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The Rose Shield #1
Catling's Bane
In the tiers of Ellegeance, the elite Influencers’ Guild holds the power to manipulate emotions. Love and fear, pain and pleasure, healing and death mark the extremes of their sway, but it’s the subtle blends that hook their victims’ hearts. They hide behind oaths of loyalty and rule the world.
A child born in the grim warrens beneath the city, Catling rues the rose birthmark encircling her eye. Yet, it grants her the ability to disrupt the influencers’ sway. Established methods of civil control disintegrate before her. She’s a weapon desired by those who reign and those who rebel.
To the Influencer’s Guild, she’s an aberration, a threat. They order her death and thus the betrayals begin. One woman protects and trains her, plotting to use her shield to further imperial goals. No longer a helpless child, Catling has other plans. As chaos shakes the foundations of order and rule, will she become the realm’s savior? Or its executioner?
The Rose Shield Tetralogy – a blend of science fiction and fantasy.
Welcome to a world of three moons, a sentient landscape, rivers of light, and tier cities that rise from the swamps like otherworld flowers. A planet of waterdragons, where humans are the aliens living among three-fingered natives with spotted skin. Where a half-blood converses with the fog and the goddess plans her final reckoning.
Follow Catling’s journey as she grows from childhood into the deadly force that shapes the future. She is the realm’s shield, an influencer, assassin, healer, mother, and avenger. And all she wants is to go home.
A child born in the grim warrens beneath the city, Catling rues the rose birthmark encircling her eye. Yet, it grants her the ability to disrupt the influencers’ sway. Established methods of civil control disintegrate before her. She’s a weapon desired by those who reign and those who rebel.
To the Influencer’s Guild, she’s an aberration, a threat. They order her death and thus the betrayals begin. One woman protects and trains her, plotting to use her shield to further imperial goals. No longer a helpless child, Catling has other plans. As chaos shakes the foundations of order and rule, will she become the realm’s savior? Or its executioner?
The Rose Shield Tetralogy – a blend of science fiction and fantasy.
Welcome to a world of three moons, a sentient landscape, rivers of light, and tier cities that rise from the swamps like otherworld flowers. A planet of waterdragons, where humans are the aliens living among three-fingered natives with spotted skin. Where a half-blood converses with the fog and the goddess plans her final reckoning.
Follow Catling’s journey as she grows from childhood into the deadly force that shapes the future. She is the realm’s shield, an influencer, assassin, healer, mother, and avenger. And all she wants is to go home.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 12, 2017
155 people are currently reading
703 people want to read
About the author
D. Wallace Peach
24 books176 followersI didn’t care for reading as a child – I preferred Bonanza and Beverly Hillbillies reruns, Saturday morning cartoons and the Ed Sullivan show. Then one day, I opened a book titled The Hobbit.
Tolkien … literally changed my life.
I love to write. It’s a luxury I never expected I’d have time for – life got in the way. You know how that goes – kids, work, chores… sleep. I worked for 18 years in business where amassing coin was the all-consuming objective. It required huge amounts of time and mental energy. And for me personally, it was soul-slaying.
Then on September 11, 2001 two planes flew into the World Trade Center. I was working in Connecticut, about 2 hours from ground zero, and remember sitting in a conference room, watching the second tower fall.
That tragedy initiated a process of redefinition for me, an evaluation of what was vital and important. Life felt short and precarious, and I started to wonder if it was time to do something that actually mattered. I began to write.
Tolkien … literally changed my life.
I love to write. It’s a luxury I never expected I’d have time for – life got in the way. You know how that goes – kids, work, chores… sleep. I worked for 18 years in business where amassing coin was the all-consuming objective. It required huge amounts of time and mental energy. And for me personally, it was soul-slaying.
Then on September 11, 2001 two planes flew into the World Trade Center. I was working in Connecticut, about 2 hours from ground zero, and remember sitting in a conference room, watching the second tower fall.
That tragedy initiated a process of redefinition for me, an evaluation of what was vital and important. Life felt short and precarious, and I started to wonder if it was time to do something that actually mattered. I began to write.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 24, 2025
Catling's Bane is the first of the book in The Rose Shield, an epic fantasy written by D. Wallace Peach. I've read a few of the author's other books, but the cover and title of this one drew me in immediately. The power of imagery only begins there, as one of Peach's greatest skills is her ability to craft a delicious description that transports readers to another world. In this case, young Catling is wise beyond her years, luckily for readers, but it is the well-rounded, extended cast that completes the depth and complexity of a soul in need of change. And it does one well to realize that influence has more power than many truly realize. Intense political machinations, (dis)loyal and tested love, wisdom and innocence all contribute to a story that undoubtedly will connect with its readers and leave others with their mouths agape. Can a hanging really have this much sway over our minds? Or a mother's seemingly harsh decision to release her child into a dark world? Looking forward to the future books in this wonderful series by a artful and clever author.
February 18, 2020
A classic YA fantasy series begins - with some stunning worldbuilding.
Catling is six years old when watching a hanging and enjoying the experience along with the rest of the people, she wakes up to the fact that the influencers are making people see the horror as fun. Then her mother sells her to the pigman. Already scarred by a birth defect which affects her appearance and sight in one eye, mute from the traumas of her life, she must make her way alone in a cruel world with a unique ability that could shape that world for the better - or worse.
What I enjoyed.
The worldbuilding. This is really impressive. The author seamlessly involves us into the world revealing strange aspects of how it works with the pylon supported tiered cities, talk of the mysterious Founders, glimpses of other cultures with alternative world views and the way magic (literally) flows through the world.
The writing. In places, it is simply beautiful. But it is always easy to read and the flow is seldom broken by something to make the reader hesitate.
The characters. These are well written intriguing and ambivalent, not black and white over-simplistic archetypes.
What I struggled with.
The predictability. This for me was a big issue. A very big one. For all the creativity in the worldbuilding and character development, the arc of the story was too much of a classic trope. A young girl who is the ‘chosen one’ by dint of her powers, with powerful people seeking to control her. For me if this story were written with say, Kaden - the abused and unwanted nephew of a ruler - as the main character, it would have made it much less predictable and much more interesting.
Things I couldn’t believe in. Occasionally an aspect of worldbuilding had me shaking my head in disbelief. In the kind of culture described in the book the idea that a man in his 30s or 40s or even older, being universally regarded cross-culturally by those in power as ‘too old’ to marry a 17-year-old was something I really could not get on board with. It seemed to be more an author convenience to explain why such a marriage would not be possible than anything a real world, even our real world, would be constrained by.
Overall Thoughts.
Amazing worldbuilding with interesting and well-developed characters offering an interesting spin on a very classic theme.
Catling is six years old when watching a hanging and enjoying the experience along with the rest of the people, she wakes up to the fact that the influencers are making people see the horror as fun. Then her mother sells her to the pigman. Already scarred by a birth defect which affects her appearance and sight in one eye, mute from the traumas of her life, she must make her way alone in a cruel world with a unique ability that could shape that world for the better - or worse.
What I enjoyed.
The worldbuilding. This is really impressive. The author seamlessly involves us into the world revealing strange aspects of how it works with the pylon supported tiered cities, talk of the mysterious Founders, glimpses of other cultures with alternative world views and the way magic (literally) flows through the world.
The writing. In places, it is simply beautiful. But it is always easy to read and the flow is seldom broken by something to make the reader hesitate.
The characters. These are well written intriguing and ambivalent, not black and white over-simplistic archetypes.
What I struggled with.
The predictability. This for me was a big issue. A very big one. For all the creativity in the worldbuilding and character development, the arc of the story was too much of a classic trope. A young girl who is the ‘chosen one’ by dint of her powers, with powerful people seeking to control her. For me if this story were written with say, Kaden - the abused and unwanted nephew of a ruler - as the main character, it would have made it much less predictable and much more interesting.
Things I couldn’t believe in. Occasionally an aspect of worldbuilding had me shaking my head in disbelief. In the kind of culture described in the book the idea that a man in his 30s or 40s or even older, being universally regarded cross-culturally by those in power as ‘too old’ to marry a 17-year-old was something I really could not get on board with. It seemed to be more an author convenience to explain why such a marriage would not be possible than anything a real world, even our real world, would be constrained by.
Overall Thoughts.
Amazing worldbuilding with interesting and well-developed characters offering an interesting spin on a very classic theme.
November 19, 2019
Gets into your head. "Catling's Bane" is a great example of how D Wallace Peach can get into the reader's head. Maybe that's what made the story-line so effective. This author is on par with my favorite "big time" fantasy writers. This book is only the beginning of a terrific series. So dig in hungrily -- knowing there are more delicious reads in this amazing world.
May 12, 2020
The author created a world that is filled with all kinds of amazing creatures. The most intriguing aspect of the main character is the fact they have a power that both good and evil covet. This story's world building and character development were made even more fascinating by the author's wonderful writing style. I would guarantee this book to anyone and I look forward to the rest of the series.
March 16, 2018
I prefer plot-driven novels, so this one left me a bit wanting. The writing is excellent, though. The author took great care to hone her storytelling craft. The author must have consulted a thesaurus or some compendium of "seldom-used words" as the story was chock full of actual words I've never seen or hardly ever came across my eyes, and the proportion of such to the total number of words was quite high.
The first one-third of the story threw me aside, disbelieving and angry, as score of characters are hanged in front of the public, repeatedly, and a mother willingly enough disowns her daughter, still a child, without shedding any tears. If an oppressive regime ordered the hangings against a sullen and resentful population, I would understand somewhat, this being a staple of dystopian novels. But here, the public cries out with glee and steals the money of those being hanged. Even if there was a magic spell of hysteria inflicted upon the spectators, surely they would come to their senses in the days after the hysteria wears off, as it must eventually, shocked and ready to revolt, but this doesn't seem to happen. Also, why would the rulers wish such manipulation and work so hard to create such a widespread fallacy, which must take so much of their energy away from ruling the kingdom?I was left shaking my head, saying "What the heck?" Also, a lot of loved ones that Catling had gotten to know were shunted aside in the first one-third of the book, too.
