Rites of the Starling is finally here, and the much-anticipated sequel to Shield of Sparrows solves several of the first book’s most pressing mysteries — then presents new ones to contend with. Just as Shield of Sparrows‘ ending raises the stakes of the story and delivers a shocking twist, Rites of the Starling‘s final chapters set up a truly daunting finale. The last few pages, in particular, will leave readers worried for Odessa and Ransom going forward. Major SPOILERS ahead for Rites of the Starling.
Rites of the Starling spends a lot of time expanding Devney Perry’s fantasy world and acquainting us with Odessa’s mother, Caspia. Toward the end of the book, we come to realize the truth about Caspia’s visions and what they mean for her fate and Odessa’s. We also learn the origins of magic in Calandra and how it affects both the Voster and the creatures residing there. It turns everything Odessa believes on its head, and it presents her with a new enemy in the process.
It also gives Odessa and Ransom a new mission heading into Shield of Sparrows 3. It’s one that will be complicated by what happens at the very ending of Rites of the Starling.
Caspia’s Visions & What Really Happened to Emery Explained
Throughout Rites of the Starling, it becomes increasingly clear that Caspia’s visions aren’t showing her the past, like she initially believes. As it turns out, Caspia can see the future — and tragically, the very vision of her sister, Emery, that sends her to Calandra only comes true because she misunderstands this. In a later vision, she sees Emery returning to Nelfinex, only to learn Caspia’s gone searching for her. Emery was captured and tortured in Beesa, but when she discovers this, she sets out for Calandra. That’s why, in Shield of Sparrows‘ present timeline, she ends up attacking Ellder and getting killed by Ransom.
Caspia’s other visions also show the future for both herself and her loved ones. She writes them down in the book of stories Odessa carries, which is why the tales keep coming true over the course of the book. Caspia sees Andreas’ future children with Margot, as well as her own inevitable end. It’s how she knows she must sacrifice herself when the Voster arrive in Quentis.
And her sacrifice, combined with the threat of the Voster, is the reason Andreas and Margot lie to Odessa for years. After Rites of the Starling‘s ending, the way Odessa is treated in Shield of Sparrows finally makes sense. It’s still sad and somewhat infuriating, but it helps us understand her family’s actions better.
Odessa’s True Nature & Why Her Family Lied to Her
The reveal that Caspia is Odessa’s mother confirms that Odessa is half-Starling. This explains why the red-headed woman at the end of Shield of Sparrows looked just like her. It also explains how Odessa can feel the Voster’s magic, and why she attracts monsters, just like her mother. And it’s the motivation for her father and Margot to lie to her and keep her in the background for all those years.
Caspia’s final chapters show how she made Margot, who was once her maid, vow to protect her daughter. This is why Margot dyes Odessa’s hair brown, and it’s the reason she dresses her in drab attire. She doesn’t want Odessa to draw attention to herself, lest the Voster realize she’s a Starling and come after her, like they did with Caspia.
And Andreas pushes Odessa away for multiple reasons. Not only does he blame himself for what happens to Caspia, but he fears that, if Odessa knows the truth, she’ll take up her mother’s mission to save Callandra. He’s not wrong about that, as Odessa does indeed decide to follow in Caspia’s footsteps. On the bright side, she and Andreas clear the air, and the king finally entrusts her with his secrets.
What’s Wrong With Calandra’s Magic
The ending of Rites of the Starling also reveals a larger truth about Calandra and its relationship to magic — one that will drive the plot of the series going forward. In her meetings with Brother Hain, one of the rogue Voster priests, Caspia learns that the Six worshipped in Calandra aren’t actually gods. Instead, they’re magicians who cursed the continent. And although a Starling once defeated them, their magic continues to seep into Calandra because their remains are hidden in orbits across the continent. This is the reason that creatures are bloodthirsty in Calandra, especially the crux. It’s also why the Voster priests received powers after fleeing persecution and arriving on the continent.
In her conversation with Brother Hain, Caspia realizes that destroying the orbits will cause magic in Calandra to “cease.” This would solve the problem of monsters, and it would strip the Voster of their abilities. Obviously, the priests don’t want this, which is what puts them at odds with Caspia and Andreas after they uncover the first orbit. Any Starling is a threat to them, as the Starlings can sense their magic, and thus, find the orbits.
This is what Brother Skore has Odessa locate earlier in the book, as he’s one of the Kennin (aka Voster traitors). And there are several still hidden across Calandra, which lays the groundwork for book three’s plot. One is likely hidden in Allesaria, which is why Odessa’s father wants its location so badly.
How Odessa & Ransom Can Defeat the Voster in Shield of Sparrows Book 3
With several orbits still scattered across Calandra, Odessa and Ransom will be tasked with finding and destroying them in Shield of Sparrows 3. Since Starlings can sense the power radiating off them, Odessa is the only one who will be able to find the objects. Although the Kennin and Odessa’s father already have a couple of them, they also don’t know how to destroy them. That’s another thing they’ll need to figure out if they hope to get rid of magic and monsters. The Voster will likely come after them if they realize what’s happening, however, since they’re committed to keeping their power.
Rites of the Starling’s Other Lyssa Twist & Whether a Cure Is Possible
Although the characters make little progress on curing Lyssa in Rites of the Starling, its ending reveals a new twist. While Luella initially assumed that Ransom developed powers due to a monster bite mixing with the elixir in his blood, there’s more to the story. Ransom was bitten by the wolf that Caspia’s cousin, Xandra, turned into. So, it’s actually the combination of a Starling bite and the elixir that created his current state.
What Odessa’s “Thrum” & Caspia’s Final Vision Mean for Her and Ransom
Shield of Sparrows 3 will see Odessa and Ransom setting out to destroy the orbits, but after Rites of the Starling‘s ending, they’ll have another challenge to contend with. The very last chapter reveals a worrisome truth: that Odessa is now feeling the “thrum” of the rite. This means she can, in fact, shift, despite being half-human and half-Starling. And judging by the vision Caspia has of her daughter, she will become a crux before the series is through.
That final vision sees “a silver-eyed warrior” — Ransom — bleeding on his knees before a crux. He doesn’t attack it, however, placing his sword on the ground and whispering, “My queen.” This seems to confirm he’s speaking to Odessa, and Caspia believes he’ll “meet his end.” However, it’s unclear how Odessa’s half-Calandran side will affect her transformation. Perhaps she’ll prove capable of turning back into a human or have better control. Whatever happens, it’s likely Rites of the Starling‘s ending is intentionally misleading us in some way. After all, that’s the best way to keep tensions high ahead of the looming finale.
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