Shield of Sparrows

AN INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! Now in development as a feature film with Amazon MGM Studios, with John Wick screenwriter Derek Kolstad attached to write the script.

Accolades: Nominated for Goodreads Choice Award of 2025

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?

The Shield of Sparrows series is best enjoyed in order.
Reading Order:
Book #1 Shield of Sparrows
Book #2 Rites of the Starling

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Published May 6, 2025

Average rating: 8.5

614 RATINGS

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What Bookclubbers are saying about this book

✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI

Readers say *Shield of Sparrows* by Devney Perry offers a richly imagined world with unique creatures and a slow-building plot that shines in its fina...

Breannalf

Sep 07, 2025

10/10 stars

Shield of Sparrows might be my favorite read this year. Couldn’t put it down.

Emlan

Sep 07, 2025

9/10 stars

Read this in a couple of sittings. Hard to put down. I really liked the FMC Odessa and her journey and the twists of the MMC. Can’t wait for the next book!

amberofak

May 27, 2025

8/10 stars

🌶️🌶️ but the plot is amazing and the MFC is sarcastic and brave but flawed. I appreciate not making her out to be helpless but also she starts off with not a lot going for her in the talent department.

Sandylovestoread

Dec 11, 2025

10/10 stars

Favorite book of 2025

Lexiiiiiii Reads

Nov 08, 2025

8/10 stars

7.5 ⭐️ I’m pleasantly shocked, the only other book I read by this author I distinctly remember her comparing thighs to tree trunks in the cringiest way. Was this the most amazing romantasy book out there? No. Was the plot and action all packed into the last 20% of the book? Yes. Was the fmc kind of annoying with her constant questions and whining? A little, but I found it relatable? Overall I really enjoyed the book! I didn’t think the world that she created was too recycled, the creatures were unique and the plot interesting. I actually enjoyed Odessa, her constant questioning, and her overall growth. I hope in the next book we she is more confident now that she has some of the answers that we need. I also really enjoyed the banter between Odessa and the guardian. I liked that he pushed her, and while he always had her best interest at heart, they did have to grow together. He didn’t immediately know how to be exactly what she needed. He’s also super funny, I was cackling frequently. The side characters are just kind of meh - I loved Evie and enjoyed getting to know the side characters but none of them made me fall in love with them, which means my heart wasn’t broken when someone dies. I was kind of hoping for the funny sidekick? Are we over that trend yet? I’m not, please keep the funny sidekicks coming. The plot: it’s sllooooooowwwwwww. Nothing really happens in the book until the last 25% of it. Most of the time Odessa is training, overthinking and whining. But when it did pick up, it picked up! I was able to piece together some of it, but there were some surprises in there!!!! I can’t believe the betrayal?!?! Poor Dessa. Anyway, I am really looking forward the next one! I kind of wish I would have held off a bit longer since the next one won’t come out until April, but alas, I’m a mood reader and this was on my tbr.