Something I also struggled with was understanding the powers of "the influencers" who seem to make outsiders feel a wide range of emotions, clouding their natural judgment. That seems scary, an uneasy realization that your moods are not your own. However, I didn't see how those powers could be "weaponized," that is, converted into an advantage for those with super powers. Catling, the heroine in this book, is able to resist those powers, but in a way I thought the fervour and power struggle concerning her existence was a little overwrought.
My favourite part of the book was when Catling meets a ruler who then takes her under her protection and trains her. The dialogue that followed explained much more clearly what super powers exist on this world, although I'm still not sure how these powers help anyone. Maybe for personal safety, or for fighting, yes, but not in ruling a kingdom.
Another favourite theme in the book, although not essential to the plot, was the discussions of the various wild animals in this book, such as "waterdragons," "razorgills," and my cherished one, "crajeks." The "crajeks" sound cool, being large fish that can hunt humans!
For me, the plot seemed to meander, and I wasn't sure what the end goal was, and Catling was more a pawn in a struggle of political machinations and palace intrigue, so it was hard to know what the premise of the book would be. She is only thirteen by the end of the book, so she largely does not have her own agenda, wishes, and desires.
Nonetheless, for originality, and clever word usage, and for those who like literary fiction and character-driven novels, this should be a crackling read.
The first one-third of the story threw me aside, disbelieving and angry, as score of characters are hanged in front of the public, repeatedly, and a mother willingly enough disowns her daughter, still a child, without shedding any tears. If an oppressive regime ordered the hangings against a sullen and resentful population, I would understand somewhat, this being a staple of dystopian novels. But here, the public cries out with glee and steals the money of those being hanged. Even if there was a magic spell of hysteria inflicted upon the spectators, surely they would come to their senses in the days after the hysteria wears off, as it must eventually, shocked and ready to revolt, but this doesn't seem to happen. Also, why would the rulers wish such manipulation and work so hard to create such a widespread fallacy, which must take so much of their energy away from ruling the kingdom?I was left shaking my head, saying "What the heck?" Also, a lot of loved ones that Catling had gotten to know were shunted aside in the first one-third of the book, too.
Something I also struggled with was understanding the powers of "the influencers" who seem to make outsiders feel a wide range of emotions, clouding their natural judgment. That seems scary, an uneasy realization that your moods are not your own. However, I didn't see how those powers could be "weaponized," that is, converted into an advantage for those with super powers. Catling, the heroine in this book, is able to resist those powers, but in a way I thought the fervour and power struggle concerning her existence was a little overwrought.
My favourite part of the book was when Catling meets a ruler who then takes her under her protection and trains her. The dialogue that followed explained much more clearly what super powers exist on this world, although I'm still not sure how these powers help anyone. Maybe for personal safety, or for fighting, yes, but not in ruling a kingdom.
Another favourite theme in the book, although not essential to the plot, was the discussions of the various wild animals in this book, such as "waterdragons," "razorgills," and my cherished one, "crajeks." The "crajeks" sound cool, being large fish that can hunt humans!
For me, the plot seemed to meander, and I wasn't sure what the end goal was, and Catling was more a pawn in a struggle of political machinations and palace intrigue, so it was hard to know what the premise of the book would be. She is only thirteen by the end of the book, so she largely does not have her own agenda, wishes, and desires.
Nonetheless, for originality, and clever word usage, and for those who like literary fiction and character-driven novels, this should be a crackling read.
April 6, 2018
Getting into this story took me a bit as there is quite a large cast of characters and I couldn’t grasp what the influence was initially, but once I caught on I became hooked. The story is imaginative and well written.
The characters are many and varied. The main story revolves around Catling and how her life weaves in and out of the lives of the people who want to help her, protect her, and use her. Each person’s actions, motivated by their own agendas, or those of the groups they identify with, are sold as for the benefit of the whole. Of course, each person or group has their own idea of what’s best for themselves or the society. The story explores human nature at its best and worst.
Catling’s world is brutal and unforgiving and some of the content is harsh. Imagine a world where you may be under someone else’s “influence” and your place in the world is predetermined, not to mention unchangeable. The tiered cities and class structure of her society draw many parallels to current societal issues.
All in all, an intriguing story premise that I would continue to read.
The characters are many and varied. The main story revolves around Catling and how her life weaves in and out of the lives of the people who want to help her, protect her, and use her. Each person’s actions, motivated by their own agendas, or those of the groups they identify with, are sold as for the benefit of the whole. Of course, each person or group has their own idea of what’s best for themselves or the society. The story explores human nature at its best and worst.
Catling’s world is brutal and unforgiving and some of the content is harsh. Imagine a world where you may be under someone else’s “influence” and your place in the world is predetermined, not to mention unchangeable. The tiered cities and class structure of her society draw many parallels to current societal issues.
All in all, an intriguing story premise that I would continue to read.
April 9, 2017
Surprised by how much I liked this book. Wasn't certain based on the description, which sounded very heavy and complicated, but the book contains appealing characters, an interesting world, fun powers, and political intrigue. You should enjoy this if you like Sanderson, Rothfuss...any quality fantasy books, really. Started reading the second and hope more people find this series.
January 24, 2018
“Don’t trust anyone. We’re all influencers one way or another, aren’t we? Make up your own mind Catling, and mind yourself.”
What if, in a world of political unrest, you had no choice to obey? What if there were people who could control your very emotion to their bidding, who could use this “influence” even on the King himself to the point where the people don’t know who’s running the show.. and they possibly don’t care.
This is the world that Catling lives in. Society is broken into classes, with the poorest at the bottom tier and the rich at the top. The land is no longer shared, the land that was once free has been taken to own.
“In all three settlements, Ellegeans have extended their territory, built new walls, severed migration routes, cut forests, and damned rivers. The Farlanders have no rights within the settlements, and formal protests have made no difference. Our relationships are in shambles.”
The descriptions of the Civil unrest in this novel may strike close to home with our own situations, both in our present and our past, and was beautifully unfolded during the story.
“The mark on her eye looks like a rose. A little piece missing on a petal, but a rose, don’t you think?”
She discovers that, when looking through her “birth-marked” eye, she can see the work of the influencers and cut those strings to shield people from being blinded by their surroundings.
“The horror of the three bodies flooded her heart. She sank to the ground by the pigling’s fence and rested her head on her knees, breathing back a desire to retch. “Are you feeling sick from the sweets?” Whitt asked. “No.” She peered up and pointed across the market. “It’s that.” The look on his face told her nothing, his feelings pilfered, his smile hollow. She shifted her shield, cutting him free of the influencers’ touch. Whitt staggered backward, gasping. His gaze darted across the market in confusion before he stumbled behind the wagon and fell to his knees. Choking sobs blended with the hanging-day din.”
This, she learns quickly, is both a blessing and a curse. As she must hide who she is and keep out of the hands of those who wish to use her, or kill her so she can’t use her power.
“What you felt isn’t real, remember that. You can’t trust them, Catling; you can’t trust your feelings. Never forget that.”
This book was so fantastic! The characters were amazing. I’d like to give special notice to Tiler, the foul-mouthed Enforcer, who has a “Mouth full of butt nuggets, heart of gold” and I absolutely LOVED!
“Sodding cockthistles, Gan.” Tiler rested a hand on Catling’s shoulder. “Don’t scare us to death.”
“You’re a damn shaft-slapper, Gan,” Tiler shouted while Nial and two other guards restrained him. “Let me go, you bung-loving asspipes!”
But, all of the characters were wonderfully written and made you love them… which at times could lead to pain and heartache on the part of this reader. I will tell you right now, this story was very unexpected and could get very dark and sad on the turn of a dime, so be prepared for a very crazy ride!
If I had to talk about why it only got 4 stars and not 5, I will say that it is very definitely written with a series in mind, so there is a lot of talk of the politic situations, the lay out of the lands, and the history of the people’s in general. It’s a lot to take in. But, it was painted very beautifully and I know it will lead to a very detailed thrilling conclusion! I can’t wait to find out what happens with Catling, Whitt and Gannon!
What if, in a world of political unrest, you had no choice to obey? What if there were people who could control your very emotion to their bidding, who could use this “influence” even on the King himself to the point where the people don’t know who’s running the show.. and they possibly don’t care.
This is the world that Catling lives in. Society is broken into classes, with the poorest at the bottom tier and the rich at the top. The land is no longer shared, the land that was once free has been taken to own.
“In all three settlements, Ellegeans have extended their territory, built new walls, severed migration routes, cut forests, and damned rivers. The Farlanders have no rights within the settlements, and formal protests have made no difference. Our relationships are in shambles.”
The descriptions of the Civil unrest in this novel may strike close to home with our own situations, both in our present and our past, and was beautifully unfolded during the story.
“The mark on her eye looks like a rose. A little piece missing on a petal, but a rose, don’t you think?”
She discovers that, when looking through her “birth-marked” eye, she can see the work of the influencers and cut those strings to shield people from being blinded by their surroundings.
“The horror of the three bodies flooded her heart. She sank to the ground by the pigling’s fence and rested her head on her knees, breathing back a desire to retch. “Are you feeling sick from the sweets?” Whitt asked. “No.” She peered up and pointed across the market. “It’s that.” The look on his face told her nothing, his feelings pilfered, his smile hollow. She shifted her shield, cutting him free of the influencers’ touch. Whitt staggered backward, gasping. His gaze darted across the market in confusion before he stumbled behind the wagon and fell to his knees. Choking sobs blended with the hanging-day din.”
