My fanfic reviews worst to best

I became a brony in October 2012 and since then I have read numerous fanfics. This post is a list and review of the fanfics I've read ranging from worst to best on of 1-10 scale. These reviews are based solely on my opinion and observations, feel free to comment and disagree. Also a warning, minor spoilers may be in some reviews but I will attempt to stay away from anything too revealing. This post may also be updated and revised over time based on the fanfics I continue to read. Links to the stories are below the reviews.

32. Cupcakes: I absolutely loathe this story and its following. It is a gruesome and disgusting story about murder but not just murder, we are talking about detailed and graphic torture by someone the victim considered a friend. All of it to make flipping cupcakes, and if that's not bad enough the writing is terrible but yet extremely detailed at the worst possible times. Do not read this story or watch the animations on YouTube. It will hurt your faith in the fandom and possibly ruin the innocence of the show and its characters and morals. I accidentally watched the video and nearly puked then by my own stupid curiosity read it as one of my first fanfics. Long story short, if it wasn't for my friend who got me into MLP (much to my displeasure at the time) I might have stopped reading fanfics on the spot. I REPEAT DO NOT READ!!!!!EVER!!!!
Grade: 1 as low as you can go, negative infinity if possible: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qTTzMqlRTHeHIarZZhwQhADc-1aff9fkHKWx-kn0wMk/edit?pli=1#

31. To Be an Alicorn: I'm not at all an emotional person. I even have a reputation for being the stoic German yet some stories in the fandom brought tears to my eyes. This story is very popular and it's a sequel to a very good shipping story but I was bored throughout. I mean bored to unbelief, kind of hard to explain other than it was just alicorn Twi and AJ mopping around, whining about how she hasn't been around.
Grade: 2 just didn't interest me: http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/06/story-spark.html

30. Elements of Gaming: I have a friend that would rather watch people on YouTube play video games than play them himself. I really cannot comprehend that logic and I’m a very logical person. To make my point this story is about the Mane 6, mostly Twi, receiving gaming consoles to test. Each chapter is basically a drawn out explanation of them playing games and their reactions. I found the story all but humorless and boring. It was like watching other people play games except you were reading about ponies playing them. At least most of the YouTube videos like rooster teeth are funny but not this. It's excruciating and hard to read through without falling asleep.
Grade: 2 as Pinkie would say "Boooring!": http://www.fimfiction.net/story/20965/the-elements-of-gaming

29. Rainbow Factory: This is a fanfic that is adapted from a song with the same name. The musician who made it, Woodentoaster, is by far my favorite Dashstep artist (what me and my friends call brony music of all genres). The story is dark and gory and is often compared to Cupcakes but that is a bit unfair. To begin with, the story actually has a plot and adequate reasoning behind its purpose. It's still a bit too gory for my taste but it's written and delivered much better than Cupcakes, so I can stand reading it and even recommending it to an extent.
Grade: 4 gore done better: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/5381/rainbow-factory

28. Bittersweet: Not a bad story or plot. Actually fairly sad but I don't think highly of sad stories unless they're a tear jerker and this just wasn't.
Grade: 4 not much to say:

27. The End of Ponies: Now if I ever get flack for my opinion on a fanfic it will definitely be for this review. This story is insanely popular and I was hesitant to even write this review because I'm only into the Fluttershy part, so there is a lot I haven't read and the story's not even complete. The writing often times dragged on and bored me even to a point where I had to force myself to keep reading out of principle. The concept is so good and so is the world but the writing and slow points are just too much for me too continue to force myself into reading. The writing attempts to be overly symbolic and metaphorical to give detail and to convey ideas and situations. On top of that, it is written to be almost scholarly, often using ridiculous anatomical terms to say that she was breathing hard or sweating. It's all so unnecessary. All in all it's an amazing idea with a writing style that I can't get into, even to the point where I refuse to finish it. So there if I get criticism for that review then so be it.
Grade: 5 such a good idea but the writing drives me insane, which if the author wrote that it would be stated more like, "It has driven me into a dark, lonely, black and desolate cab to the point where my neurotransmitters are malfunctioning due to the significant deterioration of my gray matter." That probably didn't have enough analogies or anatomical and psychological terms to appease that author. :http://www.fimfiction.net/story/1571/the-end-of-ponies

