Story Reviews » Round Robin Reviews # 7 · 12:13am May 29th, 2016
The Round Robin Reviews are written by different groups and reviewers taking turns each week. If you are a story reviewer or part of a group that reviews stories and would be interested in joining the Round Robin Reviews, feel free to PM me (Wanderer D), Professor Plum, or ElDorado to tell us about it.
Rage is back for another round? Woo! Let’s do this thing!
We here at Rage Reviews are known for our highly critical preferences when it comes to literature, but even jaded individuals like ourselves come across things we enjoy every now and then. Whenever a story presents strong, endearing characterizations, impeccable grammar, and memorable settings amongst other such qualities, we sigh in relief that good fiction does, in fact, exist. As such, every month a number of our reviewers get together to present a collection of stories that they feel did something right, something that other writers can learn from. We’re pleased to now be able to share our monthly spotlight with all the readers, rather than just those who happen to be a part of our group.
All the stories selected here were done so at the discretion of our official reviewers, meaning it’s their personal opinions on the matter. We hope you enjoy them!
The Princess of Edits’ pick:
Genre Tags: Drama
While it is true that alicorns can be made, sometimes they are born. If a true alicorn, whose title has been rightfully earned, takes a lover who has seen the darkest truths of the universe and yet still has strength to smile, and their passion is more true than the universe itself, an alicorn might be born. The chances of such an event are so small that they make a million-to-one chance look like a sure thing.
But still, there are miracles. Sometimes an alicorn, with all the trappings of the three races, is born unto this world. It is around such beings that the universe inevitably turns. Even if they find themselves... reduced.
This is the story of Prince Blueblood the First. It is also the story of Prince Blueblood the Thirty-Fourth, and all of the Bluebloods in between.
Those of you familiar with my preferences know that I am somewhat of a stickler when it cometh to the technical aspects of writing. The most insignificant of mistakes upendeth mine immersion like naught else can, so finding a story I can truly enjoy on a fanfiction website is a pipedream that I rarely see come to fruition. Thus, it was with great delight that I found mine attention directed towards the gem that is “When an Angel Loses his Wings”. Moriarty’s grasp on the English language is top-notch, with nary a mistake to be found, and the few items I would change were a matter of personal taste rather than an objective fault. His prose floweth in a manner most pleasing and easy to read such that one hardly beginneth to read before one findeth oneself already finished. This is a very good sign of a strong writer.
Concerning the story itself, I was similarly thrilled to find the content engaging and thought-provoking. Prince Blueblood is oft a subject of discontent amongst fans of My Little Pony due to the abysmal portrayal of him at the Gala. I personally did not care for such a depiction, as ‘twas blown far out of proportion in order to simplify the conflict. Here, though, Moriarty presenteth us with a much more reasonable Blueblood, one who hath lived far longer than most other ponies, and he hath long since become jaded to the life of royalty. No excuses are made for his behavior, but ‘tis far easier to sympathize with and even like this Blueblood than the canonical version.
I shan’t say aught further, as the story bursteth at the seams with meaningful content, other than to urge you to have a look at your earliest convenience.
JumpingShinyFrogs’ pick:
Genre Tags: Human, Slice of Life, Tragedy
Twilight Sparkle writes an important letter about how she became friends with Lyra the unicorn, a mistake she made, its terrible consequence, and one of friendship’s hardest lessons.
You see a 'Lyra is obsessed with humans' story and you groan. But this is the only one I've ever seen done well. And damn is it done well. The story follows Twilight's experience with Lyra Heartstrings, and Twilight feels very in-character throughout. There aren't really any moments where I feel like it isn't Twilight writing the letter. Lyra is also characterised very well. She isn't the wacky, human-obsessed, one-dimensional character that she is in most stories, she's a motivated and intelligent individual who's very passionate about her dream, which I won't spoil since it's important to the story. And the ending is a serious 'whoa' moment. Maybe I'm just oblivious, but I didn't see it coming at all. Overall, this is a nice, short, interesting read with great characterisation.
Rainedash’s pick:
Genre Tags: Comedy, Slice of Life, Romance
Rarity and Rainbow Dash are about as in love as two ponies can be. Every once in a while, they do something utterly exciting and amazing. Between those moments, they live their lives just like any other couple does. These are some of those between times.
