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The White Rook
She was built to protect everyone except herself.
Erelle has spent her whole life sharpening the edges of her duty, preparing for a crown that was never truly hers to wear. When the Raven, ancient, ruthless, and rotting beautifully at the edges of her own madness; strips her of everything she was promised and hands it to another, Erelle is left with nothing but the weight of a purpose that no longer has a name.
She tells herself that is enough.
It isn't.
When she finally comes home, she finds one word waiting for her. Beautifully written. Carefully placed. Next to rotting fruit in an empty house.
Soon.
The White Rook is a dark fantasy novella for readers who want their hope served cold, their heroines complicated, and their hearts broken quietly, long after the last page.
Each can be read separately but all interlink with each other.
These Novella's are the stories before the Novels. Many characters you meet within these Novella's will be in the three book series and by reading these you'll be gaining exclusive insight into them and their back stories.
Erelle has spent her whole life sharpening the edges of her duty, preparing for a crown that was never truly hers to wear. When the Raven, ancient, ruthless, and rotting beautifully at the edges of her own madness; strips her of everything she was promised and hands it to another, Erelle is left with nothing but the weight of a purpose that no longer has a name.
She tells herself that is enough.
It isn't.
When she finally comes home, she finds one word waiting for her. Beautifully written. Carefully placed. Next to rotting fruit in an empty house.
Soon.
The White Rook is a dark fantasy novella for readers who want their hope served cold, their heroines complicated, and their hearts broken quietly, long after the last page.
Each can be read separately but all interlink with each other.
These Novella's are the stories before the Novels. Many characters you meet within these Novella's will be in the three book series and by reading these you'll be gaining exclusive insight into them and their back stories.
100 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2025
1 person is currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Owen
3 books7 followersJennifer Owen of Feral Fairytales - I can't stop writing dark medieval fantasy. I pour everything to my characters, I love the villains and I want you to fall in love with them before you want to tear out their hearts with your teeth.
My world and stories are contradictions of sweet and brutal, of loving and full hate. Rage and political intrigue, where nothing is as it seems. I'm dragging you into my dreams and nightmares, will you leave with your heart intact?
My world and stories are contradictions of sweet and brutal, of loving and full hate. Rage and political intrigue, where nothing is as it seems. I'm dragging you into my dreams and nightmares, will you leave with your heart intact?
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
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March 29, 2025I had the opportunity to be an ARC reader for The White Rook, and I was excited to read this novella to support a Canadian Indie author.
The White Rook is very beautifully written, Jennifer Owen did a lovely job. Her writing is very descriptive so it is easy to visualize the world and characters from her perspective.
Personally, I feel this style of writing would be better suited to a full length novel. With so few chapters to capture a reader's attention, provide backstory, character development and an engaging plot I feel it needs to be faster paced with more focus on plot and story. I feel like a lot of the novella focused on lengthy descriptions of clothes, the land/trees, the characters etc., with not enough focus on the actual storyline.
I love all the tropes listed (which is what drew me to this):
🦉 Forbidden Love
🥀 Elemental Magic
🌕 Caretaker
🦉 The Reluctant Hero
🥀 Ancient Setting
🌕 Oppressed Rebellion
🦉 Prophecies
Sadly though, these didn’t hit the mark for me. It’s possible it was a me issue as the writing was beautiful, and there weren’t many typos/errors. I will say, a lot of the story was confusing. I found myself having to reread parts, and feeling like stuff was being left out or was intentionally vague.
I love reading indie authors, and will always support them so please note I think Jennifer is a lovely author. It just seems like this book was not the right fit for me. This is just my personal preference on writing style, so please do not let this deter you from reading!
Because of this I’m not leaving a star rating as I don’t want to hurt the author. I do wish Jennifer Owen all the success, and that she finds her readers!
The White Rook is very beautifully written, Jennifer Owen did a lovely job. Her writing is very descriptive so it is easy to visualize the world and characters from her perspective.
Personally, I feel this style of writing would be better suited to a full length novel. With so few chapters to capture a reader's attention, provide backstory, character development and an engaging plot I feel it needs to be faster paced with more focus on plot and story. I feel like a lot of the novella focused on lengthy descriptions of clothes, the land/trees, the characters etc., with not enough focus on the actual storyline.
