The second installment in Perry’s Shield of Sparrows series, published on April 7, 2026, by Red Tower Books, is available on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, Kindle, and audiobook formats, at local libraries or through the Libby app.

The book is told mainly through the perspectives of Odessa and Casspia. There are also brief sections from Ransom and one from Andreas Cross. Notably, there’s confusion over whether Andreas Cross is a new character or a name change for an existing one; it’s unclear if this is an intentional switch or an oversight by Perry.

The sequel picks up immediately after the first book, with Odessa on the run with Evie and Ransom fighting the Crux. About half the book keeps the central couple apart, and when reunited, their chemistry and dialogue feel forced and laughlable: “fuck me,” “I’ll fuck that mouth of yours.” Please, this is the best Perry could muster.

The romance remains understated from Casspia’s perspective, as the chemistry between her and Andreas does not develop. It’s more of an insta-obssession. Their relationship is almost unbalanced, with Andreas trusting Casspia’s words, while Casspia maintains some secrets until the end.

Violence, secrets, betrayals, rolled into mediocre writing, is the letdown. Romance without connection. The most honest relationship is between Odessa and her little monster, which is sad when the potential for a strong fantasy protagonist is reduced to a paper doll.

Fantasy readers may find this book less engaging than anticipated. While it offers adventure, monsters, and peril, the tension isn’t compelling, making the story less gripping, rendering this a 1-star read.