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adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
This was my first Devney Perry read, and while I didn’t hate it, I’m not sure I loved it either. That said, it has restored a bit of my faith in the romantasy genre—mostly because I can see real potential for this series (if it’s done right).
The world-building starts off small but gradually expands into the magical land of Calandra. Devney paints an enchanted world with forests, oceans, beasts and monsters, and quirky towns. It’s simple to follow and easy to imagine, which made it feel perfect for someone just getting into fantasy. For a beginner fantasy, the setting was spot-on.
I liked the FMC, Odessa—though I’ll be honest, she asked so. many. questions. 🙃 But in her defense, it made sense. She’s lived a life of secrecy and suddenly finds herself as the Sparrow (aka: the daughter of a king, sent to marry a foreign prince to preserve peace). There’s still so much for her to uncover about herself, but I appreciated her warmth and gentle spirit, especially given how little kindness she’s known.
What stood out to me most about Odessa was her internal growth. She wasn’t naturally gifted at everything (thank god), and she struggled with the role her father forced on her. Watching her navigate those challenges gave her story more depth—and opened the door for some major character development in future books. I’m excited to see how her arc evolves as more of her past and heritage is revealed.
Now, let’s talk about The Guardian. Was he my favourite fantasy MMC? Not really. But do I think he has potential? Definitely. His name? At first—hated it. Later—tolerated it (you’ll get why if you read it lol). I didn’t feel super connected to him right away, but he had that broody, entertaining energy that grew on me. Plus, I really enjoyed his banter with Odessa—it added a spark.
That said, Odessa and The Guardian went on a lot of side quests that didn’t really answer the questions I had—or the ones she had. Weirdly, the first 60% of the book flew by, but also… not much actually happened. The last 40% is where things picked up. Twists started landing, pieces began to fall into place, and while I guessed a few things, some surprises genuinely caught me off guard (which I appreciated!).
I’m definitely intrigued to see where this story goes next. I struggled a bit with my rating, because while I didn’t dislike the book, I couldn’t ignore that not a whole lot really happened for the majority of it. As much as I enjoyed the fast-paced final act, I don’t think those last 100 pages alone justify a 5-star rating (at least for me). That said, this was still an enjoyable and engaging read—and it definitely kept me curious and wanting more.
The world-building starts off small but gradually expands into the magical land of Calandra. Devney paints an enchanted world with forests, oceans, beasts and monsters, and quirky towns. It’s simple to follow and easy to imagine, which made it feel perfect for someone just getting into fantasy. For a beginner fantasy, the setting was spot-on.
I liked the FMC, Odessa—though I’ll be honest, she asked so. many. questions. 🙃 But in her defense, it made sense. She’s lived a life of secrecy and suddenly finds herself as the Sparrow (aka: the daughter of a king, sent to marry a foreign prince to preserve peace). There’s still so much for her to uncover about herself, but I appreciated her warmth and gentle spirit, especially given how little kindness she’s known.
What stood out to me most about Odessa was her internal growth. She wasn’t naturally gifted at everything (thank god), and she struggled with the role her father forced on her. Watching her navigate those challenges gave her story more depth—and opened the door for some major character development in future books. I’m excited to see how her arc evolves as more of her past and heritage is revealed.
Now, let’s talk about The Guardian. Was he my favourite fantasy MMC? Not really. But do I think he has potential? Definitely. His name? At first—hated it. Later—tolerated it (you’ll get why if you read it lol). I didn’t feel super connected to him right away, but he had that broody, entertaining energy that grew on me. Plus, I really enjoyed his banter with Odessa—it added a spark.
That said, Odessa and The Guardian went on a lot of side quests that didn’t really answer the questions I had—or the ones she had. Weirdly, the first 60% of the book flew by, but also… not much actually happened. The last 40% is where things picked up. Twists started landing, pieces began to fall into place, and while I guessed a few things, some surprises genuinely caught me off guard (which I appreciated!).
I’m definitely intrigued to see where this story goes next. I struggled a bit with my rating, because while I didn’t dislike the book, I couldn’t ignore that not a whole lot really happened for the majority of it. As much as I enjoyed the fast-paced final act, I don’t think those last 100 pages alone justify a 5-star rating (at least for me). That said, this was still an enjoyable and engaging read—and it definitely kept me curious and wanting more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death
Due to the nature of the book (fantasy), there is animal death that occurs to magical creatures and magical beings.
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Great book! Can’t wait for the next one in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood
Moderate: Animal death
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I debated giving this book less stars mostly because “The Guardian” reminded me so much of “The Witcher”. But then I decided, when do we not take ideas, lesson, or creations from other stories and make them our own?
This book is beyond wild. It is creative in its world building and character development. It has plot twists that encourage us to be engaged the whole book. There are mysteries for us to solve and a slow burn enemies to lovers romance that feels fresh but also classic at the same time.
The end of the book (like the last 20%) knocks us on our ass both in good and bad ways.
My emotions were stirred.
My imagination inspired.
