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?

My thoughts:

Devney Perry’s debut romantasy novel, Shield of Sparrows, lives up to the surrounding hype. While not without its flaws, it stands as a strong entry into the genre and a promising start to what is sure to be a captivating trilogy.

Let me address my primary criticism upfront: the pacing felt uneven, and the first half of the book dragged considerably. The extensive world-building, while necessary, occasionally veered into info-dumping territory and at times became repetitive, making it challenging to remain fully engaged early on.

That said, there was much to love. Devney Perry’s writing style translates beautifully to romantasy. Her talent for vivid description shines through, allowing readers to clearly visualize the characters, towns, and most notably, the terrifying monsters. Furthermore, she solidifies her status as a master of the slow-burn romance. The longing and tension woven into every interaction between Odessa and the male lead were executed flawlessly. Their banter was exceptional, enhancing their palpable chemistry. While I anticipated some of the romantic twists, it did little to diminish my enjoyment.

The overarching plot shows immense potential, though this first installment primarily serves as an introduction to the world, the characters, and the central romance. While I adored the character dynamics, the monsters truly captured my imagination. Each creature was uniquely frightening, and I suspect there is more to their story than has been revealed. I’m eager to see if my theories about them prove correct. The magic system was only briefly explored, but the ending strongly suggests it will become a central focus in the sequel.

Overall, I could elaborate extensively on Shield of Sparrows, but I’ll simply urge you to read it for yourself—and then join me in the impatient wait for Book Two. I have no doubt Devney Perry is poised to become a significant voice in the romantasy genre. She continues to impress; despite the slower pacing, the superb romance, compelling characters, and excellent writing more than compensated. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect, with the sole exception of that cliffhanger ending!