One of the better episodic, slice of life stories I've seen. Rainbow Dash's and Rarity's personalities really shine in all of their interactions. Also, just as importantly, it knows when a joke is finished and lets it end, rather than running it into the group. Definitely worth checking out for anyone that wants to skip the teasing will they or won't they hookup story, and go to the daily lives of a couple after they've started dating.
A British Gentleman’s pick:
Genre Tags: Comedy, Slice of Life
This story is a sequel to "The Secret of Manehattan Mall".
When Pinkie Pie receives an acceptance letter from one of the most prestigious culinary schools in the world, she is given a chance to achieve her life-long dream of becoming a world-renowned pastry chef. Although this trip means being away from Ponyville and her friends for an entire year, the new friends she meets and the fresh opportunities for crazy shenanigans more than make up for it.
Pinkie might be ready to take on this new environment, but the real question is: is it ready for Pinkie Pie?
It is a sad but irrefutable truth that a fair number of authors do not like poor old Pinkie Pie. The reasons vary from person to person, but for a lot of authors, it boils down to this: Pinkie says, loud and clear and pink: "I represent the target audience, little girls. Take a good looksie at how fun and pink and happy and pink and girly and pink I am!"
Some authors deal badly with that. They project their own dislike of her onto their fics. This leads to no end of abuse and indignity for poor Pinkie, from both characters and narratives alike. I will be fair: she is hard to get right, and even the show can't pull off her character to best effect a lot of the time.
Which is why it is always lovely to find a fic where Pinkie gets to be the star, where she really gets to shine. And I believe I have found such a fic, with my recommendation to you, my good ladies and gentlemen: “The Steeden University of Culinary Arts”.
We follow a well balanced, well characterised Pinkie as she enrolls in the eponymous institution, in order to further enhance herself as a baker. It's lovely to see a character taking steps to improve their skills, with that seen as a goal unto itself; Pinkie has no grandiose ambition here, and will be returning to Sugarcube Corner after her studies, better equipped to help the Cakes and do what she does best. Which, naturally, is to make other ponies happy.
The author really gets Pinkie’s character, and she is wonderful here: always ready with some new concoction in the kitchen and always happy to clean up after some of her experiments don't go plan, and above all, always happy to make new friends.
With a wonderfully written Pinkie and some lovely OC's this fic is well worth checking out for any fan of our favourite very pink heroine. With thirty one upvotes and a few hundred views, this is very much a hidden gem. Give it a go, my good ladies and gentlemen; it is a fic that richly deserves more love.
Winter Solstice’s pick:
Genre Tags: Comedy, Crossover, Random
Two outlaws get more than they bargained for when they kidnap a young Pinkie Pie for ransom.
This time I thought I'd dip into my "not-dark" list and offer something extremely light hearted. Here, all Pinkie Pie addicts will get more than their fix to get them through the day.
This comedy is set during the time Pinkie was just a filly, and the extraordinary abilities she already possesses make themselves known. Much to the chagrin of two hapless criminals. The author takes what we already know about Pinkie and magnifies the same, in ways that are familiar but still new. If one is acquainted with the source material, the outcome will be no surprise, but is still entertaining. If you're like me, and never before read "The Ransom of Red Chief", you'll find it was not necessary to understand this plot, which is unusual for crossovers.
Admittedly, the comedy will make you smile rather than laugh for the most part. (Except for the tea party. That is comedy gold!) This tale is a primer for authors that wish to take the long road for laughs and entertainment, as the material is well thought out and believable, considering what we know of Pinkie. This tale wouldn't work for any other character.
And so ends our second round of reviews. We hope to see you next time.
Fare thee well!
...Huh.
Wasn't expecting that.
3980099 You win.
3980130 Wait, what do I win?
3980138 hamptoncreek.com/img/p-just-cookies/panel-cookie-choc-cookie.png
3980142 No, I mean how did I win it? All I did was write a thing and get complimented for it on one of the most regularly ignored aspects of this site.
3980148
To be fair, you wrote a really really good thing.
3980181 ...
But I already had cookies today.
They were macadamia nut.
So nice.