A semi-formal review/letter-essay of Sol Point · 10:22am Dec 10th, 2018
A Review of Sol Point in letter/essay format
Alrighty. Let's get into it. This story is really great. Like really great. I've read whole buncha stories, many of them about the Discord-Celestia romance. I think you've nailed it right on the head. I think there are a few reasons for that, honestly, I could be writing my own story right now but I feel like a review is infinitely more important because I don't think anyone has really made an in-depth analysis of this story. There are a few key header points about why this story is really good, the first being the mood and tone of the story. It sets up an ambient atmosphere that is by its very nature designed to make the story more enjoyable. Another key point that I don't think many that have reviewed this story have touched on is the characterization of Celestia and Discord. I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the portrayal of the personalities in this story. The final key point is the rather prolific character development. It's the metaphorical meat and potatoes of the story.
The first point to touch off of is, of course, the mood. No matter if you slice it or dice it this atmosphere is spot on. The general plot of the story as well as the narrator creates a melancholic feeling that is not overwhelming but more ambient. It transforms what would be an average romance story into a masterpiece of sappy feelings and bittersweet overtones. A few manly tears and admittedly unmanly squees we're emitted in the reading and review re-reading of this story. Furthermore, it is boosted by the romantic undertones the main characters display with their dialogue and it makes it so that you can almost actually feel the emotion in the written conversation between Discord and Celestia. If you want some tunes to listen to my recommendation is ambient sounds, rain and wind noises that you can listen to while you sleep, fits this story like a glove.
The next point would, of course, be the portrayals of Celestia and Discord. It's so, well..., depressing, but it's refreshing. Discord is significantly toned down, the setting of twenty-five or so years late helps you subvert some criticism that he acts out of character and he still is able to retain the classic mischevious trickster feeling he gives. Most of it is of course subverted by philosophical rants and contemplation that is supposed to accompany the setting of Sol Point [refering to the location] but it gets his character across and allows for character development. I think I like this portrayal because it doesn't seem over the top. I think more writers like to either forego writing Discord entierly (this, I assume, is most likely because he is always the biggest Deus Ex Machina or he creates a Catch-22 situation. Ironically even the shows own writers can't escape this problem, the biggest examples being Tirek's return where they literally had to make him betray the mane 6 to make the plot at all cohesive and of course the MLP movie where they ignore the fact that he exists.) or they take it to the logical extreme and make him all powerful, this also ruins all hope of character development and most of it is moot when you're writing an all powerful god that is so unrelateable it's scathing to read. They also enjoy making him a massive jerk and make the ponies, Fluttershy excluded, treat him like dirt. This makes everyone unlikeable. You don't do that. You make his power great, but not flat out godly. I think most people forget that he's the spirit of chaos and not a god. This allows you to put his character through strife and make him relatable. Allowing for non-forced and superficial character development. Celestia, on the other hand, herself is dreadfully depressing. This is a good thing. She contrasts Discord greatly and it's refreshing to see a really stick rubber-glue relationship that isn't outright toxic. She feels inadequate, she's depressed and she has some baggage but that 's what makes her so endearing because she's supposed to be perfect. Discord's character allows for a medium of interaction relating to her problems, and it makes for some really effective storytelling.
The final point is, of course, the character development itself. Discord and Celestia build on each other, and they seem to both have their fair share of problems. Seeing them work it out is both cute and satisfying, it's the basic bread and butter but the story is very well paced. The conflict seems formulaic but it's similar to how the first few seasons of MLP worked. Discord and Celestia get into a new situation, they have some contemplation and they work through whatever new conflict occurs that chapter. Another related point is that you ended the story very satisfyingly. Good call on that one.
So to recap; mood, character portrayal and character development make this story successful in my eyes. It has its problems but this is your work from 2017 so I'll be reading through some modern stuff to see new stuff and improvements to writing.
Ciao, Quill Plus Ink.
Well, dear me, I wasn't expecting this when I woke up and checked my inbox! Thanks so much for the review, and I'm overjoyed to hear you liked Sol Point so much. I put quite a lot of work into creating the feel of that story and making sure the characters were spot on, and it seems I've done that well.
As for reading my more modern work, I'd certainly suggest Life In Boxes. It's going to be quite the story once I'm finally done with it.