Mini-Reviews Round 13

They're reviews, they're mini, and they're right here, right now.  By "right here," of course, I mean "down below the break."  And by "right now," I mean "whenever you decide to read them, it's not like they're going anywhere."

Admittedly, I have a fairly liberal understanding of the phraseology in question.

Book Review: My Little Pony: The Elements of Harmony: Friendship is Magic: The Official Guidebook

For purchasing information, click here

Some of you may be recall that a licensed "guidebook" with a ridiculously long title (we'll just call it Elements of Harmony, for sanity's sake) was released earlier this month.  Well, I was gifted a copy, and now I'm here to tell you whether or not to buy it!  Click down below the break for my thoughts.

Have a Non-MLP Recommendation, for a Change

So.  I've been working on a thing, and haven't done much reading recently.  I should be able to put together a fanfic-y post for Wednesday, but in the meantime, here's something else.  It's got exactly nothing to do with FiM, but it's got a unicorn, so... that's good, right?

I was introduced to the syndicated comic strip Heavenly Nostrils, produced by Dana Simpson, over the weekend, and promptly blew over an hour archive-binging (is it binging or bingeing?  I can't think of any words where you keep the silent e when adding an -ing, but it seems to me that "binging" is the Microsoft-sanctioned equivalent of Googling, not an -ing-ified version of binge.  Anyway) before I pulled myself away and got back to doing something vaguely productive.  If you've never heard of the strip, it's a modern-set comic about a young girl who befriends a unicorn.

I figured I'd better drop an example or two, so... here

Although I don't claim to know much about art, the simple yet expressive character designs really appeal to me here (seriously, look at that third panel!  I love the faces), and at its best the humor captures the same mix of childlike wonder and adult awareness that typified Calvin and Hobbes.  Phoebe (the girl) is a classic mix of youthful exuberance and general dissatisfaction with the "real" world, while Marigold (the unicorn) is both a voice of reason and a constant source of sarcasm and self-importance.  The highlights of the comic are almost all strips which show these two playing off one another, in a (to me) delightful mix of whimsy and slice-of-life.

Here's one more

The whole strip is full of great humor, appealing art, and all-around goodness.  Go check it out on GoComics, if it sounds like your sort of thing.  And if not... I'll have some ponies or pony-derivatives of the Hasbro variety to comment on on Wednesday.  Until then!

...Okay, it's a little MLP-related

The Mystery of the Downvote

I don't have a good lead-in, but if you click below the break, you can treat yourself to some of my patented ramblings.  Today's topic?  That little thumbs-down button on FIMFiction: an entirely imaginary case study.

6-Star Reviews Part 145: Pony Psychology Series

To read the story, click the image or follow this link

Sometimes, when I read about stuff like this, I think it might be fun to go to a con or large meetup sometime, to put a few faces to (pen)names, go to some panels, and generally be in the presence of people who share this particular hobby of mine.

Then I realize that, even for the closest large convention, the costs of food, travel, lodging, ticket, and incidentals wouldn't be much less than a thousand bucks.  Oh well.

Below the break, my review of Saddlesoap Opera's Pony Psychology Series and sequel.

What to Do When Joseph Stalin Says Your Fanfic Sucks

I don't usually do the whole "reblog" thing, but I came across something I wanted to share yesterday.  Fanfic author and EqD pre-reader Aquaman posted some comments on how and how not to give and receive criticism which, while more than slightly vitriolic, is definitely worth reading.  Click below the break to read his thoughts.