Book Review: Rites of the Starling
Book Details
Title: Rites of the Starling
Author: Devney Perry
Genre(s): Fantasy, Romance
Age: Adult
Date Published: April 7th, 2026
Page Count: 500
Goodreads Rating: 4.49
Series: Shield of Sparrows #2
Vibes:
Cinderella meets the Witcher
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, I 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 I 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.
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My Rating
5 stars
Wow. That is all I can say after finishing this book. I really enjoyed Shield of Sparrows, but this book takes that one and expands upon it and turns the series into a masterpiece. This book was different from Shield of Sparrows in many ways. Dual POV, a whole different storyline and adventure, and tons of new chracters.
I wasn’t a fan of the dual POV chapters at first, but by the end it tied so well together it blew my mind. The way this book really explores the land of Calandra, and you learn so much more about Odessa, her kingdom, the monsters.
I did enjoy the new characters in the book, and cannot wait to read the final book that comes out next year. The ending of this book just takes you by surprise. I didn’t put the pieces together all the way until it was spelled out for me in the last few chapters, and then I cried it was so emotional and breathtaking. This is 5 stars, maybe more and it is one of my favorite reads of the year so far.
“Yes.” It wasn’t only monsters I had to fear on this journey. Men could be just as cruel.”
“That smirk was a dozen stolen moments. A hundred precious memories. A single promise of a lifetime together.”
“All this time, I wanted to be good enough for you. But truth is, you were never good enough for me.”
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