26. Cutie Mark Crusaders: Truth or Dare: This short story is both humorous and disturbing on multiple levels. What happens when the CMC decide to play truth or dare? Well I’m going to tell you and be blunt about it too. Those little fillies become lesbians and come disturbingly close to having an orgy. It’s kind of clever and well written but I’m just a bit appalled that someone would make the CMC make out and please each other. For Celestia’s sake Sweetie Belle had a horngasm! WHO EVEN KNEW THAT COULD HAPPEN? I DON’T THINK EVEN CLOPFICS HAVE THOUGHT OF THAT KINKY BS!
Grade: 5 well written but borderline child eroticism
http://www.fimfiction.net/story/8775/cutie-mark-crusaders-truth-or-dare

25. Why Didn't Ah Stay At Th' Farm?: I don’t know Big Mac, why didn’t you just stay on the farm? This story is about mating season in Ponyville where every mare in all of freaking Equestria is in heat. Apparently the only place safe in the world for a stallion is at Sweet Apple Acres because before Big Mac wondered off into town during this season he was unaware of the event but every other stallion knew. Long story short, a chase between every single mare in Equestria for Big Mac ensues. If women in our world got this uncontrollably horny at random intervals I don’t think most men would run. Most men would take advantage of the situation and our population would be significantly higher. It’s well written and original but gross on so many levels.
Grade: 6 RUN MAC RUN!! http://www.fimfiction.net/story/3693/why-didnt-ah-stay-at-th-farm

24. Silent Ponyville: I've only read the first one which was very dark and well done. It wasn't scary but it really delved into the mind of someone who has repressed a tragedy and how their dreams are manifesting it. It even has a perspective on cupcakes but it's cleverly delivered with a background story.
Grade: 6 I applaud, dark and creepy done right: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/106/silent-ponyville

23. Eternal: This story is all about Twilight's failing relationship with Celestia. What follows between them is very mystical and psychological. It delves deep into the emotions between the princess and her faithful student. The end is a bit too happy at first considering all of the emotional and mentally traumatic scenes. Yet the epilogue makes up for it by being extremely sad and including redeeming parts involving Celestia. Overall it's a very well written story that delves deep into the mind and emotions in a relationship but it can drag and be boring at many points.
Grade: 7 well written and good emotions but it drags on at points that can make reading it tiring: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/5921/eternal

22. Sunny Skies All Day Long: The closest you will ever come to reading an episode of the show. Very well done and clever, really gives a different perspective on the mane 6 and Celestia who disguises herself to be with her student and her friends without the formalities.
Grade: 7 Just not my type of story but trust me it's a good read: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/20685/sunny-skies-all-day-long

21. Drop of Moonshine: This short story is hilarious. It follows Luna and Celestia on their drunken adventure to Twilight's library. What ensues is just classic drunk humor written by my favorite brony author.
Grade: 7 funny but short and concise, which isn't a bad thing: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/22546/drop-of-moonshine

20. Spark: A very good TwiLuna shipping that has a lot of adventure. The conspiracy that is involved in the story is both interesting albeit a bit ridiculous. I think the most impressive part is its prediction of an alicorn Twilight before it happened and it gave great emotion to the love story.
Grade: 7.5 interesting but the world creation theory was kind of stupid, not as bad as one of my favorite stories but it's still ridiculous: http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/06/story-spark.html:

19. The Birds and the Bees: Now this is a hilarious short story that, despite its name, is quite innocent and clean. The CMC embark on an epic adventure to discover how foals are made. Each of the Mane 6 have their own unique responses that accurately reflect their personalities perfectly. It is a well written and clever story. I just like to have a longer and more serious plots but it accomplished its goal admirably.
Grade: 7.5 hilarious and clever but just not my cup of tea
http://www.fimfiction.net/story/1983/the-birds-and-the-bees

