Fic recs, December 27th! · 8:35pm Dec 27th, 2018

Raridashdoodles is running a shipping contest, with prizes! Go check it out! (Tumblr isn't completely dead…)

So, this'll be my last review blog for the year, a selection of stories I've run across recently and just had to read sooner than later. Gonna set up the top ten so I can get that out early in 2019. Also got some 30-50k stories I need to get through, and then I'll probably go do that last really old reviewer reward. :B Happy New Year, everyone.

H: 1 R: 2 C: 4 V: 0 N: 0

Detective jakkid166 save Tha World by jakkid166
Sequel to Detective jakkid166 Go to Equestria Now
Genre: Trollfic
When there is a new crime in a Equestria and snow who else is gonna solve it but Detective jakkid166 I guess?
I hope you all appreciate the sheer artistry that goes into crafting hilariously terrible fiction. It's not the kind of thing you just luck into… well, most people can't, anyway. What makes jakkid's stories so great is that they know just how stupid they are, and will sometimes call out their own bullshit, despite the main character's constant assurances that he is the best at everything, especially at being a detective. Anyway, in this story you can expect Detective jakkid166's arch rival, chess, gunfights, cars, an assassin with an amazing name, another assassin with one of the legitimately funniest scenes I've ever read, and dark, deep, dark secrets. Goddamn, this is just extreme. I am seriousing you. This never gets old, it's always got some crazy new twist to throw at you, the bad writing is hilarious, and the actual comedy is fantastic. God, I hope you people read these.
Highly Recommended

Fluttershy Is Scared of a Toaster by Tranquil Serenity
Genre: Cute Comedy
And she's not sure she can admit it to anyone.
This piece is pretty light on everything but the cuteness. It does at least take some time to dive into Fluttershy's psyche and the consequences of having a mirror-world accessible through, y'know, a mirror. That said, the writing is just okay, with a lot of comma issues and some Lavender Alicorn Syndrome. But in total, it's inoffensive.
Recommended for Fluttershy Fans

Sharktavia 40,000: In the Grim Sharkness of the Far Future, There Is Only Wharf by CoffeeMinion
Read by Fimfiction
Genre: Warhammer Crossover/Comedy
His ship overrun by Noise Mareines, and a cowardly gunner his only backup, Commissar Nutmeg takes extreme action.
How did I miss this during Sharktavia week? c.c I don't know a lot about Warhammer myself, and most of that third-hand at best, but I don't think I will ever get over "Slaany Saddles". XD This is a story that knows just how absurd it is and revels in it. It perfectly balances its own characters reacting with aplomb to the ridiculousness of the world they live in. That said, my one complaint is it stops. Admittedly, the end comes before the joke wears out, but I think I could have enjoyed a bit more, not to mention some actual closure. Still, a hoot, especially if you know anything about WH40k.
Recommended

How to Go to Prison on Hearth's Warming Eve in Five Easy Steps by Harmlesskitten13
Read by Fimfiction
Genre: Comedy
Lima Bean is going to go to jail for the winter, one way or another!
I have to start by saying my enjoyment of this story was strongly diluted by the thought that romantic tales of plucky vagabonds doing their best to get into jail because it's better than spending winter on the street belong in the days of O. Henry and Red Skelton. (The first thing this does to suggest itself as coming from a previous age is have characters smoking!) That said, I think this does make an effort to explore the protagonist's situation, how she got there, and how capitalism can really screw people over due to no fault of their own. Maybe too little too late, but it's there. Otherwise, this is a really funny comedy of errors. The myriad ways Lima Bean attempts to get into jail are amusing, and the ways they fail tend to be unexpected. It's just striking how much culture can change.
Recommended If You Don't Think About It Too Much

Pinkie Figures It Out! by Twinketail
Read by Fimfiction
Genre: Episode Followup
Pinkie comes to a realization after hearing Applejack and Fluttershy's story about the kirin.
It took me a bit to remember why this story was on this particular list: it's my idea! :D Twinkletail has turned it into a near-show-tone slice of life about Pinkie being Pinkie, full of dumb jokes. It's pretty fun, and we get some Starlight/Pinkie interaction, which you don't see often.
Recommended for Laughs

Vice Principal Luna and the Curious Case of Female-Presenting Nipples by Fuzzyfurvert
Read by Fimfiction
Genre: EQG Random Comedy
The PTA is clamoring for censorship of student art projects, and like hell is Celestia doing their dirty work.
If the phrase "female-presenting nipples" doesn't tell you what's up, you may end up just finding this confusing. It's one of those weird stories where, if you don't know the allegory already, you'll find yourself confronted with a wall of impenetrable absurdity. And if you do? You're just kind of along for the ride, watching all the pieces fall into place. Nothing's surprising, in other words. It's got some fun bits, at least.
Recommended for Laughs

Ends of Empire by GreyGuardPony
Genre: Historical
Long before any living or written history, the alicorns faced down an empire of saurians in a fight for life and freedom.
Alicorns vs. dinosaurs. I don't know that I've seen a cooler idea in this entire fandom. This is quite the spectacle, the story of Saurian Emperor Xin and the hubris that led to the downfall of both himself and his people. One might be forgiven for wondering how this qualifies as ponyfic in places, it goes that deep. Beyond its premise, it's got some neat ideas, plus a tragic method of exploring long skips ahead in time. It's also got some references — the saurians' magic is based off the schools from Dungeons & Dragons, and one of the alicorns is literally just Loki — though nothing that really derailed the story; the writing could use some cleanup, too. But, yeah, this is neat, most original, and related to the Lunaverse in the end, which was quite the surprise.
Recommended

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KamikazeKawaii

KamikazeKawaii #1 · Dec 27th, 2018 · · ·

Cool

MrNumbers

MrNumbers #2 · Dec 27th, 2018 · 8 · ·

why is the highest recommended story on this list a trollfic

Twinkletail

Twinkletail #3 · Dec 27th, 2018 · · ·

Glad you liked Pinkie Figures It Out! While Applejack is my favorite pony, Pinkie is my favorite to write, if for nothing else than for the fun of writing ridiculous humor and the challenge of knowing how to balance that humor so I'm not just making her a walking punchline.

iisaw