This, she learns quickly, is both a blessing and a curse. As she must hide who she is and keep out of the hands of those who wish to use her, or kill her so she can’t use her power.
“What you felt isn’t real, remember that. You can’t trust them, Catling; you can’t trust your feelings. Never forget that.”
This book was so fantastic! The characters were amazing. I’d like to give special notice to Tiler, the foul-mouthed Enforcer, who has a “Mouth full of butt nuggets, heart of gold” and I absolutely LOVED!
“Sodding cockthistles, Gan.” Tiler rested a hand on Catling’s shoulder. “Don’t scare us to death.”
“You’re a damn shaft-slapper, Gan,” Tiler shouted while Nial and two other guards restrained him. “Let me go, you bung-loving asspipes!”
But, all of the characters were wonderfully written and made you love them… which at times could lead to pain and heartache on the part of this reader. I will tell you right now, this story was very unexpected and could get very dark and sad on the turn of a dime, so be prepared for a very crazy ride!
If I had to talk about why it only got 4 stars and not 5, I will say that it is very definitely written with a series in mind, so there is a lot of talk of the politic situations, the lay out of the lands, and the history of the people’s in general. It’s a lot to take in. But, it was painted very beautifully and I know it will lead to a very detailed thrilling conclusion! I can’t wait to find out what happens with Catling, Whitt and Gannon!
February 20, 2018
310 pages.
Science Fiction and Fantasy.
What an engaging tale this is. It says a lot for the quality of the writing and the compelling nature of the story that I continued to read this despite some pretty difficult issues in my online/working life at the time!
I'm a reader who loves books where characters drive story. Plot driven books generally leave me cold. This novel has a cast of players that are easy to empathise with; even the villains. They are drawn in fascinating detail with all their flaws and all their glories to make them real people who are easy to engage with throughout the story.
The book has been well edited and is presented in a professional manner; important points in these times when there are so many books from which to choose. In spite of the sometimes tough scenes, it's also a book I thoroughly enjoyed reading.
D. Wallace Peach introduces some thought-provoking and timely themes here. The story examines injustice, wealth inequality, gender discrimination, political intrigue, the fallibility of leaders, ethics and morality, and the ever-present problems of prejudice driven by ignorance.
Set on a world seemingly established many centuries previously by Earth travellers colonising space, the various locations are drawn with exquisite detail that brings each to life. In the swamps, the reader drowns in the excess moisture along with the unfortunate inhabitants. In the warrens under the city, we live vicariously the lives of the old, infirm, underprivileged, optimistic, entrepreneurial, con-artists, thieves, opportunists and all those other characters who are required to inhabit such places. In the tiers of the cities, we experience the growing opulence as we rise from level to level until we reach the pinnacle where the ultra-privileged live their lives of luxury and intrigue.
This is a work of great imagination, brilliantly realised and translated to the page in a way that rarely causes the reader to grow aware of the writing style that has led here. The story flows so naturally that we are allowed to rove through the world in the company of our various narrators without being pitched from that imaginary place by inappropriate or irrelevant information.
Some of what happens is unexplained, and that is a good thing; it raises questions and allows us to speculate. When an explanation is essential to understanding, it comes in context and without that dreaded info-dump so common in some books in the genre.
There is adventure here, along with death, love, betrayal, courage, cheating, bullying, affection, humour and all those emotions that make a work of fiction more than merely a story.
This is the first book in a projected series and I'll be looking out for the next title. The writing is wonderfully evocative and the story absorbing.
Science Fiction and Fantasy.
What an engaging tale this is. It says a lot for the quality of the writing and the compelling nature of the story that I continued to read this despite some pretty difficult issues in my online/working life at the time!
I'm a reader who loves books where characters drive story. Plot driven books generally leave me cold. This novel has a cast of players that are easy to empathise with; even the villains. They are drawn in fascinating detail with all their flaws and all their glories to make them real people who are easy to engage with throughout the story.
The book has been well edited and is presented in a professional manner; important points in these times when there are so many books from which to choose. In spite of the sometimes tough scenes, it's also a book I thoroughly enjoyed reading.
D. Wallace Peach introduces some thought-provoking and timely themes here. The story examines injustice, wealth inequality, gender discrimination, political intrigue, the fallibility of leaders, ethics and morality, and the ever-present problems of prejudice driven by ignorance.
Set on a world seemingly established many centuries previously by Earth travellers colonising space, the various locations are drawn with exquisite detail that brings each to life. In the swamps, the reader drowns in the excess moisture along with the unfortunate inhabitants. In the warrens under the city, we live vicariously the lives of the old, infirm, underprivileged, optimistic, entrepreneurial, con-artists, thieves, opportunists and all those other characters who are required to inhabit such places. In the tiers of the cities, we experience the growing opulence as we rise from level to level until we reach the pinnacle where the ultra-privileged live their lives of luxury and intrigue.
This is a work of great imagination, brilliantly realised and translated to the page in a way that rarely causes the reader to grow aware of the writing style that has led here. The story flows so naturally that we are allowed to rove through the world in the company of our various narrators without being pitched from that imaginary place by inappropriate or irrelevant information.
Some of what happens is unexplained, and that is a good thing; it raises questions and allows us to speculate. When an explanation is essential to understanding, it comes in context and without that dreaded info-dump so common in some books in the genre.
There is adventure here, along with death, love, betrayal, courage, cheating, bullying, affection, humour and all those emotions that make a work of fiction more than merely a story.
This is the first book in a projected series and I'll be looking out for the next title. The writing is wonderfully evocative and the story absorbing.
April 29, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. This is one of those novels you can curl up on the couch with, sipping a cup of tea, and whiling the hours away. This is the kind of story that got me interested in reading in the first place.
The author never explicitly says so, but it's clear the story takes place on an alien planet with the descendants of a colonization effort. We never truly learned what happened to The Founders, but it's not that important anyway. Despite the thin scifi wrapper, the pre-industrial society made me feel like I was reading an especially imaginative fantasy story. Indeed, there is magic in this world, or least something indistinguishable from it.
One of the most interesting ideas was the Influencers, people who could influence thoughts and emotions, even a person's health. During diplomatic discussions, Influencers were always present, smoothing ruffled feathers. While I felt the reasoning for the acceptance of them was a tad weak, I recall that historical societies have done far stranger things, so I just ran with it. And if you do too, you'll also enjoy this well-crafted story.
Catling is our MC and she can do something no one else has ever seen. Her power emerges while near-daily hangings are occurring. During these gruesome executions the people are laughing and smiling and rather enjoying the deaths. Catling alone, realizes she can see through the Influencers and their manipulation of the watching crowds. She alone realizes the horror of the hangings. When a powerful "doyen" named Vianne learns of Catling's ability, she takes the young girl to faraway lands and to the Influencers Guild.
The characters are very complex, no one easily fitting into a simplistic good/evil category. Catling develops quite a lot as she becomes the center of political and courtly intrigues, quite against her desires. She wishes for a simpler life, and she will not get it. She must change and grow, and thereby survive.
Author D. Wallace Peach write smoothly and elegantly. I don't recall seeing a single error, or maybe I was enjoying myself so much I just missed it. She writes with journeyman skill and a deft hand at portraying human emotional complexity. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
The author never explicitly says so, but it's clear the story takes place on an alien planet with the descendants of a colonization effort. We never truly learned what happened to The Founders, but it's not that important anyway. Despite the thin scifi wrapper, the pre-industrial society made me feel like I was reading an especially imaginative fantasy story. Indeed, there is magic in this world, or least something indistinguishable from it.
One of the most interesting ideas was the Influencers, people who could influence thoughts and emotions, even a person's health. During diplomatic discussions, Influencers were always present, smoothing ruffled feathers. While I felt the reasoning for the acceptance of them was a tad weak, I recall that historical societies have done far stranger things, so I just ran with it. And if you do too, you'll also enjoy this well-crafted story.
Catling is our MC and she can do something no one else has ever seen. Her power emerges while near-daily hangings are occurring. During these gruesome executions the people are laughing and smiling and rather enjoying the deaths. Catling alone, realizes she can see through the Influencers and their manipulation of the watching crowds. She alone realizes the horror of the hangings. When a powerful "doyen" named Vianne learns of Catling's ability, she takes the young girl to faraway lands and to the Influencers Guild.
The characters are very complex, no one easily fitting into a simplistic good/evil category. Catling develops quite a lot as she becomes the center of political and courtly intrigues, quite against her desires. She wishes for a simpler life, and she will not get it. She must change and grow, and thereby survive.
Author D. Wallace Peach write smoothly and elegantly. I don't recall seeing a single error, or maybe I was enjoying myself so much I just missed it. She writes with journeyman skill and a deft hand at portraying human emotional complexity. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
April 22, 2017
In D. Wallace Peach's Catling's Bane, the first installment in the Rose Shield trilogy, the young Catlin lives in a world of poverty, repression, and inhumanity. When still a toddler, her mother sells her for whatever she can get, which is where Catling's life looks up. Her new family is loving, caring, humane, with a family pig business that requires working children to run. They sell their piglets at a weekly market which coincides with hanging days--when the overflow residents of the prison are hanged to make room for others. To make this acceptable to the population, the ruling class uses 'influencers' to throw a web of happiness and contentment out over everyone in the crowd. People--even family members--gleefully watch their friends and neighbors killed. But Catling has the power to break that web, penetrate it, and allow others to see the horror of murder lurking below the pleasant emotions. When stakeholders on both sides of this system find out she has this ability, her life changes forever.