18. The Empty Room: A fantastic story riddled with mistakes. From the begging of the story the mystery, action and adventure of the story is appealing. Luna finds a secret room in the castle that no one has memory of. From this a dark plot is uncovered and many twists and turns ensue. Yet the problem with the story doesn't lie in the plot but in the writing. It's not that the writing was bad it was the numerous mistakes, some of which were major, most of which were noticeable. Now from writing my story it's easy to understand mistakes, especially stupid ones. I'm sure I still have some but he had an editor and I didn't and yet the mistakes are still noticeable and major. Reading through the story it's hard to miss most of them because they're so blatantly obvious. But don't get me wrong, it's a great story with funny references that's worth the read.
Grade: 7.5 good story plagued by silly mistakes: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/53/the-empty-room

17. Allegrezza: The most well-known and the most quintessential shipping story. If you've seen a lot of Octavia and Vinyl Scratch pairings they are likely due to this story. It is well written, quirky and funny at points and has a different and refreshing view on love and how it can happen and evolve.
Grade: 8 the classic shipping story: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/2365/allegrezza

16. The Moonstone Cup: Have you ever read Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire? Well this is basically the same concept. Twilight gets invited to the famous magic competition against the best magicians in the world from all species. Throughout the story Twilight shows insane talent with magic against unimaginable odds. In the end the story ends up with a much broader story line with massive conflicts that go back centuries. The story is very entertaining and it expands on the magical abilities in the world.
Grade: 8.5 it's not a crossover by any means but it's very interesting and compelling: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/3378/the-moonstone-cup

15. Through the Eyes of Another Pony: What happens when a sarcastic smart ass brony mysteriously lands in Equestria? Well he makes a Moon princess fall in love him, wreaks havoc, ruins ponies’ innocence with the internet and overall has hilarious adventures. Seriously I feel like this is how I would act if I was in Equestria, be a fan boy while screwing everything up for my own humor. Best part is that it has some of the best shipping ever along with the comedy and some amazing adventure. Unfortunately the author essentially stopped writing at a make or break point for the story. This is the story that I mentioned earlier with the most ridiculous creation/conspiracy theory ever. It was great until the conspiracy part blew up then it kind of spiraled out of control and then it took an interesting turn that could easily revive itself from the creation bs or make it worse. But I guess we'll never find out because the author stopped writing it months ago while skipping chapters between Fimfic and Equestria Daily. I recently decided to drop this story from the 8th place to the 15th. This seems a little extreme but I have my reasons, whether anyone agrees with them or not. First of all, after reflecting on this story I have deemed it less noteworthy than numerous other stories on this list. Although it is quite humorous and has a good plot, it took a turn for the worse and does not live up to its rivals. It has been forever since there has been any news on the status of this story since it was left open at a very important yet ridiculous point. For a while the author said it was due to some serious trials that have been plaguing his life. I accepted this and kept him in my prayers but then he started working on a book and keep coming up with new excuses. It would be awful and a bit inconsiderate if he dropped his highly popular fan fic at this point, leaving his numerous fans in despair but if that is his intentions then he should just come out and say it. Instead, he continuously strings his fans along with promises of a conclusion in the future after he deals with more and more situations. I understand that real life comes first but he should at least be up front about it to his fans and make a decision.
Grade: 8 Good and humorous story that took a bad turn with an increasingly fickle author
http://www.fimfiction.net/story/19641/through-the-eyes-of-another-pony

14. Fallout Equestria: Pink Eyes: This is my lowest rated major Fallout Equestria story but let me explain myself. Pink Eyes is about an adorably innocent foal who is unaware of the vile world around her. All she cares about is beating up bully bots and finding her mom. How do you ask can anyone be oblivious to the horrendous world around them when they live in the wasteland? Well she's a Canterlot ghoul who died not knowing what was happening 200 years ago just to wake up just as confused as before. It's actually really sad and fucked up but it is also well written and somewhat comical. The additions this story makes to the FOE world are not as significant as other major FOE stories. In fact, this story differs tremendously from other side stories, which is good. While other FOE stories have a lot of similarities this one stands apart in numerous ways but it also lacks the flair that the other stories have. It does not have as compelling of characters or locations and its length and plot are not as serious and complex. All in all it is another great addition to the Fallout Equestria world.
Grade: 8.5 it's not the best FOE story but it's still really good http://www.fimfiction.net/story/931/fallout-equestria-pink-eyes

