Enemies-to-Lovers, Dangerous Monsters & A Reluctant Heroine Who Becomes a Total Badass
I really wanted to keep reading Iron Flame and then Onyx Storm. I swear I tried, I never got into Iron Flame. But then Shield of Sparrows dropped and… goodbye dragons, hello the Crux. I devoured this book — and I mean the can’t-stop-listening-to-Audible-all-night kind of devouring. Sleep? Overrated. I had monsters, secret libraries, map making and mysteries, plus slow-burn tension keeping me awake. (I really didn’t sleep a wink.)
So here’s my mom-blog-meets-book-lover review of Shield of Sparrows, a fantasy-romance that felt more like Grishaverse than Fourth Wing to me — and I loved every twisty minute of it.
Two Sisters, One Treaty, and a Major Swap
So here’s the gist: You’ve got two royal sisters. The older one, Calandria (a.k.a. Cal), loses her mom young, and Dad (the King) basically sidelines her. He remarries, has another daughter, and that one gets all the attention — trained in combat, politics, and all that bitch queen energy. Meanwhile, Cal is stuck being decorative and overlooked. Of course, she’s arranged to marry some crusty general in her own kingdom. He sucks so bad.
But the big plan is for her half-sister to marry the prince of another kingdom in a treaty called the Shield of Sparrows— meant to bring peace between the five realms. Only… when the royal entourage shows up, the Guardian (sworn protector of the prince and broody hottie) suddenly decides Calandria is the one. Surprise! Bye-bye little sister, there’s a new bride incoming.
Cue sister drama, betrayal, political messes, and a reluctant bride thrown into the deep end with no training, no clue, and no choice. Oh did I mention sea crossings and sea monsters?
What Hooked Me
- Odessa/Calandria’s Arc: I love a “forgotten girl turns fierce” storyline. Cal starts with zero confidence, no training, and plenty of emotional baggage. But she grows into herself with the help of the asshole The Guardian. Like, by the end, you’re like, yes queen— stab him, kiss him, betray him, save the day.
- The Guardian (dickish, but also daddy): Total jerk. Total protector. Total slow-burn love interest. He’s that guy you hate-love from the start but slowly realize has layers. Think broody, overly capable, emotionally stunted warrior with secrets. SOLD.
- The Prince: He’s quiet (doesn’t talk), not the cliché romantic interest you’re expecting, then there’s a twist, that honestly I saw coming, but glad it happened.
- The Monsters: Let’s talk monsters. Sea creatures that destroy ships, sky beasts that leave destruction in their wake… I don’t know how Devney Perry dreamed them up, but they are terrifyingly amazing. Some of the most creative world-building I’ve read in a while — seriously on par with Leigh Bardugo’s work.
Action, Intrigue, and “Whoa, Joey!” moments:
There are maps. Hidden cities. Deadly crossings. Spying. Training montages. Forbidden maps in journals. And a ton of “wait what just happened?” moments — including a twist about a third in that totally got me. No spoilers, but buckle up.
Oh, and it doesn’t all take place in one castle or city. The story moves, which makes it feel more adventurous. You’re traveling with Cal, always unsure who to trust and what’s coming next — especially when the monster attacks kick off.
Final Thoughts:
I loved this book. It surprised me. It made me care deeply. It pulled me out of a fantasy rut (sorry Iron Flame). The ending had me wide-eyed, and now I’m haunting the internet for a sequel announcement and upcoming film adaptation.
If you’re into fantasy with:
- Complex characters
- Political scheming
- Hidden strength arcs
- Epic world-building
- Slow burn enemies-to-lovers tension
- Dangerous, mythical monsters
…you’ll probably binge this one like I did. Oh and curious, who do you picture in the lead roles for the film?
Grab it on Kindle here → Shield of Sparrows on Kindle
Get the Book here → Shield of Sparrows Hardcover
Spice Check
If you’re looking for major heat… this is more of a slow simmer. There’s a little spice toward the end, but it’s very PG-13. The romance is more tension and banter than open-door. For me, it was the perfect balance — enough to care, not so much it overtakes the story.
