Fic recs, October 30th: Jinglemas 2017 edition! · 8:34pm Oct 30th, 2018
My newest reading, for the Month of Macabre, is KitsuneRisu's babytails! It was just about the most intense fic reading I have ever done, at that.
Neighrator Pony's newest reading, also for the Month of Macabre, is JMac's Skittish!
So, happy Halloween, let's talk about Christmas. I hear that's a thing we do 'round these parts. :V Jinglemas is an annual tradition on Fimfiction, or it was or something. :B People put ideas into a hat, someone else gets a random draw and has to write the idea as a gift. I've never participated myself, but someone asked me to review the stories, and so here I am… just in time for Jinglemas 2018 to have started up. c.c; Whoops.
Note that I have not read the following stories, which were included in the original anthology post (on Petrichord's account), but if they ever get posted, let me know and I will!
The Visitor by TheBandBrony
Christmas Gift Exchange by Mavinator5
The Lesson of Hearth's Warming Eve by RhetCon
Business as Usual by Flammenwerfer
Traditional by Ceffyl Dwr
A Promise She Promised by Corejo
Discord's Kousin by River Road
A Wish in the Sanctuary of Night by Hap
Between the Pavement and Stars by Dubs Rewatcher
Happy Holidays, whichever ones they are. :B
H: 7 R: 6 C: 7 V: 6 N: 1
Applejack Doesn't Know Wood Comes from Trees by totallynotabrony
Read by Fimfiction
Genre: Crackshipping
And Gabby has to make sure she doesn't find out.
I don't think I've ever read a story so averse to things like 'logic' or 'having internal consistency', for all that the title perhaps suggests I should have left logic at the door. My main question is, what does Hearth's Warming have to do with dating? This seems to be an agreed upon thing in the story, but it's never explained. I was actually expecting a feghoot ending, given all the weirdness at play, but no, the shipping is the main goal here. And like… isn't Gabby a pre-teen? This is weird and gross. That said, a comment clued me in that maybe-just-maybe the title was not a non sequitur, and so maybe this is a bit more clever than I gave it credit for. Still, I don't know what to do with it, and I can't say I liked the shipping at all.
Vaguely Recommended
Candy Mane's Almost-Epic Slice-of-Life
Reading by Me!
Adventure by Trick Question
Genre: Comedy
Candy Mane is pretty much the opposite of a clever pony.
Can three thousand words of a pony being blindingly stupid carry a story? You're goddamn right it can. This was hysterical.
Highly Recommended
A Very Merry Commission by Impossible Numbers
Read by Fimfiction
Genre: Comedy
Derpy seems determined to ruin Rarity's life, one ugly Hearth's Warming jumper at a time.
Have I mentioned that Impossible Numbers is one of the best writers on the site? Because he is, and I still feel as though I've only come to appreciate that recently. To wit, this story is a hilarious cavalcade of metaphors and word play, that fires off joke after joke of the sly, subtle kind that you'll only notice a moment after it's happened. Rarity and Derpy make a fantastic odd couple, and this just keeps snowballing and snowballing as everything grows more and more outlandish. It was wonderful, a true Hearth's Warming miracle. In summer.
Highly Recommended
A Gift from the Heart by Nailah
Genre: Shipping
It's another story by a young writer, and we all know how I feel about those. <.< If you are capable of helping an inexperienced writer grow without damaging their self-esteem, maybe check it out. If you demand perfection in everything that so much as breathes at you, stay far away! The run-ons and lack of commas made this hard to read, but it's exceedingly cute, and I can't say I've ever seen Bulk Biceps and Cloud Chaser as a couple before.
Vaguely Recommended
A Capper Is Fine Too by shortskirtsandexplosions
Read by Fimfiction
Genre: Pure Insanity
There's more than one reason Capper took Twilight's Hearth's Warming Eve invitation. But where's Rarity?
