Rainbow Dash and the Daring Do Double Dare (My Little Pony

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic #3

by G.M. Berrow

Rainbow Dash is a huge fan of the Daring Do book series, but after the newest book comes out, she's not alone! Suddenly, every pony in Ponyville is reading the books! To prove she's the ultimate fan, Rainbow Dash decides to show her friends that she can be just as brave and "daring" as her hero. But Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow's other friends worry about how far she's willing to go. Just how daring should one pony be?

Genres: Childrens, Fantasy, Fiction, Middle Grade, Magic, Adventure, Animals

1 pages, Audio CD

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Gillian M. Berrow (G.M. Berrow) is a writer and television industry professional living in Brooklyn, New York. When she was little, she aspired to become either a princess or a magical pony. Things seem to be right on schedule.

Reviews

[Krissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter wanted to rate it 5 stars so 5 stars it is.

[Lanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the best of the my little pony chapter books in the series so far. The author got Rainbow Dash down to a T. her actions, thoughts, and dialog was perfectly in tune with the show. And, thank the god of books, they finally got a decent climatic scene. it would have been pretty bad if they couldn't make a fight scene with Rainbow exciting. At least by children's books standards anyway. I especially love the first few chapters were Rainbow Dash is stoked to get her hooves on the latest Daring Do novel and stays up all night to be the first one done with it. (been there done that. I stayed holed up in my room for about seven, eight hours once while I devoured the final installment to the inheritance cycle.) And the attempted book club meeting part is so cute. Oh twilight, you try so hard. :) I would've gone alone with her agenda.

now, there was one or two things that really irked me. I know there can be no perfection for mass produced books hell bent on selling kids more my little pony stuff. but still, this was pretty damn important. Like when they mention "Snowflake." No! his name Is BUFF BICEPS! how can a book set so far in the series not know what the ponies' names are? I mean, anyone who dutifully falls the series and reads carefully can see that the story is meant to take place after the episode where twilight and the gang go off to find the author of the Daring Do books, and they discover that Daring Do is a real pony. Is the writer really so dumb that she can't know that Buff Biceps name has been mentioned before then?

Then there's a pretty annoying hole in the last half of the book. you know, during Rainbow Dash's big adventure quest. It was never really explained fully, but from the context, I get the feeling that Rainbow's friends set the whole damn thing up to get her to stop doing madly suicidal shit. I mean, there's a zebra that talks just like Zercora. and all her friends give her something that they had to have know would help her on her daring quest to protect ponyville. And in the end twilight quotes part of a pervious Daring Do story. So clearly, all this must have happened before in one of Rainbow's books. Even the half gilded horses was part of the books.

So why did she fly off all on her own? for fame? not bright. and if I'm right - which I'm 99% sure I am- why didn't she get pissed at her friends? or why didn't they tell her what they did? :/

This no makey sense!

but, all in all, it was a quick fun little read. Maybe I'm just over analyzing. I do tend to do that. Like with the others, a great idea for an episode. :)

[kyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this one out at the library because I really like the My Little Pony show. It was fun to read but also at the end people can learn a valuable lesson. In the story they have a special holiday and there is a new book that is coming out and Rainbow Dash is the first one done with it and later in the story everybody is done reading it so they have a giant meeting to just talk about the new book. Then she says that she wants to be just like the hero in the book so she says that anything they want her to do she can do. For example, she had to babysit Pinky Pie's balloon for a day, which I thought was kind of funny. At the end she learns that you can accomplish more when you work together.

[Edward Wessels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent but confusing

As an older fan of the franchise, I am able to pick up on things younger readers couldn't. It's enjoyable to see each character as their typical selves. however, the story is a bit exaggerated. Predictable story elements, obvious plot, obvious beloved character in disguise. The first part of the book isn't necessary as the book club in the climax of the story could discuss any of the other books and still have the same valid arguments. If further readings unveils the identity of the villain and prove or disprove my theory of the villain, I look forward to more readings of Rainbow Dash's adventures as a rip off to her favorite pony. In summary, the books featuring the actual Daring Do are much better reads, but this is still enjoyable, on a lesser scale.

[Chris Wing · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the more engaing, if light and fluffy, outing for the ponies.
This one shows how much the ponies are interesting in reading (which we've never seen before), and one particular author/character has a new story, which encourgaes Rainbow Dash (my favourite, for some reason) to get over-excited and agree to accept any challenge (as her hero, the character of the book, is Daring Do, an adventuring pony, who goes on many death-defying adventures).
Of course, an extremely convenient adventure ensues, with some Indiana Jones-esque artifact being in danger of getting into the wrong hands, and Rainbow gets into all sorts of scrapes to win the day.