What an excellent start to this trilogy. The characters are strong. The passion obvious. The plot addicting. Peach's ability to weave words into glorious pictures of events and places is perfectly matched to the fantasy world she has created. The details of this environment are exquisite and believable:
"Riverfolk moored up at the docks with skiffs bearing buckets of silver eels and glass bottles dense with luminescence. Ferries plied their way up from Ava-Grea delivering merchants and travelers from distant tiers. Pulled by waterdragons, the vessels bucked the swift current. The creatures’ green-scaled heads reared through the surface, tapered snouts sprayed clouds of mist, and fins stroked the water like wings. The voyage complete, tall rivermasters with white hair flowing like waterfalls beckoned the creatures in. They slipped off tethering ropes, and the waterdragons dove."
Highly recommended to anyone who loves fantasy adventure and big dreams.
What an excellent start to this trilogy. The characters are strong. The passion obvious. The plot addicting. Peach's ability to weave words into glorious pictures of events and places is perfectly matched to the fantasy world she has created. The details of this environment are exquisite and believable:
"Riverfolk moored up at the docks with skiffs bearing buckets of silver eels and glass bottles dense with luminescence. Ferries plied their way up from Ava-Grea delivering merchants and travelers from distant tiers. Pulled by waterdragons, the vessels bucked the swift current. The creatures’ green-scaled heads reared through the surface, tapered snouts sprayed clouds of mist, and fins stroked the water like wings. The voyage complete, tall rivermasters with white hair flowing like waterfalls beckoned the creatures in. They slipped off tethering ropes, and the waterdragons dove."
Highly recommended to anyone who loves fantasy adventure and big dreams.
January 24, 2022
A book that puts the e in epic, the f in fantasy and the w in world building.
All within the first few paragraphs too. In that brutal early part we also meet Catling, a little girl who can do what no-one else in that world can—see through the power of the ‘influencers,’ to the horror that lies beneath. I did say fantasy, didn’t I? And maybe you’re saying I don’t read fantasy, but that’s all right, normally I don’t either, but I will now be reading more. Certainly of this series. The map is magical and the writing spell-binding. That any book can stand or fall by the believability of the world created, is especially true of fantasy, which is I why want to say that the world-building wasn’t just engrossing, it was effortlessly done, people, places, plants, all leap off the page, but the idea of a world where thoughts are shaped, something that resonates in today’s actual world, leapt in huge print, alongside political intrigue, inequality and yep…less than wonderful leaders. Meantime, a previous mysterious and mystical culture peeps, a culture squashed and slaughtered beneath the boot of the existing rulers, adding even more layers to the story.
I absolutely loved the idea of this book. How can this be fought, especially when only one person can see it. AND even worse, that person is a lowest of the low child who’s already fallen through several cracks? That they are also the only one with the power to break the system, means the ride is not going to be easy. People have their own needs and plans after all.
All in all, a book that delivers on every level, an amazing constructed world, with gripping characters and a plot that whips us along on the promise of more to come in book two.
All within the first few paragraphs too. In that brutal early part we also meet Catling, a little girl who can do what no-one else in that world can—see through the power of the ‘influencers,’ to the horror that lies beneath. I did say fantasy, didn’t I? And maybe you’re saying I don’t read fantasy, but that’s all right, normally I don’t either, but I will now be reading more. Certainly of this series. The map is magical and the writing spell-binding. That any book can stand or fall by the believability of the world created, is especially true of fantasy, which is I why want to say that the world-building wasn’t just engrossing, it was effortlessly done, people, places, plants, all leap off the page, but the idea of a world where thoughts are shaped, something that resonates in today’s actual world, leapt in huge print, alongside political intrigue, inequality and yep…less than wonderful leaders. Meantime, a previous mysterious and mystical culture peeps, a culture squashed and slaughtered beneath the boot of the existing rulers, adding even more layers to the story.
I absolutely loved the idea of this book. How can this be fought, especially when only one person can see it. AND even worse, that person is a lowest of the low child who’s already fallen through several cracks? That they are also the only one with the power to break the system, means the ride is not going to be easy. People have their own needs and plans after all.
All in all, a book that delivers on every level, an amazing constructed world, with gripping characters and a plot that whips us along on the promise of more to come in book two.
March 21, 2020
Catling‘s world is brutal and merciless, a world where people live under the ‘influence’ of powerful minds, minds used not for a great cause, but for imposing cruel laws on peasants. People’s place in the world is predetermined in a tiered class structure. Society is broken, the population is sullen and resentful, and kept in place by the Influencers - they can even make people enjoy their own execution. There is injustice, wealth inequality, political intrigue and awful leaders. It draws many parallels to current world’s issues.
The author created a strange world of multilayered cities built, a long time ago, by the mysterious Founders. There are glimpses of past cultures and alternative realities were magic flows through the world. The plot is a intricate and multi-dimensional, and matches well the complexity of the fantasy world.
Young Catling has a powerful gift - she can block the Influencers - and that brings as much good as bad things in her life. She is the hope of the low tier people and the bane of the oppressive rulers of that world. The whole plot is based on this contradictions, and the writing is excellent: descriptive and emotional.
The author created a strange world of multilayered cities built, a long time ago, by the mysterious Founders. There are glimpses of past cultures and alternative realities were magic flows through the world. The plot is a intricate and multi-dimensional, and matches well the complexity of the fantasy world.
Young Catling has a powerful gift - she can block the Influencers - and that brings as much good as bad things in her life. She is the hope of the low tier people and the bane of the oppressive rulers of that world. The whole plot is based on this contradictions, and the writing is excellent: descriptive and emotional.
July 5, 2020
I really liked the author's writing style. For those who enjoy reading fantasy novels with lots of world building description, this novel doesn't disappoint. The descriptive passages tend to obscure what is and what isn't important about the plot. Placing critical plot points at the beginning or end of each chapter would help make the plot easier to follow.
At the beginning of the novel Catling witnesses children hung in the town square for petty theft as cheering villagers look on. It turns out, as far as I could tell, their minds are controlled by evil Influencers.
It isn't clear why the Influencers don't use that same mind control to dupe the villagers into exploiting everyone as slave labor to either maintain the kingdom, build another one, or sabotage an enemy kingdom. If the enemy Influencers are forcing the villagers to hang children for petty theft in order to provoke the good Influencers, it's difficult to figure out.
The story seems to start as Catling's story then seems to focus more on Gannon. Not sure why this is.
This novel reads like a really good rough draft with great characters, dialogue, and world building. What needs to be brought to the forefront and streamlined is the logic of the plot.
At the beginning of the novel Catling witnesses children hung in the town square for petty theft as cheering villagers look on. It turns out, as far as I could tell, their minds are controlled by evil Influencers.
It isn't clear why the Influencers don't use that same mind control to dupe the villagers into exploiting everyone as slave labor to either maintain the kingdom, build another one, or sabotage an enemy kingdom. If the enemy Influencers are forcing the villagers to hang children for petty theft in order to provoke the good Influencers, it's difficult to figure out.
The story seems to start as Catling's story then seems to focus more on Gannon. Not sure why this is.
This novel reads like a really good rough draft with great characters, dialogue, and world building. What needs to be brought to the forefront and streamlined is the logic of the plot.
August 12, 2022
Catling’s selfish mother wanted to eliminate a mark on her young daughter’s face so the mother can move up in the harsh world they lived in. Eventually, the mother sells her marked daughter. After leaving a cruel life behind, where hangings are enjoyed, Catling settles into a bit of peace. Yet as time goes by, it becomes apparent there is something special about her mark and her. Some brutal scenes are mixed with vivid images of a world ruled by influencers and power. The relationship between Whitt and Catling was heartwarming, and I rooted for them. But the world she was thrust into was cold and calculating. I loved the beasts that lived in the water as the boats navigated on top of their world. Although Catling was only thirteen when the story ended, she was stronger than most adults around her. This was a story I couldn’t put down as I had to keep reading to see what happened to Catling, and I will eagerly continue this journey by reading the next book.
April 1, 2017
Catling’s Bane is a highly enjoyable read by D. Wallace Peach. In chapter one, we’re introduced to the protagonist, Catling, on Hanging Day, and event where the onlookers emotions are manipulated until they react to the display with nothing but joy—even those being hanged don’t express regret. Not long afterward, Catling is sold by her mother to man named Scruff, which seemed terrible on the surface, but Catling learns to love her new home.
But it turns out that Catling can block the artificial emotions being broadcast to the populace, and that makes her extremely dangerous to some, and incredibly valuable to others.
This book has solid, creative world-building, and reminds me of the work of Brandon Sanderson. It’s a high fantasy, set in a world built by colonists, and the speculative elements are logical and consistent, but never take up the story. In the end, they showcase the characters and plot, rather than the latter being a vehicle to convey the magic.
The arc merely comes to an end at the finish, but more story is promised, and in Peach’s capable hands is likely to reach a satisfying conclusion. Should appeal to readers who enjoy Sanderson and McCaffrey. I give it four stars.
But it turns out that Catling can block the artificial emotions being broadcast to the populace, and that makes her extremely dangerous to some, and incredibly valuable to others.
This book has solid, creative world-building, and reminds me of the work of Brandon Sanderson. It’s a high fantasy, set in a world built by colonists, and the speculative elements are logical and consistent, but never take up the story. In the end, they showcase the characters and plot, rather than the latter being a vehicle to convey the magic.
The arc merely comes to an end at the finish, but more story is promised, and in Peach’s capable hands is likely to reach a satisfying conclusion. Should appeal to readers who enjoy Sanderson and McCaffrey. I give it four stars.
March 25, 2018
For a day job, I write and read a lot of technical documents. I also technically review and evaluate a lot of submissions, which usually has to be done in a fair and reasonable manner.
For my Goodreads reviews, I try to take the same approach.
I have five categories, each posed as a question. Each category receives one Star if I can answer yes to the question.