I have long since given up trying to analyze, or evaluate, or understand shortskirt's fics. And yet… and yet. Capper is definitely around the lowest nadir of my "characters I actually give a damn about" list, so I can't say I've gone down any rabbit holes trying to evaluate his character. His dialogue is written something along the lines of what some pasty CEO thinks rappers sound like outside the studio, and yet? What he does for Rarity in the end, I saw coming, and it was murder. Then there's the scene with the horrendous houseguests Rarity is entertaining, and while it went on uncomfortably long, well, their terribleness does make Capper's revenge all the sweeter. If nothing else, it's all worth it for the punchline; utterly hysterical. In the midst of all this wackiness is something to be said about traditions and cultural exchanges and… It's got poop jokes in it, okay? Poop jokes. This is not high anything.
Recommended for Laughs
Snow Falling at Twilight by kairipancakes
Read by Fimfiction
Genre: Holiday Special
Diamond Tiara just wanted to give her parents a Hearth's Warming gift.
I suspect that's a tag that will get well worn in this blog. Though not content to just vilify Spoiled Rich, this story is bold enough to posit that Diamond Tiara's reformation might not be the greatest thing, at least for her. Being nice and kind, with her mother, and doubtless the ponies her parents hang around, can't be easy on a foal. This hammers the feels button a little hard with poor, pathetic Diamond Tiara, but otherwise isn't too bad, and quite cute.
Recommended for Diamond Tiara Fans
Clover Honey by AugieDog
Read by Fimfiction
Genre: Drama
What well-known historical figure is absent from the Hearth's Warming tale?
You guys need to tell me if there are more stories out there like this one. I'm pretty sure this is the first fanfic I've read dealing in a deep and serious manner with the Pillar Problem. I've always said I'd need to write an entire novel to sort through all the thoughts and complications Shadow Play created, but I'll take a whole passel of these instead. Anyway, this was a great heap of excellent historical world-building wrapped in a somber Starswirl sandwich. It purports to do nothing but fill in some gaps, but what gaps it fills! This is what I've been looking for since the end of S7, and it's been a long time coming.
Highly Recommended
The Royal Duel by Flutterpriest
Genre: Light Comedy
Prince Blueblood challenges Shining Armor to a duel. Big mistake.
What more can I say than what's said by the title and description? This is amusing, and everyone's written well.
Recommended for Laughs
The Legend of Santa Claws by DragonGeek
Genre: Fairy Tale
Fluttershy tells Discord a Hearth's Warming legend.
This is extremely simple and straightforward, but darned if it's not a cute and fitting way to turn Santa Claus into an Equestrian staple. Odd how so many of these stories are just about inserting Christmas stuff into Hearth's Warming. But hey, any excuse to see Discord not acting like a jerkass for once.
Recommended as Light Reading
Sweets and Stones by FanOfMostEverything
Genre: Drama
It's the Pies' turn to visit the Apples for Hearth's Warming Eve.
Oh hey, it's a story trying to reconcile the sudden switch from MarbleMac to SugarMac! It's short, which is my only complaint, but everyone is written especially well, particularly Granny Smith and Pinkie. Maybe not as much comedy here as you'd expect from a love triangle with Pinkie Pie anywhere nearby, but the drama isn't going to make you want to hit anyone, either. (Also, this one's totally canon to the holiday special now.)
Recommended
Griffons Don't Celebrate Hearth's Warming by Admiral Biscuit
Read by Fimfiction
Genre: Slice of Life
Twilight thinks Gilda coming for a visit would be a great Hearth's Warming surprise for Rainbow Dash. There's just one problem.
About halfway through this otherwise well-written story, I realized that I had no idea what was going on. Twilight sort of lopes around between the ideas of missing her family on Hearth's Warming, running a pageant in Ponyville, and trying to clean up the Griffonstone library. It's entirely unfocused. The ending is nice, in an understated way, but I'm not really sure what I was supposed to get out of this. I'd rate it lower, but maybe someone else will be able to tell me.
Recommended for Gilda Fans Only
The First Stitch by Carabas
Read by Fimfiction
Genre: Time-Travel Adventure
Rarity is sucked through a time portal one Hearth's Warming Eve.
I can easily sum up my reaction to this story as "AAAAAH OLD ENGLISH AAAAAAH!" :D I wanted more! I want a whole story written like that! You don't have to be a linguist to read it, it's your damn cultural history, for god's sake! Of course, just focusing on that aspect of the story would do the rest a disservice. Front and center is the camp of Princess Platinum, on their way to what would become Equestria, rendered in stark, tragic relief. I nearly cried, it was so piteous. There's nothing better for writing historical pieces than throwing a character we already know into them, and that it's Rarity heightens the conflict and tension, as she knows just enough about time travel to not try to change the future and no more. This was just really impressive, start to finish.
Highly Recommended
An Old Fool by Monochromatic
Read by Fimfiction
Genre: Emotional
As the castle prepares for the holiday, Star Swirl finds himself removed from the festivities.
Why wasn't S8 just wall-to-wall episodes about the Pillars? Why does fanfiction have to pick up the slack? D: Not that I'm complaining of course, not when we get melancholic introspection like this. I realize the potential the Pillars represent is pulling off "adjusting to modern times" stories — the bread and butter of Luna character-building — with, y'know, six characters who aren't Luna, so you can have a breadth of reactions. But yes, this was wonderful, with just what I want from a story about Star Swirl and the Royal Sisters. :)
Recommended
Saving Hearth's Warming by chillbook1
Read by Fimfiction
Genre: Random Comedy
Turns out, Luna accidentally cancelled Hearth's Warming, and no one noticed.
I got a lot of laughs out of this, but there were an equal number of non-jokes and poor decisions, such that I find myself just ever so irked by this story. I mean, two of the central jokes are "Gamer Luna" and an extended Ghostbusters reference; a lot of the rest of it is Twilight and Luna sniping at each other, even if Luna's harsh words were all part of a plan. (That I thankfully figured out about halfway through.) I won't say this is bad, just that I didn't enjoy it as much as I think I could have.
Vaguely Recommended
Not Enough Warmth by Doctor Disco
Read by Fimfiction
Genre: Slice of Life
Nopony should be out working on Hearth's Warming Eve in a blizzard this bad.
This gets off to a rough start, but the more I read, the more I found to enjoy. The bulk of this is Octavia giving Derpy a pep talk, just kindly chiding her not to work herself so hard and reconsider her priorities. It's exceedingly wholesome, not to mention cute, and for all the hallmarks of an impending ship which exist here, it never goes that direction. This was a pleasant read indeed!
Recommended
Bureaucracy by TehSporkBandit
Genre: Sister Bonding
Day Court on Hearth's Warming Even experiences an interruption.
The Comedy tag on this one barely applies, forewarning. To be honest, the attempted jokes are maybe the worst part of this, every one of them overwrought and transparent. But the point is, this is just an excuse for some cute bonding with the Royal Sisters, so I find myself in one of those predicaments where I like what's going on, just not how it's gone about.
Recommended for Fans of Best Sisters Only
Secret Sonata Santa by TheAmazingMe
Genre: EQG Comedy
I liked the central joke in this story, but it's kind of really too short to explore it properly. I mean, it's very likely that you'll figure out what I didn't, and if you did… that's pretty much the whole thing. It's not bad, just not very substantial.
Vaguely Recommended
The First Time Ever by Olden Bronie
Genre: Slice of Life
Vinyl and Octavia reminisce about Octavia's first Hearth's Warming in Ponyville.
Two problems with this: dialogue punctuation, and telling. The writing is flat and rushed, as it speeds through what could have been the best part of the story, leaving us instead with plain descriptions of what happened and what everyone thought about it. Less than inspiring. Still, there's heart here, and if nothing else, people who enjoy Octavia and Vinyl stuff will likely find something to like. Just don't expect shipping.
Vaguely Recommended
Dragons Like It Hot! by Akataja
600th Review of 2018!
Genre: Shipping
Ember meets Thorax on her way to Ponyville for Hearth's Warming Eve.
The writing in this is not particularly good, but the author isn't a native English speaker, so that can be forgiven. Instead, what I'm dinging this for is the shipping. I mean, I'm definitely not into Ember/Thorax, but more importantly, this just rushes through them saying a bunch of stuff to each other… and then egg. c.c That's messed up.
