Issue 236 Reviews

[Tay - Sock Eater]

I feel terrible. I keep promising I'll do reviews, and I never do! Comics seem to have gotten plenty, so I'll review Starry Starry Night, as it is by an NTWFer! I feel horrible though, as I have much homework and basically no time to read these. I will, however, but the reviews will be short.

[glow=navy,2,300]Starry Starry Night[/glow]

This is a beautiful story. I love the way you use your vocabulary (or your thesaurus). The story sounds so much more beautiful with beautiful words. I like how you switched back and forth, how everything tied in, but it seems like you switched a lot. Also, like previously said, brackets make it looked like an unfinished work. It doesn't look like a story. I would have put it in italics, and maybe not have stuck it out there so much. If it were me, I wouldn't clearly state it was in the past or the future or anything, I'd let it be very subtle for the reader to notice. But overall, this was a fantastic story and great to read! Did I mention I love Iliria's name?

That's all I have the patience for. I'm supposed to be starting my homework, but I don't think I will...

Doesn't the next NT edition come out Monday this week?

[Psychosnot here]

oh dear. that means a change for the Previews Board again... and after all that voting and discussing and debating! haha, figures someone over at TNT would pull something like this. When NTWFers unite, the world goes KABOOM. xD

[Dan]

Psychosnot said:

oh dear. that means a change for the Previews Board again... and after all that voting and discussing and debating! haha, figures someone over at TNT would pull something like this. When NTWFers unite, the world goes KABOOM. xD

What do you mean a change for the Previews thread? Because it comes out on Monday? Well, that's only this Monday, I believe.

[Psycho]

Only this Monday? I wouldn't be surprised if they changed it to every Monday, though. Wouldn't it make sense? News for every other day of the week, then Monday we start off with a lovely edition of the Neopian Times. That would make my Mondays so much better.

Drat. I wanted to see the world go KABOOM.

I'm going to go find Kirby.

[Tay - Sock Eater]

I've never thought about that. NT for Monday sounds perfect to me. But we're getting off the subject here...

[Tashni]

I actually prefer Friday because it gives me the weekend to do my R&R.

[Nut]

Okies, Luau! ^^ Here's the promised review:

Continued Series Review

[glow=blue,2,300]Plushie Eaters: Part Two[/glow]
Aw, this part of the series is just filled with adorable events! The flow here is very good, even better than the first part, and your storytelling style is charming. In this segment, you manage to pull off the action and storytelling very well. The chapter is full of Penelope’s adorable antics, all of which are so much fun to read about. ^^

I loved it when Penelope pulled the “lucky” Techo claw out of her pocket—it was charming and surprising. Her various attempts to protect her and Pearl from the Grarrls, especially the signs on the house, are funny and endearing. At the same time, I feel sorry for Penelope because her earnest, though mistaken, efforts are foiled every time, and she can’t push past her own fears to see that her trouble is in vain. This is a really sweet part to the series. ^^

[glow=blue,2,300]Plushie Eaters: Part Three[/glow]
As Belle said, this part of the series is a bit predictable, but the characters are good and Penelope is still playing out her role as lovable protagonist. ^^ For some reason, I didn’t expect that they’d go to Roo Island for Penelope’s birthday. It was nice to see Lauren rather than leaving her as a phantom friend who was caring for Penelope’s plushies. I got a sense of the Faerie Blumaroo’s character, as well, despite her only being in a few scenes. The scene when she asked Penelope if she wanted her plushies back was sweet.

I was wondering if Penelope would take her plushies home at the end of the story, since she was no longer afraid of Grarrls. Daniel was a bit of a surprise to me, since I was expecting Alex to have the honor of dispersing Penelope’s fear, but either one could have done the job.

You have lovely characterizations throughout the story, and we really get a sense of the characters through their actions and, in Penelope’s case, thoughts. Overall, this is a really cute story, predictable but still a lot of fun to read. ^^ I can’t wait to see what you come up with next!

[Star]

Wow LONG review board! It's my birthday today and I know that was slightly off topic but yeah. And I prefer Friday. But Monday isn't that bad, imagine if it was on Wednesday. I wouldn't like that. I'll stop rambling.

[Deleted]

Thanks, Nut. I thought about tying Alex back in for the end, but I thought a new Grarrl would be helpful in her getting over her fear of all Grarrls. I had hoped that Penelope's antics would come off the way I wanted and I'm glad to see that they seemed to be effective. Like I told Belle, I think my newest series is much less predictable.

Looks like I have the whole weekend to do more reviews. I think you can expect to see more tomorrow.

[Tashni]

Well, I did all the 236 reviews I wanted to do, so I'm going to start on 237 whether it's officially up or not! Don't worry, I'll wait until Monday to post them. I THINK I know most of the NTWF usernames.