So here I go, on my review of Catling’s Bane – the Rose Shield: Book 1 by D. Wallace Peach.
Overview:
Catling’s Bane is Fantasy, to the core and through and through. It’s a cocktail of Fantasy and Young Adult/Coming of age; but with a surprisingly non-YA, Grimdark tone. It has some potential for Science Fiction/Magitech in there as well.
It’s got the old case of “us rich folk up here” and “you poor folk down there”, and the classic uprising of the oppressed to reclaim their freedoms and dignity against the backdrop of tyranny. This isn’t exactly new and uncovered territory; however, it is masterfully retold in this book.
There are lots of guilds, groups, lands and politics to get your head around. One guild, who feature heavily are the Influencers. These Influencers use their powers to contort the will/perception of others – even to the extent where people can live and be merry during their own execution!
Did I like/relate to the Character/s? --- YES
I definitely like an underdog and there are lots of underdogs in this book. I gather though, the Main Character is Catling, judging by the tone and name of the book. However, there are a number of perspectives in this book, and I, therefore, gather several Main Characters. I think it would be unfair to call them Supporting Characters, as Catling really doesn’t feature all that much (I think I connected more with the characters Gannon and Raker).
I did feel that there wasn’t much connection with the MC though, not enough interaction to really get a good sense of her. I’m sure as time progresses, this will change. I think this book is a slow burner, setting up for a decent explosion as time progresses.
But all in all, the characters, even the villains, were well rounded – rounded enough to make me like them or hate them. I was going to shift towards a no on this section, as I felt that some characters could have been developed further. BUT – there are A LOT of characters and this is a series, so I’m sure we will get more info in time!
Did I like/relate to the Story/Plot? --- YES
The plot, in summary, and in my opinion, is a story of rising against a system of tyranny and oppression. A tyranny that really only serves to fuel their own needs and desires. It is comparative to the stories of the rebellious heroes of old - Spartacus, Robin Hood, Ben Hur – regular folks fighting the power! Except for Caitling ain't no regular folk!
There are some socio-philosophical topics reflected in the book, via historical and present tense narratives and musings. These topics are well rooted in the issues of now and yesteryear.
If you liked the Witcher series by Sapkowski, you’ll like this book. I really felt a strong resemblance between the Influencers and the Witchers – particularly the dangerous Trial of the Grasses and the Carvings of the Influencers.
Did I like the pace of the book? --- NO
Many will probably baulk at me, for saying no to this section! I found there to be a lot of description – and not that it is a bad thing. It didn’t detract from the story at all, in fact, it detailed the story quite a lot. However, my issue was that it felt as though it slowed the story progression. It felt at times like I was reading a written narration to a movie, of every detail in the scene. This writing style will suit many people, who want to batten down the hatches for a long haul of reading.
Was I left satisfied at the end of the Book, or did I want to read more? --- YES
Sure I was. I particularly like Fantasy settings where you can commit to long-term, with some unexplained backgrounds, that you may either find out in a future book or not. The wonder is half the fun.
Finding out how Catling will use her newfound powers, will be an interesting development. Will she join the nonchalant Swiss-style neutrality of the Influencers, or will she go back and finish what she started?
I hope that in future instalments, I will find out more about the Farlanders, the Founders, the Pylons/Tiers – and all the other mysteriously unexplained cool stuff.
Oh yeah, maybe some illustrations would be awesome!
Did the book seem professionally/thoroughly edited? --- YES
The writing was impeccable, in my opinion. Very well written, descriptive, emotive. Truly well written and masterfully edited.
I came across some minor things that I don’t feel detracted at all – Prolog vs Prologue, as an example.
Although not detracting from the book – I would highly suggest implementing X-Ray in the Kindle Version. It really does make engaging with the world of the book much easier, especially in a Fantasy setting.
For my Goodreads reviews, I try to take the same approach.
I have five categories, each posed as a question. Each category receives one Star if I can answer yes to the question.
So here I go, on my review of Catling’s Bane – the Rose Shield: Book 1 by D. Wallace Peach.
Overview:
Catling’s Bane is Fantasy, to the core and through and through. It’s a cocktail of Fantasy and Young Adult/Coming of age; but with a surprisingly non-YA, Grimdark tone. It has some potential for Science Fiction/Magitech in there as well.
It’s got the old case of “us rich folk up here” and “you poor folk down there”, and the classic uprising of the oppressed to reclaim their freedoms and dignity against the backdrop of tyranny. This isn’t exactly new and uncovered territory; however, it is masterfully retold in this book.
There are lots of guilds, groups, lands and politics to get your head around. One guild, who feature heavily are the Influencers. These Influencers use their powers to contort the will/perception of others – even to the extent where people can live and be merry during their own execution!
Did I like/relate to the Character/s? --- YES
I definitely like an underdog and there are lots of underdogs in this book. I gather though, the Main Character is Catling, judging by the tone and name of the book. However, there are a number of perspectives in this book, and I, therefore, gather several Main Characters. I think it would be unfair to call them Supporting Characters, as Catling really doesn’t feature all that much (I think I connected more with the characters Gannon and Raker).
I did feel that there wasn’t much connection with the MC though, not enough interaction to really get a good sense of her. I’m sure as time progresses, this will change. I think this book is a slow burner, setting up for a decent explosion as time progresses.
But all in all, the characters, even the villains, were well rounded – rounded enough to make me like them or hate them. I was going to shift towards a no on this section, as I felt that some characters could have been developed further. BUT – there are A LOT of characters and this is a series, so I’m sure we will get more info in time!
Did I like/relate to the Story/Plot? --- YES
The plot, in summary, and in my opinion, is a story of rising against a system of tyranny and oppression. A tyranny that really only serves to fuel their own needs and desires. It is comparative to the stories of the rebellious heroes of old - Spartacus, Robin Hood, Ben Hur – regular folks fighting the power! Except for Caitling ain't no regular folk!
There are some socio-philosophical topics reflected in the book, via historical and present tense narratives and musings. These topics are well rooted in the issues of now and yesteryear.
If you liked the Witcher series by Sapkowski, you’ll like this book. I really felt a strong resemblance between the Influencers and the Witchers – particularly the dangerous Trial of the Grasses and the Carvings of the Influencers.
Did I like the pace of the book? --- NO
Many will probably baulk at me, for saying no to this section! I found there to be a lot of description – and not that it is a bad thing. It didn’t detract from the story at all, in fact, it detailed the story quite a lot. However, my issue was that it felt as though it slowed the story progression. It felt at times like I was reading a written narration to a movie, of every detail in the scene. This writing style will suit many people, who want to batten down the hatches for a long haul of reading.
Was I left satisfied at the end of the Book, or did I want to read more? --- YES
Sure I was. I particularly like Fantasy settings where you can commit to long-term, with some unexplained backgrounds, that you may either find out in a future book or not. The wonder is half the fun.
Finding out how Catling will use her newfound powers, will be an interesting development. Will she join the nonchalant Swiss-style neutrality of the Influencers, or will she go back and finish what she started?
I hope that in future instalments, I will find out more about the Farlanders, the Founders, the Pylons/Tiers – and all the other mysteriously unexplained cool stuff.
Oh yeah, maybe some illustrations would be awesome!
Did the book seem professionally/thoroughly edited? --- YES
The writing was impeccable, in my opinion. Very well written, descriptive, emotive. Truly well written and masterfully edited.
I came across some minor things that I don’t feel detracted at all – Prolog vs Prologue, as an example.
Although not detracting from the book – I would highly suggest implementing X-Ray in the Kindle Version. It really does make engaging with the world of the book much easier, especially in a Fantasy setting.
May 6, 2017
This is a truly remarkable fantasy novel, easily right up there with Brandon Sanderson and Patrick Rothfuss. I'd assumed, based on the blurb (which you can read for yourself; I won't recap it here), that Catling's Bane would be a straightforward, single-protagonist superhero story (like Mockingjay), but it's more of an ensemble epic than the description lets on, with governmental intrigue augmenting a very compelling hero's journey. D. Wallace Peach is clearly well-versed in the tropes and conventions of fantasy, and has created a rich, fully realized magical realm here, with consistent rules and memorable characters that make this accessible to readers who tend to shy away from the genre, which can on occasion get overcomplicated and off-putting (here's looking at you, A Song of Ice and Fire).
Science fiction, horror, and fantasy have always been best utilized as vehicles for sociopolitical commentary, and at the heart of Catling's Bane is a very thought-provoking, all-too-relevant premise: What if influence was a magical power that could be harnessed by a chosen few, and (ab)used by the powers-that-be to manipulate and control the masses?
If it sounds like a fantastical conceit, isn't that what's going on right now in our geopolitical culture? Don't our leaders use partisan politics to incite an emotional response in their constituents, rather than doing the hard work of engaging them with facts and earning their trust? Don't irresponsible media outlets stoke the fires of discontent, promoting rancor to serve political ends (like staying in power), versus holding politicians accountable for their obligation to use politics as a tool to help the people as intended? Haven't our government officials become the ultimate superconductors? And aren't we, all too often, guilty of succumbing to this chicanery and voting with our guts over our heads?
Catling's Bane both exists in a fantasy world all its own and more accurately reflects what's happening here in our real world than most fiction I've read of late. There's so much plot advancement in this book, and so many intriguing thematics, that I can't believe this is only the first of four books in a series! What a great start; I hope this finds the readership it deserves.
Science fiction, horror, and fantasy have always been best utilized as vehicles for sociopolitical commentary, and at the heart of Catling's Bane is a very thought-provoking, all-too-relevant premise: What if influence was a magical power that could be harnessed by a chosen few, and (ab)used by the powers-that-be to manipulate and control the masses?
If it sounds like a fantastical conceit, isn't that what's going on right now in our geopolitical culture? Don't our leaders use partisan politics to incite an emotional response in their constituents, rather than doing the hard work of engaging them with facts and earning their trust? Don't irresponsible media outlets stoke the fires of discontent, promoting rancor to serve political ends (like staying in power), versus holding politicians accountable for their obligation to use politics as a tool to help the people as intended? Haven't our government officials become the ultimate superconductors? And aren't we, all too often, guilty of succumbing to this chicanery and voting with our guts over our heads?
Catling's Bane both exists in a fantasy world all its own and more accurately reflects what's happening here in our real world than most fiction I've read of late. There's so much plot advancement in this book, and so many intriguing thematics, that I can't believe this is only the first of four books in a series! What a great start; I hope this finds the readership it deserves.
January 1, 2018
It is the darkest night, and the city of Mur-Vallis is shrouded in fog. Raker, the slant-eyed, three-fingered half-fen, half-human loiters near the dock as if possibly summoned there by the mysterious luminescence that flows through the rivers and streams of the planet. Before this night is done, Raker will save the young child, Catling, whose future will be intertwined with his own in ways neither he nor she ever imagined.
The mystical Farlanders, the original inhabitants of the planet before the Ellegeans, came across to me as the natives, in tune with the natural rhythms of the planet. For me, these beings were reminiscent of the creatures in the movie, Avatar. They lived off the land and followed their nature-based customs believing in the kari, the natural spirits of the planet. However, the Farlanders and their magic posed a threat to the Ellegeans, and when they took power, these folk were tortured and slaughtered as spectacles of entertainment for the people.
The Ellegeans establish an order where the lowliest are born in the bottoms, and where those with the most power abide in the highest levels of the cities. The Influencers’ Guild, a secretive, closed society within Ellegean, holds control over the tiers by flexing their power to manipulate emotions. The Guild’s influence is so subtle that the people have no idea they are controlled from the lowliest to the top, including the King.
Except for Catling, who possesses a rose-colored birthmark encircling her eye which allows her to block the “influence” from affecting the people. This magical ability allows her to see the threads of influence that binds the people. Catling’s ability is a bane to power as well as a boon. The Guild wants her dead, and Catling becomes a pawn in the hands of those wielding power because Catling will never be free of who she is.
Catling’s Bane qualifies as epic fantasy meeting the three qualifications: It is a trilogy or longer, it encompasses many years, and it includes a universe filled with backstory where the saga takes place. This book was my first introduction to D. Wallace Peach’s writing, and I must say I feel like a gushing fan. The writing is superb with descriptions that fly from the page plunking the reader into the midst of this mysterious world. Seldom have I found writing this engaging.
Fantasy and science fiction lovers will applaud the detail in the world of Ellegean. I took my time reading, relishing the characters and the magic that breathed from the author’s written words. I encountered two issues – I couldn’t put the book down, and I dreamed of this far away world every night. I loved the story so much; I’ve already bought the second novel in the series.
If you love epic fantasy/science fiction, this book will engage, enlighten, and entertain you. The book, listed at the introductory price of only $.99, will steal your heart. I’m hooked! Stay tuned, because I’ll be reviewing each book in the series.
The mystical Farlanders, the original inhabitants of the planet before the Ellegeans, came across to me as the natives, in tune with the natural rhythms of the planet. For me, these beings were reminiscent of the creatures in the movie, Avatar. They lived off the land and followed their nature-based customs believing in the kari, the natural spirits of the planet. However, the Farlanders and their magic posed a threat to the Ellegeans, and when they took power, these folk were tortured and slaughtered as spectacles of entertainment for the people.
The Ellegeans establish an order where the lowliest are born in the bottoms, and where those with the most power abide in the highest levels of the cities. The Influencers’ Guild, a secretive, closed society within Ellegean, holds control over the tiers by flexing their power to manipulate emotions. The Guild’s influence is so subtle that the people have no idea they are controlled from the lowliest to the top, including the King.
Except for Catling, who possesses a rose-colored birthmark encircling her eye which allows her to block the “influence” from affecting the people. This magical ability allows her to see the threads of influence that binds the people. Catling’s ability is a bane to power as well as a boon. The Guild wants her dead, and Catling becomes a pawn in the hands of those wielding power because Catling will never be free of who she is.
Catling’s Bane qualifies as epic fantasy meeting the three qualifications: It is a trilogy or longer, it encompasses many years, and it includes a universe filled with backstory where the saga takes place. This book was my first introduction to D. Wallace Peach’s writing, and I must say I feel like a gushing fan. The writing is superb with descriptions that fly from the page plunking the reader into the midst of this mysterious world. Seldom have I found writing this engaging.
Fantasy and science fiction lovers will applaud the detail in the world of Ellegean. I took my time reading, relishing the characters and the magic that breathed from the author’s written words. I encountered two issues – I couldn’t put the book down, and I dreamed of this far away world every night. I loved the story so much; I’ve already bought the second novel in the series.
If you love epic fantasy/science fiction, this book will engage, enlighten, and entertain you. The book, listed at the introductory price of only $.99, will steal your heart. I’m hooked! Stay tuned, because I’ll be reviewing each book in the series.
January 8, 2018
Here is my review of Book 1 of The Rose Shield: Catling’s Bane by D. Wallace Peach.
WARNING: THE FOLLOWING MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS.
Summary (from Amazon):
In the tiers of Ellegeance, the elite Influencers’ Guild holds the power to manipulate emotions. Love and fear, pain and pleasure, healing and death mark the extremes of their sway, but it’s the subtle blends that hook their victims’ hearts. They hide behind oaths of loyalty and rule the world.
A child born in the grim warrens beneath the city, Catling rues the rose birthmark encircling her eye. Yet, it grants her the ability to disrupt the influencers’ sway. Established methods of civil control disintegrate before her. She’s a weapon desired by those who reign and those who rebel.
To the Influencer’s Guild, she’s an aberration, a threat. They order her death and thus the betrayals begin. One woman protects and trains her, plotting to use her shield to further imperial goals. No longer a helpless child, Catling has other plans. As chaos shakes the foundations of order and rule, will she become the realm’s savior? Or its executioner?
The Rose Shield Tetralogy – a blend of science fiction and fantasy.
Welcome to a world of three moons, a sentient landscape, rivers of light, and tier cities that rise from the swamps like otherworld flowers. A planet of waterdragons, where humans are the aliens living among three-fingered natives with spotted skin. Where a half-blood converses with the fog and the goddess plans her final reckoning.
Follow Catling’s journey as she grows from childhood into the deadly force that shapes the future. She is the realm’s shield, an influencer, assassin, healer, mother, and avenger. And all she wants is to go home.
The books of The Rose Shield Tetralogy
Catling’s Bane
Oathbreakers’ Guild
Farlanders’ Law
Kari’s Reckoning
What I liked:
This is an epic fantasy story in the vein of Brandon Sanderson, Jim Butcher, or the late Robert Jordan. It is a richly envisioned world filled with vibrant characters that surprise you at every turn. There are no stereotypical archetypes here, but characters that do move, act, and react to the situations and circumstances of their lives in ways that seem both logical and stunning. The twists in action keep the story from falling in the normal pace of fantasy epics where the humble-hero escapes peril and becomes savior but in a satisfying way. The layers upon layers of motivation in each character kept me as the reader from figuring out where things would finish. The detailed world with its twists on mythical and more mundane creatures aided the story in ways where a lot of high fantasy writers weigh their stories down and make them sluggish. This was masterful writing.
What I didn’t like:
The “power” of the influencers, and Catling’s unique ability, read a lot like Robert Jordan’s “one power” in his Wheel of Time series. At first, it was all too familiar. I do have to say, though, D. Wallace Peach made it her own and added a mix of details to this power that makes it unique. I can see the influence of other writers (like the aforementioned Jordan, Sanderson, and others), but it is only that, an influence. By the time I finished the book, the similarities stopped and something altogether new emerged.
Conclusion:
Here we have a book that needs recognition by the world at large. There are many, and I do mean many, books that get a lot of attention that fail miserably in comparison to what author D. Wallace Peach has created here. This is a world readers are longing to find. These are characters fantasy fans need to know. My only head-scratching question I have after reading just this first book is, where is Netflix or Amazon with their offers to make a high-budget series of this?
WARNING: THE FOLLOWING MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS.
Summary (from Amazon):
In the tiers of Ellegeance, the elite Influencers’ Guild holds the power to manipulate emotions. Love and fear, pain and pleasure, healing and death mark the extremes of their sway, but it’s the subtle blends that hook their victims’ hearts. They hide behind oaths of loyalty and rule the world.
A child born in the grim warrens beneath the city, Catling rues the rose birthmark encircling her eye. Yet, it grants her the ability to disrupt the influencers’ sway. Established methods of civil control disintegrate before her. She’s a weapon desired by those who reign and those who rebel.
To the Influencer’s Guild, she’s an aberration, a threat. They order her death and thus the betrayals begin. One woman protects and trains her, plotting to use her shield to further imperial goals. No longer a helpless child, Catling has other plans. As chaos shakes the foundations of order and rule, will she become the realm’s savior? Or its executioner?
The Rose Shield Tetralogy – a blend of science fiction and fantasy.
Welcome to a world of three moons, a sentient landscape, rivers of light, and tier cities that rise from the swamps like otherworld flowers. A planet of waterdragons, where humans are the aliens living among three-fingered natives with spotted skin. Where a half-blood converses with the fog and the goddess plans her final reckoning.
Follow Catling’s journey as she grows from childhood into the deadly force that shapes the future. She is the realm’s shield, an influencer, assassin, healer, mother, and avenger. And all she wants is to go home.
The books of The Rose Shield Tetralogy
Catling’s Bane
Oathbreakers’ Guild
Farlanders’ Law
Kari’s Reckoning
What I liked:
This is an epic fantasy story in the vein of Brandon Sanderson, Jim Butcher, or the late Robert Jordan. It is a richly envisioned world filled with vibrant characters that surprise you at every turn. There are no stereotypical archetypes here, but characters that do move, act, and react to the situations and circumstances of their lives in ways that seem both logical and stunning. The twists in action keep the story from falling in the normal pace of fantasy epics where the humble-hero escapes peril and becomes savior but in a satisfying way. The layers upon layers of motivation in each character kept me as the reader from figuring out where things would finish. The detailed world with its twists on mythical and more mundane creatures aided the story in ways where a lot of high fantasy writers weigh their stories down and make them sluggish. This was masterful writing.
What I didn’t like:
The “power” of the influencers, and Catling’s unique ability, read a lot like Robert Jordan’s “one power” in his Wheel of Time series. At first, it was all too familiar. I do have to say, though, D. Wallace Peach made it her own and added a mix of details to this power that makes it unique. I can see the influence of other writers (like the aforementioned Jordan, Sanderson, and others), but it is only that, an influence. By the time I finished the book, the similarities stopped and something altogether new emerged.
Conclusion:
Here we have a book that needs recognition by the world at large. There are many, and I do mean many, books that get a lot of attention that fail miserably in comparison to what author D. Wallace Peach has created here. This is a world readers are longing to find. These are characters fantasy fans need to know. My only head-scratching question I have after reading just this first book is, where is Netflix or Amazon with their offers to make a high-budget series of this?
December 17, 2021
This book is the first of four set in Ellegeance, a world of cities built in tiers in a land of rivers and swamps. This world is laid out in lush, descriptive prose, from its three differently coloured moons to an abundance of birds and reptiles. The human inhabitants include people with three fingers and spotted skins. There are hints of mysterious beings called Founders who created the cities. All this makes for a fascinating reading experience, even without the plot and characters.
The main character, Catling, is a child of two at the beginning of the book and a girl of fifteen at the end. Her primary characteristic is an ability to block the power over emotions exercised by people called influencers, which is used as a means of social control. Thus Catling is perceived as a threat to the fabric of society but also a desirable tool.
Due to her youth, Catling has limited agency in this story. For the most part she is an actual or potential victim, moved about like a chess piece by individuals in the Guild of Influencers. Because of this, I found some of the other characters more interesting, notably Vianne the doyen, young Whitt, and the enigmatic swamp-dweller Raker.
There is a dearth of good people in this story, and most of them tend to suffer and even die. I found the overall feel of the book to be a grim one, relieved at times by the curious beauty of the natural world and brief intervals of congeniality.
To me, certain fundamental elements of the story are somewhat obscure, notably a substance called luminescence, and the nature of influence. Luminescence is derived from water, and may be similar to the bioluminescence or phosphorescence seen in the real world. But in Ellegeance, it is somehow extracted and bottled for use in the tier cities. This is an interesting concept I wish was described in more detail.
I didn't really understand influence. The idea of people whose function is to override people's natural emotions in order to control exploited underclasses makes a kind of macabre sense, but the details and logical extensions of the concept eluded me. For one thing, it appears that influencers are made, not born. The ruler of Ellegeance is a king whose mind is failing, but I did not see a clear picture of the governing hierarchy. Perhaps all this is explored and explained further in the other books of the Rose Shield series.
This brings me to the fact that this book is only the beginning of a much longer story. Although in its course Catling survives a number of perilous situations, the book ends just as she is entering a stage in which she is able to exercise some agency and make real choices. There is no sense of conclusion, only an invitation to read on.
The main character, Catling, is a child of two at the beginning of the book and a girl of fifteen at the end. Her primary characteristic is an ability to block the power over emotions exercised by people called influencers, which is used as a means of social control. Thus Catling is perceived as a threat to the fabric of society but also a desirable tool.
Due to her youth, Catling has limited agency in this story. For the most part she is an actual or potential victim, moved about like a chess piece by individuals in the Guild of Influencers. Because of this, I found some of the other characters more interesting, notably Vianne the doyen, young Whitt, and the enigmatic swamp-dweller Raker.
There is a dearth of good people in this story, and most of them tend to suffer and even die. I found the overall feel of the book to be a grim one, relieved at times by the curious beauty of the natural world and brief intervals of congeniality.
To me, certain fundamental elements of the story are somewhat obscure, notably a substance called luminescence, and the nature of influence. Luminescence is derived from water, and may be similar to the bioluminescence or phosphorescence seen in the real world. But in Ellegeance, it is somehow extracted and bottled for use in the tier cities. This is an interesting concept I wish was described in more detail.
I didn't really understand influence. The idea of people whose function is to override people's natural emotions in order to control exploited underclasses makes a kind of macabre sense, but the details and logical extensions of the concept eluded me. For one thing, it appears that influencers are made, not born. The ruler of Ellegeance is a king whose mind is failing, but I did not see a clear picture of the governing hierarchy. Perhaps all this is explored and explained further in the other books of the Rose Shield series.
This brings me to the fact that this book is only the beginning of a much longer story. Although in its course Catling survives a number of perilous situations, the book ends just as she is entering a stage in which she is able to exercise some agency and make real choices. There is no sense of conclusion, only an invitation to read on.
June 25, 2023
Catling’s Bane is another winner from D Wallace Peach.
The story is set in a realm of several different kingdoms and exposes the injustice and self-promotion of characters who vary in their dishonesty and cruelty. Some are merely doing what they feel is justified to keep order.
Into this realm comes Catling. We meet her as a toddler in the care of an unfeeling mother who tries to scrape off the red mark around one of her daughter’s eyes. Catling is saved from this and her mother eventually passes her into bondship with a farmer and his complex but ultimately caring family.
It becomes clear early on that this mark around Catling’s eye imbues her with a talent that enables her to interrupt the power wielded by the Influencers. These people can distort people’s perceptions and feelings as is evidenced on one of the hanging days where the crowd (and those who are hanged) are happy to witness and take part in it.
Once Catling’s ability is suspected, she is hunted down by those who would destroy her to protect themselves, and someone who believes she can make use of the talent herself.
I’ve read other fantasy novels by Ms Peach and the worlds she creates are vividly real and populated by three-dimensional characters. This one is no exception and there are parallels that we can identify with our own world which adds another dimension to the story. Land is taken and controlled by those who hold the greatest power. She writes that justice “requires the powerful to disdain their power” and we see the problems that are caused by an imbalance between the different lands.
The writing, as always, is evocative and powerful. Here’s a description of an elderly king:
“The opulent surroundings dwarfed the old man, burying him in the richness of his fur cape and ceremonial weapons. Heartier men hovered, and threads of influence thickened the air”.
This is the first of a trilogy and held me enthralled throughout. I shall be buying the next one today.
The story is set in a realm of several different kingdoms and exposes the injustice and self-promotion of characters who vary in their dishonesty and cruelty. Some are merely doing what they feel is justified to keep order.
Into this realm comes Catling. We meet her as a toddler in the care of an unfeeling mother who tries to scrape off the red mark around one of her daughter’s eyes. Catling is saved from this and her mother eventually passes her into bondship with a farmer and his complex but ultimately caring family.
It becomes clear early on that this mark around Catling’s eye imbues her with a talent that enables her to interrupt the power wielded by the Influencers. These people can distort people’s perceptions and feelings as is evidenced on one of the hanging days where the crowd (and those who are hanged) are happy to witness and take part in it.
Once Catling’s ability is suspected, she is hunted down by those who would destroy her to protect themselves, and someone who believes she can make use of the talent herself.
I’ve read other fantasy novels by Ms Peach and the worlds she creates are vividly real and populated by three-dimensional characters. This one is no exception and there are parallels that we can identify with our own world which adds another dimension to the story. Land is taken and controlled by those who hold the greatest power. She writes that justice “requires the powerful to disdain their power” and we see the problems that are caused by an imbalance between the different lands.
The writing, as always, is evocative and powerful. Here’s a description of an elderly king:
“The opulent surroundings dwarfed the old man, burying him in the richness of his fur cape and ceremonial weapons. Heartier men hovered, and threads of influence thickened the air”.
This is the first of a trilogy and held me enthralled throughout. I shall be buying the next one today.
January 11, 2020
I really enjoyed Catling's bane, the prose is excellent and so are many of the characters, with quality varying upon how much time was devoted to them. Catling, in particular, is good, as her personality evolves as she matures and experiences the various events of her life.
The plot itself is also excellent, with its core foundation revolving around the morality of emotionally influencing people for 'the greater good.' This provided a wealth of depth to the world, plot, and characters because the author doesn't simplify the moral conflict. We are introduced to heinous, middling and benevolent characters performing this mental abuse, many of them truly believing in their cause while acknowledging the reality that they're oppressive and abusive. I loved this moral core of the narrative.
However, speaking the narrative, there are stretches where not much happens. I never found the story boring, in part because of the prose and character's excellence, and these inactive sections do have a purpose in the story, the narrative just doesn't progress. It's particularly prevalent in one of the POV characters, who, despite having emotional nucleus and goals, spent most of their chapters floundering through the story and not really interacting with or affecting events meaningfully.
That one, minor, qualm aside, I really enjoyed the book.
The plot itself is also excellent, with its core foundation revolving around the morality of emotionally influencing people for 'the greater good.' This provided a wealth of depth to the world, plot, and characters because the author doesn't simplify the moral conflict. We are introduced to heinous, middling and benevolent characters performing this mental abuse, many of them truly believing in their cause while acknowledging the reality that they're oppressive and abusive. I loved this moral core of the narrative.
