Shield of Sparrows: Characters, spicy chapters, triggers & review

Written By Esta Pinto

Here’s what you need to know before picking up Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry. 

In this post, I’ll walk you through the Shield of Sparrows synopsis, introduce the key Shield of Sparrow characters, pinpoint the spicy chapters (for those who like to plan ahead or avoid the heat), and share my thoughts on the overall reading experience including what worked, what didn’t, and whether the angst was worth the payoff.

Happy reading friends!

 

Shield of Sparrows synopsis.

Shield of Sparrows is a slow-burn, high-stakes romantasy perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros―where enemies become lovers, monsters stalk a cursed realm, and a forgotten princess finds the strength to tear off her crown and become the warrior she was never meant to be.

The gods sent monsters to the five kingdoms to remind mortals they must kneel.

I’ve spent my life kneeling―to their will and to my father's. As a princess, my only duty is to wear the crown and obey the king.

I was never meant to rule. Never meant to fight. And I was never supposed to be the daughter who sealed an ancient treaty with her own blood.

But that changed the fateful day I stepped into my father’s throne room. The day a legendary monster hunter sailed to our shores. The day a prince ruined my life.

Now I’m crossing treacherous lands beside a warrior who despises me as much as I despise him―bound to a future I didn’t choose and a husband I barely know.

Everyone wants me to be something I’m not―a queen, a spy, a sacrifice.

But what if I refused the role chosen for me? What if I made my own rules? What if there’s power in being underestimated?

And what if―for the first time―I reached for it?

Get Shield of Sparrows here.

 

Shield of Sparrows book characters.

Shield of Sparrows is narrated from a first person point of view, from Odessa Cross’ perspective. Additionally, there is one final chapter from the perspective of The Guardian.

Here is a quick intro of three characters, Odessa, Prince Zavier & The Guardian, followed by a list of Shield of Sparrows characters we meet both major and minor.

Character art shared by author @devneyperry & artist @jacqueillustrates, via Instagram.

Main characters.

Odessa Cross.

Odessa Cross is the narrator and main female character in Shield of Sparrows. She’s the eldest, yet overlooked princess of Quentis, while her younger sister, Mae, is the one in the limelight usually, favored for a political marriage to Prince Zavier Wolfe.

Prince Zavier.

Prince Zavier is the prince of Turah and seems a bit aloof and quiet, only speaking to Odessa after they get married.

The Guardian.

The Guardian is the mysterious, morally grey and super strong bodyguard of Prince Zavier. What are his intentions and motives?

Supporting characters.

Here’s a list of most of the characters in Shield of Sparrows including on-page characters, minor characters and the occasional off-page mentions.

  • Odessa Cross (FMC)

  • Prince Zavier

  • The Guardian/Ransom

  • Mae Cross

  • Margot Cross

  • King Cross (Odessa’s father)

  • Banner

  • Brielle

  • Jocelyn

  • Tillia

  • Halston

  • Luella

  • Cathlin

  • Evangeline

  • Freya (horse)

  • The Voster high priest, Brother Dime

  • King Ramsey

  • Samuel Hay

  • Soriah

  • Vander

  • Mikhail (mentioned)

  • Tannis Oak (mentioned)

  • Sparrow Wolfe (mentioned)

Shield of Sparrow monsters.

Here's a quick list of the monsters you’ll meet in Shield of Sparrows, from the unsettling to the cute, plus some incredible art shared by author, @devneyperry and artist, @whiskeygingergoods

  • Tarkin

  • Marroweel

  • Grizzur

  • Lionwick

  • Crux

  • Bariwolf

Review: Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry.

View my review and follow me on GoodReads here.

My rating: ★★★☆☆

  • Spice level: 🌶 .5

  • 1.5/5, slow-burn, open-door spice, but not much of it till a couple of end scenes

Sometimes, the monsters aren’t the ones with claws and teeth and scales. They’re the main characters asking endless rhetorical questions as a narrative device.

I wanted to give this five stars, I really did. Because somewhere beneath the noise of FMC Odessa’s thoughts, there’s a good story buried in there with yearning, action and twisty twists… But Shield of Sparrows showed me that it’s somehow possible to be completely captivated and somewhat aggravated all at once.

Odessa’s relentless incessant questioning is used as a narrative crutch, and the effect was frustrating. After a while, it stopped adding anything of value to me and just started dragging the worldbuilding, plot and everything else down. The story started to feel like it was circling itself, stuck in her head, instead of moving forward.

Which is a shame, because when the story focused less on Odessa’s internal static and more on the plot, it really worked for me. While the story is formulaic, it’s also innovative, and the balance of fantasy to romance was perfectly executed, in my humble opinion. Villains and side characters are given complexity. There is a cute animal companion or two.

And for a book that begins so rooted in predictability, the final act hits harder than expected and surprised me many times over.

So here we are. 3.5 stars. Because despite everything, I liked it. If Odessa had asked half as many questions, this easily could’ve been a four or five-star read.

 View my review and follow me on GoodReads here. I chat about books a lot.

 

Shield of Sparrows FAQs.

SPOILER ALERT:

Some answers may spoil the book if you haven’t read it already. Proceed with caution.

Is Shield of Sparrows a series?

Yes, Shield of Sparrows is book one in the Shield of Sparrows series, by author, Devney Perry, which is slated to be a trilogy.

What are the content and trigger warnings?

  • Violence

  • Blood

  • Sexual content

  • Death

  • Child death

  • Injury and injury details

  • Cursing

  • Body horror

  • Death of parent

  • War

  • Chronic illness

  • Infidelity

  • Fire injury

  • Gaslighting 

  • Gore

  • Dismemberment

What is the age rating for Shield of Sparrows?

Shield of Sparrows is classified as adult, so ages 18+, due to adult themes and sexual content. Please also see the trigger and content warnings listed above.

What is the Shield of Sparrows spice level?

Is Shield of Sparrows spicy? Shield of Sparrows does have lots of slow burn steam and tension and there is some light spice towards the end. 

Spice level: 🌶

1.5/5, mild spice, with a very slow build up of steamy romantic tension. The couple of spicy chapters are open door, but they don't happen until the final chapters. If you’re seeking a spicy book, this is relatively mild.

What are the Shield of Sparrows spicy chapters?

Capsicums are mild but still delicious and chillies are hot. You get my drift? Here’s your Shield of Sparrows spicy chapters map and chilli rating.

  • Chapter 46: 🫑🫑🫑

  • Chapter 49: 🫑

  • Chapter 52: 🌶️🌶️

  • Chapter 55: 🌶️

Is Shield of Sparrows a reverse harem?

No, Shield of Sparrows is not a reverse harem. There’s only one clear love interest in the end and that’s really all you need to know.

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Esta Pinto
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