We're now into June and, according to the Met Office, into meteorological summer. What better time, then, to review a story in which the sun plays a rather important role? Yes, it's iisaw's RCL-inducted adventure yarn, The Celestia Code. At one point, I thought that would be the only story I'd manage to review this week, but an unexpected couple of hours of free time allowed me to fit in another three short fics. In reading order, this week's entries are:
The Celestia Code by iisaw
To Not Be Different by punzil504
...And Borrowing Dulls The Edge Of Husbandry by Softy8088
For a Very Special Somepony by Emylia Hawke
The Celestia Code by iisaw
Twilight, Changelings and OC
Adventure; 70K words; Oct 2013–Jan 2014; Teen
I like a really good adventure story – and this is a really good adventure story. Twilight uncovers an ancient and mysterious civilisation, and sets out with archaeologist Jigsaw to sate her curiosity. I don't much care for the romance, the early chapters are overly restless and there are a few typos, but it's great at showing what an alicorn can really do with her powers. Also has a great way of solving the problem of footnotes in online writing. Happily recommended for anyone who even remotely likes Twilight: she's basically awesome in this fic. ★★★★
To Not Be Different by punzil504
Snails and Starlight Glimmer
Tragedy/Dark; 3K words; Mar 2015; Teen
Unhappy with his lot in Ponyville, Snails sets out for a village he's heard about. This was written on the strength of the teasers for the S5 premiere, and that does rather show. Quite well written and decently creepy in places, but it's hard to reconcile Starlight's character with what we now know of her. This was a bit of a killer for me, but if you can treat this as an [Alternate Universe] fic it's probably worth another star. ★★
...And Borrowing Dulls The Edge Of Husbandry by Softy8088
Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Twilight
Comedy/Slice of Life; 9K words; May 2014; Everyone
Sweet Apple Acres is in financial difficulties. Twilight's attempt to help creates bad blood between the two – can Pinkie Pie help? This is quite good fun, reminiscent in some ways of an episode, especially in the way the whole thing could be sorted out quickly if the ponies weren't being idiots. I enjoyed Pinkie the most, but the characterisation is generally decent. There are a few over-the-top said-bookisms and a little thesaurus abuse ("crepitation") at the start, plus some mild LUS, but all in all this is an enjoyable read. Set around S2 (hence UniTwi) and a little bit of a throwback in other ways, too. Even ends with a letter to Celestia! ★★★
For a Very Special Somepony by Emylia Hawke
OCs, Twilight and Zecora
Romance; 5K words; Feb 2015; Everyone
It's Hearts and Hooves Day, and Cloudy Day is trying to get the oblivious Misty Moonrise to notice him. An easy-reading story – I do wonder whether it's actually aimed at younger readers – that at its best is really rather charming. There's a little too much purple prose ("acquiesced" as a said-bookism) and it's a real stretch to reconcile aspects of the ending with the canon FiM universe. Could have been a three if I'd been able to swallow that final scene, but sadly... nope. Update: the author has revised the last scene, and I like it considerably more now. As such, this fic now gets that three! ★★★
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