Shield of Sparrows Hardcover – May 6, 2025

Shield of Sparrows seems to be the buzzy book of the season, and count me in on that buzz because I thought it was terrific! From the same publisher who brought us Fourth Wing, this is a fast-paced romantasy that excels at world building and character development but is surprisingly light on spice. There’s only one rather tame sex scene near the end of the book, so readers who would rather skip those parts will appreciate the emphasis on the slow burn romance and snarky banter between the two main characters. I had never heard of Devney Perry before, but she’s a skilled writer with over fifty published books (!), so I wasn’t that surprised at how well this book is written. Some of the fantasy elements and tropes are very familiar, but Perry has a lot of surprises in store as well.In the land of Calandra, vicious monsters roam free, threatening everyone who lives there. Odessa Cross is the “back up” princess of the Kingdom of Quentis, while her younger sister Mae has been trained from childhood to be married off to the Prince of Turah in a treaty called the Shield of Sparrows, a blood agreement that ensures peace among the five kingdoms. But on the day Prince Zavier Wolfe and his entourage arrive in Quentis to meet Mae and sign the treaty, everyone is shocked when the Guardian, Zavier’s sworn protector, proclaims that Odessa will become the Sparrow and marry Zavier instead of Mae.Unbeknownst to Odessa, their father has been training Mae to be a spy. Her job once she married and journeyed to Turah was to infiltrate the mysterious capital city of Allesaria and then kill the Guardian. Now Odessa must take over her sister’s duties, even though she has no experience at all. Forced to leave her home and marry a stranger, Odessa vows to make her father proud and find Allesaria. But her new husband refuses to talk to her, and the journey to Turah is filled with danger. Only the Guardian will have anything to do with her, but unfortunately he’s an insufferable man who has a knack for annoying her and—even worse—seems to know what she’s up to.Odessa knows she must find Allesaria and report back to her father, but can she actually kill the Guardian? As the days go by and the danger mounts, she finds her loyalties start to shift.Perry’s world is rich and complex, full of political intrigue, secrets and best of all, deadly monsters. The monsters were probably my favorite part of this book, and there’s even a bit of folklore and backstory as to how they came about. From the marroweels, sea creatures who attack and destroy ships, to the crux, huge winged beasts who migrate every generation and leave death and destruction in their wake, the monsters are beautiful but deadly, and the author doesn’t shy away from some very graphic attacks. Check out these beautiful artistic interpretations of the monsters at this Instagram post!Perry also has a knack for creating interesting and believable characters. Odessa is sort of a mess at first. She has no real skills, she can’t fight, and she is the worst spy ever. But she’s loyal to her father and her kingdom and is determined to do something right for a change, so she grits her teeth and learns how to fight when the Guardian insists on training her (the training scenes were awesome!). She keeps notes in her journal about the possible location of Allesaria, going so far as to draw a secret—and illegal—map as bits of information fall into her lap. The Guardian (whose real name we learn later in the book) is your typical angry, gruff and hot as hell warrior who is hiding a huge secret, and I absolutely loved their very slow burn romance, although it isn’t the focus of the story. Odessa’s headstrong actions land them in extreme danger more than once, but these events eventually bring the two together. Expect lots of inner dialog as Odessa comments on the Guardian’s extreme good looks and bulging muscles, but honestly, the threat of monster attacks kept the romance in check so it didn’t overwhelm the story.Shield of Sparrows is full of thrilling action, including a dangerous sea crossing when Odessa leaves her home for Turah. Perry keeps her story interesting by having the characters move around a lot, instead of staying in just one location. The scenes when the monsters attack are really well done, and even the Guardian struggles at times to kill them, even though he has, let’s just say extra special abilities (which you’ll learn about when you read the book). The characters are constantly in danger, first from the monsters and later from the threat of an invading army. Of course, the more I came to know and love them, the more worried I became, and there are some deaths that hit me hard, I won’t lie.There’s one big twist about a third of the way through the book, one I didn’t see coming! And wow, the ending, while not strictly a cliffhanger, was another huge twist, one the author drops hints for, but you’ll have to read carefully to pick them up. Perry sets things up for the next book in the series (on the way but yet to be officially announced), and I couldn’t be more eager to find out what happens next. I haven’t gone too deep into the plot to avoid spoilers, but trust me when I say there’s a lot more to the story than what I’ve revealed here. Lots of fun and beautifully crafted, Shield of Sparrows is a must read for fantasy fans.

From the very first chapter, Shield of Sparrows completely swept me away. This was a five-star plus listen through and through intense, mysterious, emotionally loaded, and oh-so-addictive. Devney Perry gave us a slow-burn romantic fantasy laced with danger, longing, and a heroine I absolutely adored.Odessa was the heart of this story and what a character. The forgotten, cast-aside older sister, living in the shadow of her royal younger sibling. When a prince shows up to claim her sister’s hand, no one expects Odessa to be the one he ends up marrying. But as political tensions rise and secrets unfold, it becomes clear there’s much more to this arrangement than anyone is letting on and Odessa is at the center of it all.But the real tension? It ignites with the Guardian who travels with the prince. The way the slow-burn between Odessa and the Guardian builds had me hanging on every single word. You could feel it simmering beneath the surface a spark that kept crackling through moments of danger, whispered truths, and forbidden glances. Add in the creeping presence of monsters and the constant sense of being watched or hunted and you’ve got a plot that stays sharp and suspenseful until the very end.Now let’s talk audiobook, because it absolutely elevated this story.Samantha Brentmoor was phenomenal as Odessa. She was Odessa, every moment of fear, frustration, longing, strength, and heartbreak poured through in her voice. I didn’t just hear Odessa’s journey, I felt it. She brought so much depth to her performance that I forgot I was listening to a book. It felt like I was living it.And then there’s Jason Clarke. Oh. My. God. That last chapter? When we finally get his POV? I was not prepared. The switch flipped, the stakes got higher, and his voice brought an entirely new intensity to the story. When he stated, “To find my wife,” I just about melted. So hot. So commanding. I was immediately hungry for more of his side of the story! I need book two ASAP.This audiobook was everything I wanted and more a gothic fairytale feel with modern romantic tension and a touch of slow-burn spice. If you love fantasy romance with mystery, monsters, and unforgettable characters, Shield of Sparrows is your next listen.

a charming, albeit less dark, take on a Witcher-esque vibe, complete with a cursed realm and formidable monsters. While enjoyable, I ultimately found it to be slightly overhyped. I managed to predict all the major plot twists well in advance, and in my opinion, the ending didn't deliver the climactic punch many had described, leaving me wanting more. However, the core of the story, centered around a forgotten princess, Odessa, who is thrust into an arranged marriage and a dangerous mission, truly shines as a fun enemies-to-lovers tale. The romance is a delightfully slow-burn affair, allowing the relationship to develop organically amidst political intrigue and perilous journeys. The narrative itself is remarkably easy to follow, a refreshing change in a genre that can sometimes be overly complex.Odessa's transformation from a sheltered princess to a burgeoning warrior and spy is engaging, even if her initial attempts at espionage are endearingly clumsy. The world-building, featuring various kingdoms and their unique challenges with gods and monsters, provides a rich backdrop without being overwhelming. As the saying goes in the book, "A sparrow, no matter how small, can still carry a message." This encapsulates Odessa's journey perfectly, as she, an underestimated figure, becomes pivotal in uncovering hidden truths and forging her own destiny. While Shield of Sparrows might not be as "insane" or groundbreaking as some fantastical romances, its accessible plot, compelling characters, and satisfying slow-burn romance make it a truly entertaining read for fans of romantasy.