Reviews with content warning for War - Shield of Sparrows

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Reviews tagging 'War'

Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry

57 reviews

alex_pcbff's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This book really is that girl. I devoured it.

To fulfill an ancient magical contract, Princess Odessa is forced to marry prince Zavier, and leave her entire life behind to go to his kingdom. The contract is between the 5 kingdoms as a peace treaty of sorts, so they can focus on defending against the vicious monsters instead of wasting resources by being at war.

I absolutely loved this from start to finish. It has a good mix of romance and plot, and the romance is built up really well. No instalove (thank god).

I honestly feel so bad for Odessa. No one tells this girl anything. Why is everyone around her keeping secrets 😭

I do think some of the plot was a little predictable, but I'm not really mad at it. I was still surprised by some parts toward the end.

Overall, it was a really enjoyable read for me! I'm looking forward to book 2

Content Warnings

the_autumn_reader's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

I devoured this book!! It was action packed, spicy, and so SO good. I need book two ASAP

Content Warnings

happypharmlife's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Thank you to Devney Perry and Red Tower Books for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Book Recap: Princess Odessa Wolfe is not meant to be queen, that’s her sister, Mae’s future, not hers….that is until a handsome prince and a legendary warrior come to her kingdom with an ancient law that steals her away from her kingdom to become the queen of another. As Odessa works to uncover the secrets about her new kingdom, she may just uncover a few about her past.

Top Tropes:

💍 Forced Marriage
⚔️ Enemies to Lovers
🔥 Slow Burn

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️(a couple open door scenes, romance is not the main plot)

Let’s Talk About It…

Devney Perry has written over 40 romance novels and I’ve read over 40 romantasy books so it seems fitting that her first romantasy is my first Devney Perry read. It did not disappoint. This had been a highly anticipated read for me. I literally squealed when I found an Advance Reader Copy in my mailbox. I couldn’t help it. I was far too excited.

This book is labeled as romantasy, but the romance is far from the plot. In fact, you will be waiting until the very end to really get much romance at all. While there are some heated moments between the characters throughout the book, the focus is on Odessa’s story as she tries to uncover the secrets of a new kingdom she will one day rule. A kingdom filled with monsters, blood oaths, and magic she doesn’t understand.

I really enjoyed the world building in this book. As you read, you can feel the sense of community throughout the kingdom and how these people believe. The monsters were also fascinating to learn about. I enjoyed how they had some familiar elements that helped you visualize them, but were also unique to this world. I will say, this book is a slow start. It took about 70% of the way through the book for the action to really kick up, but once it didn’t, I felt like it was worth the wait.

The romance in this book, while not the focus, was just right. The banter between characters was enjoyable and the twists and turns throughout the story kept you guessing how things would end up. And the biggest plot twist right at the end left me screaming, “When does book 2 release!?”

Content Warnings

lmm0's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The gods sent monsters to force mortals to kneel, and Odessa Cross has spent her life obeying—her father, the crown, and a fate she never chose. She wasn’t meant to rule or fight, yet a treaty sealed in blood & a stranger's arrival changed everything. Now, bound to a prince Odessa barely knows & hated by the warrior at her side, she's expected to be a queen, a spy, a sacrifice. But what if she chooses her own path? What if there’s power in being underestimated—and she finally claims it?

I've seen this blurbed as being The Witcher meets Cinderella, and I can totally see it. I knocked off a star because I felt like some parts of the book dragged on, but even so, I will definitely pick up the next book in the series when it comes out. This is a slow burn romantasy, with the enemies to lovers & arranged marriage tropes thrown in. I think if you like SJM and/or Rebecca Yarros, this would be another book to check out - my understanding is that Perry typically writes romance, and this is her first fantasy book (similar to Yarros when she came out with Fourth Wing.

Content Warnings

livindisco's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous funny tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Content Warnings

jonesiek's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

It’s going to get criticism for being a bit predictable, but I really liked the story and it was a quick read. Bummed that I will be waiting for the next book. But I liked that the FMC didn’t start as a super warrior, thought it had some more unique elements, liked the light enemies to lovers between Odessa and Ransom, loved that she kept a baby monster as a pet, loved how they cared about Evangeline (the little sister).

Content Warnings

kfanning15's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous medium-paced

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Content Warnings

shayrawd's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Content Warnings

psychnp's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The only downside to this book is that the whole series isn't out yet - absolute perfection.
Grasped me from the very first page and never let go.
Love the FMC's growth/character arc.
MMC is top tier.

Content Warnings

mandypurv's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional hopeful tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Content Warnings

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