Review #3 : Xenophilia: Flesh and Thorns by Warpd · 6:31am Jan 24th, 2014
'Xenophilia: Flesh and Thorns' is quite the work of art. Each chapter gives the feel of a different idea, a different writer, in each one. There aren't any grammatical or spelling errors that I noticed right off hand, and it put a sense of enjoyment into the work, that even if there were problems I don't think I would have noticed them. Being said, it truly is a good story, though it is suited to be short. I recommend this fic to anyone with an hour or two to spare. It's bright, dark, and serious, and I'm sure you'll love it.
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SPOILERS BELOW
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Xenophilia: Flesh and Thorns starts out with Chrysalis. After the failed attempt at Canterlot, she's working on a new invasion plan, and she's interrupted by a series of disturbing dreams. Her mind, unable to deal with it, decides to leave it alone, until evidence of its truth shows up, where else but Ponyville. Disturbed by this revelation, but oh-so-excited about the information, she goes in, takes the form of the cause of the dreams marefriend, and tries to deduce the meanings of these dreams by getting as close as possible, stealing her target's love, trying to regain her own memories. Eventually she figures out who she is, and in a confused state, tries to take her target back home with her.
For a while this works. Almost at her destination, the hive, the target slips away to a town where a massive battle takes place. Somehow Chrysalis is separated from the hive, and takes on an incredibly fierce opposition. ...She loses and gets hit by the elements of harmony, and she remembers everything, going mad in the process.
We skip to the end of the battle, where Chrysalis lies in her castle, and Luna with a strike force go to kill her. Discovering her madness and the death of the changelings, we skip to Canterlot Castle, and that's the conclusion.
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MORE SPOILERS
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In truth it's a bit more than this. The main character in a nutshell is Chrysalis, with some background characters that are around, but never make much of a difference. The story is mostly character development, with a theory. As a story it is a decent stand-alone, but there are plenty of holes in it, waiting to be taken advantage of. Lero, the main antagonist, is never really developed as a character, and the relationship with the other ponies is never really earned, just there. It briefly brushes over a theory that could have been developed more, like the construction of Changelings, and the other characters, while very close to the actual personifications, are never truly developed. I could see the entire story acting as an episode, but definitely not an MLP episode, and definitely not something worth watching, unless you've read around a bit, and have the histories of the canon philosophy.
Chrysalis is constantly hassled, betrayed by instincts, but never goes through that nervous stage that I was expecting. It's rage, hate, and at the end, despair. It is a great emotional journey, but is not truly a story, especially with the ending, where she just gibbers in a room in Canterlot Castle; French, might I add. We never go over the Fae Lady, and so many holes are left, but it is truly a good story. I strongly recommend it, and Warpd is a great guy. Check out some of his/her other stuff.
ISA
Signing out.
Thanks for you time. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Some holes are indeed purposeful as it is up to the reader to decide what happened. I do digress that the story has a nasty flaw. It relies on the fact that the reader has read Xenophilia and maybe a helping of the other related stories. I wrote it assuming the reader understood the relationship between Lero and the herd he is in. There is also a lot of things happening that the Queen did not witness, but were also very important. To correct you on something, Luna was there to save the ponies that were captured. With the army out they were going to extract them from the hive. Luna just took the opportunity to capture the Queen.
Thankfully, these things can always be addressed in a sequel.
1755457 It works well enough as a stand-alone. I'd personally prefer if you didn't continue it, as it was exhausting to read. The best points are the personification aspects. I have a feeling you understand the characters you're writing well enough, and I'd suggest you try to write your own story. I have another feeling that if you chose to do so, it'd be pretty good. Either way, thanks for reading the review. You like?
1755649
It was an enjoyable review.
I don't have the time to come up with my own original story. I wish I really did, and I always intended on expanding on the end.
1757823 Ok. Thanks for your honest opinion on my opinion.