Book Review - Sunset Shimmer's Time To Shine · 1:31am Sep 20th, 2015
Meant to review this for a while, and with the Friendship Games next week, seems a good time. I pirated it, I admit this. Hey, don't look at me that way. On the one hand I often buy movies I pirated originally, just to actually own the DVD. On the other hand, if I borrowed it from the library to read and then return, is that theft? How about if I delete the .pdf after I'm done? Really the internet is redefining how piracy and intellectual property work, but that's a debate for another time. For now, best human book.
She says what we're all thinking!
We open to an immediate tangent. I learned about said-bookisms when I joined Fimfiction, during my ill-fated quest to get Mega Mare on Equestria Daily. I am eternally grateful to the site for pushing me to learn such things, because I learned why it's bad form: writing the character's physicality and the actual words being said can convey the way they talk just fine, and it gives the character more substance in the writing by demonstrating their physicality and examining their dialogue to make it stronger. Said-bookisms are a crutch I learned to walk without. And in doing so I became a total hypocrite because I dislike seeing them from other writers, now. I understand it is not universally a bad thing and it's acceptable in small doses, and I still do it as such; as I said, I'm a hypocrite.
So it is not a good sign right off the bat when the first page of this professionally published novel dives headfirst into the said bookisms. Furthermore, the creative structure here is not all that good. I'm not all that awesome a writer myself when it comes to sequences like the characters just walking down a hall chatting (speaking from the latest chapter of CMCMY, I fell deep into Talking Head Syndrome), but I write fanfiction; this was published by a professional. In general the technical writing of this book is really just on-par with decent fanfic writers, so I won't keep complaining about it and let's look at the plot itself.
The group is nervous about a test, and discuss ponying up during it because that may somehow make them smarter, but they decide no way. Also an odd paragraph here reminds us they acquired this magical power after Twilight's visit from Equestria. Seriously, did the writer think someone was going to buy this book not watching the first two films? It's not like a fan of the show that hasn't seen the films will be interested, Sunset Shimmer is exclusive to them so fans who don't watch the films probably don't care who she is or why it's her time to shine. We get arbitrary shout-outs to Flash Sentry, DJPon-3, and Trixie, before the gang wonders where Sunset Shimmer is. So do I, it's her damn book and she hasn't been seen yet.
“There she is!” Rarity pointed down the hallway, where a girl was slipping through the main doors of the school just before they closed. As if she didn’t have a care in the world, Sunset Shimmer strolled to her locker, gave her pretty red-gold hair a quick brush, and grabbed a single sharp pencil.
*cue Dreamweaver*
The group mention Sunset wasn't at the study session last night, and she casually rattles off some stuff about how easy the test is; turns out after magical studies in Equestria, human chemistry isn't a big deal. So she's beautiful, badass, a good singer, and smart. Think she's a gamer, because that's about the only way she could be more awesome. Okay, okay, let's keep the fanboying to a minimum. The group also tell Sunset they made cookies and just generally hung out, and head into the classroom. Sunset reflects that she hadn't gone to the study session because she saw no point to it, she knew the stuff fine. But it hadn't occurred to her she could help the others that were struggling, or just spent time with them. She was selfish; so much for "friendship".
Wait, Chapter 2 already? Okay, first chapter was only two pages, not even full pages. Weird design choice but okay. Also another tangent - a lot of the Equestria Girls logos, like the heart in this book and the Friendship Games logo, have the Mane Six's cutie marks worked into the design, but no Sunset. Especially at this point where Sunset has usurped Twilight as the protagonist of the spin-off series, I question this. Especially in a book named after Sunset Shimmer. Come on, just throw a sun emblem in the middle of the horseshoe, there's room for a seventh emblem at the top!
Sunset finishes her test first in the class, hands it in and sits down. Lemme tell ya; if you've ever seen someone in your class do that, that was me. It's so awkward, you see people look up at you like "you smart jackass, already done while I'm still on Question 8? I hate you." A couple paragraphs recount the events of the first two films, and how in spite of how much Sunset has struggled and fallen to get to this point, sometimes the day-to-day stuff is harder than the big challenges like the Sirens. Sunset takes out a notebook and the narration exposits how she's been trying to figure out how magic works in this world, but there's too many variables to figure out conclusively.
