Fan Fiction Review #046: Kiss of the Dark

Drama, Drama, Drama...

Author: Soothing Stone

King Sombra survived his defeat, but just. By the time he returned to form, Twilight became the newest princess of Equestria and the Crystal Empire was restored to its former glory.

He cannot take over Equestria the same way he tried before, but he has a card up his sleeve. Twilight won't see it coming, and Sombra might gain a powerful ally in the process.

And it will all begin...with a book.

This one has a bit of interesting history. It's really one of those things where if you really take something seriously enough, it can have a strong impact on yourself and those around you, no matter how trivial it may seem. This fanfiction apparently made the author, and I quote from him, "[go] through tons of emotions, [lose] faith in the fandom then [gain] it back, and so forth."

Wow. This seems like touchy territory that I should tread carefully on.

.....

LEEEROOOOOYYYYY JEEEEEEENNNKINS!!!!!!!

Fan Fiction Review #044: The Griffon War: A Soldier's Memoirs

Ponies with guns? Seems legit...

Author: Dusk Quill

When Private Fleethoof recognized his dream and joined the Royal Guard, he never thought he would ever experience the might of Equestria's military firsthand. But when Equestria's safety is threatened by an old enemy, he'll find out just what sacrifices war and survival demand, and what it truly means to serve for Princess and country, and just how important some friendships can be. See the war through the eye-witness account of a soldier on the frontline, all taken from one enduring journal. 

Can the Drill Sergeant stand reading a story about a Private long enough to give it its due? Find out after the jump!

Fan Fiction Review #043: Death Note: Equestria

Death Note with ponies? My interest has been piqued.

Author: Nonagon

Equestria is growing, and magical savant Twilight Sparkle is disgusted by the crime and corruption this change has brought. Her life is changed forever when she discovers the Death Note, a notebook with inexplicable and deadly powers. She uses this book to pass judgement on those she deems unworthy of life, aiming to create a perfect world free of crime. But when the two Princesses put their best pony on the case, a mysterious detective known only as L, a psychological game of cat and mouse erupts between the two.

Comments contain spoilers. Artwork by blu-red, opening by Anon3mous. Now with its own TV Tropes page.

Well, this sounds like an interesting crossover. I mean, a tool of mass destruction such as the Death Note would be interesting to throw into a world of peace-loving ponies. I wonder what their reactions would be? Does this fic explore the possibilities of the chaos or lack thereof of said object being introduced to this world of love and friendship?

Nope!

Fan Fiction Review #42: The Abundance

Oh, come the f*BUY SOME APPLES*k on!

Author: defender2222

The Sequel to 'Faith and Doubt'.

   It's been two months since the changeling attack and Shining's almost-wedding and much has changed. Twilight Sparkle is now an alicorn and has left Equestria to master her new powers. The sixth element of harmony, the corrupt abstract Doubt, has been reborn in his original form: Faith. He, along with Spike, have gone with Twilight as she sought to heal after the betrayal by her friends and family.

   But Twilight's return to Ponyville will not be a happy one; in her absence her friends Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie have been turned into alicorns themselves and the embodiments of their elements. They have seized power and now rule Equestria with iron hooves, using banned magic to turn their friends and family into zealots that obey their every command.

   To save Equestria, Twilight will have to do the unthinkable: form a rebellion and declare war on her friends.

   But will she be willing to make the tough decisions... even if it means choosing between friendship and freedom.

Everything is bad in large doses.

Well, if that doesn't sound like the most unique, non-cliched setup for a story I've ever seen, I don't know what is! Let's review this sucker!

-whimpers-

There is no Celestia...

Fan Fiction Review #041: Machine And Might

Futuristic humans in Equestria! How... original?

Author: Kriegor

A massive artificial behemoth made of metal tore through our skies. It loomed over our world, blotting out Celestia's sun and shrouding Luna's moon, leaving those below in the shadows. It sowed chaos and conflict on our nation, something that had not happened in more than a millennium. 

It sits high above us, watching and waiting. What is this monster, and what is to be the fate of Equestria?

I Hate "Human in Equestria."

Fan Fiction Review #034: The Immortal Game

NNNRRRRRAAAAAAGGGGHHHH-I WANT TO PUNCH GENERAL ESTEEM IN THE FACE!!!!

Author: AestheticB

Long ago, in the magical land of Equestria, there lived a powerful King and his dark Queen. Immortal and ignorant, their end came at the hooves of their daughters, Celestia and Luna, who sought to build a better future for ponykind.

Now ponykind’s old gods have returned.

Twilight Sparkle is trapped inside her own mind, slave to a cruel and impulsive consciousness built from everything she is not. Powerless and voiceless, she must find a way to stop the being that calls itself Nihilus from destroying everything she holds dear.

Luna is tasked with assembling the remaining Elements of Harmony in hopes of freeing their leader. For if ponykind is to have any hope, it is in Twilight Sparkle. And if Twilight Sparkle is to have any hope, it is in her five friends.

