Rites of the Starling

Shield of Sparrows, Book 2

De: Devney Perry

Narrado por: Jason Clarke, Megan Wicks, Samantha Brentmoor

A princess journeys across a cursed realm to find the truth about her family, only to discover her quest intertwines with the fate of a lost warrior. Love, danger, and magic collide in a captivating romantasy perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros.

​Calandra's five kingdoms are on the verge of destruction. The crux migration is coming. And in the wake of a devastating attack, I've been separated from the man who owns my heart.

​I'm lost. Terrified. Homesick. Hunted by monsters, driven to exhaustion, and kidnapped by a powerful priest, the only thing keeping me going is the little girl counting on me to keep her safe. ​It's my turn to become the Guardian.

​Our lives change one fateful night. A night of death. A night of monsters. A night of truths. That night, when I learn the real meaning of fear—and the depth of my own strength.

​Everyone wants me to be something I'm not—a queen, a spy, a sacrifice. But what if I embrace my crown? What if the secrets I uncover save our realm? ​What if my sacrifice means salvation for the man I love?

For too long, I've feared the monsters we make. ​It's time to discover the monster within.​

Contains mature themes.

©2026 Devney Perry (P)2026 Tantor Media

Great plot twist

Loved it! Immediately listened to it a second time. Cannot wait for next installment! Excellent narration. I would highly recommend.

5 heartwrenching stars with incredible audio!

Just… wow. Devney Perry has delivered an incredible read—an emotional romantic fantasy that captivated me from start to finish. It’s been a while since a book has hit me this hard, and I’m still feeling the emotional hangover. With epic moments and all the feels, this is an amazing read and a fave for 2026.

The follow-up to the fabulous Shield of Sparrows, this book picks up immediately where the first left off, taking us back to the world of Calandra and the journey of Princess Odessa, married off to a foreign prince in her political role as the ‘Sparrow’.

In the previous book, we watched Odessa shine as she embraced her adventure, found her strength, and fell in love. Now, she is reeling from a devastating attack and separated from the man she loves, desperately searching for her way back to him. We follow her journey across the continent as she encounters new friends and allies, battles monsters, and protects the little girl who has come to mean so much to her.

At the same time, a second storyline unfolds as we’re introduced to Caspia. Her brave journey to Calandra, driven by vengeance, leads her on an incredible path to discover who she is meant to be. The two stories are woven together brilliantly, and I was completely invested in both Odessa and Caspia, their journeys, and the incredible men in their lives bringing us two heart-pounding romances that had me swooning.

“I love you.”
“Yes, you do. Don’t forget.”

The story twists and turns with magic, monsters, mysterious visions, and hidden secrets, all slowly revealed to bring more depth to the world and hint at what’s to come. I was obsessed with it all. My heart was pounding and I was desperate to keep reading, but at the same time I didn’t want to get to the end. It’s so cleverly crafted, a rollercoaster of emotion, and I couldn’t get enough.

“To the bottom of the ravine, my heart.” He framed my face with his hands. “To the ends of the realm.”

We learn so much more about this world, and the book leaves us perfectly poised for the third and final instalment. I cannot wait to see how it’s all going to end.

I finished this book emotionally wrecked, but revelled in the feelings, the romance, and the intricate brilliance of the story. Books like this are why I love to read.

5 stars.

I listened to this as an audiobook, narrated by Samantha Brentmoor, Jason Clarke, and Megan Wicks, and they all do an incredible job. The emotion they put into their performances took this story to the next level. And the fact that I didn’t have to physically read meant I could just sit and let the tears flow, which was an unexpected bonus.