Shield of Sparrows Review

★★★★★ — Favorite Read of 2025

This book deserves the hype. Devney Perry absolutely slayed with Shield of Sparrows, and I’m officially joining the obsessed fan club. This has hands down been my favorite read of the year.

Enemies to lovers? It’s my favorite trope and wow, it delivered. The tension, the banter, the chemistry, it had me kicking my feet and screaming.

The world-building? Chef’s kiss. The characters? Chef’s kiss. The plot twists? Literal chef’s kiss. Every layer of this story was crafted to pull me in, and it worked. I devoured this book in record time. I lost sleep. I skipped chores. It takes a lot to make me stop pretending to be a functioning adult, but this book had me fully unhinged in the best way.

Spoilers ahead — stop reading if you haven’t picked it up yet!

I did not see it coming that her husband wasn’t who she thought he was, we were all relived right?! That twist had my jaw on the floor. And then the ending with the girl who had her same hair color used as a crux?? My brain short-circuited. Devney Perry has me in a chokehold until the next one drops.

It was emotionally intense, high-stakes book. It was haunting, romantic, wild, and full of those tiny details that linger in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page.

If you haven’t read it go now. If you have let’s scream together.

Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales Book Review

Where do I even begin? Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Tales has cemented its place as a beloved series by me. It’s a cozy adventure that it’s easy to jump into. As a young girl, I was utterly obsessed with fairies, their magic, and the mystical world they inhabited. Reading about Emily Wilde felt like stepping into a dream – she embodies the adventurous, scholarly spirit I always longed for. She has my “dream job” of researching faeries.

Heather Fawcett has masterfully crafted a world that feels both familiar and utterly unique, and this third installment continues to deliver that magic. The portrayal of faeries is spot-on, capturing their inherent trickery, their connection to stories, and the way they weave themselves into the very fabric of existence. It’s a breath of fresh air to see a fantasy world that feels so grounded in folklore and authentic to the myths we know.

The journey with Emily and Wendell, which has developed wonderfully over the course of the series, was a delightful rollercoaster. Their dynamic, from prickly academic rivals to something much deeper, was beautifully developed. I found myself completely invested in their relationship, cheering for them every step of the way. And let’s not forget Shadow and Orga! Those characters added so much depth and charm to the story. Shadow’s ending, in particular, brought tears to my eyes – a testament to how deeply Fawcett made me care for even the animal side kicks.

This series isn’t about spice; it’s about heart. It’s about the tender moments, the quiet discoveries, and the profound connections that form between people and the magical world around them. Fawcett’s writing is elegant and evocative, painting vivid pictures of the Otherlands and its inhabitants. 

Heather Fawcett has created something truly special with the Compendium of Tales series. These characters will stay with me long after I’ve turned the final page. I’ll miss Emily, Wendell, Shadow, Orga, and the enchanting world they inhabit. If you’re looking for a beautifully written, heartfelt fantasy that will transport you to another realm, look no further. This series, and this third book, are an absolute gem.


Onyx Storm review **Spoilers***

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Spoilers Ahead

An Unpopular Opinion: Onyx Storm Fell Flat for Me

Look, I know I’m probably in the minority here, but “Onyx Storm” just didn’t resonate with me the way the previous “Empyrean” series books did. I’m a dedicated fan, and I’ll absolutely continue with the series, but this installment felt like a significant dip in quality.

My main issue? It felt like a rehash of “Iron Flame,” lacking the forward momentum I craved. It felt like a filler book, stretching out existing plot points without significantly advancing the overarching narrative. I couldn’t shake the feeling that “Iron Flame” and “Onyx Storm” could have been condensed into a tighter, more impactful single volume.

Perhaps diving in without a fresh reread of the first two books contributed to my disconnect, but it shouldn’t have been necessary. The pacing felt off, and the plot felt meandering. Many readers have expressed similar sentiments, noting a lack of substantial plot progression. The book felt too long for what the story was, with too many side plots that didn’t contribute to the main story.