I'm being tongue-in0cheek sarcastic, because, even though the events were all so convenient, it was actually quite enjoyable and my daughter thoroughly enjoyed it.

And my voices are getting good practise too.
:)

[Little Miss Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was very good my favorite part was when she had got stuck in quicksand then used a rope to get herself out
Its was amazing

[Victory School]

Up until today, I think I might have been the only living soul on this planet who don't know My Little Pony. My Mommy eagerly told me about this toy line and media franchise that is developed by American Toy Company, Hasbro. My Mommy was but a little girl when these colorful little pony figurines with those gorgeous manes were first launched in 1981. These cuties with the trademark symbols on their flanks, grew into a household name and the animated series, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic ensures that they still gallop and fly in the eyes of their biggest fans.
We don't have a lot of the My Little Pony books in the library, but the ones that we do have, are always in high demand. Mia Kamalski, one of our Gr 2 learners, is a big fan of Rainbow Dash and her pony pals. She wrote us a lovely little review on Rainbow Dash and the Daring Do Double Dare.

The story starts with the ponies being very naughty and staying up past their bedtime. This was for a very good reason, they were all eagerly awaiting the release of the epic adventure Daring Do and the Volcano of Destiny. Daring Do is a series of extremely popular books and it was all because of Daring Do. No pony loved Daring Do as much as Rainbow Dash did.
There are so many different characters in this book who go on such amazing adventures. My favorite character has to be Rainbow Dash. She is daring, adventurous, brave and simply just awesome. I like Twilight a lot too. I didn't like Braze at all. Braze is bad, creepy, mean and a thief above all else.
Teacher Mareli says we can't give away too much of the story, but I really liked it when Rainbow Dash became Daring Dash and she could do whatever anypony dares her to do. You will have to read the story for yourself to see how that happens. It was a wonderful adventure!
This was an awesome 5 star book and I hope we can get more of this series in the library soon.
Thanks Mia! We are so very proud of you for doing this book review and we are so excited to see what wonderful books you are still going to read and share with us.
For more reviews by VCS students, please visit our page VCS.

[Bulk Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely more well-written than Twilight's book, and very funny. I lol'd many times. But the plot was kind of all over the place.

It starts out with Rainbow Dash getting the new Daring Do book, and being upset that no one is excited as her about it. Then Twilight starts a book club and Rainbow rather rudely takes it over. Then she starts accepting random dares. THEN Zecora sends her on a quest to find a magical horseshoe (at this point I thought we were going the Mysterious Mare Do Well route and the quest would be fake, but somehow this out of left field quest is real.) She insists on doing it alone, but her friends secretly follow her anyways and help her to recover the horseshoe and escape from an evil zebra.

The ending quote is "sometimes the bravest thing a pony can do is accept help from her friends, even when she doesn't think she needs it." Which is the same moral as the episode Daring Don't (and the ending of the book has the exact same plot.)

Even if I had any interest in Daring Do, I still would've found this book irritating. It went from "You can't force others to like the same things as you," to "You should listen to your friends instead of making everything all about you all the time," to "Taking too many dares is risky and dangerous," all the way to the quote above. It was as if the author had no idea how to resolve any of the conflicts she set up, so she just kept creating new ones until it could end in a full-blown Daring Do adventure. So for me, it all boiled down to: Rainbow Dash has so many issues that no single book can encapsulate all of them.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this book was about 20 pages longer than the last one, it was just as fast paced and exciting! I read it in one sitting, I just finished it at two minutes past midnight hence the reading dates.

Rainbow Dash was identical to her show counterpart in this book, doing silly things to try and look cool. Sometimes she goes over the top and needs her friends to remind her when to calm down, but she'll always do anything for her friends.

All of these books are written just like an episode of the show, but they're totally new and original stories. The first six books focus on a Pony from the Mane Six, and this one focuses on Rainbow Dash. The Daring Do books are also a recurring topic from the show and are the main plot device for this book. I love how we see recurring characters like Big Mac, Zecora and the Cutie Mark Crusaders too.

This book follows familiar locations from Cloudsdale to the Everfree Forest and has some totally adorable pony puns. If someone told me these were ideas from the show or scrapped episodes, I'd totally believe them. I cannot believe how real these books feel in atmosphere, character, structure, plot, and dynamic compared to the show.

