R4 (Reactions, Reviews, Reference, Redirection) #0191 · 10:27pm Sep 18th, 2015
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Here are five slightly edited old reviews:
The Last Trumpet's Call by Cold in Gardez
The Cutie Mark Conspiracy by Cold in Gardez
The Carnivore's Prayer by Cold in Gardez
More Than A Dream by nanashi_jones
Twilight's Escort Service by Estee
The Last Trumpet's Call by Cold in Gardez
[story link] [my original review]
As is often the case, this story written by Cold In Gardez is quite good. I would have liked to know more about the events that unfold in the story. Why the windigos and the deer were involved, the reasons for everything that happened. There was some good pegasus worldbuilding as well. Another neat addition to the idea that pegasi families aren’t that tightly connected to each other. Strongly connected, sure, but not tightly. Parents love their foals very much, but aren’t concerned if they stay out for a night or two. Allowing for the pegasus need for freedom and wandering. I’m a bit annoyed at the most trivial thing possible. The long patrol in this story is close to an idea I’ve had for a while. Not that either is all that original, but it feels like if I do anything with my version I’ll be competing with Cold In Gardez for headspace in anyone who reads both. I suppose that only matters if I actually get around to doing anything with my ideas.
The Cutie Mark Conspiracy by Cold in Gardez
[story link] [my original review]
Pretty good. Not to my personal tastes (the CMC episodes are some of my least favorite even though many moments in them I enjoy), but the author as usual has written a extremely enjoyable story. I found the start just a tad sluggish, but by the end of it I had laughed out loud once and was chuckling to myself almost constantly.
The Carnivore's Prayer by Cold in Gardez
[story link] [my original review]
A very powerful story. Made even more so by lacking a obvious strong theme. A lot of authors would have tried to put a message of some sort into a story like this, but this one doesn’t really have a ‘this is what it all means’ feel to it at any point. It has plenty of emotion, plenty of meaning, but all of it comes out of the story naturally rather than driving it. The literature equivalent of a person who lives their philosophy instead of teaching it. Both ways still get the philosophy out there, but one shoves it in your face and the other you have to guess at it. The story is dark, but highly recommended.
More Than A Dream by nanashi_jones
[story link] [my original review]
I really enjoyed this one. Just finished it and I’ve got that odd mix of satisfied and sad that I often get when finishing up a story that really grabbed me. On a technical level it could probably use more polish, but it managed to click with me enough that I spent the entire day reading it practically cover to cover with only minor breaks here and there. The plot is a bit standard, but I thought the characters made up for it. All the characters were expressed excellently. A bit cliche, but closer to the archetype side of the spectrum. Easily recognizable without being one-note jokes. At least in my opinion. If you like very nuanced characters, this will probably be a bit simple for you. As I said, I liked it and I enjoyed it despite the plot and deus ex machina at the end. I mean, when the source material has deus ex machina as regularly occurring event, I’m not sure I can penalize the fanfiction too much for the same thing.
Twilight's Escort Service by Estee
[story link] [my original review]
This was really good. A great mix of a bunch of comedy with a few sprinkles of serious stuff. Mostly comedy though. Had an interesting writing style too. Might have to read it again just to analyze it a bit more just to figure out how to describe it. Narration commentary? Comment Narration? Anyway, highly recommended and I’m going straight to the sequel.
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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.