[Deleted]

mygoodguild said:

[glow=navy,2,300]Starry Starry Night[/glow]

This is a beautiful story. I love the way you use your vocabulary (or your thesaurus). The story sounds so much more beautiful with beautiful words. I like how you switched back and forth, how everything tied in, but it seems like you switched a lot. Also, like previously said, brackets make it looked like an unfinished work. It doesn't look like a story. I would have put it in italics, and maybe not have stuck it out there so much. If it were me, I wouldn't clearly state it was in the past or the future or anything, I'd let it be very subtle for the reader to notice. But overall, this was a fantastic story and great to read! Did I mention I love Iliria's name?

Thank you for the review! ^_^ I've had more this week than ever before, I think xD

*starts working on adding a final few reviews*

...watch for an edit, coming soon xDD

Edit -

The Neopian Review: A Guide to Fine Dining

by phsycoticdancer

I applaud you for your originality I have never read anythink like that in the NT before, and I know I certainly couldn't have written that much about Kelp and the Golden Dubloon xD It was a thoroughly good read, and I really enjoyed it. There were some nice bits of humour in there, and the overall tone was very smooth. There was a little repetition and one point where I had to re-read the sentence (can't remember where now, or I'd tell you) but overall, yes, very good ^_^ My one criticism is that the menus section, whilst nicely written, seemed a bit.. pointless? I don't know, maybe just me, but I have to admit I only skimmed the recipe listing.

Dinner with the Kings

by mygoodguild

"Here your appetizer is!"

This bit really bothered my, though it really isn't that major of an error. As with everyone else who has commented, I like the 2nd person narrative, it's very original. I think it worked really well, although it seemed at times that there were a few too many exclamation marks. That could just be my personal preference though I don't really know what else to say.. Lol xD Nice job, I enjoyed it ^_^ It'll be interesting to see how many other people attempt something like this now, I myself am tempted to see if I could get that style to work for me xD


Invisible

by star_29791

That's such a sad ending I feel so sorry for Jimmy... Aww, poor little guy. I loved the way in which you told it though, and though sad it was a nice twist. I was expecting a truce bteween siblings and a happy-ever-after thing. It was nicely written, particularly the descriptions of the pranks, and.. yeah. Really well done

[Tashni]

nut said:

[glow=blue,2,300]Orbulon and the Queen of Mystery Island[/glow]
Glee! I’d been hearing about a sequel to Orbulon Has Landed for a long time, and I was curious to read it. You did not disappoint me. In fact, I think this surpasses your original Orbulon story by a mile. ^^ The humor comes naturally—really, practically every paragraph is packed full of lines you just have to laugh at!—and the story flows very well. Your voice throughout is great for the story—you tell it in such a matter-of-fact way, yet your narration in any part of the story fits the characters and the piece perfectly. I love how you manage to tie each break in with the previous bit, so it flows smoothly and the change of perspective doesn’t seem detached. Jhuidah and Orbulon are both characterized excellently. I absolutely love Orbulon’s character! ^^ He’s just such an adorable bumbling little alien that gets into trouble without knowing half of what’s going on. He’s so much fun to read about!

The story has a great opening hook. The reader is drawn in immediately. The idea of the scam is really clever, too. I almost felt sorry for the poor exploited Tombola Man, with Jhuidah using him like that, but then again I guess he’s in on this too. I love how Orbulon kept unintentionally bumbling into Jhuidah’s way. Faerie anger is a hilarious thing to watch. *grin* I adore the whole Deserted Tomb sequence! The Lizark is so cute—you’ve got to love little things that try to be scary and fail at it. ^^ Its Lizark talk is adorable—“Tuk tuk!” “Too-ree!”—and Orbulon’s perspective really completes the section. The final two parts of the story, with Jhuidah running her cooking pot scam and Orbulon upsetting the whole thing, was hilarious! The mental image of a bald Jhuidah flapping wildly around in the air is priceless. XDD And Orbulon’s thoughts as he sees the volcano are terrific. You did an absolutely marvelous job on this story!

I can’t really think of anything wrong with this piece. It’s a work of art, it is. ^^ Um, lessee… I’ll be really picky and say that someone who hasn’t read Orbulon Has Landed might feel a little lost with the first few sentences when Orbulon’s introduced, but considering this is a sequel, that doesn’t really matter, and the reader will learn about Orbulon’s character soon enough. So… yeah. Excellent job!

Yay, I was REALLY hoping you'd read this, since I remember you gave me a great review for "Orbulon Has Landed." I'm so happy that this one is getting such great reviews! The flowing between breaks was something I did very poorly in "Landed," so it's good to know it was better in "Queen." I'm fond of the narration in my Orbulon stories, even though it isn't always easy to get quite right. Thanks a million, Nut!

[Dan]

Before the new one comes out, can someone review my new series, please? I'd really appreciate it!

[Nimras]

Sorry this took me so long. *winces* A lot of things have been happening at home that’s really cut into my reviewing time.

