Fic recs, July 7th! · 9:20pm Jul 7th, 2017
Hey, you guys remember that thing I do where I read fics and tell you about 'em? Yeah, me neither. But in honor of me finishing Project Horizons (hell yeah, I did!), I thought I'd actually push some reviews out and give these people what they paid for! (You can pay for some, too, though maybe hold your horses, I've got changes a-coming soon!) Also, get through all this news I've been saving up for the last week or so. :B
Illya Leonov's newest reading is The Sweetest Water by Chris! He's also done the shortfic Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen Oxygen! Emogak has done a reading of Cold in Gardez's The Contest!
Go check out the Second AppleDash Contest, and its theme of fifth chances! Wait, I might've gotten that wrong...
In case you don't follow EQD too closely, they recently did a poll about the fandom's favorite creations, and fanfic came in third. Given that it's behind animation (which I can't complain about) and drawn art (which is easier to digest quickly), I'd say that's a pretty solid finish! I mean, we placed above music, and that's the last answer that got over 10% of the vote. With over 7,000 respondents, no less. Discuss!
I don't know if you're familiar with the artist Lil-Mizz-Jaye, best known for creating the super-dark Lil' Miss Rarity blog, but a recent post of his explains exactly why Applejack's parents being dead is actually a good thing, in case you're still on the fence about that. Potential spoilers for episodes that haven't aired in the US. (I mean, I've read and enjoyed stories in the past where they're still alive and just terrible parents, but after seeing that episode, I can't reconcile those with canon, so I think this is worth saying.)
If you like Undertale, why not check out Ringcaat's fan novel!
And for those who care, I've got the month's Flash Fiction recommendations! Errata to the Fugue of the Undreamable Abyss by Aimee Picchi is a little edgy in spots, but it comes off as very SCP-like, and I don't just say that because it reminds me of a specific SCP. Meera Jhala's Elsewhere is a tale of family, longing and the drive to do better for future generations. And The Law of the Conservation of Hair by Rachael K. Jones, which is stunning and written in a completely unique way that I can't quite explain. You'll just have to experience it. Always good to read 'real' fiction from time to time!
H: 2 R: 0 C: 3 V: 0 N: 0
Sweet Little Lovely: A Gothic Romance by Mr V
Reading by Neighrator Pony, et. al.
Paid Review for Icy Shake
Mature: Gore
Genre: Dark Romance
The only thing wrong with Little Lovely was her condition…
The worst I can say for this piece is that it feels like original fiction with ponies inserted. It's fairly old, so canon was a lot looser back then, and there's a definite attempt to make sure it looks pony, whether or not it feels it. But if you ask me, this is worth shutting your Mature filters off for, and you'd be doing yourself a disservice by passing it by, especially if you like good horror. (Though if entrails turn you off, well, faint of heart take heed.) The writing is rich, the romance of the handsome young clockmaker and the mysterious young unicorn is compelling, and all the horror notes are pitch-perfect and thoroughly unsettling. Yes, "unsettling" is definitely the word for this story. I can't say I'm too familiar with gothic horror or romance, but I really dig this, whatever it is. I've read nothing quite like it.
Highly Recommended
Apple Ninjas and Other Vital Concerns by xjuggernaughtx
Paid Review for xjuggernaughtx
Genre: Cute
Apple Bloom doesn't have anything to do… except protect the farm from ninjas!
This is some of the best Big Mac/Apple Bloom bonding you could ask for. :D I really don't think there's anything else I need to say about it. I just really love stories about adults playing with kids on their level, and this gets that family dynamic. It only gets better when Applejack shows up. :) This is perfect.
Highly Recommended
DID SOMEPONY ORDER A LARGE HAM?! by Super Trampoline
Reading by André Luc Martinez
Paid Review for Super Trampoline
Genre: Random Comedy
Trixie is rejected by the Foal Free Press.
