BOOK REVIEW: CATLING’S BANE

Posted on March 21, 2019 by Karen DeMers Dowdall

Catling’s Bane, Book 1 of the Rose Shield series, offers the reader an amazing journey into a world so believable that the characters seem to come alive on the page. This beautifully written science-fiction pulled me into a world that glitters with luminosity. The author reveals this world with descriptions so vivid, so rich in detail, that we forget completely, that it is a fictional world.

It is a civilization very different than our own, yet still, very much the same, with problems of great poverty, injustice, and cruelty, with one exception. There are strange powers of influence, powers that control someone’s intent, beliefs, and thoughts. The poor live their lives in a caste system, while the wealthy and powerful live like royalty, and all others live by hook or by crook.

Yet, even for the wealthy, life becomes a perilous journey, because every word, ever thought, may not be their own. There are those, however, within this system, who have courageous hearts, make great sacrifices, and if they can escape the Influencers, they may have the opportunity to change their world where everyone can speak their own thoughts and live their lives as they choose to be.

I was completely captured within this incredible world, created by the author, D. Wallace Peach. 5 stars

52 thoughts on “BOOK REVIEW: CATLING’S BANE”

D. Wallace Peach on March 22, 2019 at 2:46 pm said:

Thank you so much, Karen, for the glowing review. Big smiles over here this morning with my coffee! I’m delighted that you enjoyed the book and appreciate your sweet thoughts. 🙂 I will reblog in a few days. I can’t wait to share your kindness. Thank you! ❤

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- K. D. Dowdall on March 22, 2019 at 3:02 pm said:
  
  Diane, I wrote two reviews about Catling’s Bane. It is an absolutely amazing story, and your descriptions are so incredible and I was awed by the entire story. The first review gave away too much of the story and was way too long (I could actually write a book about the story.) So, I shortened it and changed it a little. I just can’t say enough about your writing and the story, which I adore, and only hope that one day, I can write half as amazingly as you do. Thank you. Karen
  
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  - D. Wallace Peach on March 22, 2019 at 3:33 pm said:
    
    Thank you, Karen. You’re so sweet in your comments. I hope if you go on with the series you find the rest just as entrancing. Happy Writing, my friend, and keep being you!
    
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  - K. D. Dowdall on March 22, 2019 at 6:41 pm said:
    
    Diane, thank so much for the lovely compliment. Awesome! Karen 🙂
    
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  - Jina Bazzar on March 28, 2019 at 1:55 pm said:
    
    My sentiments exactly! I didn’t write 2 reviews for her book – Soul’s swallowers – but i had so o much to say, I had trouble narrowing it to an acceptable length. Great review!
    
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  - K DeMers Dowdall on March 29, 2019 at 10:30 am said:
    
    Jina, thank you for sharing. Yes, I had so much to say too, about Diana’s incredible story, Catling’s Bane. Karen 🙂
    
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- K. D. Dowdall on March 22, 2019 at 6:44 pm said:
  
  Diane…thank you so much for your great storytelling gifts.
  
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robertawrites235681907 on March 28, 2019 at 4:07 am said:

A wonderful review of Diana’s book, Karen.

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- D. Wallace Peach on March 29, 2019 at 4:08 am said:
  
  Thanks so much for stopping by to read, Robbie. Much appreciated! Happy Writing. 🙂
  
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- K DeMers Dowdall on March 29, 2019 at 11:51 am said:
  
  Roberta, thank you so much for the lovely compliment. It is so appreciated. Diana’s story and world-building is incredible. She is an amazing writer. Karen 🙂
  
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Miriam Hurdle on March 28, 2019 at 4:38 am said:

This is a great review of Diana’s book, Karen. Diana is a wonderful writer! ❤

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- K DeMers Dowdall on March 29, 2019 at 10:54 am said:
  
  Miriam, thank you for the wonderful compliment about my review. 🙂 And, yes Diana is an amazing writer, a very gifted writer and Catling’s Bane is an incredible world, built by Diana, a master world-builder. Karen 🙂
  
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- D. Wallace Peach on April 1, 2019 at 2:31 pm said:
  
  Thanks for checking out Karen’s review, Miriam, and for the kind comment. So appreciated. Have a lovely week!
  
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  - Miriam Hurdle on April 1, 2019 at 6:20 pm said:
    
    You’re welcome, Diana. Have a wonderful week!
    
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jenanita01 on March 28, 2019 at 9:29 am said:

Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.

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- D. Wallace Peach on March 29, 2019 at 4:09 am said:
  
  Thanks so much for sharing, Anita and Jaye Marie. You made my day! 🙂
  
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  - jenanita01 on March 29, 2019 at 10:06 am said:
    
    Pleased to hear that, Diana. Every little bit helps!
    
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Jacqui Murray on March 28, 2019 at 2:15 pm said:

What a wonderful gift you have for words.

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- D. Wallace Peach on March 29, 2019 at 4:09 am said:
  
  Thanks so much, Jacqui. Happy Writing!
  
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- K DeMers Dowdall on March 29, 2019 at 10:50 am said:
  
  Jacqui, you really made my day, because writers write to create patterns of words that mean something heartfelt, and say something that is important to the writer that also resonates with readers. That you so much! Karen 🙂
  
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wordsfromanneli on March 28, 2019 at 4:49 pm said:

Loved this book!

