Published in May 2025 by Entangled: Red Tower Books, the first book in the Shield of Sparrows series is available on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, Kindle, and audiobook. It is also available at local libraries and via the Libby App.

The audiobook is highly recommended, notable because Perry’s writing style includes never-ending and repeated questions, incomplete thoughts, and sentences stretching across all five hundred twenty-eight pages. Odessa’s inner monologues become repetitive, a drone of “me me me.”

The worldbuilding lacks depth. Many elements like magic, myths, and prophecies are messily explained, leaving readers more confused. The sex scenes, following a long slow burn, feel awkward. Weak writing and a lack of romantic chemistry add to this letdown.

The audiobook is labeled as a duet narration by Samantha Brentmoor and Jason Clarke. However, Samantha narrates the entire book and deserves all the credit. Her male voices in lower registers are excellent. Jason appears only in the last chapter, adding extra edge to the MMC.

Perry’s story introduces Princess Odessa, unexpectedly chosen over her sister Princess Mae, who was prepared for a life of intrigue, to wed Crown Prince Zavier. Odessa must quickly marry, return to his kingdom, and spy for her father. It is a daunting role she is unprepared for.

Zavier leaves his new bride under the protection of the famous monster hunter, the Guardian, who watches her closely, showing a lack of trust. The marriage is unconsummated, and Zavier is often absent. Odessa grows increasingly attracted to the Guardian and fears her husband is testing her. She worries about being discovered as an adulteress and sent home in shame. Her father already considers her a sub-par princess, so failure is expected.

A stranger in a new kingdom, monster attacks, no one to trust, a cliffhanger ending, a FMC pestering questions, seventy-five percent more inner monologue than dialogue, and so many plot holes it’s a wonder the story still holds up. If that’s what romantasy is for you, then sure, this book is right up your alley. If not, leave it on the shelf or get the audiobook from the library, which alone makes this a 2-star.