fJd Review: Patterns by Undome Tinwe · 5:15pm Nov 2nd, 2020
Overview:
This is a story about reflection. To some degree, about regret. But ultimately it is about self-doubt, the search for validation, and the understand of what it means to get that. It’s well-written, thought provoking, with a complex subject matter stuffed in there for good measure. There’s the whole love thing too, that’s awfully sweet.
My Thoughts:
This fic had me scared at first. Looked for all the world like I was in for some heavy feels. I mean, I was. But not the sort I had thought they would be. I’m relieved to report that. So the pacing is exemplary, the content is quite good. The writer did some good research or had pre-existing knowledge of financing and market trend analysis, and it played well between Twilight and Rarity. Twilight for her adorkableness with such things, and Rarity because it fits her career path so well. I was genuinely pleased by the time I got to the end of the fic, but when I began? I felt like I was going to have a huge problem with it. That’s a hurdle, but compared to the payoff, not a huge one. It’s just that one has to get to that payoff.
Characterization:
Twilight Sparkle
Handled ingeniously. She’s adorkable, forgiving, a huge nerd, and absolutely dedicated to getting the right answer. Yep, that sounds about right for Twilight. So this character was handled very well. Faithful to the core material, while evolving to include love (NOT… er a high school crush steeped in a fetish) in her heart for Rarity.
Rarity
Ever the erudite businessmare, and fashionista, Rarity is handled well here. It is her initial presentation that is the most shocking. I was concerned, actually, because it was out of character for her. At first, but it came around. She is business savvy, a good mind for math, and a tremendous amount of self-doubt and insecurity. Yeah, that does sound like Rarity.
Character Development:
There was development, actually. I hadn’t pinpointed it at first glance, but upon finishing the story I did pick up on it. So the evolution is Twilight’s insecurity becoming confidence while Rarity’s depression becomes insecurity. A little odd, but that’s the pattern I picked up on. So, in all it was well executed, as I said earlier, and read quite well once past the initial hurdle.
Theme:
Love. Reflection. Doubt. Second-Guessing Oneself. These are the keywords associated with this story in my head. Two mares in an established relationship, who are engaged to be married, are having a conversation. Rarity missed a dinner date, and Twilight tried to talk to her. We learn plenty about the dynamics of their relationship through the narrative, which plays so smoothly that the read is over before one is ready for it to be over.
Logic:
It all checks out. I didn’t think it would, when I started reading the fic I also started to have serious doubts about the legitimacy of the portrayals. But they weren’t bad at all. I was just not patient enough to wait and see, though I did read it through and did ultimately see. They were done just fine, the characters didn’t betray the original characters after all. I really just had to give this story the chance to show me that wasn’t what was happening.
Rating:
Story Idea: 8.0
(It is a good idea, but I think the content might be hard to follow at times. Still, quite good.)
Writing Style: 9.0
(The writing is riveting enough, in fact, overcome the hurdle at the beginning of the story.)
Entertainment Factor: 7.0
(Had a decent flow, but the conversation could get a little tedious at times. Overall it kept me going though.)
Inner Logic: 8.0
(The characters and the storyline worked well, there was no contrivance to be found. It all felt organic and real to me.)
Final: 8.00
Feedback/Final Thoughts:
So it’s a cute story, very sweet. I enjoyed it. It’s just that hurdle in the beginning, the way in which the characters are initially interacting suggests something uncharacteristic about Rarity, it takes a little while for the reveal that shows she really isn’t uncharacteristic at all. Other than that, this story taught me one thing. I must read more of Undome Tinwe’s work. In fact, I really have to ask myself why I haven’t sooner.
