Shield of Sparrows

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1.  How does Shield of Sparrows compare to other recent popular romantasy novels, such as Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses?

2.  What surprised you most about the direction Shield of Sparrows took, either in terms of plot, genre expectations, or character development? Did the story challenge any assumptions you had going in?

3. What do you think the book’s greatest strength is—world-building, relationships, mystery, or something else? Where, if anywhere, did it fall short?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1.  Odessa longs to be seen, trusted, and valued by her family, but she is constantly overlooked. Can you relate to any part of her struggle for validation? How did her experience resonate with you?

2.  At several points in the story, Odessa questions who she would be if she weren’t defined by duty. Have you ever felt constrained by other people’s expectations of you? What would “freedom” look like for you?

3.  The novel repeatedly blurs the line between human and monster. Have you ever been forced to reassess your opinion of someone after learning more about them? How does that relate to the characters’ shifting perceptions?

4. Odessa gradually builds a chosen family in Turah—people who see and support her. Who in your own life has helped you feel like you belong? How do those relationships compare to Odessa’s connections with Ransom, Evie, or Cathlin?

Examine the book’s relevance to broader societal issues, cultural trends, and ethical dilemmas.

1.  Odessa’s political value shapes and limits her identity and autonomy. How does the novel comment on how social status and lineage affect a person’s right to make their own choices? What relevance does this have in societies that have moved away from the kinds of inherited class systems the novel depicts?

2. King Ramsey’s use of untested enhancements on his soldiers is an instance of weaponizing science for power. How does this compare to real-world military experiments or government control over medical advancements? What is the novel’s ethical stance on such questions?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and use of narrative techniques.

1.  The book avoids many common romantasy tropes like traditional love triangles. How did the slow reveal of Ransom’s identity and Odessa’s feelings affect your engagement with their romance?

2.  Blood oaths or political fear force several characters into silence (e.g., Cathlin, Zavier, Luella). How does Perry use enforced silence and withheld truth to shape tension, worldbuilding, and betrayal across the story?

3.  The pacing of the book slows considerably in Turah and Ellder, focusing more on domestic routines, interpersonal bonds, and internal conflict. How does this structural shift affect tension and reader immersion? Does it deepen emotional stakes or dilute narrative momentum?

4. Foils—such as Banner and Ransom, or Mae and Odessa—often highlight contrasting values and thematic concerns. Choose one pair of characters and analyze how their differences highlight the primary characters’ roles in the story.

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book’s content and themes.

1.  If this book were adapted into a movie, whom would you cast as Odessa, Ransom, and Evie? Where would the crew film to give an accurate depiction of Turah’s setting?

2. If you could give one character a companion novella, who would it be and what part of their story would you explore? What unanswered questions or off-page moments would you want to see?