" A strange sound forced her eyes open, freckled cheeks glistening with tears in the firelight. Looking over at Death, she saw amber teardrops leaking out of their empty eye sockets, one by one. The tears dribbled down the bones, sliding away into the darkness of their cloak. “Life was heartbroken.” They whispered, “I could feel them crying.” and though the skull was grinning, the seer knew Death was in more pain than she. That was Death’s curse. To love the being Life but be doomed to be apart, forever. Death had met her kin--had known them. They not only feel the pain of a lover but the absence of an equal. Fate was a cruel mistress, but everything she did was to maintain the balance of the world. "
Love & Other Pyrrhic Victories
Aurora Rain Llydell has been writing since she was 14 years old. She's always been able to delve deep into fantasy worlds to untangle their mysteries with an unquenchable thirst. She has a passion for stories in every form, especially fantasy. She self published a book of poetry in 2017. Aurora has a bachelor's degree in English and Creative Writing from the University of Iowa. She married her partner of 7 years in June of 2022, and currently lives in Christiansburg VA with their toothless dog and grumpy cat.
Reviews
With a title like “Love and Other Pyrrhic Victories” it had to be a great read. And It delivered! Llydell engages the reader from page 1. Her protagonists wrangle the heavyweight concepts of Life, Death, and Fate through scenes of powerful conflict and deep contemplation. I was equally enchanted by Llydell’s book of poetry “Selling My Soul” - a kaleidoscopic treasure of the dark and the divine. It is a powerful Exposé of Llydell’s inner self with a back cover poem which is worthy of distinction.
Love & Other Pyrrhic Virtues showcases a dark and fantastical set of stories. It feels like a new set of fairytales that everyone should read. A few of my favorite stories are The Wheel of Fortune, Sirens, and Welcoming. Some stories are emotional, some are uplifting, and some are just fun to read. I’d highly recommend reading this collection and am looking forward to reading more from this author.
This is a worthy read for any and all enthusiasts of mythologies and folklore alike. Truly there is something for everyone, with a range of stories featuring a variety of time periods, settings and genres. Llydell is a genuine wordsmith with the ability to conjure comprehensive worlds in only a brief tale. She has truly established an authentic wealth of folklore all her own.
This book had me spellbound from start to finish. I couldn't stop reading it! My personal favorites were "Heartless", "Hope and Longing", "Five Tails", and "Child of Salt". These stories do a great job of getting you invested in the world and its characters in such a short space. I especially love the varied ways emotions were shown throughout the collection. I'd recommend this to anyone who loves fantasy and folk lore. I can't wait to see what Llydell writes next!
I am a reader who loves fantasy, but hesitates at short stories usually because I worry the story will feel unfinished. That is not the case with "Love and Other Pyrrhic Victories." I thoroughly enjoyed this collection that, though includes so many characters and locations and time periods, is a message about love that transcends all of those. I am looking forward to future collections and books Llydell puts out. She has a new fan for life.