She writes a note to Twilight, saying she always knew her place in Equestria as Celestia's student, but in this world, she's not yet sure what her purpose is or where she fits in. This is an odd transition, weren't we talking about magic a second ago? The class ends and Sunset asks if the group wants to hang out, but they're all busy with various activities. Sunset is not; she's not a member of any club or team, she has her magic research but that's not a talent or hobby like soccer or dress-making. She tells them about the research and they understand, and when they mention Twilight, Flash materializes out of thin air to ask about her, then keeps walking. Dood, it was cute the one time in the movie, now you're acting like a stalker.
The group comments on how cool Twilight is and how she helped beat the Sirens, and Sunset mutters she helped too. She immediately regrets it since it sounds like bragging, and the group assure her she helped too. As they go off to their activities, Sunset muses that while she likes magic research, it can get lonely. Random Trixie cameo, and then Sunset thinking she hopes Twilight responds soon. "She really needed her—not just to help figure out magic but because she needed her friendship."
Chapter 3 begins with the girls meeting for a slumber party. Pinkie Pie has put stickers on pillows for the group; Fluttershy has a bunny, Applejack has a lasso. Sunset's has a setting sun, and cue another moment of wondering what her talent is. Sunset says she wants to paint her toenails pink like Pinkie, but then wonders if she's just copying her. Rainbow Dash arrives and is upset about the team uniforms looking like crap, and she wants the team to win the championship to boost morale going into the Friendship Games. Sunset suggests a fundraiser and quickly calculates how much they could potentially raise. Of course everyone has their own idea to chip like a fashion show and pet parade. What is Sunset gonna do? She has no idea. Also apparently the full name of the group is "Sonic Rainbooms." Nah, the joke worked better as just "Rainbooms."
The group prepares to practice their music and Sunset slips out and checks her journal to see Twilight's response. Twilight wishes her look studying the magic of friendship and tells her to say hi to the group. Uh, wasn't her earlier message about finding her place in this world? I think the author rewrote Sunset's letter after initially being about the magic research, but forgot to change Twilight's response or the narration around the two. Sunset looks in on the group's practice as they pony up, and resolves to continue investigating it up-close. That's her talent - she's a magic investigator!
Chapter 4, Sunset is talking to Celestia about when to hold the fundraiser. The only opening in the school's schedule is next Friday, which seems like not enough time, but Sunset casually reminds her how easily they've put on proms and costumes, so Celestia agrees. Sunset goes and tells Rainbow Dash about the idea, and then discusses studying magic with her. Yeah, we all know where this goes. 
Sunset produces a wristband she apparently designed to track Rainbow's physical stats as she practices. Rainbow goes back to playing, but she's so fascinated by the buttons and numbers that she screws up playing. Seriously, she's distracted by the thing and keeps messing up. I made it as a joke after Testing Testing, 1 2 3, but Rainbow does have ADHD, doesn't she?
Next chapter, Sunset is snapping up photos of Rarity's work and uploads them to the Rainbooms website. She thinks color may have something to do with the magic, but she can't check the photos herself so she'll ask fans to help check them for signs of magic. Uh, how would any of them recognize such signs, anyway? Sunset writes off a happy note to Twilight about how well she's doing and gets a heart in response. Meanwhile people are laughing about how awful Rarity looks in the middle of working thanks to the pictures Sunset posted, and Rarity is distraught. Next chapter, Sunset is helping Applejack bake, monitoring the various ingredients to see if her magic is somehow influencing the recipe. Of course she just gets in a way, and a mess is made and the baked goods are burned. Sunset goes to the animal shelter with Fluttershy and we break the formula a bit here. They chat a little bit about how Sunset feels about Equestria, and also discuss Sunset's newest plans. When they leave she goes back for her laptop and forgets to close the door behind her.
