My Thoughts: Rites of the Starling (Shield of Sparrows #2) by Devney Perry

*I received a copy of this book from Raincoast Books in exchange for an honest review.

Rites of the Starling

(Shield of Sparrows #2)

by Devney Perry

April 7, 2026

Goodreads Summary:

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.

Review

All eyes were on Rites of the Starling after the hit that was Shield of Sparrows. While I felt this sequel wasn’t as strong as its predecessor, the writing kept me reading. And I liked that we were getting some answers about the world and the lineages.

I sadly wasn’t a fan of the dual POV. Even knowing that at some point things would start making sense, one of the POV was slow and confusing to get through. I had some theories but it wasn’t until two and two really came together that I felt reinvigorated about Rites of the Starling. The new characters provided key pieces of information to understanding the world while the old characters fought for their rights/lives. The Brothers surprisingly played such pivotal roles that I was eager to see what they'd reveal.

Rites of the Starling was very emotional from start to finish. It was agony to see Odessa and Ransom apart, especially given neither knew if the other survived. Their reunion, particularly his (re)appearance, did not disappoint! Every second of Odessa and Ransom together was a joy to behold. He gave her confidence while she kept him from snapping completely. I was also grateful to see their found family remain mostly intact. It will be interesting to see how the new additions will (not?) work out XD

While Rites of the Starling didn’t quite match the excitement I felt while reading Shield of Sparrows, it still showed its potential. I’m invested and need to see where the story will take Odessa and the rest of her resilient companions!

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not affected in any way. Any quotes included in my review were taken from the copy I received.