Story Reviews » SA Reviews: Round 141 · 4:30am Dec 2nd, 2018
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Matthew would have jumped at his door slamming open, but big bangs were practically an hourly occurrence at the SA compound. He looked up to find PaulAsaran in his door. The man’s eye was twitching and his sweating was not what someone might call pleasant. He’d only ever seen Paul like this when they were late, which they clearly were not.
Matthew ventured to ask, “Is there a problem?”
“I’m reading a bunch of big stories all at once.” Paul’s twitching was starting to alternate from eye to eye. “I haven’t written a review in over a week. Please tell me the next SA blog has an opening.”
Matthew smiled in relief and raised a collection of papers. “Why, yes! I have the stories right—” Paul snatched the papers from his hand, sat down on the floor, and began pouring over the material. Literally. “—here?”
ROUND 141
One day, Rarity forgets to turn the faucet off.
Then, everypony else begins forgetting things.
Well that was, uh… something.
Something I’ve been doing recently is not looking at the tags before I read a story. And with this one? It was great fun. I got to experience the full extent of the drama, mystery, suspense, and all around creepiness of this story, all the surprise because I had no clue what to expect.
The best horror stories are ones you don’t know are horror until they are, which is what this one does. And I’m pretty sure the excitement in this is on an exponential increase. It starts out, you know, small. Inconsequential. And this lasts for awhile, but it’s interesting. Then it becomes a harrowing struggle between life and death. The villains do seem a little forced in, but are otherwise really good. And creepy. Can’t forget the creepy.
Well. That was… kinda creepy. Everyone forgets things sometimes, it’s natural. But when that forgetfulness extends to natural bodily functions, it gets a bit messier.
This is an interesting tale in which the Mane 6 struggle against something they can’t see and can barely even remember. The mystery unravels slowly, but it hooked me good and kept me interested all the way to the conclusion. One of the things I liked best is how the author gradually picks up speed as the story goes along, beginning with a simple and easygoing narrative and ending in a rush of adventure and danger.
The ultimate ‘bad guy’ of the story does seem to come out of left field, but other than that I found the whole thing enthralling. A little dark, a little disturbing, and thoroughly well-written.
Sometimes, our lives are like paper boats floating on the water. But as Applejack finds out, a boat can only take on so much water before it starts to sink.
I often find myself glad I don’t look at tags. Helps me not get confused. Because this isn’t a romance story. Yes, you heard me right. It’s not a romance story. It’s a story about life, and how when you want something, you don’t always get it. And you have to learn to live with that. And it hurts, but you have to live with it. This story uses romance as the delivery system for that message.
I really do have to commend the author for this story. Because they pulled it off beautifully.
Ah, Paper Boats. I remember you well.
Anyone can write a story about fantasy, escapism, and getting what they want. Heck, I’d argue most stories are about that to some degree. But it takes a different kind of author to write about the cold realities of life. One of those cold realities is that we can’t always have what we desire. Paper Boats is all about that hard lesson, a lesson that people realize the hard way. And then, of course, is the final step: finding a way to get over it. Or at least trying to.
I applaud the author for taking the road less travelled in order to give the audience this painful moral. They work it wonderfully, creating a sadfic definitely worth getting into. RariJack shippers may get frustrated at the harsh denial of their favorite ship, but in a way that’s part of the point.
STORY 3
Not an Adult, by Sapidus3
Twilight Sparkle has been living a lie. Everypony told her what a beautiful and accomplished mare she was. Everypony thought she was a responsible adult. They were wrong. She was still just a filly trying to stumble her way through life.
“That’s heavy, Doc…”
Ok, but really, this is another one about life, and a damn good one at that. It starts out pretty simple, but then gets deeper and deeper into Twilight’s character and it’s all just so…. relatable. I’m sure we’ve all had moments of feeling worthless, of feeling empty - I know I have.