13. The Games We Play: I love it when a story keeps me guessing and coming back for more. This story does just that, it follows Rainbow Dash and her conflict with the reappearance of the mysterious Mare Do Well. What follows is a type of game played between the two, Mare Do Well to get Rainbow to love her and Rainbow to discover who's behind the mask. The story has a lot of emotion and philosophical points to it while keeping to its shipping, adventure and mystery roots. I absolutely loved thinking through all the clues that would make you write a character off only to suspect them again. It's just a well done blend of genres that's a must read.
Grade: 8.5 keeps you guessing and coming back for more: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/3479/the-games-we-play

12. Anthropology: Talk about different. I won't go into detail on the story because it would be hard not to spoil anything. Let's just say that it's about Lyra trying to find out about the mythological humans. Yes this is where the majority of "Lyra obsessed with humans" ideas come from. It's very interesting and fun to read with plenty of funny adventures. I really can't get into reasons without spoiling the plot, sorry.
Grade: 8.5 you’ll just have to read it: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/4656/anthropology

11. On a Cross and Arrow: This is the classic gender bend story but not in the way that you would expect. It focuses on different dimensions and the application of magic more than a simple gender swap spell. When the Mane 6 accidentally end up in a world where everyone has the opposite genders, each character is faced with the discovery of their male counterpart (something Twi fears but the others don't). Everypony's perspective on their counterpart is different and true to their character which I was thoroughly impressed by. Also for the most part their counterparts personalities were kept the same but with a masculine touch which I can only imagine would be difficult to do, some more than others.
Grade: 8.5 about as good of a gender swap as you can get: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/755/on-a-cross-and-arrow

10. The Things We Leave Behind: Finally the top 10. Every single one of these stories is superb in one way or another. This story was recommended to me by my friend who got me into MLP. This is the story that kept me interested after Cupcakes (shudder). It's another one of those sad loss stories except it's extremely well written and much sadder. It made me tear up, ME! It follows Twilight Sparkle after she is killed by using up her magic to defend Ponyville against an Ursa Major. In the afterlife she is allowed to see her friends for one day and she chooses her one year death anniversary. The reactions and feeling of her friends that she witnesses is very deep and believable, all true to their characters. Read this story if you want an emotional rollercoaster that can bring someone as stoic as me to tears, hell even if you don't want that read it anyways the story and writing is great.
Grade: 9 damn powerful story: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/16861/the-things-we-leave-behind

9. Fallout Equestria: Starlight: I have read all major Fallout Equestria stories because they intrigue me and the world is fascinating, this story is no different. This side story follows a recently released alicorn named Radiant Star. She is mysteriously transformed into a large alicorn version of Twilight Sparkle with her memories and concealed emotions. The adventure that follows is amazing but far from perfect. The city of Chicacolt is extremely unique and the factions within it are thoroughly thought out and well designed. The characters are not the greatest but they are likable and relatable. The situations the characters find themselves in are unique and challenging. Seeing the Fallout world from the perspective of an alicorn post the day of sunshine and rainbows is unique and interesting. It is well written but my biggest problem once again lies within the conspiracies. I have no problem with conspiracies within the original story like the OIA in Horizons but when a story convolutes something within the show or gives an absurd origin story I take issue. This conspiracy is not terrible and I still thoroughly enjoy the story but the idea that the elements of harmony have their own personas and bodies and act on their own is absurd. Especially the part about them being ponies at a point and being corrupted by the Nightmare. I love the story but giving that kind of story to the elements of harmony kind of irks me.
Grade: 9 love it but stop the conspiracies
http://www.fimfiction.net/story/17890/fallout-equestria-starlight