With Pinkie Pie now, she and Fluttershy begin to play the Cafeteria Song and pony up, but none of Sunset's instruments show anything happening. Rainbow arrives, still obsessed with the wrist monitor, and then Rarity. Sunset's monitor shows a spike suddenly, and in a confusing moment, it turns out to be a kitten. Celestia arrives to tell them what a sorry state things are in, and Sunset assures her they can get it together in time for the fashion show. Sunset realizes she's been so busy studying magic she forgot the whole friendship part.
Sunset begins crying a little as she plays pen pals with Twilight, admitting she doesn't know what makes her special in this world and her magical investigations are a total bust. Twilight tells her she knows a lot about magic already, maybe it's time to study something different, like friendship. Each of her friends has special talents that together make them a powerful group, and Sunset needs to see that on her own. Sunset agrees and the first step is to help fix the messes she caused.
Sunset helps Fluttershy find the missing animals, which they do by listening for their cries and being quiet, instead of trying to actively call them out. Sunset remembers Fluttershy asking about Equestria, and realizes she's a good listener, she doesn't talk much because she's paying attention to how others feel. Then she goes help Applejack bake up a new batch of donuts and decorate them, and AJ has two forced "would I lie to you" jokes because the writer thought we forgot which Element she is. When they're done and have goofed off a bit, Applejack points out hours have passed, and says that time flying when you're having fun is its own sort of magic. In an odd bit, Sunset writes Twilight and asks how Equestria is doing, and Twilight says she'll tell her more soon.
With Rarity, she's fussing over which designs look best for the team, and Sunset realizes fashion isn't just about looking good for her, it's about personal expression and feeling good about yourself. That's Rarity's gift. Sunset has the idea from Pinkie's custom pillows to all each uniform to have custom decals on it so the uniforms can have a personal touch unique to each player, but still be, well, uniform. There's also a bit where Sunset makes an app that lets the team members see what they'd look like in each uniform. I question how she can make such an app in apparently minutes, but I know nothing about apps so maybe she can. They head to the soccer field to show the team and she takes back Rainbow's wrist band. "Maybe learning about friendship meant being a good friend and not experimenting with it." Good line.
So, the fashion show is on-track and looking good, except it seems no one is buying tickets. Sunset overhears some students talking about her, and after the messes she made with the Humane Five's prep work, they wonder if she's planning something evil. The group console Sunset that people do want to come to the show, they just need to get them more excited for it. However, Sunset says no; they've done enough, the school is dubious of the fashion show because of her, so she has to show them she's changed. Also there's mentions of a new song she helped the group write. Ooo, I hope I see where this is going.
Sunset realizes a big grand show won't work, they'll presume it's an act, so she tries little acts of kindness, but it doesn't go over well. She hears tears and finds Trixie crying; Trixie admits she spread the rumors about Sunset doing something nasty at the show, and that she thought if she could split Sunset from the Rainbooms, they could team up. That's... cute and confusing. On the one hand, it's cute Trixie wants to be friends with Sunset and thinks they can't be friends because Trixie is enemies with the Rainbooms. On the other hand it's confusing because this is coming from nowhere. Trixie's cameos in earlier parts of the story have been just that, cameos. There's been no hints of her wanting to be friends with Sunset or perpetuating the fashion show rumors.
Sunset says she'd be happy to be Trixie's friend, too, and invites her to come help with the fashion show. She also helps Flash Sentry with a math problem and asks for his help writing songs in return. If it seems I mentioned it like an afterthought to Trixie it's only because the book did too. Sunset writes Twilight for advice and is told she doesn't need to win a competition, just to show the school she's changed. Okay, this is going into My Past Is Not Today, isn't it? Sunset also makes amends with Rainbow Dash, realizing why the team looks up to her is because she recognizes the individual's value and makes them feel like they belong.
The fashion show begins and is a hit, folks love the uniforms and are even adopting the animals Fluttershy brought. And now it's time to sing, and Rarity reveals a gorgeous new dress for Sunset that of course we can't see, but it's probably the dress that's on the cover of the book. And then...
“We’re all different,
But our music is the same.
It’s the sound of friendship.
It’s in the rhythm of our names.
Fluttershy listens and never drops a beat.
Pinkie Pie’s tempo keeps you tapping your feet.