I loved this story just as much as the others and I reccomend it to all My Little Pony fans of all ages!

[Mystic DreamClouds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rainbow Dash is the fastest pony in Ponyville but what happens when she takes her love for the Daring Do books a little too far when trying to prove a point?

The newest and latest book in the Daring Do series is out. Rainbow Dash being the fastest has already read the book and is eager to talk about the daring action scenes. Thus, a book club is formed but what starts out as the thought for appreciation turns into criticism about the realism of those scenes. To prove those are real, Rainbow Dash challenges anypony to dare her to anything to prove it’s doable. And so starts Rainbow’s ascent to Daring Dash and a descent of forgetting what her real original goal was.

This book was entertaining but short and sweet. It reads exactly like an episode of My Little Pony and I was thrilled with the adventure Rainbow Dash went through with her friends in secret. The mane six read exactly how they would if we were watching this as an episode airing on TV. There was a good buildup into the adventure and climax which made it interesting however, the ending seemed a bit rushed. Although the adventure is packed with descriptions and details to ensure the reader understands exactly what’s going on, the ending of the adventure felt a tad bit disappointing and underdeveloped.

Rainbow Dash is a character I think most love, including myself. Sometimes Rainbow Dash goes a little over the top and needs her friends to remind her to keep her hooves on the ground. Rainbow Dash is ambitious and courageous and doesn’t back down when it concerns her friends even when she’s scared. The highlight of this book was really Rainbow Dash, although her friends were always there to support her every step of the way.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and it sends a strong message to not get too carried away with things, especially fame.

Read more reviews @ Mystic's Review Shelf

[Jesse · Rating 1 out of 5]

I know the MLP world includes more adults than one would think, but when reading this one to a small child, lost in the lesson that sometimes it's okay to get by with a little help from your friends, is that Rainbow dares the world to dare her to do things and she promises to no matter how dangerous and this is consistently rewarded. Some dares are dangerous, but she never gets hurt. There a few close calls, but nothing resembling a lasting consequence for her recklessness and danger-seeking. I'm not asking for her to be hospitalized in a body cast for weeks on the brink of death, but something beyond a band-aid would have been nice (or even a band-aid). If I had read this as like a 6-year old Brony, I can't imagine I wouldn't have been inspired to launch myself off the tallest dresser in the house onto a pile of pillows set up really far away.

[Booklover1259 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I personally thought that this book was very good and that you couldn't put it down. It is all about a pony named Rainbow Dash and she has just got a copy of the new book by Daring Do, her favourite author/adventurer. She then becomes convinced that she has the potential to be the bravest pony in her town, like Daring Do. Rainbow Dash then gets the whole town to give her plenty of dangerous dares and has to complete them all. At the end, she has to retrieve a special item to save Ponyville. I definitely recommend this book.

[Edward Aydon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars is my review but my 5 year old would probably give it more. Not as enthralling as more traditional books. Even at times just walking off which never happened during any of the faraway tree books. But we still had to read more on most nights to see what happened.

[Anna Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

rainbow dash is a huge fan of the daring Do book series, but after the newest book comes out, she's not alone! suddenly every pony In ponyville is reading the books! rainbow dash wants everyone to know that she's the ultimate Daring Do fan. but just how far does she go to prove it!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every book I read out loud with my kid is amazing. I mean, I wouldn't read this myself, but she absolutely loved it.

[Elisa Hoopes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like rainbow dash.

[Chesbirger659 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rainbow dash is really brave.

[Kiri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friendship is loyalty.

[Jessica Tierney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rated by my 6 year old.

