R4 (Reactions, Reviews, Reference, Redirection) #0185 · 8:53pm Jul 3rd, 2015
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Here are five slightly edited old reviews:
Eclipsed by InquisitorM
Exit Through Canterlot by TheBrianJ
Let's Just Say... by Obselescence
Bound by Blood by Treble Tech
Wishes Only Last a Night by Sea_Shimmer
Eclipsed by InquisitorM
[story link] [my original review]
Quite good. Another excellent example of the author’s ability to invoke emotions with a minimum of words. This might be my second favorite story by this author. Then again, I’m pretty sure I’ve only read four, so that’s not a huge thing. I would highly recommend this one.
Exit Through Canterlot by TheBrianJ
[story link] [my original review]
A fairly popular story. One that earns most of it’s popularity. Some of the beginning and middle was a little rough, but I suspect that had more to do with my mood over the last week and not the story itself. Wanted to smack sense into the main character for a large portion of the story, but most of that was Octavia being a jerk so it was probably intentional. The story also jumps a bit. The character arc here could have used a little more time to develop and unfold. Yet I can see that leading to the pacing being slow and sluggish. So it’s kind of a toss-up. The only other complaint I had is that it didn’t seem like the characters were ponies. The overall feel was very MLP, in my opinion. I could see it taking place in Canterlot, the characters were all themselves, all that. Yet the body language and physical actions of the characters really felt more like humans than ponies. A minor quibble, but it was pretty much a constant thought that never really went away. Despite that, I would recommend this one. Took me a while to get around to reading it, and a while to get through it, but when I got to the end I was satisfied and wanted it to keep going.
Oh, and it gets major major points for being a story with both Vinyl Scratch and Octavia as roommates and not a single romantic incident or emotion was expressed. Close good friends all the way. Was refreshing. I was disappointed that Octavia never got to hear the mane six’s side of the story involving the Grand Galloping Gala. It really would have only fit in at the end, but it would have helped the sense of closure of that particular thread. That the gala was pretty much the worst night of their lives as well, but it was being with friends afterwards that made it so wonderful for them. I wanted Octavia to hear that the night was not only a disaster for her, but it was for them as well. A bit of common ground.
Let's Just Say... by Obselescence
[story link] [my original review]
This was a good story. I can totally believe that occasionally Princess Celestia has these moments. Not quite this bad, of course, since any ‘normal’ version of Princess Celestia needs to be pretty benevolent. I can see her wanting to get away from it all. Maybe fantasize about simply disappearing and disguising herself somewhere for a few decades. Just to have some nice peaceful time not worrying about anything more than a single shop. Poor animals. I picture Fluttershy coming later and listening to them and either scolding them for lying, or getting really worried.
Maybe that’s why Fluttershy is so nervous and spends most of her time inside her house. She gets to hear about it each time Princess Celestia wanders into the woods and idly plans how to wipe out all life. Then all the animals run to Fluttershy to be comforted. Which is why Fluttershy is scared of her own shadow. Because sometimes seeing her shadow reminds her that the sun is out, and she’s heard dozens of ways Princesses Celestia has thought up to kill everything with the sun.
Pretty much all of the review, just a bit of original blog context unrelated to the story cut out.
Bound by Blood by Treble Tech
[story link] [my original review]
A good one. Interesting origin story for King Sombra. Just the right amount of telling enough and not enough. I’d recommend this. Short and has interesting concepts.
Slightly edited, once again to slice off original blog context.
Wishes Only Last a Night by Sea_Shimmer
[story link] [my original review]
Hmm… Writing is a bit rough, and the style is a bit awkward, but I enjoyed it. If you are up for reading a somewhat technically challenged story, I’d recommend this. It’s short and I got a decent emotional impact from it. So I’d call it worth a read.
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