Shield of Sparrows (Shield of Sparrows #1) by Devney Perry -- Starting September 28th 2025

[Jenn]

Shield of Sparrows is a slow-burn, high-stakes romantasy perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros―where enemies become lovers, monsters stalk a cursed realm, and a forgotten princess finds the strength to tear off her crown and become the warrior she was never meant to be.

The gods sent monsters to the five kingdoms to remind mortals they must kneel.

I’ve spent my life kneeling―to their will and to my father's. As a princess, my only duty is to wear the crown and obey the king.

I was never meant to rule. Never meant to fight. And I was never supposed to be the daughter who sealed an ancient treaty with her own blood.

But that changed the fateful day I stepped into my father’s throne room. The day a legendary monster hunter sailed to our shores. The day a prince ruined my life.

Now I’m crossing treacherous lands beside a warrior who despises me as much as I despise him―bound to a future I didn’t choose and a husband I barely know.

Everyone wants me to be something I’m not―a queen, a spy, a sacrifice.

But what if I refused the role chosen for me? What if I made my own rules? What if there’s power in being underestimated?

And what if―for the first time―I reached for it?

[Lara]

Starting this a little bit early - just finished chapter 13: (view spoiler)[ I’m not sure I’m loving this writing style, first person doesn’t normally click with me and there really is an over abundance of rhetorical questions!

The plot definitely has potential though. I really thought the main romance would be with the Prince since they’re literally married but now I’m getting such strong vibes from the Guardian I kind of think that is the main ship! Loved the part where he saved her!! (hide spoiler)]

[Lara]

Chapter 25: (view spoiler)[ Okay I am very glad to say this but I’m going to eat my words! This book is addictive and I am so thoroughly invested! I am absolutely loving the treehouse setting and I’m starting to really root for her relationship with the Guardian, obsessed!

I am curious though about what deeper reason there could have been to choose Odessa over Mae, I feel like there has to be something more too that but I’m not sure if it was from Xavier or from the Guardian! (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah A]

Chatper 7:
(view spoiler)[ Why do I feel like the prince is really the Guardian in one. Why would he speak for the prince when they got married, if he really wasn't him? Maybe I am reading into it much. (hide spoiler)]

[Lara]

Chapter 44: (view spoiler)[ OH MY GOSH!! WOWOWOW!! Cannot believe that she was married to Ransom all along this book has got me so thoroughly hooked and I am so obsessed with this latest development! With hindsight I do feel like I should have seen it coming but I really didn’t and I’m so impressed!

@Sarah I only saw your prediction after I read this part but I cannot believe that you saw it coming! I am so bad at guessing plot twists oh my goodness (hide spoiler)]

[Lara]

Chapter 54: (view spoiler)[ Oh my I loved this chapter! Ransom coming home just after she’s been strangled and comforting her was next level! I am obsessed with this romance! And the fact that Luella is Ransom’s mother - huge!! (hide spoiler)]

[Lara]

Chapter 63: (view spoiler)[ As soon as I saw that this chapter was written from Ransom’s perspective instead I got nervous, and clearly for good reason!! CANNOT believe the book ended like that - I need the next one right now!! (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah A]

Lara wrote: "Starting this a little bit early - just finished chapter 13: I’m not sure I’m loving this writing style, first person doesn’t normally click with me and there really is an over abundance of rhetor..."

(view spoiler)[ I agree with you. She maybe married to the prince but I just have a feeling she is going to fall for the Guardian. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah A]

Chapter 18:
(view spoiler)[ Why is the Guardian trying so hard to train her in combat? No one else gave her a chance but him. Also, how he actually saw her for who she really was with her family. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah A]

Lara wrote: "Chapter 25: Okay I am very glad to say this but I’m going to eat my words! This book is addictive and I am so thoroughly invested! I am absolutely loving the treehouse setting and I’m starting to ..."

(view spoiler)[ I feel also, there has to be more to her being chosen for the Sparrow. Why did the prince pick her over her sister. (I still think it is the Guardian!) (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah A]

Chapter 34:
(view spoiler)[ Can I just say that Eve is probably my favorite side character. How she is always watching everyone and getting into trouble. (hide spoiler)]

[Lara]

Sarah A wrote: "Chapter 34:
[spoilers removed]"

YES so true, I love her so much!!

[Sarah A]

Chapter 44:
(view spoiler)[ He did it to set her free! Holy shit! I know I saw this coming but the way he said it to her. Yep I think I just fell for Ransom. Now we know why he always calls her his queen. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah A]

Lara wrote: "Chapter 44: OH MY GOSH!! WOWOWOW!! Cannot believe that she was married to Ransom all along this book has got me so thoroughly hooked and I am so obsessed with this latest development! With hindsig..."