8. Golden Armor: I can't tell you how much I love the OC characters in this story and all their problems. It's mostly about two very different ponies who become guards and eventually fall in love. At the same time there is another love interest to complicate things and an extensive plot to take over the kingdom. The shipping and action blend is all very well done and I love the conflict between characters.
Grade: 9 very fun read that you can get absorbed in
:http://www.fimfiction.net/story/76159/the-golden-armor

7. Fallout Equestria: Heroes: Another amazing Fallout Equestria fan fic that I am thoroughly divided on. On one hand the story and addition to the FOE world is stunning. How authors continue to expand on an already amazing world with more amazing characters and locations is beyond me. Dise is a play on Fallout New Vegas but just like the original FOE it makes its own story. The city, factions and situations are both compelling and captivating. The characters slowly grow on you and become relatable, except for Serenity who is instantaneously unbelievably adorable and lovable (second only to Nyx). The main character, Hired Gun/ Silver Storm, is a dumb but caring brute who is made to be the antithesis of Little Pip. This concept works in several ways most notably that I have, on numerous occasions, had a deep desire to kill Hired for doing something excessively idiotic. Yet there are some similarities, such as Hired being a lesbian and blaming herself for everything (seriously why is every protagonist in every major FOE a lesbian and a self-deprecating mare, besides Puppysmiles who is an innocent foal for Celestia's sake). My main complaint with this story is the atrocious grammar. I may not be great at editing my own work but I sure notice it in other peoples' work and it is rampant in this story. Sometimes his sentences make zero sense and I have to infer their meaning from context and other times there are letters missing from words in an obvious fashion. The worse by far is that he must accidentally hit the wrong key on a regular basis. I often times see what in place of that or out in place of our and vice versa. He even has editors so they either must be oblivious or I must be a prodigy at catching mistakes, I'm going with the former. How does no one notice these mistakes when they are so blatantly obvious? Regardless it is a great and interesting story that really adds to the world of Fallout Equestria.
Grade: 9.5 stupid mistakes mar a fantastic story with compelling (and excessively cute) characters
http://www.fimfiction.net/story/662/fallout-equestria-heroes

6. Trinkets, Nightmare or Nyx, Winter Bells: This will be more fully explained in a higher rated story. Let's just say these are side stories that continue with a character and story that I just can't get enough of.
Grade: 9.5 I'll explain when I get to the first story: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/43298/trinkets http://www.fimfiction.net/story/53090/nightmare-or-nyx
http://www.fimfiction.net/story/71883/winter-bells

5. My Little Dashie: Does this even need an introduction? The most well-known, overrated and most stereotypical MLP fanfic but hell it deserves it, it's that good. I have to admit I resisted reading it and my friend who constantly has to drag me crying and flailing into these things did it again as he did with fanfics and MLP. The premise is just so stupid, it starts off saying the city the main character lives in has become dark and boring to him. Then one day a pony just shows up and changes everything, stupid right? I thought so too but the writing is so beautiful that words cannot adequately describe it. It has so many amazingly conveyed emotions that you get overly attached to the relationship. It expresses family and fatherhood in an abstract yet believable way. Seriously you will feel as the characters feel, the love, the dread, the pride, the sadness. Without spoiling anything, I balled like a little newborn being spanked and getting my sucker forcefully stripped from me by an evil clown spider thing. It's that powerful seriously give it a chance, although I'm sure most bronies have already read it.
Grade: 10 damn, just damn: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/1888/my-little-dashie

4. Fallout Equestria: Probably the most acclaimed and most popular fanfic. Not only does it stay true to Fallout (one of my favorite games of all time), it also completely diverges from it with its own unique story. It's not really a crossover, it more or less just took the concept of Fallout and made it its own. The characters, locations, antagonist and situations are so well thought out and all work perfectly in a post-apocalyptic world. It's astonishing how much went into this story and the world. She truly made it her own unique and inspired creation. The actions, the emotions and the conflicts are just all so perfectly put together. There's just so much to it that you would have to read it just to comprehend the idea of it, yeah there's that much.
Grade: 10 so intricate, so well thought out and so much content. It's worth putting the time in: http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/04/story-fallout-equestria.html

