Slow-burn, high-stakes romantasy for readers who love Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros—with cursed kingdoms, deadly creatures, and an overlooked princess who’s done being decorative. If you like enemies-to-lovers on a dangerous road trip with fate, monsters, and a heroine who finally chooses herself? Put this on your TBR immediately.

The vibe

The gods unleashed monsters on the five kingdoms as a warning: mortals must bow. And all her life, she has—first to the gods, then to her father. As a princess, her job has always been simple: wear the crown, obey the king. She was never meant to rule, never trained to fight… and definitely never meant to be the daughter who sealed an ancient pact with her own blood.

Everything changes the day she steps into her father’s throne room: a famed monster hunter arrives, and a prince shatters her future. Suddenly she’s traveling across brutal lands beside a warrior who loathes her as much as she loathes him—tied to a destiny she never chose and a husband she barely knows.

Tropes & tags

Romantasy / high stakes
Slow burn
Enemies-to-lovers
Monster hunter + cursed land
Forced marriage / unwanted husband
Hidden power / blood pact
“Overlooked girl becomes the weapon” energy

Perfect for readers of:

SJM-style epic romance + danger
Rebecca Yarros fans who want tension + grit
Monster-filled quests and big destiny reveals
Heroines who stop bowing and start rewriting the rules

Series order

Shield of Sparrows
Rites of the Starling
Coming soon

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Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry