Everfree Northwest Fanfic Spotlight 7 · 2:41am May 23rd, 2014
Welcome one and all, to a special seventh episode of the Fanfiction Spotlight. As I was putting my notes together for this week's stories, I discovered that my brain apparently decided to do a theme-week without running it by me first. That's rather rude, but oh well. My brain is always mistreating me, yet if I'm honest... it usually knows better than I do anyway.
So, on this "very special episode" we'll be showcasing four stories about "impossible" loves: An epic tale kicks off when a guardspony shows mercy to an injured changeling; an elderly Pipsqueak looks back on his amazing life and love; Daring Do finds a fan in the most unexpected of places; and Caramel struggles with new feelings for a lifelong friend.
An Affliction of the Heart
by Anonymous Pegasus
Words: 35,358 Complete: Yes
Since I'm apparently doing a theme this week, I figured a super-popular novella would be a good place to start. This story follows Warden, a guardspony, and an injured changeling he's captured, but can't bring himself to kill. What follows from there is a great ride, filled with humor, action, and of course, plenty of romance. I'm especially fond of the witty banter between the two main characters.
This story is the first in a series, the fourth of which is still actively being written. Thankfully this first one is relatively short, and a good, complete story, in and of itself. If you enjoy it, you have a lot more to look forward to. If not, it's not a major commitment either. I certainly think it'll be worth your time though.
The Other Side
by Rust
Words: 5,387 Complete: Yes
Pipsqueak is old. Really old. But he had a good life. A really good life.
I first read this story shortly after it was published back in December, and at the time, I wrote:
That was not only an amazingly heartfelt and touching story, but just a brilliantly written and elegant piece of prose as well. The language flowed smoothly, the pacing was perfectly balanced, and the descriptions were astonishingly vivid and beautiful. Then on top of that you hit every [bucking] feel my limbic system is capable of!
I just read it again now, and my opinion has not changed one single bit.
Daring Do and the Dance
by Georg
Words: 2,169 Complete: Yes
This one was suggested by Horizon (who I should try to pry suggestions out of more often.) It is a surprisingly fun little piece about Daring Do, told from the perspective of the evil minion who fell in love with her as they fought. It has a great balance of humor and sentimentality, with just enough visceral elements to make it all work. It very quickly made me smile, and I kept smiling all the way to the end. Be sure to listen to the "background music" suggestion linked in the story's description before/as you read it.
His Thorn on the Rose
by Regidar
Words: 4,778 Complete: Yes
Our community choice this week was suggested by Flint Sparks. It is, in many ways, the same basic plot as the Daring Do tale above: Guy falls in love with girl he knows he shouldn't. All this week's stories already share a theme, but these two in particular really make a great study in how the same theme, even told from the same perspective, can result in two stories with almost completely opposite emotional results for the reader. That said, this story certainly stands on its own too, and is a great read without making it a study in opposites. On that note, it has a very short prequel that is certainly worth your time as well, though not necessary for understanding here.
Well, that concludes this "very special episode." If you missed it, last week's edition can be found here. Also, please keep suggesting stories for the community spotlight below, and let me know what you thought of these, or any other stories we've featured! Hopefully my brain won't pull another theme-week next time, but who knows?
Until then, have fun!
--Xepher
They all sound very interesting. Marked all 4. Standing at 325 fics marked, I can't guarantee any of them being read within the decade. (Just kidding, I read a lot.)
Wait, so basically we're supposed to tell Xepher what stories we like? Have you featured Integration? I 'll throw a few dozen at you guys tomorrow. (not my own stories obviously)
2137718 Indeed, tell us in the comments stories you think should be featured on our weekly fanfic roundup! We'll usually feature one of those stories each posting.
Sweet! I'm glad my story was picked, it means a lot to me.
And me. Thank you very much.
Sweeeeeeeeeeeeet.
2137718 Yes... then I put them all into a super-secret sorting algorithm (I call it "my opinion") to determine what makes it through and gets featured.
But seriously, yeah... suggest lots of stuff. I can't promise I can get through all of it right away, but I came here to read stories, so the more the merrier. I do try to focus on lesser known stories and/or authors where possible though.
2137625 I know the feeling. I have way more to-read then I can get to, but I keep trying anyway!
2138196 2138589 2138594 You're welcome!
2138652 here's one. I read it in the earlier days of my ponyfic reading, which means I read it about a year and a third ago. Still very unique, and has held up very well. The story is:
Statistics
http://www.fimfiction.net/story/48108/1/statistics/the-only-chapter