Yep this just changed my mind about this story.

[Sarah A]

Chapter 56:

(view spoiler)[ What....Luella is the one poisonings things. I did not see that one coming. She just wanted to save her children, but she is killing her son. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah A]

Finished:

(view spoiler)[ Ummm.....that is how this is going to end. I like need book 2 like yesterday. I was excited to see a chapter from Ransom POV and I hope the next book has a couple of his within. But so many questions???? (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah A]

Lara wrote: "Chapter 63: [spoilers removed]"

I have to agree. (view spoiler)[ I feel like I have more questions and no answers! Like was that Odessa mother or somone else. If that who she will turn into. Also, I really hope they find a cure of Ransom. (hide spoiler)]

[Lara]

(view spoiler)[ Oh I didn't think about the fact that it could just be her mum or someone who looks like her - I assumed it was a trick of the magic to make it look exactly like her but that's a really good point!

Yes so many questions and so few answers, cannot wait for book 2!! (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Starting this tonight

[Lara]

Yayyy hope you enjoy!

[Kay-Mika]

Up until chapter 7
(view spoiler)[ I have so many questions (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

chapter 7
(view spoiler)[- There is a Monster wandering( Sorry, I read it in german), thanks to six gods, that are still prayed to-> Why?

-There are other kingdoms, that trade with each other

-To keep peace one princess marries a prince from another kingdom.
Always one princess from one kingdom. No matter how many princesses there are

-The king chooses said princess

-These Princesses are called sparrow. ->Why?
Do they gain super powers? Is there a seniority for them?

-Why explain it so complicated?

-Odessa’s father wants to spy on the other kingdom, because he suspects they have information on how to kill the Crux

-There is a blood oath at the wedding.
if you break it, you die. (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 12
(view spoiler)[Did she really ask that? Her life wasn’t the only one in danger but also that of a whole ship crew ( if not three) (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 12
(view spoiler)[ Why does the guardian has a cut at his palm? Wasn't that Zavier's blood in the weeding ceremony? (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 14
(view spoiler)[ Girl, your people are now the Turahner. The sooner you understand that the better. (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 17
(view spoiler)[ She asks so basic questions. Couldn't she have paid better attention in her lessons? (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Up to chapter 24
(view spoiler)[ why should Odessa's father kill his own wife? What does he gain with that?
she isn't in the way of his affair.
And even if she sort of blackmailed him ,he could have gotten rid of her any other way. Unless there is a revolution brewing.
But that would mean that Odessa is an unreliable narrator. (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 26
(view spoiler)[ How naiv can Odessa be? (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 28
(view spoiler)[ How many Crux- wanderings have been there, that they still don#t know hoe deep the have to dig? (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 33
(view spoiler)[ why doesn't Odessa know these myths? I mean, she likes to read( that's what she said) (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 34
(view spoiler)[ Odessa is just horny (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 34
(view spoiler)[ Now it is your new kingdom? NOW???? Under these circumstances? (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 41
(view spoiler)[ For once, this is a good question. what is the king trying to hide? what is going on in Alessia? Why are maps forbidden? What could one discover on them? A torn kingdom? Is a rebellion going on? That's why there is Miliz?
Human experiments? To create more like the Guardian? Is that the reason, why Odessa's father wants to infiltrate the capitol? Is Ramsey offering supersoldiers for sale (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 48
(view spoiler)[ Whom did Ransom's mother kill? Mikhail? But why? And how? (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 48
(view spoiler)[ Clever (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 53
(view spoiler)[ what if that is just a ploy to separate Ransom and Odessa? (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 59
(view spoiler)[ Odessa can't be that naiv and believe that her father will agree to this? (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ Nice, but nothing more (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Sarah A wrote: "Chapter 34:
[spoilers removed]"

She is really cute

[Lara]

Kay-Mika wrote: "Chapter 34
[spoilers removed]"

SO REAL hahaha

[Lara]

Kay-Mika wrote: "Chapter 41
[spoilers removed]"

Ooooh I really like these theories actually! I can't wait to find out if you're on the money

[Lara]

Kay-Mika wrote: "Finished
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Okay I feel like objectively I can completely agree with you, like I can't imagine myself really recommending this to anyone because it wasn't anything new or outstanding... But something about it really hit the spot for me and I got so invested even though I can't justify it hahah (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Lara wrote: "Kay-Mika wrote: "Finished
[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"
I liked the writing and the pace of the story. Also some ideas and side characters, but Odessa ruined it for me.
There were moments when I thought, that Mea would have been the better protagonist.

[Lara]

Yeah that's fair enough, hope you enjoy your next read more!