Never judge a book by its cover.

I did not follow that advice, judged this book by its cover, and was rewarded with an incredible five-star read.

Angela J. Ford creates a vibrant world in this standalone story. Using the myth of Pandora’s Box along with sprinklings of biblical tales, she creates a romance packed full of bravery, adventure, and yearning. Greed of Giants is a memorable tale about the painful reminder of chasing greed and atoning for our sins at any cost.

The varying landscapes - from fields of flowers to the depths of jungles and the barren landscape of an ancient society destructed - allowed me to envision myself standing alongside Ilaris and Killian exploring the world.

I especially loved Ilaris’ character: her family history, the way she has not allowed the trauma of her past to change who she is, the way she chased her dreams instead of giving in to the depths of grief. I adored the fact that she was a scholar, not a fighter, using her wits to gain the advantage instead of trying to fight.

And Killian’s character, wracked with grief and wielding powers that threatened to burn everything in his wake, proved both memorable and thought-provoking. Especially as the story went on, seeing his grief change, watching him grow and become something more than his destruction, was inspiring.

Greed of Giants is a wonderful romance full of twists and turns, love and loss. I could not put it down, no matter what, and finished it in a day. I wish there were a sequel, only because I loved the world and the characters, but it functions as a perfect standalone. Bravo, Angela Ford, you have a new reader of your work.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing tale between a scholar who seeks recognition and a fire giant who had sought greed and brought destruction upon his race.

Ilaris had a poor beginning in life and sought knowledge in the House of Scholars. After sharing truth about a situation about a powerful family, she is sent into the field to translate runes for the next six months as penance and her membership. As she visits the ruins on the island, she discovers a scroll and reads from the old language, and awakens a fire giant.

Killian and Ilaris, who are now blood bound, must journey to awaken four other giant princes to seal the door before the Unmaking is leashed upon the mortals. Through this journey the attraction between the two is evident, but she is unable to touch him, as his fire can burn her.

The both come to understand and learn to forgive themselves and learn what loving the other means. Their love is what allows Killian to change heart and help Ilaris to seek the relics that will help to bring salvation to the mortal realm, but the price will be their ulimate sacrifice.

I will say this was a touching book and focused on the character development. They each had growth to achieve, past acts to bury, and love to accept. I did not predict the ending and I my heart wish it had ended differently. But, at the same time, I think it was the best ending for this story.

TROPES: slow burn yearning, forbidden love, mortal x immortal, elemental magic, mythology rich world building, morally gray heroes, fierce heroines, quest driven

[Drie Corley · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨✨✨ 3 Stars

This one was such a mixed bag for me, but I still had a good time reading it.

The Greed of Giants had me hooked right away. The writing is super easy to get into, the pacing moves quickly, and Killian and Ilaris were definitely the highlight for me. Their chemistry kept me turning the pages, and I really wanted to see where their story would go.

The Greek mythology inspiration mixed with giants was such a cool concept, and I loved the ambition behind the world. That being said… there were a lot of different fantasy elements thrown into the mix. At times it felt like Greek mythology, epic fantasy, steampunk, and fairy tale vibes were all competing for attention, which made the world feel a little overwhelming and occasionally pulled me out of the story.

I also wish the romance had packed a bit more of an emotional punch. The connection between Killian and Ilaris was there, but I kept waiting for those heart-fluttering, tension-filled moments that never quite reached the level I was hoping for.

Even with a few plot inconsistencies and a wrap-up that left me wanting a little more, I still enjoyed the adventure and appreciated how unique the premise was. If you love mythology-inspired fantasy, giant lore, magical quests, and don’t mind a world that’s a little ambitious, this one is still worth checking out.

✨ Overall: not a new favorite, but definitely an entertaining fantasy that had some really strong moments—and I’d still be interested in seeing where Angela J. Ford takes this world next.

[Charlie Mouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review - 4.5 stars

This is so not something I would normally pick up, but apparently I need to start trusting books that make me question my life choices because this had me hooked from page one.

Also, I think this wins the award for the weirdest opening chapter I've read so far, in the best way possible. No notes.

I loved the representation, the constant yearning (seriously, these two had me suffering right alongside them), and the whole feeling of getting completely lost in this world. The elemental magic was so much fun, the morally grey characters were actually morally grey, and Ilaris was exactly the kind of heroine I love reading about.

Then there's Killian, a chained fire giant prince who's equal parts terrifying and "I can fix him." (I could not fix him. Kudos to Ilaris.)

The premise is honestly so cool. Exiled scholar Ilaris is sent to catalogue the forgotten runes of the long-erased fire giants, accidentally wakes up Killian, gets magically bound to him through a blood oath, and suddenly they're off on a quest that basically nobody asked for, while trying very hard not to touch each other. Peak slow-burn torture.

The sacrifices everyone had to make really hit, and I was way more emotionally invested than I expected to be.

If you're into:

slow-burn yearning
forbidden romance
mortal × immortal
elemental magic
morally grey characters
fierce heroines

I'd definitely recommend giving this one a shot.

I'd 100% reread this, and the paperback has officially earned a spot on my wishlist.

[Sixella MK · Rating 4 out of 5]

July 2026 Small Business BookTok ARC Reviews (BookFable Edition): “Greed of Giants” by Angela J. Ford

Note: This ARC was given to me for free by the author and I am reviewing this book voluntarily.

