Fic recs, February 25th! · 8:55pm Feb 25th, 2020
This is the interstitial blog promised last time. I'm really cranking these out of late! :O This one's got a surprising breadth of not-the-usual readers. Otherwise, nothing special to report today; I'm embroiled in watching Critical Role and pining for a D&D group with similar energy. D:
H: 0 R: 3 C: 2 V: 0 N: 0
Simulations by Monochromatic
Reading by the AuthorIt's not on Youtube, but I shall evaluate this anyway! It's on Youtube now! :D I have to say, I've never heard anyone so excited to read a story before. :) Mono needs to make a Youtube channel and produce more readings, even if she just sticks to her own work.
Sequel to Practice Makes Perfect
Genre: Rom-Com
In order to give Twilight the opportunity to confess her love to Rarity the right way, the two of them break up.
The first third of this story is positively hysterical, and there's a ton of really funny points afterward, all thanks to Rarity and her love of drama. :D And when it's not being funny, this story is busy being a very good romance. Twilight and Rarity use this opportunity to do some reevaluation of their relationship and talk about what makes a relationship work, plus the romantic setup is actually one of the best of its kind. Non-shippers of course won't care, but they might wanna read the breakup part anyway, it's that good. :D Highly Recommended for Shippers.
Recommended
Subconscious Attraction by little big pony
Reading by Forest Rain, et. al.
Genre: HiE Rom-Com
James wakes up in Rarity's bed. Neither knows why.
Normally, I would have skipped a story like this, but Forest Rain hasn't done a one-shot reading in forever, and she's collaborating with another For(r)est! I'm not missing that! What a weird story this was. I spent the whole first chapter waiting for James, our human, to freak out about why is he in Ponyville, why does a fictional horse know his name? But this story wastes not one letter explaining why there is a human in Equestria. Most of the rest of the story I spent bemused at James's antics. He's just so goofy; how did he catch Rarity's eye with all that — as she calls iit — "nonsense"? That said, of course they get together by the end, and that's the part I really didn't care about. In its defense, I've seen this story's main "get people together" conceit used before, and it's no sillier with a pony and a human than it is with two ponies. But seriously, literally who has something like this happen to them and says, well'p, we tried to understand or stop what was happening, but our half attempt didn't work, guess this is just fate and we're destined to be together, might as well start a relationship! Bizarre. I can't otherwise complain, though, the journey at least was worth it.
Recommended Only If You Like Human/Pony Romance
Ships Passing by Steel Resolve
Reading by Scarlett Blade
Mature: Sex
Genre: Comedic and Cloppy Shipping
Rarity's problem: She can't find a good stallion. Fluttershy's problem: She's got a crush on Rarity, and she's really bad with crushes.
This was quite the pleasant surprise. The sex tag is needed, because it does get a little graphic in places, but it only signals frank discussions of sex, not to spoil anything. Alongside that, we get a long rundown of Fluttershy's romantic history. The stuff she did with Rainbow Dash when they were younger was one of the big surprises, not to mention one of my favorite parts, but I also just adore the idea that she's had a crush on basically all of her friends at some time. And that's kind of the central thesis here: feeling attraction and trying to deal with it, especially when the object of your affections has no professed attraction to your sex. It culminates in a hilarious ending. Those squicked by pony sex or uninterested in romance may want to steer clear, but I thought this was pretty darn great.
Recommended
999 Words by AstralMouse
Reading by Midnight29
Genre: Meta
Twilight worries about the letter she just sent Princess Celestia.
This is short, and almost a comedy, but at its core is a very valuable meditation on dealing with anxiety. Who better but Twilight Sparkle to show us how? I think every writer can relate to this on some level.
Recommended
Shatter, Silence. Shatter by WritingSpirit
Genre: Experimental
Okay, so I think this story is about Luna's internal struggle with the Nightmare, but I'll be darned if I'm at all sure about it. The prose is exceedingly thick; I've never had to expend so much focus reading a ponyfic before. I suspect this is intentional, too, which is unfortunate, because I started this little series hoping to get to a final reading of Luna Farrowe's at the end. We'll see what happens, I guess.
Recommended Only If You Can Deal With Purpleness
You're quite correct! Mono should do more readings. She really does some great voice work!
I listened to my first Mono reading last night. She is so excited and enthusiastic! It's great. Her shear enthusiasm makes an already great reading amazing.