Story Reviews » SA Reviews #118 · 3:59am Dec 19th, 2017
Seattle's Angels is a group that promotes good stories with low views. You can find us here.
“Hey, Matthew, watcha doin?” asked Chris, walking into their shared broom closet office.
“Oh, not much. Just hiding from Fer… you know who.” Matthew shivered as he spoke.
“What’d you do this time?” Chris asked.
“I forgot to clean the bathroom.”
“Ooh, Class five offense. Yikes.”
Matthew nodded. “Anyway, what do you need from here?”
“Me? Oh, I just got assigned to do reviews with you as punishment.”
Matthew raised an eyebrow. “Your punishment or mine?”
“Both,” Chris said, putting a stack of papers on the table. “I cut off Arch’s beard.”
ROUND #118
STORY 1
Nine Days Down, by JoeShogun
Sometimes it's fun to play the damsel in distress. Princess Celestia knows this better than most. Usually it works out fine. I mean, really, she could have escaped at any time, but Twilight and her friends have been so effective in the past that this time, well, Celestia may have let things get out of hoof. It was all fun and games until she got unceremoniously tossed into Tartarus. Even then, it wouldn't have been so bad; she's a goddess, after all. But alas, Tartarus is not Equestria, and Celestia is not all she could be when trapped there. Even worse, it appears that she didn't get thrown into The Pit alone.
Now, a mostly-mortal Celestia and her faithful student must traverse the wilds of Tartarus, the fabled prison of all the things that were deemed too monstrous, too disturbing, too outright dangerous for world they know. Surely an exit will present itself...
When I started this story, I wasn’t very impressed. Oh, it was fine, a perfectly decent piece of writing, but it didn’t strike me as anything blow-your-socks-off amazing. Celestia as a deific chessmaster who only loses to peons like Chrysalis and Discord so that the ponies around her are able to feel useful? Yawn, seen it before. Snarky narration? Sure, sure, nothing new there. But the fic came to me recommended by someone whose taste I trust, so I gave it the benefit of the doubt and assumed that the best bits were farther along. And boy, were they.
Perhaps the best thing about Nine Days Down (and it’s no easy feat to pick a “best thing”) is how JoeShogun gets inside Twilight’s head, as she confronts Tartarus. Because Tartarus is a world she’s wholly unequipped to handle, populated not just by monsters who’ve long been banished from Equestria, but by moralities and ways of life which are completely alien to her. It’s a brutal introduction to cynicism, violence, and hatred for her, and the author doesn’t shy away from showing us just how much it hurts to live like that. And yet, this isn’t just a six-figure-wordcount torture porn, because for all that it’s about Twi learning about all these horrible things for the first time—some of which she only knew academically, others of which she’d seen but their pale cousins in Equestria, and others which she doesn’t even have words for—it’s also about bringing the values of friendship, trust, and hope to a place which hasn’t seen such in a long, long time.
But there’s also the imaginative monsters, both from various folklores and entirely original. Oh, and everything about that six-horned bull in the cover art? The way he talks, the reason he’s in Tartarus, and how he’s changed… that’s a great mix of funny and frighteningly serious. And I shouldn’t forget to mention how much empathy the author seems to have for even minor characters, which goes a long way towards giving this story the poignancy that ultimately makes it more than just a murder-filled travelogue… you get the idea. There’s a lot I haven’t even touched on, but hopefully I’ve at least fired your fancy enough to come find out what more lies within.
So, when Chris said we should do this one, he also mentioned the word count: 140k. I thought to myself, “Well, I have, like, 3 weeks. I can do it.” 40 hours later... “I’ve read all of Nine Days now...”
And do you know why I did that? Because this story is so captivating you don’t want to put it down. The thing is, though, it also uses all of those words for a purpose; whether that’s worldbuilding, character development, or just adding to the story’s excitement, almost none are wasted. I’m not entirely sure what to say about it, because it is that good.
So, I’m just gonna end this by saying this story is the best Tartarus story I’ve ever read, and easily within my top 20 favorites on this site. Now go read it. (Also, see if you can beat my time. And that was total time (life, sleep, school, Star Wars book), not just the amount spent reading it).
Starlight Glimmer has discovered a spell that could provide information about disasters affecting Ponyville in the future. The only problem: neither she nor Twilight Sparkle are entirely certain how the spell works.
Sometimes, forgetting is the hardest part of knowing.
Sometimes, I distinguish between “stories” and “ideas in story-form.” The big difference, as I see it, is that a story has both a theme—a message, moral, lesson, or concept which it attempts to impart—and a character arc—where one or more of the characters encounters an obstacle, and either overcomes it or at least struggles against it in a way which causes them to grow or develop. Unforgettable is an idea in story form, insofar as there’s no real conflict or character growth beyond the superficial. But don’t for one second make the mistake of thinking that it being “just” an idea makes it any less interesting.
The story has more than a few shades of Machine of Death about it, but it takes its premise seriously, rather than (just) playing it for laughs. Yet at the same time, it does that without getting all maudlin and overdramatic—because this isn’t really a story about how the ponies feel, or about “overcoming” something. It’s a story about that knowledge itself, and what might happen if there was a way to access it.
So if you’re interested in how Twilight and the girls (and Spike, the eternal parenthetical) might react to some frankly worrisome numbers, or how it would or could change Ponyville, this is a fine bit of gristle to gnaw on.
I read this when it first came out, and I loved it.
But let me tell you why: I had not, and still haven’t, ever read a story with the same idea. But, beyond that, it’s just got everything it ever needed to feel complete. Laughs, drama, tears, you name it. Sure, it could benefit from a little more to it, but, honestly, I think it’s great the way it is.
Some things are meant to remain secret; to forever toil in the shadows behind a smiling facade of playfulness and friendship. Rarity happens across such a secret one star-filled night, but can she steer towards the light, or with the intoxicating and seductive brew of power overcome her judgement? After all, that which should be feared the most is the friendly pony with the dagger behind their back.
Are you sensing a theme in our fiction selections yet? Something to do with the general darkness of themes explored, perhaps? Here’s a hint: we were originally set to have these out around Halloween, but this set of reviews got delayed. And not to point fingers, but ya know who’s got two thumbs and didn’t get his reviews in on time?
(please don’t hurt me Ferret)
Anyway, let’s talk about this story. The folks in the comment bring up Lovecraft a lot as a comparison, and it’s not hard to see why: Shadow Over Ponyville shows how to stretch out the tension, reminding you time and again that it’s building up to something, until that tension becomes so overwhelming that the actual climax is practically a relief. Also as with Lovecraft, it’s not really about surprising the reader; you’ll probably pick up what’s happening, and what Rarity’s going to (have to) do, as you read. But that knowledge doesn’t change the impact of the story. Indeed, knowing what’s coming only increases the tension, serving the author’s purposes admirably. So if you love getting wound up in a creepy piece of psychological horror, do yourself a favor and don’t let this pass you by.
I suppose I should start by saying Ciroton was the author who got me on this site. Granted, that was Sunset, but still.
About this story, though. It’s… creepy. Very October-y since that’s when Chris and I decided on it. It doesn’t bother to hide what it’s about, and that’s part of what makes it so dark. It’s a little lengthy at 13k words, but totally worth it. So, if you’re a fan of dark-fics (or horror, or just don’t care and want a good story), this is your kinda read.
STORY 4
Dichromatic, by Prane
For a changeling like Iqqel, the Ceremony of Names is what getting a cutie mark is for a pony. It has a lot to do with your destiny and who you are meant to become. Iqqel dared to refuse all that and chose to shape her own future.
This is a great story for illustrating the difference between “tragedy” and “tragic.” A tragedy is a specific genre, one where the protagonist’s tragic flaw leads to their downfall. This story isn’t a tragedy—but it sure is tragic.
Because Dichromatic is a story about sacrifice, explored through the vector of a changeling who’s preparing to come of age… and, also, through the transition of one changeling queen to another. Iqqel has to choose between doing something necessary, at which he can excel, or doing something important, for which his talents are more suspect. But in truth, he’s lucky simply to have a choice, and the responsibility of those who can chose is a theme returned to more than once.
There’s also a lot of great changeling lore here. Sure, there are no shortage of stories that have great changeling lore, but the specific ancestor-mysticism with which the caste system is imbued in this story is one I’ve never seen before, and there’s a richness to the worldbuilding that you don’t often see here. This isn’t just “here’s the three ways changelings and ponies are different!” No, the author does a great job of capturing an essential alien-ness in their thinking, even while making it accessible and poignant. If you love unique takes on changelings, this is your story. And even if you’re sick and tired of changeling-fics, consider this one if you appreciate a fic that can combine bitter choices with an uplifting heart.
Do you even know how sad I am I didn’t read this earlier? Very. Because I like changelings and changeling stories… well, old-style changelings.
And this one? Has everything I ever wanted from a changeling story. It’s got origins, it’s got worldbuilding by changeling culture, it’s got changelings that have real lives, and above all, it’s heartbreaking. Of course, that comes not just from sadness, but also cuteness. Like, Iqqel is adorable.
But before I die from this headache I have, I will say that this is, out of all the ones in this blog, my most recommended. Go read and enjoy it. Now.
“Celestia damn it, Chris. We had a deadline,” Matthew screamed at the top of his lungs into a bullhorn.
