The Hat Man Reviews: Scribblefest Entries #2! · 10:31pm Mar 10th, 2016
Howdy, folks! I've got another round of reviews for you regarding Everfree Northwest's Scribblefest entries! I'm quite relieved that they finally put up the list of stories that are contending. There appear to be 40 in all, which is a decent amount, but less than I thought there would be.
You can check out that complete list here. Now, onto the reviews, and I've got two more!
Story #4: Magnum Opus by Birdisjell
The story centers around an artist named Palette Whisper who is staying in Ponyville with Twilight. She's trying to get inspired and complete her master work, her "Magnum Opus." Unfortunately, she's dealing with a major case of artist's block and can't seem to paint anything.
That short summary has a lot of potential, but the full story isn't much more than that. The main problem I'm having here is that Palette just isn't a very interesting character. She's stand-offish, moody, and really fits into the whole "suffering artists" archetype. She belittles Mrs. Cake by implying that she does real art while baking is, somehow, not; she snaps at Twilight and Spike; she just sits around and complains that there is nothing to paint because she has no inspiration; and the only pony that she really seems to even get along okay with is Derpy, but even in that case she seems like a real sad-sack. Ultimately she's brought out of it by Twilight getting gifts and letters from all her friends in Ponyville to let Palette know she's appreciated, but the thing is that there's no point in the story where we get to see that any of these bonds have been formed.
I can see the author wanted to go for a more introspective, even emotional piece, but I wasn't sold on it. It needed a bit more refinement in character and a bit more going on with the plot. I wish the author a lot of luck, but the irony is both of his/her stories seem to be about dealing with writer's/artist's block, so hopefully it's not truth-in-fiction. 
Recommended?: Sadly, no. I just don't think the story has enough going on. I can see it trying to make the reader feel things, but I just don't connect with its protagonist.
Story #5: Creatura Somnii by Leo Skogkatt
Leo was the author of the truly excellent Maud Pie piece, "Rocks Cannot Swim" that made my list of Favorite Fics of 2015. I wondered if he would match that...
Unfortunately, I can't give too much of a summary of this one without spoiling the crap out of it. And while the conclusion is a wee bit obvious after a while, I have to say that I found this to be a gripping tale of conspiracy. The essential story is that Twilight discovers Starswirl the Bearded's Grave and uncovers a secret about Celestia and Luna's history that the ponies of Equestria have been in the dark about for a thousand years. The ambiance and tone of the story is very well executed, even if the actual mystery isn't that hard to pick up on. I really felt as though I could imagine each scene and the tension of the oncoming conflict was palpable.
The story does lack a strong resolution to the conflict, but in a way that just drives home how driven a certain somepony is.
Recommended?: Yes. I think it's an interesting read. Though I can't say it's as endearing as "Rocks Cannot Swim," it's still a capable and engaging read, especially if you're up for something more mysterious and dark than the typical "slice of life" tale.
Sorry there are only two entries this time! But I've got a lot of work to do on "The Iron Horse" still, so I'll get in some more when I can. See ya next time! 
Neato burrito. I did like the conspiracy in Creatura Somnii. I particularly liked some of the little quirks it went out of its way to point out. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who likes that kind of thing.
3801809 Thanks for checking it out! I did two more reviews, if you'd care to look.