Fic recs, April 7th! · 1:57pm Apr 7th, 2021
No edition for once, this is just a regular review blog. :) I got a couple commissions (whoo!), and added in a few extra stories to round it up to five. I've got about ten stories left in the current audiobook slate, so hopefully that one will be done next week! :D
So if this isn't enough for you, maybe go check out AugieDog's new fantasy novel?
H: 2 R: 1 C: 2 V: 0 N: 0
The Paths Beneath Us by BlazzingInferno
Paid Review for the Author
Genre: Adventure/Drama
After losing their parents to the harsh life of the mines, two donkey sisters must work so they can live.
This reminds me of some of the better entries in the old Outside Insight contest. :D Cool original setting with Diamond Dogs and donkeys living underground, mining for gems. Totally the kind of thing that could actually fit in the world of ponies. The main characters are interesting, too, dealing with the recent loss of their parents and having to grow up far too quickly. I will say, I wish there were more of this, but that's just because I don't believe in too much of a good thing.
Highly Recommended
A Charmed Life by BlazzingInferno
Paid Review for the Author
Genre: Slice of Life
The second Wednesday of every month, two mares cross paths without ever meeting, in the most unexpected way possible.
Speaking of contests, this one won Depth in Innocence, which I haven't been following but have nevertheless read quite a few entries from. Pretty easy to see why. I've never read a slice of life with this much weight to it. Both main characters are burdened with their aspirations, yet the story never bogs down because it's ultimately about them finding themselves with each others' help. It's really, really uplifting and heartwarming, and has one of the best interpretations of Derpy Hooves I've ever seen. :) Don't pass it up!
Highly Recommended
Unexpected Developments by Hope
Genre: Comedy
Fluttershy never talks about her past.
I read this in two sessions, which was a mistake, because the first bit is rather serious, at least compared to the latter half, which is about Fluttershy dealing drugs. And riiiight where I left off is the point where it changes, so I felt a bit of whiplash and can't really say how well the two halves of the story mesh together. But it was still amusing.
Recommended If You Enjoy Drug-Adjacent Humor
A Pie Worth Makin' by Ogopogo
Sequel to Let Them Eat Cake
Genre: Monologue
The thing about family is, well, it's like apple pie.
This is more a spiritual successor than a sequel, I think, so don't worry about approaching this if you haven't read the previous story. It's just Applejack talking about life on the farm, and using apple pie as a metaphor for what family means to her (as the author apparently hadn't seen Sisterhooves Social). Taking the good with the bad is what made this work for me, and the strong character voice work besides. :)
Recommended
Don Trixote by FFS
Genre: Epistolary
Trixie writes down her fears in the hope it will help.
Not a bad piece. Can't say I read too many stories where a pony is writing a letter to herself. Nor do many make the effort to show Trixie's vulnerable side, which is what makes this work. She's just trying to deal with constant fear and nightmares after the end of season 6, plus having definite feelings for Starlight. A good voice for a more serious Trixie.
Recommended for Trixie Fans
Thanks for your review! It is a shame that you read in two sessions, it's true, but at least it was funny! Unexpected Developments is my most comedic fic, and a very short one. Do you typically stick to shorter stories?
5492392
Frankly, yes, longfics take forever to read and I sort of prioritize review volume. :B
Thanks for the reviews!
Paths broke me out of some serious writer’s block. I wish I’d gotten to write more on it too, but possibly not like you’re thinking. I wish I’d gotten a chance to spend some more words on the title’s secondary meaning, on how the mine’s status quo gets totally upended, and not in the classic storytelling way of a corrupt system getting dismantled, but the more realistic way of a new system overtaking the old one simply because it’s better.
I had been wanting to write this version of Derpy for eons, and separately to tell this weird tale about second-hand/hoof goods since before FiM was a thing. Funny how disparate things work so well together sometimes...
5492392
You have good taste in avatars.
5492740
Why thank you, you do as well! I actually commissioned Ventious for artwork for one of my fics, Learning to See Luna! One of my favorite artists.
5492740
5492754
ngl, I opened the story then had to spend five minutes determining whether Corejo had changed his name without my noticing. c.c;;
5492857
Hah! We should do a story exchange or something, confuse the heck out of you!
5492874
Settle down there, satan.