Now You See Me, Now You Don't: Series by mygoodguild
Aww… Mohogs! Wow, this series covered a lot. I love Merigold’s relationship with Kipper. About the only thing I’d change in this series is to add more description. Sometimes it seems like its all action, with nothing given to help visualize it… especially in the pound. I also would have liked to see more on Belinda’s change of heart, it kind of went by fast. But that may simply be my personal preference. I loved the toilet… probably just my warped humor but I kept giggling every time it made an appearance. I like the way they turned invisible and visible, that was a nice touch. I also liked how invisible pets can see all the other invisible pets. *grin* Must make for an interesting life, seeing people do things that no one else can see.

Shad and Saura: The Old Neolodge – Part Two ssjelitegirl
I’m liking Shad more and more as this series goes on. Maybe it’s just my fondness for Lupes though. *grin* The story is enough to make you think twice about going to the bathroom . This is shaping up to be a good old fashioned mystery, and with my love of such things it makes me happy. "Was that barrel there before?" Shad asked, looking around. "I came to the kitchen today to look for a sna… look around a little and I don't think I saw it then." Hee! Let’s hear it for bottomless pits.

Plushie Eaters: Series by literalluau
I didn’t bother reviewing the first part of this story, because I edited it, but now that it’s done I suppose I should tell you that I liked it. *grin* I must be a mean person, because her whole sign escapade in the second part made me laugh. Not because I approved of what she did, but simply because she had the audacity to do it. She’s just so determined to protect herself and her sister (and plushies!) from what she thinks is a very dangerous threat that she’ll go to ridiculous lengths. I like how they went to Roo Island for her birthday party. Not only does it sound like a fun place for a girl to have her party, it’s a place that doesn’t show up very often in the NT. (Or the plots for that matter.) Daniel at the end was a nice touch, not only was he a NEW Grarrl, he had was a believable character to deal with her … problems.

The Five Sacred Stones of Geraptiku: Part One by dan4884
All in all it’s a very good beginning for a series. The only thing that bothers me is that the main character doesn’t have a name yet. I guess I’m one of those people who has to be able to assign a name to my characters. *grin* It will be interesting to see more of Geraptiku.

Havering and the Temple of Horrors: Part One by numbertwelve
Very mysterious. It will be interesting to see where this series goes. That crystal sword is seriously creeping me out. Again with the no name for the main character though, I’m guessing he’s the Havering in the title? Hopefully we (and he) will learn more about his past and the stranger in Brightvale who sent him it’s way.

The Meepit War: Part Two by twenty161
Wow, only a two part series. I’m still having a hard time keeping all the pets separate. (What can I say, eleven is a handful for me.) There was a lot of action in this part; I really would have liked more descriptions to help me visualize it better. Wow, the meepits are really overprotective of their asparagus, aren’t they? I like how it’s all about the asparagus. *grin*

Unquenchable: Part Two by haannsolo
A nice continuation from the first part. I’m getting rather fond of Ryddle, he has a nice mix of the willingness to try coupled with a complete lack of self confidence.

“”You expect me to believe that?"
"Yes?" offered Ryddle tentatively.”
Hee!

Traces of Faeryllium: Series by ee365
Ah, sisterly rivalry. *grin* I like Taeshne’s character. Just Let Me Get My Job Done. *grin* I do kind of wish Anberra would grow a backbone though, but that may be just me and my attitude. (Boy did I get into trouble in Japan with that.) I love the picture you got for this, it fits the story perfectly.

Return of the Double Agent: Parts 1 - 4 by precious_katuch14 and shadowcristal
Skarl. Dancing with a MSPP plushie. Nimras is now mentally scarred for life. The Jeran parts I’ve already washed from my brain. I love the way Cylene views the world. She’s just got such a dry, sarcastic temperament. I also like how Lisha is already onto her, and so protective of her brother. *grin* Even in peace time, it looks like it’s business as usual for the Zafara Double Agent. Please tell me that Darigan and his people do equally ridiculous things in the upcoming parts.


A Confusing Conglomeration: Parts 1 - 4 by appaloosa500
I love how you’ve given all the characters such involved backgrounds and manage to explain them all in an understandable way. It gives the story such depth without dragging it out into confusion. DeSoni is such a complex little Aisha, and Rocky’s loyalty mixed with frustrated impatience make them very enjoyable characters to read about. The cliffhanger at the end of part four is completely evil. *grin*

[Star]

Invisible

by star_29791

That's such a sad ending I feel so sorry for Jimmy... Aww, poor little guy. I loved the way in which you told it though, and though sad it was a nice twist. I was expecting a truce bteween siblings and a happy-ever-after thing. It was nicely written, particularly the descriptions of the pranks, and.. yeah. Really well done

Thanks Doughnut. Ooh I've never noticed before, you're from England!!! Me too!