It is definitely a book I would recommend to others. 🙌🏻
Well done, can’t wait to see where book 2 will take Odessa.
This book is beyond wild. It is creative in its world building and character development. It has plot twists that encourage us to be engaged the whole book. There are mysteries for us to solve and a slow burn enemies to lovers romance that feels fresh but also classic at the same time.
The end of the book (like the last 20%) knocks us on our ass both in good and bad ways.
My emotions were stirred.
My imagination inspired.
It is definitely a book I would recommend to others. 🙌🏻
Well done, can’t wait to see where book 2 will take Odessa.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, War
Moderate: Cursing, Grief, Murder
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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 audiobook narrator does an amazing job. She really brings the characters to life and adds so much feeling to the Odessa's thoughts and experience. The book is perfectly paced for my tastes. The action hits well, the monsters are interesting, and I like spending time with these characters in this world. Even though some of the twists were predictable, I didn't find it frustrating; it was fun waiting to see how the secrets would be revealed.
I actually really like Odessa. She's kinda a wimp, is dealing with loneliness and emotional neglect that started in childhood, and hasn't had much control over her life. She slowly learns to advocate for herself throughout her time in her new home. I really like how the Guardian irks her so much, it inspires a stubborn streak that really benefits her in the end. Odessa is fun when she's angry. The Guardian is the right level of broody and secretive for me. He has a grim attitude that can at times trend towards fatalistic. I liked getting to know him alongside Odessa.
The romance proceeds at such a sweetly slow pace and the feelings seem to develop naturally. There's so much more going on than the romantic entanglement. I'm looking forward to book two.
I actually really like Odessa. She's kinda a wimp, is dealing with loneliness and emotional neglect that started in childhood, and hasn't had much control over her life. She slowly learns to advocate for herself throughout her time in her new home. I really like how the Guardian irks her so much, it inspires a stubborn streak that really benefits her in the end. Odessa is fun when she's angry. The Guardian is the right level of broody and secretive for me. He has a grim attitude that can at times trend towards fatalistic. I liked getting to know him alongside Odessa.
The romance proceeds at such a sweetly slow pace and the feelings seem to develop naturally. There's so much more going on than the romantic entanglement. I'm looking forward to book two.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
Well, I'm going to say it: I liked this one even more than Fourth Wing.
Probably because the characters are much older, so we can enjoy a more mature sounding narration.
If you liked Heir of Fire (my fave TOG book) you'll like this imo. 🤷
I also really appreciated that we didn't go from "I'm so weak and clueless" to "I'm a badass fighter" in a few months of training. She willingly admits she isn't great at a lot of things, but wants to keep learning/trying to do better. She often makes mistakes, or misses shots, but she's got a spine of steel when under pressure.
The last few chapters had me gasping out loud.
Amazing, a really strong edition to romantasy as a genre when I have found a lot of the newer stuff incredibly weak.
Probably because the characters are much older, so we can enjoy a more mature sounding narration.
If you liked Heir of Fire (my fave TOG book) you'll like this imo. 🤷
I also really appreciated that we didn't go from "I'm so weak and clueless" to "I'm a badass fighter" in a few months of training. She willingly admits she isn't great at a lot of things, but wants to keep learning/trying to do better. She often makes mistakes, or misses shots, but she's got a spine of steel when under pressure.
The last few chapters had me gasping out loud.
Amazing, a really strong edition to romantasy as a genre when I have found a lot of the newer stuff incredibly weak.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Gore, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual content
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
Sorry that’s just the sound of me screaming. I NEED the sequel NOW.
Obviously that’s not going to happen.
As you can tell, this was a REALLY good book. For me, at least.
I listened to the audiobook from the library (and the actors did a fantastic job 🙌🏼) but now I really want my own copy with the beautiful sprayed edges.
The characters were compelling. I immediately liked the main character because I related to her; she was always late, awkward, asking questions, and I loved those quirks about her. I also loved getting to know the other characters around her and just how deep they fell into the plot with their own motivations and backstories.
The worldbuilding was also impressive, though I feel like I say that with every fantasy. It’s because, as a writer, I know Worldbuilding is hard! But here there are different creatures, magic system, religions, history, and propaganda brought on by the government, all that fed into the plot and wasn’t info-dumped.
Speaking of the plot, it was compelling and multilayered. I thought I knew what it was going to be about—an arranged marriage, a spy, a betrayal—but it went so much deeper, each layer adding another “to do” to the FMC’s quest. Plus the multilayered plot added to the intrigue. There were plot twists I guessed and plot twists that THREW me. I still have SO many questions!! I can’t ask them here because *spoilers* I also have theories. Completley wild out there theories that have to do with the Crux and the FMC’s heritage. I don’t know how the Brotherhood fit into it.
And, the romance. Chef’s kiss on the slow burn. I love it to be so slow that it’s on a back burner simmer and this did a really good job at that. There is one spicy chapter and that’s the perfect level for me.
So, I will be now thinking about this book and staring into the abyss until I can preorder the sequel someday….
Sorry that’s just the sound of me screaming. I NEED the sequel NOW.
