by Devney Perry
Published 2026
The epic, heart-pounding sequel to Devney Perry’s #1 New York Times bestselling SHIELD OF SPARROWS.A princess journeys across a cursed realm to find the truth about her family, only to discover her quest intertwines with the fate of a lost warrior. Love, danger, and magic collide in a captivating romantasy perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros. 🖤 🗡 --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.--Tropes:🗡 Enemies to Lovers🗡 Magic, Myths, and Monsters🗡 Slow-Burn🗡 Hidden Identity🗡 High StakesPraise for the series:Critics are RAVING‘The best fantasy romance I’ve read in years. This story is unlike anything I’ve read before’ Giana Darling, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author‘A riveting world, a twisty plot, and a smoldering romance. I burned through this epic romantasy’ K.A. Tucker, USA Today and international bestselling author of the Fate & Flame series‘Devney Perry made me want to quit my job and reread this book every day until the next one releases, it’s that addictive!’ CE Ricci, USA Today bestselling author‘This book is everything! The world-building and main characters were so refreshing and empowering, and that simmering slow burn was so worth the wait’ Shanora Williams, New York Times bestselling author Readers are OBSESSED‘Shield of Sparrows is a must read!’ 5 — Reader Review‘My favorite book of the year. maybe even my favorite romantasy EVER’ 5 — Reader Review‘My favorite book of 2025 so far, the Romantasy I’ve been waiting for to get me out of my fantasy slump!!’ 5 — Reader Review‘I freaking LOVED this book’ 5 — Reader Review‘It’s my new favorite read this year’ 5 — Reader Review‘This book was F*CKING AMAZING’ 5 — Reader Review‘This book was absolutely perfect in so many ways’ 5 — Reader Review‘The ending of this book truly shook me’ 5 — Reader Review‘Devney Perry’s foray into the fantasy genre was a FABULOUS FIVE STARS filled with unique world-building, action-packed plot, and my new favorite characters!’ 5 — Reader Review‘If I could bottle the feeling this book gave me and carry it around forever, I would. From page one, I was hooked and I devoured this story like my life depended on it’ 5 — Reader Review The Shield of Sparrows series is best enjoyed in order.Reading Order:Book #1 Shield of SparrowsBook #2 Rites of the Starling
These are AI narrators you can listen to with your own EPUB on ElevenLabs or Fish Audio. How does it work?
Top voices for narrating this book
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Confident
“This voice's emotionally grounded delivery perfectly captures Calandra's journey from vulnerability to empowering resolve, ideal for an epic fantasy narrative.”
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Modulated
“Veda Sky's intense and haunting tone would vividly portray the perilous and dark fantasy aspects of Calandra's cursed realm, lending a dramatic edge to the storytelling.”
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Pleasant
“Kelly's warm, empathetic cadence and thoughtful pauses are well-suited for relaying Calandra's initial fears and homesickness, adding depth to her emotional arc.”
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Confident
“Kitten Kaley Rose offers a cool, passionate, and soothing presence, which can effectively convey both the high drama and the underlying romantic elements of the princess's tale.”
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Gentle
“Isla Sterling's expressive and cinematic quality, with its emotional depth, allows for a nuanced portrayal of Calandra's evolving strength and vulnerability in a grand narrative.”
For listeners: use the Best Narrator voice above in ElevenReader or Fish Audio. Character casting is for authors producing audiobooks with studio tools.
A lost warrior with a commanding presence, whose voice can convey both danger and deep affection. He embodies the "enemies to lovers" dynamic.
Deep · Low · Medium · High · Soft · Bright · +62 more
“The deep, raspy tone and dramatic flair of Sukuna perfectly embody the dangerous yet deeply affectionate warrior, fitting the 'enemies to lovers' dynamic with a powerful presence.”
Also recommended for: The Powerful Priest
Female · Male · Young · Middle-Aged · Old · Character-Voice · +11 more
“This commanding and intense male voice, with its mature and raspy texture, is ideal for a warrior who projects both danger and protective warmth, reflecting his complex character.”
Also recommended for: The Powerful Priest
Male · Neutral · Young · Old · Conversational · Narration · +61 more
“Matt Dillon's voice, described as deep and husky, provides the necessary gravitas and warmth for a love interest who is both formidable and capable of deep affection.”
Also recommended for: The Powerful Priest
Male · Young · Old · Middle-Aged · Medium · Female · +60 more
“Gus offers a relatively deep and calm tone, which can convey the warrior's measured demeanor while still hinting at underlying intensity and affection, suitable for a protagonist.”
Also recommended for: The Powerful Priest
An influential and potentially sinister leader, whose voice projects authority, conviction, and perhaps a manipulative edge.
Deep · Low · Medium · High · Soft · Bright · +62 more
“Sukuna's sinister and dramatic flair, combined with a deep, measured pace, is an excellent fit for a manipulative and influential antagonist, projecting dark authority.”
Also recommended for: Calandra's Love Interest
Female · Male · Young · Middle-Aged · Old · Character-Voice · +11 more
“This commanding and intense voice, with its mature raspy quality, perfectly conveys the priest's authoritative conviction and potentially sinister influence, making him a formidable antagonist.”
Also recommended for: Calandra's Love Interest
Male · Neutral · Young · Old · Conversational · Narration · +61 more
“Matt Dillon's deep and husky voice can lend a serious and imposing presence to the powerful priest, suggesting an underlying menace in his measured delivery.”
Also recommended for: Calandra's Love Interest
Male · Young · Old · Middle-Aged · Medium · Female · +60 more
“Gus, with his deep and calm tone, could embody the priest's deliberate and authoritative speaking style, hinting at a controlled, potentially manipulative nature.”
Also recommended for: Calandra's Love Interest
A young, vulnerable voice that relies on Calandra, occasionally showing glimpses of childlike wonder or fear amidst the dangers.
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Gentle
“Mina's gentle, soft, and serene presence is ideal for the vulnerable little girl, conveying her dependence on Calandra with a delicate and emotional touch.”
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Excited
“Karla's youthful, soft, and slightly breathy voice perfectly captures the innocence and potential fear of a young girl in a dangerous realm, making her relatable.”
Female · Young · Character-Voice · Social-Media · Entertainment · Bright · +9 more
“Luna Snow's bright and playful energy can portray glimpses of childlike wonder, contrasting with moments of fear, making her a dynamic supporting character.”
Female · Young · Conversational · Soft · Warm · Intimate · +3 more
“Alle's soft, warm, and intimate tone is well-suited for a young, conversational voice, allowing for genuine expressions of wonder or fear in her interactions.”
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Whispery
“Clara's whispery and intimate quality would emphasize the little girl's vulnerability and reliance on Calandra, creating a tender and delicate presence.”