"The one thing they want most..Could destroy them both!” - Angela J. Ford

Jump back into the magical world of the Fordiverse as “Tower Knights” series author Angela J. Ford presents the first installment in the author-collaborated Fantasy Romance series “Forbidden Bonds”! Join Illaris, a scholar tasked to deliver a mysterious scroll, and Killian, the former ruler of the Fire Giants she accidentally awakened from his stone statue state, as they go on an adventure to prevent a world-ending disaster all while trying to fight the forbidden, growing chemistry they feel for each other! It’s Ford’s signature whimsical, tension-filled storytelling combined with the Greek mythological tale of “Pandora’s Box,” a “Lord of the Rings” atmosphere, and an unexpected twist ending that will have your jaw dropping to the floor! Ready to get immersed in this brand new Romantasy series? Then don’t miss out on this book when it hits online shelves on July 7, 2026!

Rating: 4/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tropes: Fantasy Romance, Greek Mythology Retelling, Interracial Romance, Mortal Scholar FMC x Immortal Fire Giant MMC, Forbidden Romance, Forced Proximity, Fire Magic, Magical Animal Sidekick, Mysterious Magic Scroll, Giants, Gods & Goddesses, and Cryptic Prophecy!

[Bess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not an HEA.
Gotta get that out there first.
The story was well written. It was as if Pandora had to pull all the evil back into the box after accidentally releasing it.
All Ilaris wants is to be recognized for some monumental discovery. After publishing a truthful article that endangers the elite, she's sent to the furthest reaches to research the lost Giants. And she opens the "box."
Killian is the prince of the Fire Giants. Trapped in stone for his relentless greed and desire for accolades. While searching for more, he stumbled upon the Unraveling. Creatures of darkness intent on total destruction.
Ilaris releases Killian, and now the two are bonded and have to save the world together. No honor, no glory, and their names won't even be remembered.
Are they ready to make that sacrifice?! Would you?
Content: mentions of drug use, on-page sex (not descriptive), clothes removed, adult language, magic, slow burn, we see all the types of Giants that once ruled the land, selflessness, and redemption. And the most adorable hellhound named...guess what?! Jasper! Yep! 3rd book in a row with a Jasper for me!
I'm really torn about how to rate this story. On the one hand, it was very imaginative and creative!
On the other hand, it had elements I would rather not read. The reason I won't read book 2.
I find in my reading that Angela really walks a very tight line between no-low spice and spicy. To me, I would like the divide to be wider because I like her stories.

[Shawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greed of Giants
3.75⭐️

Ilaris is a scholar who is trying to make a name for herself after being exiled for speaking the truth of powerful individuals. She’s been sent to catalog forgotten ruins when she accidentally awakens Killian, a the fire giant Prince. A blood oath soon binds them, as they go on a journey together. This quest will take them across the land to hunt for objects that will suppress the Unmaking from ruining the world as they know it.

This book caught my attention with the idea of being somewhat Greek inspired with the idea of “Pandora’s Box” and the presence of gods and giants. There were many aspects I really enjoyed about this book. The concept was interesting, it started off great with world building, and the romance was a large factor, but not overpowering. I was looking for a faster paced story and short chapters, which this also checked boxes for.

I do wish the world building would’ve remained strong throughout the story. The romance is more insta-lust than slow burn. There are moments that feel rushed at times due to the idea of skipped time as they are traveling. This book could’ve easily been longer, or a duology. However, I feel like there was a decent story told within the pages.

Thank you Angela J Ford and Storygram Tours for a copy of this book.

[Kandee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoy this as a myth versus a romantasy. Ilaris and Killian were brought together because both were punished for their ambitions. As a result they needed to go on several epic quests in order to solve the problem they created. Along the way, they learn and that sometimes a personal sacrifice benefits the greater good.

As a standalone romance their attraction is obviously sparked because Killian had been encased in stone for thousands of years so the desire for female companionship makes sense. There is also an implied connection in that others were sent on this task before but she was able to “succeed” where others had failed. The author writes beautiful prose to describe their feelings in the moment, especially toward each other.

I also appreciate the author’s limited and respectful intimacy scenes.

Only had a couple critiques. I appreciate the world that she created. I believe that The Four could have been explained a better, especially since the elementals were very detailed. I assumed that they were The Four Horsemen of the apocalypse. But since it’s a series they may appear later. Also, our MMC is an older immortal but his civilization isn’t much different than the time he woke up in. Like, the FMC didn’t have to explain much because he already knew.

I enjoyed Greed of Giants very much.

[Stephanie Rhamstine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. It leaned much more into the characters than the romance, and I think that's what made it so memorable. Watching both Ilaris and Killian grow, face the mistakes of their pasts, and learn to accept love felt incredibly rewarding. Their development was the heart of this story, and I found myself invested in both of their journeys.
The world-building was another standout. Angela J. Ford created a rich world full of ancient legends, forgotten history, elemental magic, and looming danger. Every new piece of the puzzle revealed something bigger, and I loved slowly uncovering the mysteries alongside the characters.
I also have to mention the ending because I absolutely did not see it coming. My heart wanted something different, but after sitting with it, I really think it was the right ending for this story. It was bittersweet, emotional, and fit everything these characters had been through.
If you're looking for a romantasy with immersive world-building, strong character development, forbidden love, and emotional stakes, I definitely recommend giving this one a chance.