Review #105 - Crystal Glass Ceilings, Motherly · 11:16pm May 17th, 2017
You are wondering why there has been no word from me recently, right? I thought so. The reason for this is because I've been absorbed with this game I just got, and therefore never got around to writing reviews... nor warnings about missing them. But enough excuses, let's get into this thing.
Crystal Glass Ceilings by Pineta
Motherly by Trick Question
Crystal Glass Ceilings by Pineta
(Comedy, Slice of Life)
Princess Cadance takes on the Crystal Empire patriarchy.
Review
This one is a slice of life story with some comedy. However, while it is those, I would have to say this is a "message" fic. You know, the kind that has a message to tell the audience and it does. Repeatedly. With no subtlety, whatsoever. But, now it's time to talk about Cadance. Cadance is trying to change the Empire, and it's not going very well. She's sort of abusing her power to undermine the officials who are trying to keep her from doing anything. And, frankly, it's a little annoying. She's constantly annoying every stallion who thinks mares cannot do stuff, just so she can feel "equal." She also attempts to teach the school ponies that mares can do things, too. And Twilight, well, is an excuse for us to see Cadance's day. Shining Armor just gets used. Pretty much every other stallion is a bigoted egotist. And, of course, the mares are all "but we can't do it, can we?" Yeah... I liked the story, and the prospect of the Crystal Empire being behind the times, but...
The greatest weakness of this is how much is jams feminism down your throat. It does what is commonly referred to as "beating a dead horse." Feminism is not really a problem in the show, so this feels out of place. It would be fine if it weren't so obvious, but since it is, blah.
Recommendation: Worth Reading once. (It is the kind of thing you should at least try, if only for the story ideas and world-building present).
P.S. You have got to tell me how you made the newspapers.
Motherly by Trick Question
(Dark, Drama, Sad)
All mothers love their children, and all mothers feed their children. Princess Chrysalis and her mother are no different, except that to a changeling, "love" and "food" are the same thing. Well... mostly.
Review
Oh, look, another story that tries to make us feel for Chrysalis... but wait, it works? Whoa. This is truly a dark, drama fic. Not so sure about the sad, though. So, pretty much Trick's typical style. So, Puparia. Puparia is a tyrant queen, only keeping her royal grub, Chrysalis, alive in case some tragedy happens. At least, that's what she says her reason is. As time goes on, we see her continue to chastise her daughter. And then we figure it out. Chrysalis, on the other hand, wants to prove herself worthy by any means necessary. And I mean any means. But the real punch of this story comes from the mother-daughter relationship. It's just so... amazing.
Sadly, it does have a weakness. Not a very big one, but one nonetheless. This weakness is the narration. It gets confusing at times, and is therefore a little annoying. Well, also that it wasn't "those who grab power in a man's world" as the contest said. But that did not affect this review.
Recommendation: Highly Recommended. (Besides the weakness, this is great. Just a little short, so I can't go into detail that much).