[Libby Greenhill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book for My Little Pony fans. There was an entertaining surprise at the end.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm 28 years old, read pony books, and I'm proud! Course i could finish the book in one day, but i spread it over two. Rainbow Dash ties in with Rarity for my 3rd favorite character from the "My Little Pony: FriendShip is Magic" series. I may have some continuity problems with this books, but i have to say G.M.Berrow did a pretty good job of capturing Dashies personality for it. Rainbow Dash acted exactly as she did in the series.
Now regarding the continuity of the series it's hard to tell exactly when it takes place. It obviously takes place after "Read it and Weep" but no other indications of previous episodes was given. There was no mention of Twilight being a princess or an alicorn. Then again we have Rainbow Dash point of view throughout the story and she's not one to care about details like that. The only thing that did bug me was that the story was obviously written before the fan named "SnowFlake" was given the name "Bulk Biceps" in the show. That and we know that Rainbow Dash does not live in Cloudsdale. She lives in her own cloud home someone to the side of Ponyville. That's been pretty much established since the beginning of the series. So shame on the writer for that error.
Anyways, the story starts out with Rainbow Dash waiting in line at the midnight release of "Daring Do and the Volcano of Destiny". Now with any book nerd this scene is going to bring up memories of midnight releases. It made me think of the only midnight release of the Harry Potter Books i got to go to; the last one. Mainly because I was old enough for the first time to drive by myself legally after midnight. My parents would never take me to any others. The anticipation. The need to have the book now. The other fans. It's all there. You can tell the author has been there. She knows what its like. Then the scene with the day after with Rainbow Dash wanting to talk about the book, but no-one else spent the whole night reading it. Yep, it's all there. Including a line with Twilight Sparkle about spoilers.
From that point on the story becomes about Daring Dash. Rainbow essentially taking offense that someone would dare say here beloved book series was not realistic and sets out to prove. Add Zecora in and you got a mini quest. The book could have been an episode if some of the continuity points were correct. This included the "we have 5 minutes and can't make another episode about it so lets wrap it up" ending.
All in all, i would rate this book higher than the Pinkie Pie book. I find that the parents who are part of or were part of fandoms might enjoy this book more than the kids. 5 stars.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like the previous two books, I greatly enjoyed this one. I love all of the little details that let's you know the author is just as big of a fan of the MLP show as you are.

This book takes place after Rainbow Dash has met Daring Do, and it's great to see just how much Rainbow is still obsessed with the books and how her knowing about the author's life affects her interactions with the rest of the fans.

I will say, this book did feel like a little bit of a retread of said episode with Daring Do, but it felt new enough to still be enjoyable, since it was Rainbow Dash this time, and not Daring Do.

I did feel like the plot was a little too predictable. Things were changed up a little at the end, but it didn't live up to its potential because it felt rushed. If that ending had just been given a little more time/weight, it would have been great. But it was still a good ending.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read, and I certainly be picking up the next book in the series.

[Flashlightmlp]

Great book I love it

[Sylvester · Rating 5 out of 5]

The new Daring Do book was released and Rainbow started a book club to discussed the book, which turned into a dare for Rainbow to carry out any feat in real life. But when Zecora arrives with a terrible news, it's up to mane 6 to save the day.

I really enjoyed this entry featuring Rainbow Dash, she is normally my least favourite mane but this really redeemed herself with her element of harmony- Loyalty. There were a few flaws but overall it was fun and all the side characters were able to shine too (The ponies at Ponyville are starting to become quite annoying and nosy, every time something happens they always gather around to pry).

[Mel G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is great for upper elementary students to read. I find that girls would be more interested in reading it and the rest of the series than boys. This series is one that children can relate to because it is on TV and is more relevant than say Amber Brown books. It's a very quick read that children may read through fairly quick. It had interesting story that could be a supplement the TV show

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for fans of My Little Pony. Characters are just like they are on the show. Well-written and funny book with a good message. I didn't expect much when my daughter wanted to read this with me, but I was pleasantly surprised. I look forward to reading other My Little Pony books in the near future.

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am really enjoying how each of these books focuses on one of the mane six ponies. I felt that this one did not give as much insight into Rainbow Dashes character as Pinkie and Rarity's books, but I still enjoyed it. All of the Harry Potter parallel's were fun, though I was a bit disappointed that the real AK Yearling / Daring Do wasn't featured.

[orangerful · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was SO MUCH FUN to read. Again, Berrow did a great job of capturing the feel of the My Little Pony tv series and characters. And I think you'll be hard-pressed to find a series reader who hasn't experienced the frustration of not being able to talk to their friends about the latest book a in a series. Perfect book for MLP fans of any age.

[Amy the book-bat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book felt like reading an episode of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. It was kind of fun. Rainbow Dash was her usual boastful self, setting out to prove that she is the fastest and bravest pegasus in Equestria. The usual moral about friendship shows up here as well. I did like that the book talks about the importance of reading.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this with my daughter. She loved it. The author uses some advanced vocabulary and I like that because it encouraged my daughter to learn some new words. This book taught the value of friendship and loyalty. A good read for a per teen girl and well written with some use of excellent vocabulary.