Shield of Sparrows: 1

⭐ 6/5 — Absolutely Unforgettable Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry is hands-down the best book I’ve read in 2025. The plot was gripping, the characters unforgettable, and the twist left me speechless. Guardian and Odessa’s love story is so beautifully written that you feel every emotion right along with them. I was hooked from page one and couldn’t put it down — and now I desperately need Book 2. This isn’t just a book, it’s an experience. If you can, try immersive reading (book + audiobook). The dual narration made it even more addictive. Masterpiece. Perfection. Read it.

The starting is a bit slow but immersive.. a rebel, a girl next door, a relatable character. Forced arranged marriage & the drama. Monsters Magic Then the banter begins. enemies to lovers, earning trust.. When she blooms into her true self.. With the reveal of the guardian, the plot becomes too pulling to not read it as if grasping for air! The book has 60 plus chapters but the pace picks up so fast that when I reached the end, it felt like I was about to fall off the cliff as the earth beneath my feet just vanished. For a moment I was stunned. What now?! Book 2 comes in April next year. I read this bk, part kindle, part audiobk. Guess till we get book 2, I will order a hardcopy of book 1 and reread it. Odessa & Ransom. The relationships are beautiful..with her pet monster, with elvie, with her horse.. And once the thrills starts coming one by one, the reveals o m g It kept me on my edge till the very end

Loved it.

Arrived in mint condition! Super happy with the Amazon packaging and also the actual book that is of excellent quality!

Hello, fellow book Tarkins! Wondering what a Tarkin is? @devneyperry described them as the most beautiful among her monsters. Shield of Sparrows is every bit worth the hype!!! This book was God tier for me. I won't take any criticisms please. I mean-there are MONSTERS. And they are MONSTER HUNTERS!!! This is a Dess stan account now. I fell in love with her the second she jumped off the cliff. She's mischievous, sassy, and her inner monologues are hilarious. I just wanted to give that sweetheart a hug-and for someone to choose her as their first priority, for once. My heart ached for her, and when the slow burn finally burned, I was CHEERING the loudest. Don't even get me started on The Guardian. He was every bit swoon worthy. And the Crown Prince? Ohhh, we had a lot to unpack there. (Nope—not a love triangle or a why-choose situation.) Perry dropped breadcrumbs, and I ATE. The mystery around Turrah had me spinning theory after theory. The Voster Brotherhood was creepy in the best way. And the action scenes gave me major Witcher vibes. Highly, highly, highly recommend this book without a second thought.

Shield of Sparrows begins with a backdrop of shifting loyalties and a princess traded in for a marriage designed to seize power. It seems like familiar ground on the surface, but the narrative takes its time to unfurl the baggage. Odessa is not the burning firebrand one would anticipate; she begins as hesitant, compliant, and frequently silenced. That can be frustrating in the early chapters but also makes her slow transformation into someone who will question her world more believable. Her development isn't sensational—that it's slow and patchy, but feels earned. The romance ebbs along a similar cadence. Odessa and Ransom are united by necessity, and their initial interactions are as much about suspicion as desire. The heat is all build-up in stilted exchanges and brief flashes of recognition, rather than bold proclamations. For those who appreciate slow-burn relationships, it is effective enough. The tone of the book is truly grand - Having monsters—hiding in oceans, covering skies—gives the world an edge that keeps it from simply being another political backdrop. They are seen as echoes of decay in human power struggles, making the fantasy aspects symbolic. All that being said, the pacing is sometimes uneven. The second half lingers on Odessa's insecurities and political intrigue longer than is necessary, sometimes slowing the pace. But if you stick with it, the reward is a heroine who incrementally develops strength, and a tale that prizes patience over spectacle. Shield of Sparrows weaves together politics, survival, and subtle romance into a story that repays readers who like their fantasy character-driven with space to breathe. It has real soft moments to touch you too! Definitely looking forward to what happens in the next installment!

