Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry brings together many classic romantasy elements like an arranged marriage, enemies-to-lovers dynamics, a darkly magical world full of cursed creatures, and a heroine on the brink of transformation. The atmosphere is immersive, the world-building vivid, and Perry’s smooth, approachable prose makes it easy to picture the haunting magic woven throughout the story. Odessa, the sheltered princess at the heart of the story, was a highlight for me. Her growth throughout the book was satisfying, and I appreciated her journey from naive captive to someone beginning to challenge the world around her. The romance with the male lead had potential, with good banter and chemistry, but lacked emotional depth. I found myself wanting more meaningful interactions between them to ground the relationship beyond surface-level attraction. While the setup was strong, the middle of the book dragggged. I don’t know what is with this trend of longer books lately. Odessa spends a lot of time trapped in her thoughts, asking questions that rarely lead anywhere. The pacing suffers for it, and by the time the plot picks up near the end, it felt like too little too late. Predictable twists and a finale that leaned more into chaos than clarity weakened what could have been a powerful conclusion. Still, there’s promise here. If you enjoy romantasy stories where a heroine slowly unravels the world around her and grows into her strength, this might be worth a shot. It's not a standout in the genre, but it's a decent, entertaining entry and I’ll likely check out the next instalment to see where the story goes.

I feel a little guilty saying this because I can absolutely see why The Priory of the Orange Tree is so widely loved. Samantha Shannon’s rich and expansive world-building, along with her thoughtful exploration of themes like power, legacy, and identity, make this a truly ambitious and admirable work of epic fantasy. That said, for me personally, it was just okay. I struggled a bit with the multiple POVs (which is already something I don’t gravitate toward so that's entirely my fault), and that made it hard to form a strong emotional connection with any one character. The pacing also felt uneven at times, and despite how much I appreciated the craft, I wasn’t as immersed in the story as I’d hoped to be. Honestly, that's probably on me too. However, I completely understand why this book resonates with so many readers. The standalone epic structure is a rare treat in fantasy, the dragon lore is richly imagined, and the cast of strong, complex female characters is a highlight. There’s also meaningful LGBTQ+ representation, political intrigue, and elegant prose that ties it all together. While it didn’t quite click with me, I can see this being a perfect fit for readers who love high-stakes, character-driven fantasy with deep lore and an inclusive cast.