This story isn’t for everyone, a lot will chuck it into the “another depressed main-character” bin. But the message is. Because it’s a real issue, and this story does a wonderful job of putting it into words.
No I’m not crying you’re crying
Another hard story, this one focused on depression and a sense of worthlessness. What I like most about this one, however, is how familiar it is. I’d like to hope that anyone who has had to spend an extended period of their adult life shacking with their parents while wasting away at some minimum wage job can appreciate what Twilight’s going through. It’s a terrible feeling, and the author does a wonderful job recreating it in literary form.
It all is made worse by the uncomfortable sense that Twilight might not have an end in sight for her. What does she have to do to make up for having everything handed to her on a silver platter? This is a solid sadfic that targets real-world issues from an unusual direction, and I am glad to have read it.
STORY 4
Hyperion, by Meridian Prime
Celestia admires Luna. But she does not envy her. The night turns to day once again, and Celestia remembers, and reflects.
She may not have Luna's strength. But she would not trade her gift for all the world.
Now, I’ll be the first to admit that Luna is best princess. But I really quite like good Celestia stories too. And this definately falls under that category of ‘good.’ It’s a nice, short character piece for the Sun Goddess Princess, a bit of her point of view on topics and what it’s like for her to raise the sun every day. Some nice worldbuilding is thrown in with a great balance between depth and pacing too.
This is a story both simple and elegant. Little more than a description of what it is like to raise the Sun. Yet it is also something of a character study of Celestia; her views, her weaknesses, her strengths. This is coupled with an effort by the author to balance vivid description and literary practicality.
And I say: well done.
A little bit of worldbuilding, a touch of fantasy, and nice review of everyone’s favorite Princess of the Sun. Quite good considering it’s short length.
Paul let out a long, low, and somewhat disturbing moan as he set the last review on Matthew’s desk. “Oh, but that feels good!”
Matthew kept his distance from the papers as he eyed the grin on his partner’s face. “Uh, do you always get like this when not writing reviews?”
“Yes.” The response was sharp and no-nonsense. “I need the reviews. I’m clinically addicted. Look.” He reached into a pocket to show a small receipt. “Doctors make me take ‘breaks’ hoping to wean me off it.”
It might have been less horrifying if the receipt didn’t appear legitimate. Matthew shook his head in exasperation. “Alright then. Guess you’re in the right—”
“Back to finishing those stories!” Paul was out the room in a flash, giggling like a lunatic.
“—place after all.” Matthew stared at the empty space before his desk. “I hope I never get that bad.”
Feel free to visit our group for more information and events, and to offer some recommendations for future rounds. See you all next time!
Ahh, a fic by Sapidus. I miss him, he had some good stuff.
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I’m sorry to say it, but I’m pretty sure we don’t allow self-recommendations in Seattle’s Angels. In fact, I can say it confidently: it breaks Rule #2 on our rules page.
Oh ok, I shall remove my posting here... sorry for any troubles.
Gryphon <><
"Every person views the world differently.As a result we all view our beliefs as fact.Though it also applies to beliefs in morality meaning we view our form of morality as fact, but if their is different forms of morality than what is the true form of morality?Would the form of true morality be something what most of us consider evil or maybe their is no such thing as morality and it's something a being can just make up? These questions are related to all forms of conflict in the world for all seek justice when we do not know what justice truly is.Meaning their will be endless conflict in the world until someone gives a definitive answer to these questions,"-By The Addict.
Wait, what?
How is it that the first time I'm off site for longer than a few days in months, I get a freaking Seattle's Angels review?!
Well anyway, it's greatly appreciated. The feedback tells me I accomplished exactly what I wanted to with this story, which is about as high a praise as I could ask for. I can only hope the in-progress rewrite lives up to the original...
Thanks!
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A re-write, you say? Color me curious.
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Writing is on pause for the time being, gotta write my Jinglemas story (and some job applications...), but it should be up early January! Planning to turn it into a bit of a series, tackle some of the other Princesses in different ways as well.