From the very beginning, Shield of Sparrows pulled me in completely. It’s the kind of book that immediately captures your attention and refuses to let go. I read all 634 pages in under 48 hours, fitting chapters into every spare moment I had. The story centres on two princesses with very different relationships to royal life. Odessa, the eldest, has spent much of her life in the background, while her younger sister Mae embraces the expectations placed upon her, including a marriage meant to uphold a magical treaty. When events unfold differently than planned, the story takes a sharp and compelling turn that sets the tone for everything that follows. One of the book’s greatest strengths is how approachable its fantasy elements are. While the world includes magic, kingdoms, and mythical creatures, the writing never feels overwhelming or overly complex. The presence of familiar, everyday details helps ground the story and makes the world easy to sink into, even for readers who don’t typically gravitate toward epic fantasy. The pacing is fast and engaging, filled with twists that kept me eager to turn the page. There are layered character dynamics and subtle hints throughout that suggest more is happening beneath the surface than is immediately clear. Even when you think you’ve figured something out, the story continues to challenge those assumptions. The monsters add both tension and intrigue, ranging from unsettling to unexpectedly memorable, and they play an important role in shaping the atmosphere and stakes of the story. Romance develops slowly, blending enemies-to-lovers tension with an arranged-marriage storyline and a strong sense of danger. The balance between plot, character development, and world-building is well executed, making the story feel both immersive and accessible. The ending leaves plenty of unanswered questions and a strong desire for the next book in the series. Highly recommended for fans of romantasy and for readers who are curious about fantasy romance but want something engaging without being overly dense. ⭐ Rating: 4.5 out of 5

If you’re anything like me and deep in your Romantasy Book Era, then this book is an absolute must-read! Not only does it have the most stunning sprayed edges, but it’s hands down one of the best novels I’ve read all year. From the very first page, you’re pulled into a world brimming with monsters, myths, magic—and a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance that will leave you swooning long after the final chapter. Odessa Cross, once the forgotten spare princess, is suddenly thrust into an arranged marriage and a perilous journey that forces her to navigate not just dangerous lands, but her own identity. With rich world-building, deeply layered characters, and twists I never saw coming, this book is a masterclass in fantasy romance. I’m already counting down the days until the next one!!

Excelente

Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry ⭐ Rating: 5 stars 📄 Page Count: ~650 pages 🌶️ Spice Verdict: High-stakes romantasy, monsters & political intrigue (not ultra graphic, but emotionally intense) Oh my heart! I loved this book. From the moment I picked it up. I needed something that would make me feel and this delivered. The world of Quentis and Turah, monsters that feel real and deadly, betrayals, political schemes — it’s a full ride. What I adored most: Odessa is not your stereotypical whiny heroine. She’s strong, growing, courageous. She might start overlooked, but she doesn’t stay that way. And the romance? The Guardian? yes, THE Guardian! Caught me from his very first scene. I loved him from the moment he appeared. No spoilers, but you’ll know. He’s brooding, layered, dangerous, and yet kind in his own way. Then there’s Zavier, mysterious and intense, but the Guardian stole my heart. The pacing? Brilliant. The book is big, but I never once felt bored. Every chapter had something happening. Big reveals, small reveals, training, monsters, missions — it never drags. And then the ending? Wow. So many twists I didn’t see coming. But because the story never stalled, the payoff was epic. If you’re looking for a romantasy that gives you magic, monsters, a heroine you can root for, and a hero (or two) you’ll fall for — this is it. I truly don’t understand who wouldn’t like this, because for me it ticked all the boxes: original monsters, mesmerizing world-building, characters I cared about. I super recommend it. Tropes: 💍 Arranged/forced marriage 🏹 Enemies-to-lovers 🏰 High fantasy kingdom politics 👑 Overlooked princess / self-discovery 👹 Monster hunt / fantasy world-building 🔄 Twisty plot with constant surprises

Full of adventure,unexpected twists, very well written, never boring, a real page turner. The characters are well depicted, the scenes tumultuous and alive