“Yeah, I know. But something came up, okay? I couldn’t make it into the compound,” Chris pleaded.
Ferret glared from the corner of the interrogation room.
“I-I-I broke my ID card!”
More glares.
“I… broke my leg?”
The Official SA Hatchets were brandished.
“I… I had an eldritch monster rip open a portal from Tartarus in my living room and I had to battle it for two weeks straight!”
“Yeah, okay,” said Matthew, “I can believe that. All is forgiven then, Chris. Just, next time, invite me, okay?”
“Okay.”
Feel free to visit our group for more information and events, and to offer some recommendations for future rounds. See you all next time!
One day, I'll be reviewed...
Hey, that's some unforgettable link formatting. . . .
Neat.
I'd like to point out I liked Dichromatic so much I literally named my Eve Online character Iqqel. Don't believe me? Look at all my gloriously terrible (and somewhat expensive) deaths!
'Bout to get rekt, boi
4752782
Expensive? I lost a mammoth worth more than all your lossmails combined.
Don't worry about it, in Eve you're always going to get killed sometime. My suggestion is look around for a newbro corp and learn from them. Seriously, corps are practically required to learn the game and while the neutral corps have their advantages they're generally not the best place to learn.
I'll suggest Brave but you're under no obligation to even really look at them. I used to be neighbours with them and for the most part they're good to learn from and generally won't force you into training a million skills or force you into roles. Plus they get into some good fleet fights and you'll eventually end up in one of the thousand plus man fights at some point.
Underneath Arch’s beard is another beard.
4752891
Well, expensive to me. And it was worth more than what it says there. But anyway, thanks a whole lot for the corp recommendation!
4753081
I know how you feel. I was quite... put out when I lost my mammoth hauling 1.2 billion ISK of fittings out of Nullsec. Now my primary ratting ship is worth a billion. Just like life you accept the losses and move on, take the lessons you learn from every loss and get better... Or putting it a less civilized way, "Git Gud."
Brave probably won't be your permanent home... Their comms are horrible, but still they're a corp designed around new players and only Eve University has better resources for new players... Just stay away from Goonswarm unless you want to join a corp who supports a scumbag who intentionally tried to convince someone to kill themselves.
Is nobody else going to mention that Chris is now apparently one of the secret masters of pony fandom, reviewing stories for both the RCL and SA?
Mwa ha ha, we've successfully infiltratedCouldn't happen to a nicer person.A review? What a pleasant surprise! Kudos to both Chris and Matthewl419 for checking out my little changeling tale - though I have to point out that Iqqel is most certainly a "she", silly! Nevertheless, if one read that entire story believing she's considering herself otherwise, then it only accentuates how arbitrary gender is to the essentially sexless changelings (which was one of the several things I wanted to point out during world-building you're speaking so highly of). It was definitely fun to write and I'm honored you've taken your time to read it and write about it here!
4752782
Way ahead of you, screens for reference...
orig00.deviantart.net/b626/f/2017/353/f/9/gw2_by_azureprane-dbx7oa7.jpg
orig00.deviantart.net/2dc2/f/2017/353/8/5/sto_by_azureprane-dbx7o9u.jpg
orig00.deviantart.net/8ae8/f/2017/353/4/f/wow_by_azureprane-dbx7o9e.jpg
But seriously, it's awesome that you liked that name and used it. It feels almost like people in MMOs naming their characters Gandalf or Aragorn (or variations thereof) because they want to emulate the good feelings they have about the original character, but with their personal take on them added that will then shape them.
May your Iqqel never give up, and may she always fight for what she loves.
4753277
^Portrays my feelings better than any words could right now.
4753164
Yeah, probs not gonna go for Goons, too much happens there. Unless I want to basically scam them. Then I might. Been considering Eve Uni, but I feel like they're a little more oriented towards people with no clue how to play, so never clicked apply.
Anyway, in case you wanted to know, my current ratting ship is a Myrm built to be a drone boat. I have, however, been looking into getting a Prophecy or Dominix, just haven't decided which yet. Leaning toward the Prophecy, though. Or, I might get an Astero or Stratios and get into exploration... only problem is I'm an Alpha clone so I can't use cloaks.
4753226
I've known that for a long time, but I've been too scared to mention it... Chris only lives 4* hours away.
*Very rough estimate, I only know his general location.
4753226
Chris has been SA for a long time now, and you're just now noticing?
Help, Chris is taking over :(
4753328
I'm a minmatar pilot myself. Eve Uni might take you. Hell I'd probably learn stuff from Eve Uni, plus if you want to get into exploration they're a better fit for what you're after than Brave. They'll just teach you how to mine, rat and fight in a fleet.