I appreciate the continued world-building and the expansion of the “Empyrean” universe, but I was left wanting more regarding significant reveals and character development. The introduction of various side character deaths that I struggled to recall highlighted a potential character depth and engagement issue. Some of the new points of view felt underdeveloped and difficult to connect with, further contributing to the feeling of a scattered narrative.

While the ending certainly left us with a cliffhanger, it lacked the same level of excitement and anticipation I experienced with previous books. It felt more like a forced pause than a genuine cliffhanger that left me desperately needing the next installment. In some ways it really didn’t feel earned to me.

“Onyx Storm” felt, dare I say, a bit lazy compared to the previous books. It lacked the spark and urgency that made “Fourth Wing” and “Iron Flame” so compelling. I sincerely hope the next installment recaptures the magic and delivers the impactful storytelling I’ve come to expect from this series. While I remain a fan, this book was a definite disappointment.



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Updates

Today, I sat back down to write. Which is hard after being out for a while. I had a house with sick people (norovirus for 10 days!), and then I hurt my back/hip and have been trying to recoup from that. A while ago, I had this brilliant idea to edit Part One of my book in its Word document. I got it done; it took a few weeks, and I added a ton, took it away, and felt really good. I deleted it. And emptied my trash. I hadn’t realized I had done this. I’ve been on muscle relaxers and dealing with less sleep with sick kids, but I have been devastated.

Today I began some work again after taking a bit of time away. Losing all that work hurt so much; it also set me back. Today, I am slowly trying again. Adding, removing, editing, and hoping this is a good sign. I did it once; I can do it again and maybe have new ideas and more.

I am hopeful that this will pass. This feeling of annoyance and anger with myself. I just wanted to try to publish in March, but if it’s April, that will be okay too. Everything happens for a reason right?

Editing

Good morning!

Today, I am back to editing. I haven’t looked at my book in well over a week. I am hopeful I can get back into the right mindset as I try to reread it and work it. Since switching to decaf coffee, I find it harder to get going in the mornings.

It is COLD, and I have no desire to be outside. I am hoping this helps me stay motivated. Since I can’t be outside and I am finally feeling better it is time to get to my book.

I do find I keep lagging behind. Maybe it’s because being done means I need to figure out my next step. And that is scary. Do I just go straight to self-publishing, or do I dare to find someone to take me on? I don’t want to waste my time if no one will ever publish it, but I also worry it won’t take off without the right people backing me up.

I am also currently trying to read this book. I keep getting into it, but then when I pause, I find it hard to dive back in. It is just a BIG book and has a lot in it. I really want to finish, though, so I can move onto a new book. Between writing and this, hopefully, I have a busy weekend.

M.I.A.

Hey everyone,
Sorry I have been MIA. My house went down with Norovirus and it was UGLY. It was 9 days of unspeakable things.

I did not have time to write or to read like I had hoped. Sometimes when I get sick or the kids are sick I can sneak in some extra writing or reading time but this illness was not one that wanted to sit to the wayside.
I made it to the other side though! I am hopeful I will find some extra time to write and to edit and make some headway on figuring out if self publishing is right for me. For those who have self published, where do you start? Do you suggest it? I will take any and all tips!

Thanks for being here. I appreciate all of you!

Happy Valentine’s Day too! I got some flowers and new books. As soon as I finish Quicksilver I am hoping to dive into one of these!

Instagram Reels and AI

Hey Everyone, There is a lot I should be doing and I really do mean A LOT! First of all if you like to come by and read my posts please subscribe! If you think someone else might be interested in it please share. Ok self promo plug over!

Now to the real reason for this post. I started an instagram and I am having too much fun with it, truly too much, I am already in instagram jail and can’t add or comment for 7 days, who knew? Anyways on instagram I noticed people using AI to create scenes and people from books. OH MY GOD! So hear me out on this.
Have you ever had a story swirling in your head, vivid and vibrant, but struggled to bring it to life? well now you truly can. I’m so excited to share my latest Instagram Reel, born from the magic of artificial intelligence.

The concept was simple, yet powerful. I provided detailed descriptions of my characters, settings, animals, and even fantastical creatures to an AI image generator. I used exact excerpts from my manuscript. Then, the AI took over, transforming my words into stunning visuals.