3. Fallout Equestria: Project Horizons: Why would I put an offshoot story ahead of the original? Well to start the characters, Blackjack and her friends are all very unique and bring their own dynamics. Truth be told they're a lot more loveable and easier to relate to than Little Pip. Another factor is they bring humor and internal conflicts with an element of shipping. The thing that really sets Project Horizons apart is all the different factors at play from the different factions vying for power to the numerous antagonist that have their own agenda. All of this is coupled with the mystery and allure of EC-1101, the OIA with Goldenblood and all of the devious projects. At the same time there are numerous side adventures that add to the characters and the broader story. On top of that it uses characters and instances from the show that Fallout Equestria didn't use. It also expands on things from the original like Big Mac's marauders and the ministries. Although the world was created by Kkat who wrote Fallout Equestria, Project Horizon has its own unique world within Fallout Equestria. It has its own unique locations and problems that it even sets itself apart by saying that the Hoof isn't like the wasteland, it's much worse. This story is extremely long, the chapters range in the 10 to 20k word range and there are 58 chapters. That already seems like a lot but it's not even close to being completed. Many of the conflicts and antagonist aren't even close to being resolved. As a result you really have to invest your time into this story but it's well worth it.
Grade: 10 it took an amazing story and idea and made it better: http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/08/fallout-equestria-project-horizons.html

2. It's a Dangerous Business Going Out Your Door: This is the quintessential adventure story. Three friends embark on an epic quest into the unknown to save a friend in need, what could be better? This story explores the world outside of Equestria masterfully complete with strange species and cultures. From the golden hills of Gildedale to the dense mystical Shimerwood forest the world and its inhabitants are interesting and compelling. One of its strongest points is how it stays true to the characters while having its own in depth character development. It became a huge influence in my first story that I’m writing, The End of Peace (name in no way came from End of Ponies). This was one of my first fanfics and was my early favorite, so it holds a place in my heart.
Grade: 10 the adventure to end all adventures: http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/04/its-dangerous-business-going-out-your.html

1. Past Sins: Here we are, the cream of the crop, the top dog Past Sins. Seriously just award this story and its author Pen Stroke a Pulitzer Prize and Nobel literature prize immediately, it deserves it, no it earned it. Never before have I read, or watched a story where I have instantly fallen in love with a character. Even though I knew what Nyx was and likely what would happen to her, I couldn't stop loving her and her innocence. Not only that but he stays true to the shows characters and even expands on them, especially Twilight who becomes a caring, loving mother. The writing in this story is beyond masterful, it conveys emotions and situations in a way that makes you feel like you're there and trust me it makes you care. From the slow peaceful points to the climax and resolution, you're completely captivated and can't pull your eyes away. As proof I read it in about 3 school days, it's not a very short story. These concepts come across just as well in the side stories that I read in about a day. More Nyx what can I say she is the best character ever created. To top it all off the ending was superb. It was the perfect type of ending that you dream of but never expect to happen. READ THIS STORY IT WILL CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON EVERYTHING!!!!!
Grade: 10 if only I could give it higher, it really is the best in my humble opinion. I can only hope and pray that one day I could write on his level http://www.fimfiction.net/story/41596/past-sins

Comments

[Silverstein]

Good choices, but for the record, the writer of the original FOE is actually a chick, not a dude.

Silver out!

[502-Alekusu]

I like Cupcakes. It's short, to the point, well-written and does its intended job relatively well. I've read better gore fics, but Cupcakes is still okay.

Anthropology was good :3

I read Past Sins a month or two ago. I liked it, but it didn't change any of my perspectives. Also, Nyx is a Mary Sue c:

Could you perhaps link the stories when you do reviews?

kthxbai

[ceasertiberius]

1217749 not a bad idea I'll get on that in the next few days. Thanks.