This short novella is a coming-of-age story set in the midst of hardship. I loved the practicality of Lady Talarrie Eircelly, the twins' mother. This is my favorite quotation from the story: “Those of us who can help should not deny it to others.”

Highly recommended for people who enjoy reflective fantasy. ( )

It's a little tiny story - barely a novella - but it is lovely. I always laugh at parts and nearly cry at others, though even the most anxiety-producing events are handled with calm and dispatch. "I'll have to see what I can do about that..." Lovely story, set in a world that strikes me as an odd mixture of England and Witch World (I don't know why the latter - maybe just the way the lady and her daughter seem to view their talents). It's a world I'd be pleased to see more of, through that now seems unlikely. Always enjoyable. ( )

Tirza, Tracell, and Lady TalarrieEircelly are devastated when their father must go off to war. They are left to take care of a village of people who could be attacked at any time. Only Lady Talarrie's calm head and intelligence saves them.

Tirza and her twin Tracell want nothing more than to turn 16. They just can’t wait to grow up. When the war starts tirza realizes that while her present is still secure her brother's has galloped off to battle. She tries to ensure her brother's present will still be a great one but, he wants only one thing. A horse. As their birthday draws nearer she watches the chances of tracell getting a horse dwindle. With the help of her birthday present she thinks she can ensure his.

Find out if she succeeds in Anne McCaffery's If Wishes Were Horses.
Four **** ( )

This short fantasy novel explores the power of hope and love, and that dreams really can come true.

Lady Talarrie Eircelly has a well-known gift for healing in their small country village. Whether the malady is physical or emotional, she is The Person To See. Her husband, Lord Emkay Eircelly, is known as a fair ruler of the village. They have several children, including teenage twins, Tirza and Tracell. Life is pretty good in the village, until a messenger arrives from the king with news of war.

Lord Emkay rides off to war, along with every able-bodied man in the village, leaving Lady Talarrie in charge. The entire village goes into crisis mode. Flowers are pulled up, and vegetables are planted. Hunters scour the forest for any old or lame animals that would have died during the upcoming winter, and cull them earlier than expected. Nothing is more important than getting ready for the upcoming winter.

The war comes to the village, destroying most of the houses. This forces the whole village to move into the manor house for the winter. It’s tight, but with lots of improvising, they survive the winter. When spring comes, the first priority is to start rebuilding the village. After a winter crammed into close quarters, people’s tempers are almost gone.

An important part of growing up is receiving a present from your parents on your 16th birthday. Tirza’s gift is all set, a special crystal from her mother to wear around her neck. Tracell, her brother, has always wanted a horse of his own; not just any horse, but a Cirgassian war horse. The war has not only taken all the able-bodied men, it has also taken all the able-bodied horses. Tracell’s gift is hardly a sure thing.

This story is less than 100 pages, but it’s pretty good. It’s a very quick read, and it’s worth the reader’s time. ( )

This was a cute little book only about 80 pages so was a very quick read but a good story.I love Anne McCaffrey's Pern books,this one was quite different.I do however wish it would have been longer because it was a good story.All in all if you want a quick read this is a good story. ( )