Facing her father in mortal combat, Celestia must do everything she can to ensure that ponykind has the tools to survive before she falls. With inevitable defeat bearing down upon her, she makes the first move in the oldest and deadliest game known to creation.

Will the Drill Sergeant be able to contain his Command Hand of Fury long enough to give this fic its due? Find out after the jump!

Fan Fiction Review #032: Sunset

Omigoshomigoshomigoshhhhh!!!!!!

That is the feeling I get from reading some of my very favorite works, and the chance to try to brainwash everyone here to do the same! Please enjoy I promise* there are no ulterior motives here. Oh, and sorry for the spoilerrific cover photo. It can't be helped.

Author: Ciroton

Some things in this world happen by chance. Others do not. Twilight Sparkle is about to learn a disturbing truth that will turn her world upside down.

Please find attached after the break top secret details concerning the photo above.

Fan Fiction Review #030: Kaleidoscope

Shattered memories... I just have to get them back.

Author: TheVulpineHero1

Somepony struggles to remember their childhood. But something's wrong. The facts aren't lining up, and things are becoming blurred. What's at the bottom of this mystery?

Ok, so maybe not "shattered" memories, but still mussed up.

Fan Fiction Review #027: Under A Luminous Sky

MURDER IN EQUESTRIA… a dime a dozen plot made better? Or just the same old nonsense?

Author: JakeThe Army Guy… (the one from the FOB’s lit. division?)

Ponyville, the humble village known for its peaceful tranquility, is shaken to its core when a body is discovered in the Everfree Forest. As the townsponies grieve, the strange, pale Special Agent Bentgrass, from Their Majesties' Royal Investigative Service, arrives at the Books and Branches library and drags Twilight into a world she's only read about: lies, corruption, suspicion, and murder. Faced with an indifferent police force, and Agent Bentgrass's infuriating methods, Twilight must put the pieces together and catch the killer. But as blood continues to spill and questions pile up, one thing is terrifyingly clear: in the dark of the Everfree, much more is at play than mere murder.

So a fic by one of our own fic reviewers…..oh imma have some fun with this one.

Fan Fiction Review #019: Displaced

I saw this story a few months back, and thought, 'Oh hey this looks good!' only to find my least favorite word in the fan-fiction world: 'Incomplete'. After completion though, I picked it up to find that the wait was well worth it. Inside you fill find epic war, superheroes, saucy romance, and even exploring haunted sheds! 

Author: Seven Fates

The wheels of fate turn in mysterious ways. When a unicorn colt has an accident on the edge of the Everfree, no pony knows who he is. Assuming his brain was jostled by the accident, they ignore his absurdest notions of not being from this world, and not being a pony at all. However, when he is involved a terrible incident that threatens the lives of his only friends in the world—Ponyville's three most rambunctious fillies—their friends and family begin to pay more credence to his claims. 

For Warren Ashland, the clock is ticking as a chain of events that was set into motion the moment he woke in Equestria comes to a vicious head. The time will come when he must decide whether he wishes to stand alone as a human in the Equestrian world, or give it all up for his newfound friends. His actions will shape the lives of those around him.

OK just kidding, this story fits the category of high adventure, which is very down to earth (or as close as you can get in a land of magic). Details after the break!

Fan Fiction Review #018: Faith and Doubt

CRAAAAAAWLLIIIIIINNNG IIIIIIIINNNNN MY SKIIIIIINNN!!! THESE WOOOOOUUUUNNNDDDDSS THEY WIII—

Oh.

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Uh... sorry.

Author: defender2222

There has always been a little voice in Twilight Sparkle's head, whispering dark musings to her. And until her brother's wedding, she has managed to push those bitter thoughts away and focus on the good. She forgives and forgets and holds onto hope. 

But when her friends turn their backs on her and her brother cuts her from his life, Twilight finds herself alone, with only the little voice to comfort her. 

And it is through anger and hate that has been repressed for so long that Twilight finds the power to rise up. Harmony and Friendship have only brought her pain and suffering. It is time for her to embrace her dark side. No longer will she worry about what others think. Twilight is going to live her life how SHE chooses: without friends, without family, without love and without harmony. She is going to cut loose, have fun, and screw what others think.

For her friends and family, it will soon become apparent that if they don't find a way to mend the damage they've done to the lavender mare...Twilight Sparkle might be lost to them forever.

Will this story sur— you know what? Forget it. No. No, it won't. Just click through.

Fan Fiction Review #015: When Towers Fall

Before the month of September comes to a close, I figured I would do a review on this little piece of writing. For those of you who may have any concerns about this story being in bad taste, I can assure you that this is not the case.

Author: BaroqueNexus

September 11, 2001. A date hardly any of us can forget, or want to forget. So many lives were suddenly forfeit by the hand of a great evil. 

And from a far away land, a creature has come, and like so many others, she only wants to help.

Catch the review after the break!