Meet my Main Character: Aeryn

If Laila embodies Chaos, Aeryn is the calming storm after. Quiet, soothing, yet more volatile than what meets the eye—Aeryn is a strong, unknowing adversary to Laila.

Picture Aeryn

Take a moment to imagine him. A man with an easy regality, skimming his fingers across the spines of an expansive library, his eyes lingering on old favorites. He chuckles quietly to himself, remembering a corny joke he told earlier that day.

The Reluctant King

Aeryn is reluctant to be the king of his home of Kassidrania. He feels unprepared and unworthy of the title his parents once held in their people’s hearts.

He’s quiet and intelligent, but also goofy and—if I’m honest—a little clueless. I’ve always thought of him as having true golden retriever energy. It makes him an unexpected yet compelling opposite for Laila.

Golden retriever energy wrapped in a reluctant king—Aeryn is more than meets the eye.

His Struggles

Throughout The Chaos of a Hunter, Aeryn faces challenge after challenge. From the death of his parents to assuming the throne, each new burden threatens to overwhelm him.

He struggles with grief and trust, often questioning whether those around him have honorable intentions. That mistrust mirrors his growing relationship with Laila. To her, he seems like an easy target—but little does she know…

Writing Aeryn

Aeryn was so fun to write throughout this process. Finding his voice was almost natural, someone who saw beauty in their environment and focused on how those around him felt, a stark contrast to Laila who was more detail-oriented and self-reflective.

But what really has me excited is his character development. I love the opportunity to show all facets of his personality, the goofy and the dark.

Don’t be mistaken—he has a darkness.

Let’s Talk Leading Men

Now that you know a little about what went into making Aeryn the man he is, what do you think makes a great leading man?

• A warrior?

• A dreamer?

• A reluctant king with more than meets the eye?

Let me know in the comments!