Lunaverse Reviews Master List · 7:19am Dec 15th, 2012
So what is this thing?
This is a compilation post of all my reviews for the stories in RainbowDoubleDash's Lunaverse.
The Lunaverse? What is this strange voodoo you mention?
The Lunaverse is a shared universe AU version of Friendship is Magic, where Celestia went evil and had to be banished instead of Luna. As a result, Trixie ends up becoming Luna's student, and eventually inherits the Elements of Harmony along with Ditzy Doo, Lyra, Cheerilee, Carrot Top and Raindrops. Together, they must face new challenges and learn about the magic of friendship.
But wait, I thought you didn't like it? Aren't you always complaining about it?
Only because I care. But seriously, I do have some issues (both major and minor) with the AU from time to time, but there are some good stories in it, as well as some very good writers and people involved. These reviews are there just to give my opinion of the pieces, nothing more.
What's up with the ratings?
The rating scale is broken down into five possible scores, reflecting my personal opinion on the story's quality and how much I liked it altogether. For those who want a more detailed breakdown, here's what each rating means:
Excellent: These are the absolute best stories the Lunaverse has to offer, bar none. I would gladly recommend these to anyone, regardless of whether or not they enjoy everything it has to offer.
Good: These stories have a few points of contention, but nothing major, and are of high enough quality that I would still recommend them for anyone interested in the Lunaverse. These are often the best jumping-on points for the AU as a whole as well.
Okay: This rating means that I found the story mostly average. There might be some errors in there, or it just wasn't as entertaining as it should have been. If you're already a fan, this is one to look at; otherwise, I might hold off unless the idea really sinks its teeth into you.
Meh: These are the ones I just didn't like that much. Perhaps there were too many errors, or the story wasn't that good, or characters weren't working or any other number of things. Point is, I don't recommend these ones unless you have to read everything in the Lunaverse.
Awful: The lowest of the low. This rating is reserved for any story I not only dislike, but detest on a very personal level. I do not give these lightly, so don't expect too many of them. Note that anything I rate as Awful will have two ratings: one technical and one personal. The former will judge the story on its basic merits, while the latter expresses my hatred for what the story presents.
All stories are reviewed in blocks of four to five entries, so don't expect this to be updated constantly.
Block One
Longest Night, Longest Day
The Night After
Family Matters
Helping...Hands?
Block Two
Trixie's Winter Wrap Up
Griffin Over the Line
File Under 'I' for 'Impossible'
Ill Communication
Block Three
Boast Busted
Boast Busted: The Lost Tales
Carrot Top of the Line
Musicians and Dreamers
An Early Reunion
Block Four
A Canterlot Morning
Scootalong to the Cheer
A Hard Bargain
Carrot Top Season
Block Five
Greengrass' Night
Tales of Ponyville
Symphony for the Moon and Sun
Foalish Misadventures
Raindrops of Clan Drops, Barbarian Queen
Block Six
Keep On Trying
Foaling Around
An Awkward Day
Block Seven
Where There is Smoke
Fishing in the Dark
The Court Musician of Equestria
Dinky and the Blanks
Block Eight
The School Talent Show
Treasure City
Countdown to Crisis
Longest Night, Everypony's Day
Solo/Other Reviews:
Hearts and Hooves Day Collab
At the Grand Galloping Gala
Wheres the Dinky Doo Story of the Blanks Review? You did do a review of it right?
613566
Not yet.
613571 But it's complete so why haven't you yet?
613573
I was waiting for more to finish up. But now that two more have been completed...
613580What is the first Lunaverse fic?
613681
"Longest Night, Longest Day." All the reviews in the first five blocks are in chronological order for the most part.
613685Okay. I'll give the story a try sometime.I might like it.
613691
You might. I didn't, but I've been told that's not a very popular opinion about it.
613692It definitely sounds interesting that is sure. Why don' t you like it, if you don't mind saying?
613696
I mostly outlined my issues in the review, but the main things were some issues with the pacing, portraying the Mane 6 as awful ponies to elevate the main cast, making a major supporting character from the show into a full-on villain for no reason whatsoever, and an ending I just downright hate. Still, it did a decent enough job introducing the new main characters and kept Trixie aligned with her show self (back when we only had one episode to go on), so it's not awful. I just don't like it.
Still, a lot of people do, so feel free to give it a look. If you like it, that's wonderful. I'm just not a fan of that one.
613705Okay.That makes sense.I'll just have to find out for myself.
I don't think you've rated any of the stories as awful yet. I hope you don't need to.
614772
Actually, I did once: "Boast Busted." It still got a technical score of Good, but I couldn't stand what the story ultimately did, how it ended, and the effects it had on the Lunaverse as a whole.
Sorry to disappoint.
613580: Woohoo! Now I...
Oh, wait. Even I don't like that DatB that much anymore. :-) But it was my first Lunaverse story, so it's got some good memories in it.
As for completed stories... you're right, some others have finished since your last review (including 'Foaling Around', which I seem to recall you liking). And not just those, Oaten has a bunch more chapters, a whole bunch of new stories began, and Court Musician not only began but is about half done. The L!verse is progressing pretty fast! :-)
The only completed story you haven't reviewed is Dark Tidings, right?
666896
As far as I know, yes. I'll be waiting until someone else has finished something before I get into that one.
Will blocks 6 and 7 be added to this?
711988
Better late than never.
Now that there's 3 completed L-verse stories unreviewed (Dark Tidings, Countdown to Crisis, Treasure City), are you planning on reviewing them in a separate post or putting them with the Gala story when it finishes?
(Not trying to rush you, just curious)
EDIT: School Talent Show too, now.