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- D. Wallace Peach on March 29, 2019 at 4:10 am said:
  
  Thanks again, Anneli, for visiting Karen’s site and the wonderful comment!
  
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  - wordsfromanneli on March 29, 2019 at 6:18 am said:
    
    I really did love it, and the next one too.
    
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  - D. Wallace Peach on March 29, 2019 at 12:49 pm said:
    
    Thank you ❤
    
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Bette A. Stevens on March 28, 2019 at 10:51 pm said:

Wonderful review! I’ve had Catling’s Bane on my kindle for quite some time… must move it up and share the review!

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- D. Wallace Peach on March 29, 2019 at 4:11 am said:
  
  Thanks, Bette, for the wonderful comment. ❤
  
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- K DeMers Dowdall on March 29, 2019 at 10:46 am said:
  
  Bette, I am so glad you liked it. Diana is an amazing world-builder and I loved the story. Karen 🙂
  
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Jennie on March 29, 2019 at 10:50 am said:

Excellent review!

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- K DeMers Dowdall on March 29, 2019 at 11:47 am said:
  
  Jennie, thank you so much for the lovely compliment. Greatly appreciated. Karen 🙂
  
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  - Jennie on March 29, 2019 at 11:08 pm said:
    
    My pleasure, Karen!
    
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- D. Wallace Peach on March 30, 2019 at 5:38 am said:
  
  Thanks so much, Jennie for stopping over at Karen’s to read the review. I was delighted with Karen’s kindness and appreciate your visit. ❤
  
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  - Jennie on March 30, 2019 at 10:18 am said:
    
    You are welcome, Diana! ❤️
    
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Molly Stevens - Shallow Reflections on March 29, 2019 at 7:10 pm said:

I loved this book, too, and fantasy is not a genre I usually read. Diana has woven an intriguing tale and built a fantastic world. What an imagination she has!

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- K DeMers Dowdall on March 29, 2019 at 8:28 pm said:
  
  Molly, I agree with you completely. Diana is brilliant and her imagination soars! Thank you! Karen 🙂
  
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  - D. Wallace Peach on March 30, 2019 at 5:40 am said:
    
    Thanks again, Karen, for the wonderful review and for all your kind comments. You are sweet to read, review, and share. ❤
    
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  - K DeMers Dowdall on April 2, 2019 at 12:01 pm said:
    
    Diana, thank you and how kind of you. I just think that when a reader reads something that they know is incredibly great, they want to have other people experience those emotions and that awe, that suddenly hits you as you read, like viewing a beautiful painting. but in words. Karen 🙂
    
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  - D. Wallace Peach on April 2, 2019 at 12:43 pm said:
    
    ❤ You are just too sweet, Karen. Happy Writing, my friend. ❤
    
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- D. Wallace Peach on March 30, 2019 at 5:40 am said:
  
  Thanks for the comment, Molly. I can’t help smiling when I see your name pop up. Have a wonderful day, my friend. ❤
  
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Julie Holmes, author on March 31, 2019 at 5:06 pm said:

A wonderful review! And such a unique premise. This is on my TBR (now if I could just take a sabbatical to catch up …)

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- D. Wallace Peach on April 1, 2019 at 2:29 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Julie. Yes, there’s always that pull on our time. I’d planned to read why away taking care of my parents. What was I thinking???? Ha ha. Happy Writing, my friend.
  
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- K DeMers Dowdall on April 9, 2019 at 7:09 pm said:
  
  Julie, somehow I missed your comment, and thank for you wonderful comment about my review of Diana’s great novel Catling’s Bane. You won’t regret reading. Karen 🙂
  
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- K DeMers Dowdall on April 15, 2019 at 11:51 pm said:
  
  Thank you so much. I feel so honored. Karen 🙂
  
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Vashti Q on May 3, 2019 at 4:08 am said:

Hello! Excellent review. Congratulations to Diana! 😀

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- K DeMers Dowdall on May 3, 2019 at 10:00 pm said:
  
  Thank you Vashti, Catling’s Bane is a portrait of fantastic world building, and the story within this world is a great read. I loved it and as soon as possible, I will read book 2 of this incredible story. Karen 🙂
  
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  - Vashti Q on May 5, 2019 at 3:45 pm said:
    
    That’s wonderful to know, Karen. Thank you. I can’t wait to read it. 🙂
    
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  - K DeMers Dowdall on May 8, 2019 at 6:55 pm said:
    
    Vashti, Catling’s Bane, is a story that will capture your imagination. Karen 🙂
    
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  - D. Wallace Peach on May 5, 2019 at 3:56 pm said:
    
    Thanks again, Karen, for reading and sharing your review. It still makes me smile! Have an awesome day and week ahead.
    
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  - K DeMers Dowdall on May 8, 2019 at 6:54 pm said:
    
    My pleasure, Diana!
    
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- D. Wallace Peach on May 5, 2019 at 3:55 pm said:
  
  Thanks for stopping by to read the whole review, Vashti. That’s sweet of you. Have a lovely day and Happy Writing! 😀
  
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  - Vashti Q on May 5, 2019 at 6:40 pm said:
    
    Thanks, Diana! Happy writing to you too! 😀
    
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Pen & Paper

karen d dowdall

BOOK REVIEW: CATLING’S BANE

52 thoughts on “BOOK REVIEW: CATLING’S BANE”

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