Story review : Night Reigns · 1:53pm Apr 1st, 2016
Nightmare Moon's escape from the Moon could not have gone better for her. Celestia herself was unable to face her, and Celestia's trainee was woefully underprepared for the assault. It did not take long to shake out the remaining pockets of resistance, and then she took the throne for herself.
Ten years of darkness have passed, and Celestia has finally managed to break Nightmare Moon's spell and return to Equestria. The exile and the difficulty of the escape took a serious toll on the solar Princess, and she returns to a land very different from the Equestria she loved.
Weak and very nearly alone, she needs to rebuild her strength, and put things right again. But can she even be sure what right is, anymore?
What if Sunset Shimmer never left, what if she remained Celestia's star student? At the Core of Night Reigns lay these questions. In Night Reigns Celestia was unable to fight NIghtmare moon and Sunset never activated the elements, Sunset spent 10 years on the run, and Celestia was banished to the Sun that never rose again.
Ten years.
A lot can change in ten years.
What really made this fic stand out is that while the idea that nightmare moon winning is an old one, and has been written about many, many times rarely have I seen such depth. To put it bluntly these characters feel... real, no more with the those cardboard cutouts! They live, the breath, they struggle, they triumph, they fail.
We see Sunset as a pony who's failure, led to ten years of fear and darkness, Celestia the mare that was forced to fight what she loves the most, and was found wanting, we even see Nightmare moon, the mare who has mellowed and is starting to think "Maybe this wasn't the best way?", And as chapter after chapter unfolds we are greeted with a great supporting cast.
From the loyal adviser to who works for not just Equeatria, but also has not only Luna's best interest at heart, but sees that Celestia is a part of Luna. To the loyal captain of the night guard, who want nothing more then to please Nightmare Moon, and will take any means needed to do so...
Another high point was the writing. The writing was top notch and really painted a picture. I felt like even though the locations where not new, I was shown a new way f looking at it.
No longer do I see a ruined castle in a forest, its a only place to hide from nightmare moons gaze, crystal caves under Canterlot? Nope! Now its an anti magic sanctuary just under Nightmare Moons hooves...
All in all it also felt like a self re-discovery, many of the main characters just don't know anymore. And the writing reflects this. Much of the story is like a staring contest with a mirror of esride (a magic mirror that shows your hearts desire from harry potter) but you cant bring yourself to look, afraid of what you will find or who you will see in behind you.
45/50 writing
25/25 character depth
70/75 points total.
I've just discovered this review of Night Reigns. Thank you for writing such kind words! I hope I can wrap it up in a way to holds these high standards. Thanks!