This has two things going for it. When I realized what it was parodying, I had a solid laugh. And the prompt/title has more than just one meaning, which I really appreciated. Well, and the fact that the author left edits in, changing the color instead of just correcting the error, was intensely amusing for reasons I can't quite explain. Not a very deep story, but it actually has some good writing advice, not to mention a twist ending!
Recommended for Laughs
Ponies Who Love to Fart by The Dark Wolf
Genre: Comedy
Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie have a farting contest.
"This is Pasco's fault," reads the note I left to myself on this story. And honestly, it couldn't be anyone else's. Because farting is funny, a point on which Pascoite and I both agree. Except that, to some people, it's also sexy, and I am bothered by this fact far more than I should be. Two guesses as to where this author sits on that spectrum. As for me, I thought this was hilarious, and I at least feel good knowing that the comedy was intentional, at least in part. It's not a good story by any stretch, what with being plainly written, the dialogue sounding absolutely nothing like the characters, and detailed focus on how long farts last because fetishes. The twist of the first chapter comes out of nowhere, but it's hysterical. And Rainbow Dash gets good friend points! I think you need a certain mindset to enjoy this, but, well, you know who you are if you do.
Recommended for Laughs
Brolight Glimmer and Brocess Ember Go Dragracing by Fuzzyfurvert
Genre: Bromedy
It's just another day for Brolight Glimmer and Brocess Ember, hanging out in the pit.
Dumb as I thought the panic-dream sequences of the season 7 opener were, bro-ified Starlight and Ember was hands-down the best part of that episode. As for this story, it has basically one joke, and I was reminded of those bro dragon comics (go figure), but I was amused and it didn't last longer than it needed to. (It is, however, very odd reading this story right after the previous one…)
Recommended for Laughs
Wow that went a lot better than expected
"Apple Ninjas" started out super cute, and the turn it took after the pond caught me off guard and sucker punched me just a bit.
"Brolight" was fun and emphasized the point that Starlight is always at her best when she's not in character. Also, LOL at "no homo" coming from mare the show is ship-teasing hard with Trixie. :V
Didn't catch what "Large Ham" was parodying.
Glad you enjoyed "Sweet Little Lovely"! I've always thought it was overlooked--out of my favorited stories, it's the one with by far the fewest views, and basically tied for fewest likes. On a not-unrelated note, I think that Mr V might have about the strangest collected body of stories I've seen on this site--not in terms of summing up the weirdness of individual stories, but in terms of their juxtaposition: most fall into at least one of 2nd Person/Human in Equestria/Fetish, and then there's the well-done if (because) intentionally uncomfortable Sparity fic, the ShiningSparkle parody of a freaking Folgers ad with presumably unintentional undertones*, and... this highly literary romantic horror piece done in a style from a century and a half ago!? Okay. :V
*
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The Equestria Daily fanfiction submission process! :D
As for Mr V, after looking through his gallery, I came to the realization that Little Lovely was likely written with that intestines kissing scene in mind. Like, it's not quite guro, it's almost tasteful, but it definitely comes across as fetishistic in the greater context of his oeuvre, however well-supported by the story it might be. Ruins it just a little, but not too much.
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I hadn't thought of that, but it makes sense and I feel like I should have seen it before. For both responses.
(That said, in my case anyway, it doesn't detract from "Sweet Little Lovely.")
Sorry I ruined it, even if just a little. :-(
I get blamed for everything.
In fact, I'm pretty sure I remember telling you not to bother with this one.
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At least I was able to go in without expectation, and that resulted in the review you see here. :) So it was worth it.
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It's still your fault.
You still put the idea in my head. :V I can't turn down a challenge, Pas.
Well the saying is 'Bros before hos', not 'Bros before fart fics'...
I'd completely forgotten about eproctophilia. Whatever makes you happy, I guess, but that one's definitely among the fetishes I absolutely cannot even begin to comprehend
Wow! Glad you enjoyed Apple Ninjas that much! I was wondering if it would even get a Recommended...
Welp, that's two more for my ever-growing pile.
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I'm glad you also find farts funny. :D
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If only those were the ones I added to the pile.