Fic recs, May 11th! · 6:12pm May 11th, 2019
For those of you who don't follow me on Twitter: Dad Feels. (And an explanation.)
Finally got back into audiobooks. :') I'm prouda me.
H: 0 R: 3 C: 1 V: 1 N: 0
The Mare of Your Dreams (Unfortunately) by Iorii and B_25
Reading by Ichabod Creep
Genre: 2P Sexual Comedy
You don't remember what you dreamed about last night, but Luna does…
Well, that was a stark reminder of why scores tend to be overall lower when I'm not reading things I picked out myself. <.< The authors rely heavily on "bitch" and "fuck" for a lot of their humor. I don't know if this is meant to shock or anything, but it certainly doesn't entertain. The overall scenario is amusing, but the punchline is basically "women are crazy, right?" And there's other things, like the main character's house being enormous. Like, what's with that? Just confusing. And I call bullshit on them being a pony, the language used (and I don't just mean the swearing) really works against that. In all, a mess.
Vaguely Recommended
Anon in Partyville by ObabScribbler
Reading by the Author, et. al.
Genre: AiE Comedy
Pinkie Pie is determined to welcome Anon to Equestria with a party that won't kill him.
The downside to this story, if the specter of Anon doesn't turn you off immediately, is that there's really nothing more to it than the premise. Four of the mane six try to drag Anon to another Pinkie welcome party over his protestations, namely examples of how such parties have gone catastrophically wrong in the past. It's still amusing. There's a literal surprise ending, and I especially like how Twilight is written, not just cynical but jaded, and willing to threaten force. Plus, I appreciate her pointing out the disparity between Anon and the EQGs, which I realize in hindsight doesn't even require him to be the standard green-faced asshole. In the end, it won't change your mind on the genre, but it is at least a well-written addition to it.
Recommended for Anon Fans
Labor of Love by JackRipper
Reading by Dreams of Ponies
Haven't done this in an age! (Since September, as a matter of fact.) This is a good example of a fine fic reader who isn't suitable for my needs. At max volume, I could not hear him over the water. He doesn't mumble, but he is very soft-spoken. That's by nature, I suspect, as there's an easy lilt to his voice and a very casual mastery of the material. So, while I won't be going back to him in the future, you should check him out if you need more fic readers in your life. Because who doesn't?
Genre: AU/Bittersweet
Rarity has given everything for the war effort, even her name.
This was really good, a story about finding what makes a pony a pony, even in the middle of a devastating war and forced scarcity. Everything is bleak as hell, but Rarity finds a way to stumble through it and even bring some goodness into the world. I want more War AU fics about things other than fighting.
Recommended
Home in a Flash by shortskirtsandexplosions
Reading by Scribbler, et. al.
Genre: Slice of Life
His tour of duty over, Flash Sentry returns home to Ponyville.
When it comes to military fics, I really never know how to approach them. I don't know much about the military or military life, and I assume what I do is mostly fabrications and dramatizations from movies. So with that said, I think this is a good story about soldiers, ponies and friendship, written in the best of skirts's style. He does some really good work with Flash Sentry.
Recommended
This Is Not a Drill by Tumbleweed
Reading by Ichabod Creep
Genre: Comedy
There's a reason the Grand Galloping Gala is always awful.
I feel like it's been an age since I read a comedy so simple and this good. It fires on all cylinders, no joke falls flat, and it's got a great spaghetti incident. And it's all to answer the question "Why is the Grand Galloping Gala always awful?" with something more substantial than "Because Trollestia lol".
Recommended
Hm, I think I'll give the last one a try. Sounds promising. 🙂
The funniest thing about This Is Not a Drill?
It was written in, like, an hour, for an Everfree Northwest writing contest. A contest it didn't win, for the record, but at least was honorably mentioned.