BOOK REVIEW: Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry
OMG... What did I just read and why is the sequel not out yet????????
Earlier today my husband called me feisty, so I decided to take that attitude into this review, but I think I can tame the feistiness and just tell it how it is. It’s okay though, Odessa is feisty enough for all of us.
This book was freaking amazing. I couldn’t put it down. It has everything in a fantasy. There is a romance, but it is a slow burn and not essential to the plot or conflict development. Maybe that is why, when I finished, I decided it is one of my FAVORITE fantasies. Anyway, at the moral of this review, is you MUST read this book. Just be warned that you are going to be pissed that the sequel isn’t out yet because… ugh… there are so many questions!! (The irony is not lost on me as our FMC, Odessa, asks a million and one questions.)
Here’s the deal, I have decided that I am a very cynical reader. When I read a book in my go to genres and see the same common tropes, trends or structures appear, I’m immediately on edge. However, this one started with me thinking - “great another forced marriage - the chosen princess - a princess who is willing to sacrifice her freedom to save her kingdom”. Well, Odessa Cross had no desire to take her sister’s place in the arranged marriage and fought the whole time. A princess to speak her mind. I approve. She pushed back on everyone at all times, but it was also how she did it; how she interacted with the this new found forced family.
Then you have Prince Zavier and the Guardian. Fascinating characters. The development of them (and all the characters) is done at the most epic level of perfection. The silent prince who won’t talk to Odessa for like 5 chapters; who is way more than he appears while at the same time being not all that he appears. The Guardian who may appear to be your stock arrogant, stubborn warrior ends up being anything but. He is the morally grey character that everyone needs in their life. I was constantly wanting to learn more, know more and the little nuggets dropped throughout the book just make you want to know that much more! With each nugget of information just created more questions. It’s as if we are experiencing everything at the same time as Odessa.
But, there is also depth and importance to the secondary characters too. I’m always a big fan of those sidekick characters. While they don’t get as much page time as the MCs, the story would not be able to unfold without them… And let’s just say they are responsible for some pretty big plot twists. I guess, I just really appreciate the time, energy, care and love that Devney showed the characters.
I didn’t ask to be married to a stranger and shipped across the continent. I didn’t ask to come to Turah. I didn’t ask to be jailed in a wilderness treehouse. Those were decisions made for me by the whims of men. So you can threaten to take away my freedom all you want, but I will fight you. Every step of the way. Until my last breath. And I will not go quietly into a cage.
The characters have more secrets then you can count and drive the book from one page to the next page. With that said the plot, driven by the secrets, distrust and personal agendas also drives you through the story eager to know more and what will happen next. I feel that there is an equal balance of a character-driven and plot-driven approach. I mean you have:
A book burning king
A weird love triangle that’s not really a love triangle and it worked (and that is from someone who doesn’t like love triangles)
Monsters - by land, sea and air! (Clearly, the Tarkin isn’t as bad as people think…)
Diseased monsters - also by land, sea and air
Secret identities are not for the faint of heart
A treehouse village
A mysterious capital with a mysterious magical High Priest
Did I mention secret identities…I mean geez….is ANYONE who they say they are?
A plot twist, nope 2 plot twists… just kidding, about 15 different plot twists which most of which turned my brain to mush.
A little political drama that it’s really little, but isn’t overpowering
I guess I should also mention the writing style, structure and pacing. Let’s just say they are all on point. It’s easy to understand and constructed with such clarity that you are able to feel every nuisance of the tension, suspense, pain, and fear. It also made the characters feel real. Some fantasy characters feel just that… too fantastical. But even while this is clearly fantasy, and these characters have some weird crap happening to them and within them, they still feel real. It’s was just overall unexpectedly engaging, creative, unique and fun.
What about the world building? That’s a legit question. One that I don’t really have an answer for. There is so much depth to every aspect of this book that you don’t even recognize that the world building is happening, it just happens. It is so naturally woven into the narration, dialogue and descriptions that you just get it, but you also know that there is much more to this world than has been presented.
After all this… WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY Devney? Why would you do this to us? How could you end the book the way you do????????? And I have to wait “a year or two” for book 2???? The pain, the unanswered questions, the heartbreak, the anger…..
The only person who was always going to fight for me was me.
Who is Odessa????? That is my biggest questions. I know she will be the key to everything, but I don’t even know exactly what all the questions are.
Where does this book land on my bookshelf?
TOP SHELF. Simply put, you must get this book ASAP. Read it, devour it, soak it in, and then join in my outrage over the ending! I literally have to read some other genres before I pick up another fantasy. I feel like this book has destroyed all other fantasies for me, at least until I come down from the book hangover I’m now on.
In case you didn’t know, Devney also wrote The Edens series which is a small town romance.
Don’t forget to check out my other fun sites!
Explore my website for book lovers: www.azdesertbookworm.com
Follow me on Instagram! Check it out - @azdesert_bookworm
Speaking LITerally podcast! Our monthly misadventures into all things literary. Separated the Atlantic, Liz and I come together in our love of reading!!! Find us wherever you listen to your other favorite podcasts! Click here to find us on Spotify! (Link also on my website.)