I love all the tropes listed (which is what drew me to this):
🦉 Forbidden Love
🥀 Elemental Magic
🌕 Caretaker
🦉 The Reluctant Hero
🥀 Ancient Setting
🌕 Oppressed Rebellion
🦉 Prophecies
Sadly though, these didn’t hit the mark for me. It’s possible it was a me issue as the writing was beautiful, and there weren’t many typos/errors. I will say, a lot of the story was confusing. I found myself having to reread parts, and feeling like stuff was being left out or was intentionally vague.
I love reading indie authors, and will always support them so please note I think Jennifer is a lovely author. It just seems like this book was not the right fit for me. This is just my personal preference on writing style, so please do not let this deter you from reading!
Because of this I’m not leaving a star rating as I don’t want to hurt the author. I do wish Jennifer Owen all the success, and that she finds her readers!
April 1, 2025
A short, wonderfully written novella.
The White Rook is a great introduction to a new world and a set of characters with complex dynamics growing among one another.
I love the writing; there are wonderful descriptions of the world and character perspectives that brought me into the story. The novella was more character and world-driven than plot, which made for a slower-paced read, and there were instances of events being alluded to, which kept me simultaneously curious and a little confused. I felt like I needed just a little more context/ basis to make me more invested in the characters and to make the events happening more impactful.
But overall, this was a quick read that kept me curious and ready for more. I’m excited to see more from this author!
Thank you so much to the author for providing me with an ARC copy of their novella! <3
The White Rook is a great introduction to a new world and a set of characters with complex dynamics growing among one another.
I love the writing; there are wonderful descriptions of the world and character perspectives that brought me into the story. The novella was more character and world-driven than plot, which made for a slower-paced read, and there were instances of events being alluded to, which kept me simultaneously curious and a little confused. I felt like I needed just a little more context/ basis to make me more invested in the characters and to make the events happening more impactful.
But overall, this was a quick read that kept me curious and ready for more. I’m excited to see more from this author!
Thank you so much to the author for providing me with an ARC copy of their novella! <3
May 7, 2025
I had the pleasure of reading this novella for Jennifer as an ARC reader!! I absolutely loved her descriptive storytelling and the way she sets the scenes. Personally, I think that her writing style would be better suited by longer books, which I am certain are on the way. The concepts and world systems that are in place are intriguing, and the characters are complex and likeable.
My only real critique is that one or two scenes were a bit confusing in their description - particularly in the action that involved an axe. Otherwise, I truly enjoyed this story, and I will 100% be reading the sequels. I recommend this book to those who love fantasy and intriguing systems of royalty with a (solid) dash of independent and powerful women.
My only real critique is that one or two scenes were a bit confusing in their description - particularly in the action that involved an axe. Otherwise, I truly enjoyed this story, and I will 100% be reading the sequels. I recommend this book to those who love fantasy and intriguing systems of royalty with a (solid) dash of independent and powerful women.
November 22, 2025
This is a very beautifully written novella, it’s a little slow pace but it’s heavy on world and character building. Jennifer has a way of writing that lets you truly envision the world around the characters. Once again it’s given me a small taste of what’s to come in the final novel and I’m so looking forward to it.
April 8, 2025
3.75 stars so I’m rounding up
This was another great addition to the novellas Jennifer is writing leading up the release of her actual book.
This book gave us tons of character information and fantastic world building. While it didn’t touch on all tropes (at least not in ways i thought it would), it was still a good read! The authors writing is so good that I can’t wait to see what she gives us next and I know her completed book will blow us away!
Please keep in my mind, this book has a lot of details and some may not like that as it is more detail driven than anything but I appreciate all the details, the more i know the better! This book is essential to the actual novel she has coming; The Curse of Ivory! So please keep in mind that these novellas will all correlate to that and make sense then.
This was another great addition to the novellas Jennifer is writing leading up the release of her actual book.
This book gave us tons of character information and fantastic world building. While it didn’t touch on all tropes (at least not in ways i thought it would), it was still a good read! The authors writing is so good that I can’t wait to see what she gives us next and I know her completed book will blow us away!
Please keep in my mind, this book has a lot of details and some may not like that as it is more detail driven than anything but I appreciate all the details, the more i know the better! This book is essential to the actual novel she has coming; The Curse of Ivory! So please keep in mind that these novellas will all correlate to that and make sense then.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews