R4 (Reactions, Reviews, Reference, Redirection) #0078 · 2:13pm Mar 16th, 2015

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Here are five possibly edited old reviews:
MLP: Friendship is Tragic by McSquirmy
Sow The Wind, Reap The Whirlwind by Aragon
Dating is Hard by GentlemanJ
There's a Reason They Call it a Crush by GentlemanJ
Nightmare Night 2: Halloweening Harder by GentlemanJ

MLP: Friendship is Tragic by McSquirmy
[story link] [my original review]

This gets added to the very short list of stories I didn’t finish. I managed to push just past the halfway point, but at that point the writing was bad enough that I really didn’t want to continue. The quality of writing wasn’t bad the first couple of chapters, but it just gets worse. The plot and characterization was bad right from the start. I don’t believe that any of the mane six would act the ways they act at various points in this story. I’d say this is almost a textbook case of ‘this happens because the plot says so’ storytelling. Things happen, simply because that’s what the author wants to happen. Apparently, Pinkie Pie was the one source of happiness in all of Equestria and the moment she’s not around anymore all of Ponyville crumbles, everyone stops being friends, and despair and poverty hit everywhere. Who knew that the Magic Mystery Cure was understating the effect her absence would do to the town? The story Salvation by Cold in Gardez touches on the same subjects, the mane six drifting apart as they get older and the despair that results, and does it so much better.

Sow The Wind, Reap The Whirlwind by Aragon
[story link] [my original review]

Fun story. Horrible, horrible fun. I even re-read Long Story Short just before diving into this one. Probably re-read them both when the third one comes out. This one wasn’t quite as good as the first one. Less hijinks, more physical trauma, actual plot this time instead of a train wreck of a situation. Carrot Top was fun in this one though. Also, I totally see Bon Bon helping a complete stranger. A small child she’s never met before hasn’t had a chance to do anything that might piss her off yet.

Slightly trimmed review.

Dating is Hard by GentlemanJ
[story link] [my original review]

Back to the Journey of Graves. Which I just misspelled as Journey of Grace and yeah, it would be better if the main protagonist was a girl. My own bias for girl/girl romances in stories popping up I guess. Also I think I’m reading the stories a bit out of order, but I don’t think it matters much. Anyway, this story is very short. Wish it was longer since the two of them dating has such potential for romantic comedy hijinks. Still pretty good writing, but even more modern references that don’t fit. Even a reference to the tv show COPS, which made me grind my teeth a bit.

There's a Reason They Call it a Crush by GentlemanJ
[story link] [my original review]

This might be the best one yet. Well-written, no cliches except the presence of the protagonist (and that is actually very little cliche in this one), and doesn’t seem like it’s too short or too long. Even a bit of worldbuilding as the story explores just what kind of person/creature humanized Spike is.

Nightmare Night 2: Halloweening Harder by GentlemanJ
[story link] [my original review]

Augh, and after that great (if out of order) story we get two modern pop culture references in the first page and a half. Though it did get me thinking if just doing the straight modern reference or trying to pony-ize it would be better. Especially for this particular situation where the characters and world is already humanized. Again, something that would be easily solved if this was original fiction. Overall, eh, this one was disappointing. Was hoping for maybe a bit of humor or maybe a light character study. What we get is basically a few random jokes and batman punching ghosts. Even if you like this particular series, I’d recommend skipping this one.

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