Not Recommended
Chapter for Two by Lise Eclaire
Genre: Romance
Moondancer always left the book. Saffron always left the stew.
Now there's a pairing. And quite a novel (hah) way to get two characters together, too, especially when one's an anxious shut-in. There's not even that much shipping; this is short, admittedly, and I definitely wanted more, but the anticipation is what's key here, and it really comes through. Understated, perhaps, but definitely effective.
Recommended
How Lily Longsocks Spent Hearth's Warming Eve on the Moon by Pascoite
Read by Fimfiction
Genre: Adventure
It is tradition for the Wonderbolts Reserves to help 'fend off windigoes' on Hearth's Warming Eve. But for Sky Stinger and Vapor Trail, Princess Luna has a much different task…
This story is not as good as Dinkin Donuts. High praise indeed, but it was all I could think as I made my way through it, that Pascoite had tried once again to chase a sort of magic that can only be caught once. Fool that I am. The really strange thing about this story is that it starts off with a look behind the curtain, an outward statement that the wendigoes are as real as Santa Hooves, and that Vapor and Sky are participating in a charade for the foals' benefit. So once the narrative shifts to sing-song whimsy, I started to feel like it just wasn't working. This wasn't a surrealist portrait; why did we need the poesy? Well, it turns out that, along with Starlight's role, really should have clued me in to what was going on here, and I was just too dense to see it. Suffice to say, this takes a common trope that is often levelled as an accusation and uses it to tie everything together in the end. I was impressed. And like I said, comparing this to Pascoite's previous Hearth's Warming tale was a mistake; this is a great read all on its own, and even if it doesn't quite reach those heights, it nestles comfortably in amongst the clouds. Just remind yourself the author knows what he's doing. :)
Highly Recommended
Angels in the Snow by Dafaddah
Genre: Slice of Life
Minuette and Lyra meet Twilight in Ponyville for Hearth's Warming, but she seems a little down…
This is a really good extension of Amending Fences into the Hearth's Warming season. Minuette is irrepressible as always, and the fic posits something about her I wouldn't have expected, but that makes sense in hindsight. It needs a little bit more in the way of editing, but it was a good read nevertheless.
Recommended
Author On-Board by Pwnego
Sequel to Flounce!
Genre: EQG Random Comedy
Pinkie Pie stalks Flash Sentry, looking for gift opportunities.
I read shortskirtsandexplosions's story Flounce! earlier this year, specifically so I would be prepared to read this one now. But if there's any connection between the two, I don't really know what it was, so you'd be fine following the author's note and reading this on its own. That said, I didn't really enjoy this, as most of it is devoted to Pinkie talking with the author. That said, I can't say this is bad. It goes to places I would not expect a fourth-wall comedy to, with a good turn for Sunset. So, uh, YMMV?
Recommended If You Don't Mind Fourth-Wall Breaks
Earth Ponies by GaPJaxie
Genre: Romance/Drama
Maud asks Starlight to help her love.
I'm still processing this story. It might be the back-and-forth temporal narrative that's got me a little fragged, but… Damn, this is a sight. It's almost entirely about Starlight and Maud's friendship, but you won't really know that until the end. It's got some really big ideas expressed in the most off-handed, entirely down-to-earth way. It's intense. You ever wanted to hear Starlight open up about her own foibles and shortcomings? Savage. One of Jaxie's best, everyone read it.
Highly Recommended
I Took a Pill in Canterlot (R&G mix) by Petrichord
Genre: Psychedelic
Sunset just didn't want to ruin Hearth's Warming for everypony else.
I get the reference, but I wonder how a story becomes a remix. <.< Anyway, this is really something. Front and center is the way Sunset disassociates while remaining painfully, almost awkwardly, self-aware. If you want to know what people mean when they talk about 'altered states of mind' or 'changed perspectives', this is your primer. A masterful piece of experimental fiction, and at the risk of promoting recreational drug use, I rate it
Highly Recommended
"Derpy, Be a Dear and Save Hearth's Warming" by Vivid Syntax
Reading by Neighrator Pony, et. al.
Genre: Feel-Good Comedy
Rarity just does not have the time.
Oh my god, this is the perfect mix of hilarious and insanely cute. Just, the way Derpy goes about saving Hearth's Warming, that's some good shit. :D And the leadup is exactly what you'd expect. One or two things I might change, but this was great.
Recommended
Cadance's Machinations by SoloBrony
Genre: Random Shipping
Anon looks for someone to spend Hearth's Warming with.
I get the sense this story was written partway, then the author stopped and came back to it later. I've done that enough times to know what it looks like. Plus, you notice I mention Anon in the description, but no AiE tag? Yeah, this is convoluted as hell and I'm not sure it holds together. I really don't know what to make of it: not my usual go-to for AiEs, but also probably not enough to satisfy fans of the genre. Meh?
Vaguely Recommended
Next up, Sunset Shipping part 2! Because I really liked the first one and want to read the sequels. :D
Also, no one has written a Maud-centric clopfic called Orogenous Zones, and I am extremely disappointed by this. >:B
Glad you liked The First Stitch enough to highly recommend it!
It's been (maybe unhealthily) gratifying having multiple folk attest to it nearly making them cry.
I'm gonna be flat-out honest: I figured my fic was going to flop in a big way, in light of so many excellent entries coming out this year and mine being weird, awkward (even when intentionally,) and kind of sort of unexceptional in light of the fact that i do bizarre shit more frequently than is probably healthy.
But I'm really glad you liked it! It definitely means a bunch to hear that someone really felt what I was going for, and I'll try to keep working on bridging links between an audience and not-entirely-reliable narrators.
4960547
I like weird and intentionally awkward. It's far better than safe and unoriginal.
Yes, but what did you think of it?
In any case, "there wasn't enough of it" is definitely criticism I can live with. Looking back, my prompt was just Sugar Belle and Big Mac, but I figured that no holiday would be complete without family drama and at least the threat of eggnog-fueled, skull-denting violence.
4960540
Be the change you want to see in the world.
4960567
If I could think of an idea/have the time to write it, I would!
Though I think we might be able to argue that Gabby is more mature than the CMC, now that you point it out, yeah the difference in age is a concerning thing. I guess I'd never noticed because being Jinglemas it wasn't my idea to use her. As you know, shipping is not really my forte.
4960571
I forgive you. :B
Wooo, my first HR (I think)!
If only comedies were my modus operandi I'd have more of these. Mais non.
4960540
I get this joke, but only because 'Bert is a geologist.
DoctorDisco's story was written for me!
As to the trope i used in mine, that's one thing I like to do occasionally: take something I see done badly so often and see if I can follow my own advice on how to do it right (assuming I'm even correct about that being the right way). The problem with the "it was all a dream" twist is that it invalidates everything the reader's been through. The trick is to make it so that all the dream stuff does matter, that there's some lasting effect from it, not that all the characters can just shrug at it and forget about it. That said, I was hoping it'd be evident right away that Sky Stinger and Vapor Trail were helping Lily in her dream. You don't have to get very far in before there are lots of fantastical things happening, things that the two guides don't even understand.
And Petrichord was the one who organized and posted these last year.
4960614
Actually yes! :O But the bulk of your reviews have been Rs, so that's nothing to sneeze at. :)
4960620
I get him and Impossible Numbers confused. :C
And I really should have figured out what was going on. I was just so confused by Starlight's appearance, I never considered, oh, Pasco knows what he's doing for some stupid reason. :|
Ayyy, squeaking by with a recommended for Royal Sisters, can't say I'm disappointed.
I tried to tailor it for my recipient as much as possible so it references quite a few of their stories, so, yeah, you can say it suffers because of it, but it was meant as a, hopefully, thoughtful and personalized gift.
4960783
Ah! You weren't the only one who did that sort of thing. Which, well, is probably more effective for the person it's meant for than anyone else. :B
you are dead to me
4961250
And just in time for Halloween! :D