The end of the Crystal Ball trilogy · 1:32am Mar 3rd, 2020
I genuinely can't say enough about this series. I say series referring to the trilogy and Reflections as one. It is my favorite series that I have found so far and, unfortunately in my eyes, it is finally over. I finally read the final chapter that was posted.
I'm not going to post any direct reactions so as to avoid spoilers. If you want to read the series here is the first story. Feedback
This series has influenced my view of the greater MLPverse in significant ways. This is the best example of how it has. Until I first read the moment Crystal described the multiverse to Twilight in the restaurant during Reflections I didn't know what to make of fan-written material, or anything non-canon for that matter. That made me quite hesitant to read a lot of stuff. I didn't know how to take it if it was different. I am one of those that tends to not like breaks from canon material so this was a big deal for me. The moment I read that description I instantly had my mind made up. This entire thing is one massive sandbox if you will. The show, and everything connected to it, is one timeline in the universe. Everything else is another timeline in the same universe.
This made it so much easier for me to pick up and read whatever story happened to catch my eye because it made it possible for me to just jump into the story and really enjoy it. Had I never read that moment in Reflections I would have never read many other stories that were clear breaks from the canon of the show. Without that moment I wouldn't know what to make of the stories that I had already read that didn't follow the canon of the show. Without that moment I wouldn't have gotten the assurance needed to start to write my own stories.
As for the trilogy itself? It was a very cleverly written mystery that used quite a bit of science to set up, and then do, a number of things. It hooked me instantly as it challenged me mentally as much as it entertained me. It kept me invested all the way to the end. Like other stories that really get to me, I'm rather bittersweet over the fact that now it is over.
Well, sort of. While RQK is done with writing the series that doesn't mean that those of us that enjoyed it can't write out our own ideas of what potentially happens next. As much as I'd like to read RQKs take I'd be asking him to eventually turn it into another long-running series. Something he clearly doesn't want to do. It isn't like I can't imagine for myself. Maybe I will write about it.
RQK. This isn't anywhere near sufficient enough but thank you for writing such an amazing series. Without it, I don't know if I ever would have really entered this community. I can't wait for that last book to complete the collection.
I can safely say that stories connected to the Crystal Ball Trilogy and Reflections will continue. At the very least, my stories will continue.
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I very much look forward to it.
I know this blog post is old and it caught my eye a while ago, but I should say something, however late. I'm happy that you enjoyed the stories so much, and I am happy to hear that it allowed you to open up to many other stories and the other possibilities out there. Knowing people like what I write is what makes it all worth it in the end.