"Twilight’s Sparkly Sleepover Surprise" Book Review · 12:42am May 18th, 2016
<<<CONTAINS MILD SPOILERS>>>
In case you guys weren’t aware, Equestria Girls has its own line of short chapter books. Most of what’s written is simply reiterating the movie events word-for-word, but there is some original material. Thus, we have Twilight’s Sparkly Sleepover Surprise by Perdita Finn which just came out.
This book literally picks up where Friendship Games ended and continues the scene where SciTwi comes face-to-face with Princess Twilight. From there, we have SciTwi’s awkward struggle to fit in with her new friends. What exactly makes it awkward? The Shadowbolts. Yes, they are once again the antagonists, feeding SciTwi a bunch of misguided friendship advice. Strangely though, only Sunny Flare, Sour Sweet, and Sugarcoat are present. There’s no Lemon Zest or Indigo Zap and no explanation as to where they are. Maybe Finn thought there were just too many characters to write for?
The main reason I picked this book up was for the Shadowbolts (duh, Sour’s my waifu) but I was somewhat disappointed with the characterizations of Sunny, Sour, and Sugarcoat. Seriously, if you guys thought they were bitchy in the movie, there’s no preparing yourselves for the level of pure bitchdom they have in this book (IT’S OVER 9000!!!... sorry). At one point, Sunset Shimmer admits she thinks that they are WORSE than the Sirens AND Midnight Sparkle! And guess what? Bacon Hair speaks the truth! Sunny Flare alone is responsible for three characters to cry. THREE. It’s really confusing considering how the movie ended with some redemption for the Crystal Preppers as they risked their lives to help save everyone in the climax.
However, it must be reminded that this is SciTwi’s story and her character development is seriously what makes this book! It’s quite heartwarming and pretty logical. Not to mention relatable. Being pretty full of social anxiety myself, SciTwi’s struggles at being around others and constantly feeling that you’re just embarrassing yourself hit home.
All in all, I recommend it if you’re curious for some fanfiction that’s “official”.
Also, it’s worth it just for this adorkable Sour Sweet moment:
Sour Sweet’s eyes lit up. “Glitter and metallic streamers and…” She jumped up and down, very excited. “And we need sparkles. Lots of sparkles. For Twilight Sparkle!”
Twilight Sparkle laughed. “Really? You won’t have too much of me?”
“Never!” Sour Sweet announced. “Let’s put sparkles on our nails, too, okay?”
“Yes!” agreed Twilight Sparkle.
“I’m not being too enthusiastic, am I?” worried Sour Sweet a moment later.
“Never,” said Pinkie Pie.
(Pages 145-146)
Huh. The sad part is that that's vastly more characterization than Sunny Flare got in the movie.
And that excerpt is almost unfairly adorable.
Considering the characterization of the Shadowbolts, I guess this is not canon.
Regarding the characterisation of the Shadowbolts, IMO this is just an insight into who they were. A few days isn't enough time to assimilate the lessons and start to change. So, it's realistic in most ways.
3952437
All chapter books are considered 'parallel canon' - To be considered show canon until they are explicitly contradicted on-screen.
As I said before, I think that it is perfectly valid storytelling for Sunny, Sugarcoat and Sour to still be mean bullies. After all, this is something that they've been for years. It will take time for them to process what they've encountered and experienced and apply it to themselves. Maybe Twilight, as the link between them and CHS, may prove to be a pivotal factor in their reformation.
I think I'll skip that one. I don't consider the books or the comics to be truly canon unless the show either confirms or denies it, and I have my own ideas for the post-Friendship Games Shadowbolts.
3953528
The book indeed has its own version of this. It makes me think that if they chose to cover this subject material in the chapter book that bridges Friendship Games and The Legend of Everfree, then if the Shadowbolts ever do appear again in canon, they'll be portrayed as already-friends with the horse girls and quickly jump in to kick some dark magical butt together. Of course, that's just my personal hope. As you said, canon can always override what happens in it.
I could buy maybe Sunny Flare being a jerk because she had no character in the movie, so we don't know what she's like. But I can't see Sour Sweet or Lemon Zest being so mean to Sci-Twi after what happened.
Great. Just great. I had an idea for a story where I focus on the Shadowbolts and their personalities/issues (Sunny Flare being the straight man-er, woman, who grew up in an abusive household with embroidery being her only escape, Sour Sweet having to hide her bipolar disorder lest she get in trouble with the school, etc.) and having to learn in an environment(Crystal Prep) that discourages teamwork and by extension, friendship. Despite this, they realize they appreciate and care for each other. Heck, there was a subplot about the five of them bonding over their world's equivalent of How I Met Your Mother (and their different reactions to the series finale).
What am I supposed to do with it now?!?? (Besides dismiss the books as BS unless confirmed by show/movie canon, maybe)
Im just happy that Sunny Flare became the alpha bitch in the book, giving her some character to work with. Now, besides the Mature!Sunny Flare, Rich!Sunny Flare, Pretty!Sunny Flare, Fashionista!Sunny Flare, Cinch'sDaughter!Sunny Flare, Gadgeteer!Sunny Flare, Cosplayer!Sunny Flare, Snob!Sunny Flare, Philantropic!Sunny Flare and LiterallyRarityButWithDearieInsteadOfDarling!Sunny Flare, we got the somewhat official Jerk!Sunny Flare, hooray! I want to draw something out of the book, but still havent decided yet
Damn, Sunny.
Would it be too much to asks for the specific things favorite Shadowbolt said? I might pick the book up now just to get some fanfic fuel.
3954275
I would like to see Gadgeteer!Sunny Flare.
Okay... maybe I can still salvage some of my idea, though I'll have to rework my intended ending. Does anyone know when this story takes place and over the course of how many days? And as Tennis Match Fan suggested, some quotes to give us an idea of what they were like (especially Sunny)?
3955499 You know, you don't have to go with what the book says to write your fanfiction by. Fanfiction is simply what the author wants to happen.
But if you really want, I'm going to PM you some quotes just like I sent to Tennis Match Fan (you know, because spoilers). Like I said in my review, it takes place exactly where Friendship Games ends and goes on for possibly a few weeks, I suppose (enough time to have three slumber parties).
At least they GOT a book. Seriously, I wanna know what happened to the Sirens, even if they're still villains at least we'll know.