The eighth officially licensed My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic chapter book of a series of books by G. M. Berrow, and part of the overall My Little Pony (Generation 4) universe.
To save her friendship with Bon Bon after "Agent Sweetie Drops" is called back into action, Lyra teams up with her best friend to investigate reports of changelings infiltrating Appleoosa.
Lyra and Bon Bon and the Mares from S.M.I.L.E. provides examples of:
- Continuity Nod:
- Aside from referencing the events of "Slice of Life", it also involves changelings and takes place in Appleloosa.
- Also, during Lyra's initial introduction to S.M.I.L.E.'s operations, it's claimed that Breezies, Tirek and even the Return of Nightmare Moon were all S.M.I.L.E cover-ups — although Word of God is apparently that the agent was joking when he claimed these three were S.M.I.L.E.'s responsibility.
- Fun with Acronyms: Sweetie Drops works for the agency of S.M.I.L.E. — The Secret Monster Intelligence League of Equestria. It also turns out that S.M.I.L.E. considers Twilight and her friends to be an unofficial sub-faction of their organization, which they call F.R.O.W.N. — Friendship Ranger Organization of Worldwide Neighgotiations.
- The Men in Black: S.M.I.L.E. effectively serves as this to Equestria, something hammered in by the cover-art depicting Lyra and Bon-Bon wearing the trademark black suits and sunglasses. Their mission is to keep monsters in check should they get way too dangerous for ponies.
- Shout-Out: To various spy films.
- The title is a shout-out to The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
- Chapter 3's title, "True Lyra", is a reference to the 1994 Arnold Schwarzenegger action comedy film True Lies, whilst chapter 7's title, "Mares in Black", is obviously one to The Men in Black.
- Ponified versions of various Manhattan landmarks appear in Manehatten.
- The Saddle Hawkins dance is clearly a ponified version of the Sadie Hawkings Dance.