Rarity’s playing keeps us all in tune,
And Sunset’s vocals shimmer over the moon.
Applejack’s notes make you want to sing,
And, Rainbow Dash, she riffs on everything!”
................................................
I'm just going to throw this back up here and let's all pretend this is what they actually played. Okay? Okay.
The crowd goes wild and the Rainbooms play late into the night.
The last chapter explains that Sunset is very busy now, helping her friends with their projects and getting involved in all sorts of school functions. She's discovered her special talent is helping people. The group sings a bit at random and Sunset sees a small rainbow appear. She writes Twilight that the magic of friendship is a wonderful thing and she's learned and is learning a lot about being a good friend, but she still can't help but wonder just how magic works. Twilight says sometimes you don't need to understand it - just enjoy it.
This book... I have mixed feelings. This is where you're reminded that, in spite of the brony fandom, MLP is a franchise for young kids, and the book reflects that with a very simple writing style. With all due respect to the writer, it reads like a half-decent fanfic, which is fine. The book is strongest at the start where Sunset is wondering what her purpose is in this world, a good reflection on cutie marks. The book should have focused on that, examining Sunset trying to find her place in both the circle of friends, the school, and the world. Instead she tunnel visions on the magic investigator thing and we fall into a very predictable and formulaic plot. Otherwise she's characterized well, outwardly happy and confident but still working to overcome her personal doubts and shortcomings.
Beyond Sunset Shimmer, this book has very little to offer. The rest of the cast are pretty much there to read lines. Nothing was really out of character, but most of the time I couldn't tell, say, Pinkie's lines from Rarity's or Applejack's based just on what is being said. Trixie and Flash are really shoehorned into things. I don't think Trixie is even mentioned again after the above reveal of her wanting to be Sunset's friend - and again, that came from nowhere. There's not even a token mention of the Sirens other than that they were defeated at the Battle of the Bands, and boy was that a truckload of potential wasted.
This book is sort of like "The Science of Magic" stretched out into an episode. We get references to the Friendship Games and plot points are set up to explore in that movie, but there isn't much to connect this book to Rainbow Rocks. Again, big waste not including the Sirens in some capacity. Sunset should have spent this book helping them instead of the Rainbooms - the Sirens could get more development, we'd only have three characters to spend time with instead of four so the formulaic middle act would be tighter, and Sunset helping them to find their bearings in life without their amulets would be a better way to spur her own development.
Overall, there are good ideas in this story, but they're bogged down by a focus on the very formulaic middle act instead of on the ideas themselves. The book's young age bracket shows, but even books for kids can have stronger stories than this. Even if you're a fanboy of best human like I am, the promise of more Sunset Shimmer is not enough to make this worth a read. Just check out some of the Sunset Shimmer fics on this site to get your fix in a more satisfying manner.
If I can ask, were did you "Get" it.
3405111 Google-fu.
3405118 Which one? I can't find it.
3405118 Let's prevent a giant comment fight.
I can't find it and I doubt I will find it. Every where I go doesn't work or is sign in, and I REALLY want to read this book. The longer this takes, the more pissed off I become.
I just started following and I don't want to get off on the wrong foot here. Can you just tell me where it is?
3405230 Google it. How I found it, very easily.
3405235 I can't. Can you PM me a link to it?
3405247 Just google "sunset shimmer's time to shine torrent" for pony's sake.
3405267 All you had to do was say "Torrent". That is all I was missing.
3405274 I clearly overestimated your capabilities.
3405290 Yep. I am a "genius" alright.
I read this a couple weeks ago, and I enjoyed it more than I've enjoyed any of G.M. Berrow's chapter books, even if the style was similarly simple and straightforward. The thing is, as you noted, these books are written for younger readers, not seasoned periphery bronies who frequent sites like this and regularly read 100k+ word epics.
But yeah, for a third-grade-level chapter book about Sunset Shimmer, it was a decent little read. I'm just glad someone other than G.M. Berrow wrote it.
Speaking of Berrow, the buzz from the bees is she wrote the upcoming episode "The One Where Pinkie Pie Knows". I'm DREADING that episode...
Holy fic ideas, Batman!