Obviously that’s not going to happen.
As you can tell, this was a REALLY good book. For me, at least.
I listened to the audiobook from the library (and the actors did a fantastic job 🙌🏼) but now I really want my own copy with the beautiful sprayed edges.
The characters were compelling. I immediately liked the main character because I related to her; she was always late, awkward, asking questions, and I loved those quirks about her. I also loved getting to know the other characters around her and just how deep they fell into the plot with their own motivations and backstories.
The worldbuilding was also impressive, though I feel like I say that with every fantasy. It’s because, as a writer, I know Worldbuilding is hard! But here there are different creatures, magic system, religions, history, and propaganda brought on by the government, all that fed into the plot and wasn’t info-dumped.
Speaking of the plot, it was compelling and multilayered. I thought I knew what it was going to be about—an arranged marriage, a spy, a betrayal—but it went so much deeper, each layer adding another “to do” to the FMC’s quest. Plus the multilayered plot added to the intrigue. There were plot twists I guessed and plot twists that THREW me. I still have SO many questions!! I can’t ask them here because *spoilers* I also have theories. Completley wild out there theories that have to do with the Crux and the FMC’s heritage. I don’t know how the Brotherhood fit into it.
And, the romance. Chef’s kiss on the slow burn. I love it to be so slow that it’s on a back burner simmer and this did a really good job at that. There is one spicy chapter and that’s the perfect level for me.
So, I will be now thinking about this book and staring into the abyss until I can preorder the sequel someday….
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Sexism, Sexual content, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Gore, Infidelity, Grief, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I've been craving reading a romantasy, and this scratched the itch and then some. This was just pure fun and excitement the whole way through, and I absolutely tore through it.
Odessa is a princess from the kingdom Quentis, but she considers herself a forgotten princess because her older half-sister has been groomed to represent the kingdom and eventually marry the Turah prince, thus satisfying the realm's peace treaty, the Shield of Sparrows. But somehow, Odessa ends up being the one to marry the prince, and she suddenly gets whisked away to a new kingdom, with no idea who to trust and how to perform her duties to her home kingdom and her married kingdom. To complicate things, the monsters that have always plagued the realm have become even more feral and deadly, and the realm is barreling toward a migration of the deadliest monsters at all.
I don't know if I've ever read a romantasy with monsters, and I loved it; it added some flair to a genre that can be pretty repetitive (as much as I love it). The world building made a lot of sense and was doled out methodically, and I appreciated that we learned along with Odessa and that we got lots of answers without the whole game being given away. The writing was no-frills and well-paced, and the plot was unpredictable without being unrealistic. Odessa is easy to root for: she was never trained to be a leader or be the integral part of a political marriage, but she has grit and determination and throws herself into her role. As for the romance, this book has a relatively slow burn, but I loved that - I haven't read a true slow burn romance in a while. The relationship between Odessa and her love interest (this is hard to talk about without giving away spoilers lol) blooms steadily, with trust and intimacy growing in a believable and nuanced way. The slow burn also makes the sexual tension incredibly strong, which I always love. I can't wait to read the next book in this series (and watch it on Amazon whenever it comes out)!
I also enjoyed that there wasn't really a twist at the end. Odessa knows who the Guardian is and they've proclaimed their love for each other, and they don't have any secrets between them. Instead, they have to separate to try to fix the realm's problems, which I always enjoy in a romantasy more than the traditional twist of the love interest not being who the main character thought they were and the main character regretting falling for them etc.
Odessa is a princess from the kingdom Quentis, but she considers herself a forgotten princess because her older half-sister has been groomed to represent the kingdom and eventually marry the Turah prince, thus satisfying the realm's peace treaty, the Shield of Sparrows. But somehow, Odessa ends up being the one to marry the prince, and she suddenly gets whisked away to a new kingdom, with no idea who to trust and how to perform her duties to her home kingdom and her married kingdom. To complicate things, the monsters that have always plagued the realm have become even more feral and deadly, and the realm is barreling toward a migration of the deadliest monsters at all.
I don't know if I've ever read a romantasy with monsters, and I loved it; it added some flair to a genre that can be pretty repetitive (as much as I love it). The world building made a lot of sense and was doled out methodically, and I appreciated that we learned along with Odessa and that we got lots of answers without the whole game being given away. The writing was no-frills and well-paced, and the plot was unpredictable without being unrealistic. Odessa is easy to root for: she was never trained to be a leader or be the integral part of a political marriage, but she has grit and determination and throws herself into her role. As for the romance, this book has a relatively slow burn, but I loved that - I haven't read a true slow burn romance in a while. The relationship between Odessa and her love interest (this is hard to talk about without giving away spoilers lol) blooms steadily, with trust and intimacy growing in a believable and nuanced way. The slow burn also makes the sexual tension incredibly strong, which I always love. I can't wait to read the next book in this series (and watch it on Amazon whenever it comes out)!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual content, Grief, Murder
Minor: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Trafficking, War
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity, Trafficking, Pregnancy
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail