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CATHY BENEDETTO…
Ms. Benedetto is a writer, artist and avid reader. Her love of science fiction and fantasy inspired her trilogy about the mystical race of warriors known as Shala. Her favorite authors, Anne McCaffrey, Robert Jordan, and Orson Scott Card, have spun stories that shifted Cathy’s imagination into high gear.
The former Vice Principal and education consultant, Cathy was also a five time softball All-American, and AAU basketball All-American. She was a member of the U.S. Women’s basketball team that played in the World University Games in Czechoslovakia and the Pan American Games in Canada. While coaching, she was published in the Women in Sports magazine and wrote a column for the Bellevue Journal American.
Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Cathy moved to Lexington, Kentucky in 2003. The former coach enjoys supporting the Kentucky Wildcats women's basketball team, often writes at her cabin near Lake Cumberland, and loves fishing on her pontoon boat. A special joy is playing with Liz, Lily, Kendall and David.
Visit Cathy’s website at www.shalafantasy.com, to discover more about the fascinating Shala.
Reviewed by Author Anna del C. Dye for Readers' Favorite
This is a very well-told tale in a made-up world quite different from those fantasy lovers have seen before. It has a well-thought-out plot with interesting characters, both human and otherwise. I find the writing fluid, even when the author chose to make each scene a new chapter. Some readers may find it a touch disconcerting, because it could take them a minute to figure out where they are, but it didn’t bother me.
An old Sandala legend says that in the time of their most dire need a magnificent race will come forth and help the humans on the continent of Sandala to survive their enemies’ attacks. But many think this is just another tale to pass the time.
The King of Dania believes in the legend although he has never seen the Shala race. His oldest son doesn’t believe something that could have been a tale spun around the fire-pit many years before.
It doesn’t matter what they think; the scouts report evidence that foreign soldiers are preparing to attack them, and one of the kingdoms in Sandala has betrayed them. They will have to unite the rest of the kingdoms if they want to win an enemy much more numerous than themselves.
For their part, the Shala race’s only purpose is to be trained to save the human race that inhabits Sandala. They have taken this purpose to heart and worked for generations to prepare for this sole event. Now they are aware of the enemy infiltrating the kingdoms of the humans. So the Shala and their fellow animals are on the move.
This is great reading for young adults and adults alike who will enjoy the variety of life in this imaginary kingdom. It is clean and tastefully done.
