R4 (Reactions, Reviews, Reference, Redirection) #0164

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Here are five slightly edited old reviews:
Bright Eyes by Agent Bookfort
The Games We Play by AbsoluteAnonymous
How to Handle a Rope by A Hoof-ful of Dust
Legality Abnormality by alexmagnet
Here Comes the Rain Again by A Hoof-ful of Dust

Bright Eyes by Agent Bookfort
[story link] [my original review]

I have mixed feelings about this one. There are a few good bits, some real sweet bits, but a lot of cliche and some poor writing. The first half is the best bit and the ending was disappointing. So, vaguely recommended? There is a glimmer of a great story here, but only a glimmer.

The Games We Play by AbsoluteAnonymous
[story link] [my original review]

Didn’t finish this one. For once it wasn’t a quality issue. The writing was decent. I just didn’t enjoy the content all that much. Rainbow Dash being dumb and absurdly stupid-prideful. Plus I didn’t particular like the mare-do-well episode, so that was another point against this story. So I’d recommend this even though I didn’t finish it. I’ve liked other stories by this author, so this is probably good if you don’t mind the specific things that bugged me. Just is going to be a pretty weak recommendation.

How to Handle a Rope by A Hoof-ful of Dust
[story link] [my original review]

Liked this one. Not exactly deep or complex, or a work of art. Which are all things I normally enjoy. This walls into my personal category of fluff fan fiction. Stories that aren’t much by themselves, but add to the characters already existing in my head. This story is just a simple single scene Lyra and Bon Bon moment.

Legality Abnormality by alexmagnet
[story link] [my original review]

I think wacky Equestria politics is my favorite sub-genre of pony fan fiction. This one was a hilarious example of that sub-genre. Princess Celestia is a wise, benevolent, beloved ruler… Who sometimes has little moments of utter crazy, especially right after banishing her sister. All three of the moments in this story are going right into my personal headcanon.

Wacky Equestrian politics is still my favorite pony genre, even more than a year later.

Here Comes the Rain Again by A Hoof-ful of Dust
[story link] [my original review]

This was majorly disappointing. It started out with an interesting menace, had a cool bit of worldbuilding, then sort of bumbled around in the middle, then wrapped up everything with a deus ex machina that makes the elements of harmony in the show look nuanced and deep. I’d recommend reading the first part of this. Up to Princess Luna explaining that she and Celestia created the day/night cycle as a weapon against discord. Then you can stop and read a much better Twilight Sparkle and Princess Luna shipping story.

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If you are an author who wants a more detailed review of a story I've covered feel free to message me. My reviews tend to be fairly light, mostly just reactions to a story right after reading it. I am happy to give a more careful read and reply to anyone who wants more precision and/or feedback.