30 Days of Temptation is the first multi-chapter story by LuminoZero, who has the strongest grasp of the Spike/Rarity dynamic and characterization I've ever seen. I just don't know what went right... is a romance between Ditzy Doo and Celestia, done quite seriously and with extraordinary characterization. Four of Two and Between Day and Night are some of the best romances I've read. Four of Two is on a long hiatus, but it's one of the rare stories to resolve most of the romantic pursuing early in the story and yet not run out of steam exploring the relationships thereafter. Between Day and Night alternates between the Twilestia romance and Luna's plotting and scheming behind the scenes. Discord's Parting Gift to the CMC is one of the rare stories to have the CMC as protagonists yet not be entirely slapstick comedy; enjoyably hilarious but with depth as well.

Read "As Celestia Is My Witness" and you'll think of it every time you see a pony swearing by Celestia in any other story. Spelling it Out, in addition to being an excellent story in its own right, gives the real reason why Rainbow Dash naps all the time: she's earned every second of it. Mood Wings is an in-depth look at pegasus body language, that for once doesn't focus exclusively on the obvious. Two and Two and Two reminds us that the rule of funny applies to everyone, even if Pinkie Pie is the most natural at it. Petriculture provides by far the best and most sensible explanation for Pinkie Pie's origins.

The Terrifying Prospect of Swans in Love is a one-shot romance with vividly deep characterization, and a remarkable way with words. Veil of Thoughts is an extraordinary adventure, with several of the single most powerful moments I've seen anywhere. The Lavender Letter is a touching, well-written, romantic one-shot. Three Wishes: The Cutie Mark Crusaders Before They Changed The World has three unusual backstories and uniquely touching cutie-mark stories for the CMC, particularly for Scootaloo.