Calandra's five kingdoms are on the verge of destruction. The crux migration is coming. And in the wake of a devastating attack, I've been separated from the man who owns my heart.
I'm lost. Terrified. Homesick. Hunted by monsters, driven to exhaustion, and kidnapped by a powerful priest, the only thing keeping me going is the little girl counting on me to keep her safe.
It's my turn to become the Guardian.
Our lives change one fateful night. A night of death. A night of monsters. A night of truths. That night, learn the real meaning of fear-and the depth of my own strength.
Everyone wants me to be something I'm not—a queen, a spy, a sacrifice. But what if embrace my crown? What if the secrets I uncover save our realm?
What if my sacrifice means salvation for the man I love?
For too long, I've feared the monsters we make.
It's time to discover the monster within.
Themes & Tropes:
- Romantic Fantasy
- Monsters & Myths
- Deadly Battles
- Epic Journey
- Spice
- Plot Twists
- Warrior Princess
- Dual POVs
- Legendary Hero
Book Review:
The story picks up immediately where Shield of Sparrows left off. Odessa is on the run with Evie, desperate to find safety as she makes her way back to Quentis. Along the journey, the two encounter new allies and obstacles, each adding depth and tension to their path.
This installment introduces a new point‑of‑view character, Caspia, and she quickly became a standout for me. Through her eyes, we explore the land of Calandra in vivid, dangerous detail. The world‑building is rich, immersive, and constantly keeps you alert. Caspia’s visions, uncertain glimpses of past or future, add a layer of mystery that makes her chapters especially compelling.
While the pacing is slower in the first half, the sheer amount of new information and character development makes it worthwhile. Caspia’s curiosity about magic and her struggle to understand her abilities create a fascinating contrast to Odessa’s more grounded journey.
Odessa and Ransom remain one of my favorite bookish couples. Their devotion to each other, to Evie, and even to Faze, the tarkin, creates a found‑family dynamic that’s both tender and fierce. Odessa’s growth is especially striking; she’s no longer the timid princess used as a pawn. She’s becoming a fighter, a protector, and a woman stepping fully into her own power. It’s almost hard to believe she’s the same character we met at the beginning of Shield of Sparrows.
Second books in trilogies often fall into a “sophomore slump,” but Rites of Starling does the opposite. It deepens the story, expands the world, and raises the stakes in all the right ways. Perry’s writing is phenomenal, and this story continues to shine with heart, danger, and magic.
If you’re a romantasy reader who hasn’t picked up Shield of Sparrows yet, do yourself a favor and start there, because once you finish, you’ll want to dive straight into Rites of Starling. My only complaint? Now I have to wait forever for book three.
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