tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851296522341921203.post3928811653835803510..comments2023-07-10T02:00:20.392-04:00Comments on Pony Fiction Vault: Kwakerjak's Wild, Sweet & CoolRBDash47http://www.blogger.com/profile/05783009408610175254noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851296522341921203.post-31940921427951433412012-06-23T18:41:15.044-04:002012-06-23T18:41:15.044-04:00If I just pretend that chapter 6 (I think?) didn&#...If I just pretend that chapter 6 (I think?) didn't exist, it was a really good story.<br /><br />First few chapters lack much conflict, BUT, the general quality of the writing is sufficiently flowing that I still found it quite engrossing. Even stopping to re-read some of the acrobatic descriptions actually felt like it ADDED to the feeling of investment, rather than detracting from it. I kinda like that.<br /><br />Then chapter 6 just descended into shipping jokes, fan-service and other stuff that just felt utterly out of place compared to EVERY chapter before and after it. Even leaving my personal distaste for such things aside, the shift in tone alone was grating, but I also thought most of the jokes were really bad. Not 'oh dear, that's terrible' kind of bad, but 'OMFG please don't do that again' kind of bad. It pretty much spat in the face of the overall tone that is Equestria with the kind of crass immaturity that I expect in a nerdy clop-fic.<br /><br />Then, as if by magic, we're back to some hugely enjoyable story. To it's credit, it's one of the few stories that manages to really invoke that 'spirit of the show' feel while avoiding almost all of the pitfalls that usually come with it. It's a powerful thing to do something fundamentally formulaic, and do it well enough that it doesn't matter, and I mean that as a huge thumbs up, not a best-of-a-bad-job deal.<br /><br />The only issue I have with the ending is simply that it feels a little bit too much like a bit of wish-fulfilment. Getting too close to giving a character their ultimate goal is actually pretty stifling, as far as writing stories go, so it felt a little bit to easy and fake. If they'd won the race but NOT got the invite...now THAT would feel more like an MLP ending and a worthy friendship letter. Not that there was anything wrong with the actual friendship report, though.<br /><br />Score if I ignore C6: 8 / 10, a few weird word choices and questionable jokes. 6-star material.<br /><br />Score if I include C6: 4 /10, one for the slightly freaky fan-nerds only.<br /><br />Sorry,<br /><br />Scott 'Inquisitor' MenceInquisitorMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10209346997929773686noreply@blogger.com