FOE REVIEW

It isn't easy to confine a review of the greatest fan fiction ever written to a single post. Some might call me crazy for trying, but I work with what I'm given, and what I have today is a clear masterpiece. Every piece of this story is perfectly placed, just so, to tug at the emotions of the reader. Other fictions like My Little Dashie and Cupcakes all focus on a singular element of the human experience, and this fiction focuses on them all.

This fiction does an amazing job of combining elements of love and laughter with sadness and depression. I know its effect on a reader because going into it, I had my mind set on a singular element of the story, and after reading further into it, I found myself at peace with that particular element, and more interested in other developments.

I for one feel that Fallout: Equestria has set a precedent for not only fan fiction lovers, and writers all around, but the average person and author of day to day life. Anyone who reads the beautiful piece of literature would be more than willing to admit that it is truly stuff of legend. You'll grow attached to the characters, and have genuine care for them as they embark on their adventures, and you'll be a better person for it.

If only people were more willing to take the plunge into such a brilliant story, they would see why people like me speak of it with such fondness. Fallout: Equestria is not simply an adventure fiction. In the end, despite however you may have felt before reading, you must admit that you were given a great experience, and in the end you had an awesome time following Littlepip on her dubious adventures.

I know this review may seem unnecessary, but I feel I must get it out there. I am not writing this review only for the fact that it is such a wonderful story that many people refuse to read. I am also writing it because the experience would not feel complete if I didn't. Call it a self-service, but I need this.

Premise - Equestria Daily was wrong. This isn't just 'Fallout with Ponies'. Fallout: Equestria takes place 200 years after the events of the show, in a poisoned and diseased wasteland that was once the magical land we all knew. What exactly happened to this land, and how the Mane 6 were involved in it, is something you'll find out as you go along. For now, just know that although many of the concepts in this story allude to, or are directly borrowed from, the Fallout games, this is still very much a pony fic. Everything in the wasteland has a logical backstory that you could very well see being connected to the original show.

In that regard, it's more of a 'twisted re-imagining' of the show's concepts than it is an alternate universe, or anything else of the sort. Indeed, almost everything you remember from Friendship is Magic is still present in Fallout: Equestria, and this even (oddly) includes the morals about the importance of friendship.

Story - Fallout: Equestria's story tends to meander around, and doesn't really settle on a central focus until about 20 chapters in. However, this is a good thing. I wouldn't have wanted for the story to be single-minded, or to skimp on its supplementary development. Fallout: Equestria uses every word of text to its fullest, whether its developing characters, relationships, plotlines, or just the general setting. It gives you the feeling that you are in this wasteland by Littlepip's side.

Now, there are the occasional issues. Most notably, Littlepip gets shot ALOT throughout the story, yet is normally fine by the time the battle is over. There are also some minor continuity errors here and there, but given the massive size and scale of the work, and how effectively continuity is used to tell most of the story, I'd say they can be overlooked.

Character(s) - The characters in the story are introduced to the reader as they would be in reality. They start off as complete strangers to Littlepip, and eventually evolve into friends, enemies, or even lovers. The compelling relationships forged between each of the characters, not always involving Littlepip, are truly profound. Each character has things they care about, hate, or love. There are other people that these characters care for, and would die to protect. Seeing the emotions being brought out of these characters is truly an amazing experience.

The characters are all given genuine emotion and feeling in response to events that occur within the story. Littlepip's embarrassment to certain stimuli within the story is one of the most noticeable, and admittedly cute, representations of this. Each character has their own flaws, and personal obstacles that they must break through, or pass by in order to carry on, and their adventures against these obstacles are played out very well in Fallout: Equestria.

Writing Style - Fallout: Equestria's writing style is that of a first person perspective from our main character. And, in that regard, it's sort of committed to that. Everything in the story is told from her head, and follows her reactions and impressions on each individual event. Sometimes, we can see Pip going through a difficult moral dilemma, and sometimes she only has a creative vulgarity to share. But it all helps to not only develop her character, but to put the reader in her shoes. I personally grew to know Littlepip better than I did any other fictional character, and there are some damn good reasons for that. This is also used for very creative leans on the fourth wall during a particular encounter with a character with the apparent ability to read minds.

Fallout: Equestria's writer, Kkat, has gone on the record saying that she is a huge fan of the show Babylon 5, and its exhaustive use of Chekhov's Gun. This is apparent in the fic's own use of the trope, sometimes even bordering on overuse. Almost everything anyone says or does in this fic will definitely be important later on, be it in a minor or major plot point.

General Impressions - Fallout: Equestria is truly a stunning piece of literary art. I understand that not only its length, but its status as a fan fiction as well might be a deterrent for most people. My goal as a review writer is to encourage people to try new things. Don't see the tag 'fan fiction' and run away screaming. Rather, think of it as it is, a piece of literature, and read it. Not all fan fictions are amazing mind you, but there are quite a few gems out there that are wonderful stories with lovable and profound characters and plotlines.

FOE is a perfect example of time and effort that went into creating a stunning piece of literature, and while it does have scenes of violence and lust, it is nothing less than an amazing story. I would encourage all of my readers and followers to give this story a try. I enjoyed it, and it inspired me enough to write this review. As I like to say, if something is good enough to impress me of all people, then you will definitely love it!

Premise: [20/20]
Story: [18/20]
Character(s): [20/20]
Writing Style: [20/20]
General Impressions: [20/20]
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Final Score: 98/100 [98% Legendary]
Fiction Link: http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/04/story-fallout-equestria.html
Audio Reading (Recommended): http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBX-BvTh7SMC_NGlshPVbWEPJSCy0fTI9