Fanfiction Spotlight #55, and 1 week till Scribblefest! · 7:04am Jan 25th, 2018

Good Evening Pony Readers and Writers!

Yep, we're back again this week with two more stories for you all to check out. And! We wanted to remind you that starting on February 1st at 12:00am, the Everfree NW Scribblefest will start! Details about the contest will be posted at that time, and then you've got a month to get those stories written!

Anyways, this week we've got stories that were read by Staff members Xepher and Winston. Winston read an interesting story about the gatekeepers that stand between the common pony and Princess Celestia. Xepher offers you a heartwarming piece involving ~~Best~~ Princess Luna. Check 'em out!

~Heartshine~

---Review by Winston---
Gnosis

By Morning Sun
Words: 3,917 Complete: Yes
Recommended by Winston

The royal palace wouldn’t be able to function without its support staff; janitors, guards, and secretaries who all work hard to make sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. They are the gatekeepers, the necessary filters. Anypony who wishes to reach Princess Celestia does so through them.

This story examines the roles they play, and the unavoidable double-edged sword they represent.

Gnosis was originally written for a writeoff contest at writeoff.me, and the author putting forth their best effort shows. The tone of this one is spot-on, a skilled combination of mysterious and eerie with the sense of disquiet, but without heavy-handedly crossing into overt horror. This is also one of those stories whose clever writing stands up to multiple passes: the feeling that something isn’t right is easily evident in a first reading, but you may need to read a second time to totally grasp just what it is and how it all comes together. It’s worth going back for that second read, too.

I really enjoy stories that require at least a little bit of thought and piecing together to reach the payoff, because they offer a unique kind of satisfaction at the end. If you’re in that same camp, then this one is probably particularly good for you. But even if you’re not, don’t worry, the story is still by no means inaccessible. It’s well-crafted enough that I think everyone will be able to enjoy it.

---- Review by Xepher ----

Garden of Shadows

by Dreams of Ponies
Words: 2,428 Complete: Yes
Recommended by Xepher

Luna's fall and subsequent exile has always been one of the most powerful elements in MLP for me. This story takes places a year or two after her return, as she shares a secret about her time away with Twilight, and explains why the stars seem to move and twinkle on their own.

The gist of this story is... well, it's an unabashed tug at the heartstrings. But it works! The start is a bit rough and, to be frank, feels a bit lifeless, but as soon as the two ponies settle in to their cushions, the real story starts, and the quality jumps up several notches. I urge you to stick it out, even if the opening doesn't hook you.

I can't say too much without giving away the premise, but there are two major reveals here, one near the start, and a final one at the end, both of which are beautifully emotional. A bit sad, but with a really heartwarming ending in the best MLP tradition.

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