Reading Romances has posed the review question: Whether you're writing or reading one, there are certain things you always look for. What are those? What do you think are the most important elements you think the reviewer should include? What would you like see more? Less? What is the role of a review? How important is it?
Leave me your answer and I'll send 5 random commentors their choice of one of my books.
Consistency--if the reviewer gave 5 stars to everything but this particular book then I'm suspicious.
Well written--typos are fine, everyone makes them ad English is not everyone's first language. But if the only sentence under either a 5 star or 1 star review consists of 'This is great!' or 'This book sucks!' then that's no reason to believe the rating.
Why--Why did you love and adore/hate and loathe this story? Give me a reason! If I wanted a synopsis of the story, I could A) Read it myself B) Satisfy my curiosity with the blurb or C) read everyone else's synopsis.
What I try to include: The reasons. If I liked something or didn't, I try to say so. The reason I write so few reviews is time. I'd rather write a review that is more than 'This is great!' or 'This sucks!' but 2 jobs prevents me from reading as much as I want to, let alone write those reviews!
Granted, my thoughts on a book might not be the longest, but they're always honest and they're always at least partially in depth as to why I enjoyed it or why I did not.
So what do YOU look for in a review...or what do you try to write in a review?
Reasoning! Yes! I hate reading oh my gosh I loved this book stories...and then nothing else. Or they have a bunch of fluff. Bleh :)
ReplyDeleteThe Brunette Librarian Blog
I think we're looking for the same things! I said my key thing was an honest response - that's essential.
ReplyDeleteI really want honest commentary about the book and the writing. Do the characters feel like real people, does the writer tell a good story? If the book is a slow start, but worth hanging in there - let me know, so I hang in there.
ReplyDeleteIs the writing amateurish, is there more tell than show, cardboard characters, characters that are too stupid to live, head-hopping point of view? I want to know that too, because these are books I want to avoid.
when i write reviews i try to give a brief outline fo the book. i also try to make other read it. if i disliked or liked the book i will explain why i liked it or now. i want to make very clear that my review is my opinion and my feelings.
ReplyDeletei actually had an author thank me for my review once. she said it was very honst of me to say why i didnt like her book.
These are all great answers, have you checked out Reading Romances stats? Very interesting. Pick which backlisted book you'd like, I'll be emailing you this week!
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