However, speaking the narrative, there are stretches where not much happens. I never found the story boring, in part because of the prose and character's excellence, and these inactive sections do have a purpose in the story, the narrative just doesn't progress. It's particularly prevalent in one of the POV characters, who, despite having emotional nucleus and goals, spent most of their chapters floundering through the story and not really interacting with or affecting events meaningfully.
That one, minor, qualm aside, I really enjoyed the book.
June 4, 2018
This was... Interesting.
It's definitely the kind of story that I like. It was just kind of weirdly done.
First, it skipped around a lot. Like, months or years into the future... I can't remember it ever going back to the past, but with it skipping ahead so much and so often, I think the author should have included some kind of note when it did that... "Three months later" or whatever.
Also, it skipped between people a lot, seemingly without much purpose. Perhaps it makes more sense when you read the second book, but this one was definitely missing that "Aha" moment at the end where all of the events throughout the book come together and make sense.
Finally, I felt that the ending was kind of strange. There we were, skipping around wherever and whenever, and then suddenly, without warning, we just start to get a summary of what Catling's done. And then it jumps around some more, but the story has a rushed feel to it now... And now we're done. A couple of things make sense, but only things recently introduced. Some others still really don't. There was never really all that much background information. So I don't know. It wasn't a bad book, necessarily... but I'm not sure I can quite call it good, either.
Note: I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
It's definitely the kind of story that I like. It was just kind of weirdly done.
First, it skipped around a lot. Like, months or years into the future... I can't remember it ever going back to the past, but with it skipping ahead so much and so often, I think the author should have included some kind of note when it did that... "Three months later" or whatever.
Also, it skipped between people a lot, seemingly without much purpose. Perhaps it makes more sense when you read the second book, but this one was definitely missing that "Aha" moment at the end where all of the events throughout the book come together and make sense.
Finally, I felt that the ending was kind of strange. There we were, skipping around wherever and whenever, and then suddenly, without warning, we just start to get a summary of what Catling's done. And then it jumps around some more, but the story has a rushed feel to it now... And now we're done. A couple of things make sense, but only things recently introduced. Some others still really don't. There was never really all that much background information. So I don't know. It wasn't a bad book, necessarily... but I'm not sure I can quite call it good, either.
Note: I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
March 22, 2019
Catling’s Bane, Book 1 of the Rose Shield, 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.
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.
June 28, 2018
An intriguing story combining science fiction and fantasy that could become a movie on the big screen or a TV series. This is the beginning of an epic series about Caitlin, a young girl who has a rose birthmark over her eye and powers that no others have.
This story takes the reader through the life of Caitlin as a child trying to survive in a cruel world to a young woman who has learned skills that will help to keep her safe from those who want her harmed.
There are a host of unusual and fascinating characters that filled this fantasy to the brim. There are Influencers who control others’ feelings and cause pain and suffering if they do not do the rulers bidding. There are children who have to learn how to protect themselves and work to earn their way.
There are evil and good characters that war against one another. They have one thing in common they are after Caitlin. Those who fear her powers want her dead. Others want to rescue her and whisk her away. But will her friend, Whitt be able to rescue her or does he want to? Will Caitlin be able to escape the clutches of the rulers who only want her for her powers?
The series continues in book 2 and beyond. I found this series to be a compelling and fascinating read once I got into the story. It is full of descriptive passages about the landscape and life of the characters in this harsh environment. It is reminiscent of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
This story takes the reader through the life of Caitlin as a child trying to survive in a cruel world to a young woman who has learned skills that will help to keep her safe from those who want her harmed.
There are a host of unusual and fascinating characters that filled this fantasy to the brim. There are Influencers who control others’ feelings and cause pain and suffering if they do not do the rulers bidding. There are children who have to learn how to protect themselves and work to earn their way.
There are evil and good characters that war against one another. They have one thing in common they are after Caitlin. Those who fear her powers want her dead. Others want to rescue her and whisk her away. But will her friend, Whitt be able to rescue her or does he want to? Will Caitlin be able to escape the clutches of the rulers who only want her for her powers?
The series continues in book 2 and beyond. I found this series to be a compelling and fascinating read once I got into the story. It is full of descriptive passages about the landscape and life of the characters in this harsh environment. It is reminiscent of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
January 20, 2019
For the most part I enjoyed this book. It took some time to get into it. I wish explanations had been clearer and given earlier in the book. It took some time to understand the luminescence and influencers and the realm in general, but once I sorted it out, the pacing picked up.
I thought it started slow and I got irritated at times because I wanted answers to certain things and all I kept getting was more new stuff with more questions. The pace really picked up when the heiress shows up. I didn't understand why Catling had to keep shifting around to different places except to show different parts of the realm, which was ok if Catling stayed in those spots for a while, but she didn't. And don't get me started on the appearance and disappearance of Whitt.
The end of the book was intense and it really gripped me to the point I HAD to get book 2 in the series. I'm invested now. And, now that I know the characters and the realm, I'm thinking the next books are going to be great reads.
I thought it started slow and I got irritated at times because I wanted answers to certain things and all I kept getting was more new stuff with more questions. The pace really picked up when the heiress shows up. I didn't understand why Catling had to keep shifting around to different places except to show different parts of the realm, which was ok if Catling stayed in those spots for a while, but she didn't. And don't get me started on the appearance and disappearance of Whitt.
The end of the book was intense and it really gripped me to the point I HAD to get book 2 in the series. I'm invested now. And, now that I know the characters and the realm, I'm thinking the next books are going to be great reads.
March 21, 2021
This is a prime example of quality writing. Author masterfully lays out the premise for books to come, introduce characters, their backgrounds, what moves them, relationships between them while also weaving the world in which the story lives. Reader gets parallel insights for different characters and how they get tied into the story. Very good storytelling language.
Now, with all that prize, why not 5 stars? Because this book is incredibly boring in multiple places and tends to drag. Author, despite her superb world building, tends to indulge in unnecessary lengthy descriptions. Don't get me wrong- I love throughout world building, but many of those lengthy descriptions added nothing to the story and avoiding them would have only made the story better.
A definite recommendation from me, but be warned that this book is neither light, nor always captivating. If you can pressure yourself through it, then we can hope together that next book will have faster pace and way more development.
Now, with all that prize, why not 5 stars? Because this book is incredibly boring in multiple places and tends to drag. Author, despite her superb world building, tends to indulge in unnecessary lengthy descriptions. Don't get me wrong- I love throughout world building, but many of those lengthy descriptions added nothing to the story and avoiding them would have only made the story better.
A definite recommendation from me, but be warned that this book is neither light, nor always captivating. If you can pressure yourself through it, then we can hope together that next book will have faster pace and way more development.
July 12, 2022
Young Catling is born to a life of poverty in the warrens under the piers of one of the tiered cities of Elegeance. A distinctive rose birthmark covers her eye, setting her apart not just in looks but in the ability she has to see how the Influencer’s Guild manipulates emotions to get their way.
Traded by her mother for a tippance, Catling leaves the city streets behind and learns the meaning of family with a farmer, his two wives, and a group of other children they’ve taken in, including Whitt, a young boy she immediately connects with.
On a trip back to the warrens for hanging day festivities, Catling learns of the power she possesses to break the threads of influence and allow people to witness the true horror of the hangings. This gets her the attention of an underlord determined to change the laws they survive by, even if it puts Catling in danger.
As it becomes obvious something, or someone, is disrupting the influencers from their grip on the people’s emotions, the search for Catling begins. Her life is once again turned upside down as the thirst for power grows and corruption is around every corner.
This is an epic fantasy that lives up to its promise to thrill and entertain its readers- highly recommended!
Traded by her mother for a tippance, Catling leaves the city streets behind and learns the meaning of family with a farmer, his two wives, and a group of other children they’ve taken in, including Whitt, a young boy she immediately connects with.
On a trip back to the warrens for hanging day festivities, Catling learns of the power she possesses to break the threads of influence and allow people to witness the true horror of the hangings. This gets her the attention of an underlord determined to change the laws they survive by, even if it puts Catling in danger.
As it becomes obvious something, or someone, is disrupting the influencers from their grip on the people’s emotions, the search for Catling begins. Her life is once again turned upside down as the thirst for power grows and corruption is around every corner.
This is an epic fantasy that lives up to its promise to thrill and entertain its readers- highly recommended!
January 9, 2020
An Epic Fantasy Series.
I have to admit I struggled through the first third of this book. A lot of description of the world and everyone other than the protagonist Catling acting like no sane person should. It is slowly teased out that their emotions are not their own but forced upon them.
It wasn't until I was over a third of the way through that I realized I was reading an Epic Novel broken up into a series. Once looking at it that way it became easier to read.
Maybe it was just me but I didn't get that from the description.
As an Epic Novel it goes for the highest ring.
In the world of the blind, the one eyed man is king. In a world where emotions are controlled thinking for yourself is the ultimate power. The supernatural force controls people's very emotions. All told in a overwritten, omniscient style.
I feel that lovers of Epic Fantasy Novels, as opposed to high fantasy or speculative fantasy will love this series.
I have to admit I struggled through the first third of this book. A lot of description of the world and everyone other than the protagonist Catling acting like no sane person should. It is slowly teased out that their emotions are not their own but forced upon them.
It wasn't until I was over a third of the way through that I realized I was reading an Epic Novel broken up into a series. Once looking at it that way it became easier to read.
Maybe it was just me but I didn't get that from the description.
As an Epic Novel it goes for the highest ring.
In the world of the blind, the one eyed man is king. In a world where emotions are controlled thinking for yourself is the ultimate power. The supernatural force controls people's very emotions. All told in a overwritten, omniscient style.
I feel that lovers of Epic Fantasy Novels, as opposed to high fantasy or speculative fantasy will love this series.
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