Read it Later story count: 145 (-2)
We're going in the right direction again with the RiL list, albeit not by very much. In this part of the world not a lot is happening that's worth commenting on, though when has that ever stopped me in the past? Since that is the case, though, let's get right on to today's three stories:
A Guide to Magic by bookplayer
Who We Are in the Dark by FanOfMostEverything
Forever by Lynked
★: 0 | ★★: 1 | ★★★: 1 | ★★★★: 1 | ★★★★★: 0
Note: I use a skewed rating system. A fic I find average scores two stars.
Apple Bloom and Spike
Slice of Life; 11k words; Apr 2015; Everyone
Apple Bloom and Spike find out that opportunity isn't always easy when Apple Bloom is offered the chance to be the first non-unicorn to take the entrance exam at Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns.
Clearly inspired by the likes of "Twilight Time" in S4, this very pleasant read sees Apple Bloom, who has now become an expert potion-maker, put forward as a potential student at Celestia's School. Will Spike go with her as her assistant? Applejack and Twilight both deal with the ups and downs of potentially seeing a member of their families leave their long-held homes. There's not a whole lot of mystery about what happens to the principals, but it's the journey that matters. As you'd expect from a bookplayer fic, characterisation is a strong point and this is a fic I think will appeal to most readers, but especially to fans of SoL fics. A nice sprinkling of humour is welcome, too. Recommended. ★★★★
Who We Are in the Dark by FanOfMostEverything
Mane Six
Drama/Slice of Life; 3k words; Apr 2020; Everyone
No relation to the fic of the same name by NaiadSagaIotaOar (PR 321), this is a deceptively clever little story. At first it looks like simply a (well written) retread of a path already fairly well trodden, looking into the thoughts of each (future) Bearer in turn as they enter the Everfree in the S1 premiere. This alone is solidly good reading, but there's a twist later on that puts something from much later canon into new perspective. Apparently that headcanon isn't entirely original, but I don't remember seeing it before. Do I like said headcanon? Jury's out, and after reading the fic it's worth checking out Skywriter's comment. But again, the characterisation is strong, especially with the voicing for the "proto-Mane Six", and it's that which won me over enough to swallow the latter part of the fic. For me this is a top-end three right now, though if I move to loving the headcanon it might nudge up a star. ★★★What went through the Bearers' minds on that fateful Summer Sun Celebration?
Forever by Lynked
Mane Six
Sad/Slice of Life; 1k words; Apr 2012; Everyone
That's not the most promising short description, but in fact this fic is better than the combination of that, its age and its brevity would make it seem. You won't find much that's startling in here, and there's the odd memey line shoe-horned in – but if you're in an undemanding mood you may still get that warm, fuzzy glow from it. Just a shame that it's let down by a final section told from the POV of a human fan of the show who is terribly sad as the last episode airs. It's not the worst version of that I've seen by any means, but it's still a bit mawkish. ★★How would you react to the last MLP episode?
Next time, stories reviewed should include Sharp Spark's romantic comedy starring Minuette, A Stallion for the Time Being.
I liked A Guide to Magic a lot! Thanks for the roundup, as always.
ReplyDeleteI thought you might! And, also as always, you're very welcome.
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