The result? Absolutely mind-blowing! Seeing my descriptions materialize before my eyes was an incredible experience. It was like watching my imagination unfold on screen. The AI interpreted my words in ways I hadn’t even considered, adding unexpected details and perspectives that enriched the whole scene.

What’s even more exciting is sharing these AI-generated images with you! I am hoping some of you might care as much as I did.

This experience has opened my eyes to the incredible potential of AI in creative fields. It’s not about replacing human creativity, but rather augmenting it, offering new tools and possibilities. For me, it’s been an invaluable way to visualize my ideas and explore different artistic avenues.

Has anyone else experimented with using AI to bring their creative visions to life? I’d love to hear about your experiences! What tools have you used? Specifically, I’m curious about AI platforms that are particularly good at generating realistic images of people. Any recommendations for bringing characters to life would be greatly appreciated! Share your thoughts and recommendations in the comments below – I can’t wait to connect and discuss this exciting new frontier in creativity!

Check out my Instagram Reel below to see the magic for yourself! Don’t forget to let me know what you think in the comments!

De-fluffing my story

Today, I am finally facing the music, even though I would rather be reading and ignoring everything else. But I am trying to keep myself on a timeline, to keep my commitment to myself. So today, my book, my beautiful, long book, is getting a trim. Let’s be honest, I’m a writer who believes in the power of description. I want you to see the world I’ve created, to feel it, to taste it! But I’ve learned a valuable lesson: sometimes, less is more. My friends, and family, the trusted few first readers, have spoken. And while it stings to part with some of my favorite phrases (a year’s worth!), I know it’s for the best. It’s all about you, reader. I want to give you the most captivating story possible. So, here we go! Wish me strength!

The fear of being “Almost done”

Okay, deep breaths everyone. I’ve officially finished a full run-through of my book! 🎉 Yes, you read that right. Finished. It feels surreal, exhilarating, and utterly terrifying all at once.

Now that the first draft is complete, I’m diving back in for the first edit, adding some fun little easter eggs now that I have a clearer picture of where book two is headed. It’s amazing how knowing the future of the story can influence the present!

But here’s the scary part: this feels like the almost done stage. The point of no return. I made a pact with myself that when I finished the first draft, I’d send it out to publishers. And now… the self-doubt is creeping in. What if no one wants it?

Okay, plan B: self-publishing. But then… what if no one reads it?

Writing is terrifying! As an avid reader, I know I can be critical. I often find myself picking apart books (in my head, of course!). “Why did they do that?” “I didn’t like this.” And now, that inner critic has turned its gaze on my writing. What if I fail? What if my carefully crafted world falls flat? What if my characters don’t resonate?

I guess there’s only one way to find out, right? I won’t know unless I try. So, here I am, facing the fear, embracing the vulnerability, and diving headfirst into this edit. Wish me luck! And if you have any words of wisdom for a newbie author facing the “almost done” stage, please send them my way. I need all the encouragement I can get! ❤️

Here I come!

Hello World! Meet Adelaide Green, Your New Romantasy Obsession

Hey everyone! I’m Adelaide Green, and I’m so thrilled to finally be launching this blog! I grew up surrounded by the Mountains of Colorado, a place where magic always felt just around every corner. My love affair with fairytales started with Ella Enchanted when I was eight, and it’s only grown stronger over the years.

I’ve been writing since I was a kid, but I often heard that fantasy wasn’t “real writing.” Well, the rise of romantasy has shown just how wrong those naysayers were! Love and fantasy are my passions—both what I love to read and what I love to dream up.

For the past couple of years, I’ve been pouring my heart into a series called The Oracle’s War. And then, something clicked. I turned 36 and realized that if I didn’t start taking steps toward publishing now, I might never do it. So, this blog is my beginning. It’s where I’ll share my journey, my inspirations, and snippets of my writing.

Thank you for being here, for cheering me on, and for joining me on this adventure! I can’t wait to share The Oracle’s Warwith you and everything that comes next. Let the magic begin!