Shield of Sparrows took the internet by storm upon its May 2025 release, and it’s back in the spotlight with the release of Rites of the Starling this April. Devney Perry’s romantasy series starts as a slow burn, but the final chapters of Shield of Sparrows set the stage for a wild ride in book two. Just as Ransom and Odessa make plans to address the looming threats they’re facing, an unexpected attack on Ellder throws everything off course. It leaves both of them scrambling and separated heading into the sequel — which, at the very least, gives readers a reunion to look forward to. SPOILERS ahead for Shield of Sparrows.
After Shield of Sparrows reveals that Luella is Ransom and Evie’s mother and the one responsible for creating Lyssa, the book dives headfirst into an explosive finale. The crux arrive in Ellder months before the migration is set to begin, sending Odessa on the run with Evie and Brother Dime while Ransom helps defend against the monsters. Lives are lost, characters are betrayed, and the novel with one shocking mystery. Here’s everything that happens in the final chapters of the book.
Where Lyssa Came From & Why It Affects Ransom Differently
Although political intrigue plays a prominent role in Shield of Sparrows, it’s significantly overshadowed by the monsters that plague Calandra, and specifically, Turah. Creatures like grizzurs and bariwolfs are daunting any day, but Lyssa makes the monsters in the book a much bigger threat. The infection, which turns their blood green, also makes them act out of bloodlust rather than natural instinct.
And Ransom reveals earlier in the book that he has the infection as well, seemingly because he was bitten by a bariwolf. It’s the reason he has extraordinary speed and strength, but it’s slowly killing him. Ransom and Odessa spend much of the book looking for the origin of Lyssa, which makes it all the more devastating when they realize it started with Ransom himself. In an attempt to make humans more resilient to injury and disease, Luella created an elixir that she gave to her injured son.
The elixir itself is only one step of the process, however. When Ransom is bitten, it mixes with the magic of Calandra’s monsters to create Lyssa. This is why King Ramsey’s attempts to recreate Ransom’s powers aren’t working. The elixir needs that magic in order to grant the person consuming it greater abilities. Otherwise, the person will burn up, just like King Ramsey’s test subjects.
Why the Crux Arrive Early in Shield of Sparrows
Shield of Sparrows‘ ending doesn’t give a clear reason for why the crux arrive several months early, but readers can hazard a guess. Something about Odessa seems to draw monsters to her, which is the reason she and Ransom encounter a striking number of them during her time in Turah. And it’s very likely she’s the reason the crux target Ellder before they’re expected.
Of course, the existence of Lyssa could also be affecting Calandra’s creatures and the migration, causing them to act differently. Rites of the Starling will ideally offer a more thorough explanation for the attack, but Odessa and Ransom are likely to be at the heart of it.
Who Dies & Who Survives the Crux Attack at the End of Shield of Sparrows
The crux attack on Ellder is one of the most gruesome sequences from Shield of Sparrows, and it takes a number of lives. Luella’s is among the most notable, as she’s brutally cut in half by one of the creatures. Odessa’s former companions, Jocelyn and Brielle, are also casualties. Right after Jocelyn is revealed to be a spy and traitor, she’s killed. And although Brielle initially hides, she lets herself be taken by the crux following Banner’s death.
Banner dies at the hands of Odessa after attacking her to get back at the Guardian. He sinks a throwing knife into Zavier during the fight, which leaves Ransom’s stand-in in rough shape — though the final chapter reveals he’s still fighting for his life. The same is true of Tillia’s husband, Halston, who loses a leg to the crux.
Tillia is, fortunately, alive at the end of the book, as is Cathlin. They’re both in Ellder when the novel closes, and Ransom bids them farewell when he sets out to find his wife. Odessa also survives the final fight, and she manages to keep Evie and Faze safe. The three of them leave the fortress with Brother Dime, which all but guarantees we’ll get answers about Odessa’s true nature in book two.
Where Odessa Is Going at the End of Shield of Sparrows
Odessa follows Brother Dime out of Ellder at the end of Shield of Sparrows, but it’s not entirely clear where they’re headed. The latter half of the book reveals that Odessa’s response to the Voster isn’t natural, suggesting there’s something special about her. The Voster seem to believe it’s related to her mother, too, since they ask about her identity.
It’s possible Brother Dime is taking Odessa to learn more about herself, though it’s not clear where that would be. Odessa does vow to return to Quentis and convince her father to fight for Ransom, so that could be their destination. A trip home might shed light on her parentage and aversion to the Voster as well. And that red-headed crux tease gives readers an idea of where that storyline might be headed.
What That Red-Headed Crux Tease Means for Shield of Sparrows’ Sequels
The very last chapter of Shield of Sparrows is from Ransom’s POV, and it features a perplexing hint about Odessa’s true nature. Ransom is carried off by a crux during the battle, but he manages to defeat it. And afterward, there’s no sign of a monster’s body in Ellder. Instead, there’s a naked woman’s corpse — and her hair is red, just like Odessa’s.
This, along with Odessa’s aversion to Voster magic and the mysterious hints about her mother, suggests Odessa could be part crux. There’s certainly more going on than meets the eye, and there’s a reason monsters are drawn to her. There also might be some truth to the speculation that Odessa’s father killed her mother. If she was connected to the crux, perhaps he was left with little choice.
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