Rites of the Starling is the much-anticipated second book in Devney Perry’s Shield of Sparrows series, introducing a whole new dimension to this universe, with new characters and new realms to add layers to this sweeping, adventurous romantasy series.
*This review contains spoilers for the first book in the series, Shield of Sparrows*
After the crux attack in Turah, Odessa and Evie got separated from Ransom. They don’t know if he even made it out alive, and their only choice is to follow a Voster priest on a dangerous journey across the realm back to Quentis. With Calandra hovering on the edge of disaster, Odessa needs to find answers about herself and about the dark magic plaguing their world.
In a whole different world, Caspia is desperate to find out what happened to her sister. Her search takes her to Calandra, a mysterious world across the sea, where she discovers both true love and poison magic.
With the fate of Calandra at risk, long-kept family secrets are revealed, and Odessa has to find a way to stop the rot spreading through Calandra before it takes everything she loves.
Rites of the Starling has a dual storyline, with two different perspectives. It introduces Caspia, a whole new main character, something that was hard to connect with at first. Caspia’s chapters were just something to get through to find out what happens to Odessa and Ransom, especially in the beginning.
I realize their plot lines are reliant on each other, but I can’t help wishing Caspia and Odessa were in separate books with their own whole story instead of combined into one.
This book raises lots of questions, but also gives lots of hints at the answers, which I really enjoyed. It makes the reader feel like we’re solving the puzzle and finding the truth along with Odessa and Caspia.
That said, the first third of this book could have been shortened significantly. There are several “vision” scenes that, while necessary to the plot, really slow the story down. Much of this book informs the reader about backstory and lore, which, while interesting, gives it a very different tone and vibe from the first book and makes for a less exciting reading experience.
The slow pace doesn’t seem to match the energy the author is trying to convey with the plot. I suspect my vibe issue with this book is unique to me, and tons of others will like this book, but for me, it was tough to get through.
The romantic aspect of the story is not at the forefront in Rites of the Starling, like it was in the first book. There is some romance and some spice, but the spice was fairly bland, and it didn’t hold up to the robust lore and emotional turmoil that hold up the plot.
Rites of the Starling is necessary to build up, sharing important mythology about this world, but it was not particularly engaging. I found myself bored at several points, even if the end did truly bring it all together. The ending was powerful, and it ensured I will absolutely continue with this series when the third book is released in March 2027.
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