Title: Eternal Strife

Author: Dara England

In: The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance (Trisha Telep)

Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)

My Bookshelves: Celtic, Fae, Family

Pace: Medium

Format: Short story

Publisher: Running Press

Year: 2010

5th sentence, 74th page: We would not have one fewer sweet blossom in this meadow than that we already have.

Siobhan wants to save her mother. And everytime she finds an ingredient for a potion, she is forced to make a deal for her life. What will happen when she has to cash in her favours?

This was a fun and easy little story. A girl is going across the countryside in an attempt to save her mother. Every time she finds part of the potion that she needs, she is also forced to make a deal that could put her in possible jeopardy. It’s kind of obvious what trouble she is about to get into throughout, but I couldn’t wait to see what would happen at the end of the tale.

I actually quite liked the end of this story. It wasn’t the outcome that I expected. And it took me by surprise. But it was sweet. And quaint. And just an easy, alternative ending to a small journey through the meadows that eventually saved a woman’s life.

Image source: Goodreads