The White King's Favorite by Jenny Fox Review

Genre: Fantasy/Romance

Total length: 100 chapters + 3 epilogues

Writer: Jenny Fox

Update status: Completed

Synopsis: The powerful Dragon Empire has been in a long-lasting enmity with the Eastern Kingdom. This fact would have made it impossible for the royal families of both nations to ever cross paths, but fate had other plans for Princess Cessilia and Prince Ashen (fashioned as "The White King").

Author Introduction | Jenny Fox

Jenny Fox is a French writer born in 1994 in Paris. Harry Potter was the first novel she ever read, being only six years of age. This early reading experience was instrumental in her desire to write. So far, she has authored 13 stories, including the one we're currently reviewing ("The White King's Favorite.")

Theme: From Enemies to Favorites

The enemy-to-lover theme has been revisited time and time again, and this novel follows this same trope, though with an interesting twist. The main characters in this tale are from two initially opposing factions, though they only knew about each other by way of distant references.

Furthermore, the relationship between the two gets off on the wrong foot. The moment they meet is quite awkward, as the Princess learns she has to contend with other candidates upon arriving.

Characters: The White King, the Favorite, and the Sidekicks

Cessilia and the White King are the stars of the show here, but we're also presented with a myriad of other complex characters worth exploring. Let's describe some of the most relevant, starting with the leads.

Princess Cessilia

Princess Cessilia is the War God's new favorite daughter and not someone to mess with. She has the strength to command legions of dragons and is exactly what the White King needs to save his failing Kingdom. Nevertheless, despite these traits, she also has an air of serenity and kindness which contrast with the White King's initially heartless demeanor.

Ashen the White

The White King is a handsome young man who sat on the throne during one of the weakest points in the Eastern Kingdom's history. Behind the nice looks lies a very rough and cold-blooded man with a very rude attitude. The moniker "The White King" is owed to his luscious white hair.

Other Characters

· Cassandra: Cessilia's mother, a simple-looking woman adored like a living Goddess in the Dragon Empire (more specifically, as the Water Goddess). She has a very lightweight personality and is quick to drop useless protocols.

· Tessa: Cessi's cousin, known for her free-spirited nature. She's highly protective of Cessilia, even though both have roughly the same age.

· Jisel: An attractive red-haired woman and, presumably, the "White King's" attendant. She's not necessarily evil, though she has made her fair share of bad choices in life.

· The Yekara Leader: One of the main villains in the story.

Point of View: The White King's Favorite

The story in "The White King's Favorite" is told from the point of view of a nameless narrator wholly alienated from the events but who knows every one of their details.

Plot: The White King in Danger

Things in the Eastern Kingdom have not been worse. Civil wars, famine, and constant revolts have taken a huge toll on its stability. This has driven the White King to the brink of utter despair and in need of a strong partner.

In a desperate attempt to salvage this terrible situation, his close advisor, Yassim the Wise, humbly approached the Water Goddess (the title given to the Imperial Princess of the Dragon Empire) with the purpose of proposing a marriage arrangement between the King and one of her daughters.

The one who drew his attention the most was Cessilia. She had the markings of a great warrior, with a tall, slender physique combined with a bit of muscle and not devoid of beauty. He invited her to the castle to meet the King, an invitation she enthusiastically accepted (to his surprise).

Back from the Dead?

Upon arriving with her cousin Tessa, Cessilia learns a bit more about the new tyrant that governs the Eastern Kingdom. Yassim explains how the Kingdom used to be a republic but that it fell due to social inequalities. The Goddess of Chaos reigned supreme until a former general by the name of Ashtoran took over and established order at the expense of fear. Prince Ashen, Ashtoran's son, was rumored to have been killed, and Ashen the White (believed to be the same Prince who returned from the dead) ascended to the throne sometime later.

The relationship between Cessilia and Ashen faced a rough start, especially since Cessilia wasn't aware she would have to contend with other candidates. Also, the idea of having to mate with a tyrant was already a hard pill to swallow. With time, their bond will grow stronger, and they'll have to battle stronger and more villainous people in the interim.

Our Favorite Chapters

"The White King's Favorite" has a great first chapter with a breathtaking twist at the end of it. This is the part where we get introduced to awe-inspiring dragons. In Chapter 2, we learn about Princess Cassandra's extraordinary ability to control, pet, and ride these dragons at will. This remarkable moment is guaranteed to engross readers immediately.

In Chapter 3, we gain further understanding of Prince Ashen's backdrop and motivations, setting up the stage for the eventual meet-up between him and Cessilia. Later on, in chapters 32 and 33, we witness Ashen's more vulnerable side as he practically implores Cessi for her assistance.

Writing Style in The White King's Favorite

"The White King's Favorite" is written in modern English prose. The language is colorful, and the author doesn't try to adorn the narrative with vacuous or idle wording. The dialogue lines are peculiarly well-crafted, capturing the authenticity and natural flow of spoken language.

Should I Read The White King's Favorite?

"The White King's Favorite" tells a vibrant story with multi-faceted characters, compelling lore, and a spirited writing style. The male lead's character arc is expertly framed, as are the arcs of Cessilia, Cassandra, and the primary antagonists. While many readers might perceive some aspects of the male lead's character traits a tad disappointing, we feel they highlight his relatable nature and "human" side (for lack of a better term).

For all the reasons outlined above and more, "The White King's Favorite" deserves must-read status!

FAQs

Q: Is "The White King's Favorite" a sequel?

A: "The White King's Favorite" is a sequel to "The War God's Favorite," though it features a different set of characters.

Q: Can I read "The White King's Favorite" for free?

A: "The White King's Favorite" is free to read up to chapter 10. The author outlined the reasons for not making the novel available for free here.