Authors & Reviewers discussion

Reviews are all about your honest oppinion on a book. When I write a review, I try to think about what made me like, or not like the book. However, sometimes I read these amazing reviews, and I think wow...that is an awesome review. So my question is, in your oppinion, what makes a good review. Do you tell a little about the book, or do you just get right to the point?

I'm not a fan of the synopsis review. The author or publisher takes a lot of care and time to create a synopsis of the book. Just writing your own synopsis is not a review in the sense that is intended. We are rating books with stars and then supposed to tell how we felt about the review. I'll take any review (as long as it's constructive and a good one lol) but I want to know how my books make people feel. Not what happens in the book, I know what happens, I wrote it. So to me a good review is honest, constructive if it needs to be, and tells whether you would or would not recommend the book to friends. That's my two cents for what it's worth.

My opinion: get right to the point. For me is hard write a review whitout spoilers because you are talking about the best parts of the books, the things you love or hate...

María wrote: "My opinion: get right to the point. For me is hard write a review whitout spoilers because you are talking about the best parts of the books, the things you love or hate..."

This is true Maria. That's why groups are good because everyone should be done with a book at the same time or they can avoid posts if they know there is a discussion going on.

I agree with you, it is hard. I look to reviews to help me choose a book. Had I read the reviews on 50 Shades of Grey I may not have read it at all. :)

I haven’t written many reviews but for me I always be straightforward without being blunt/rude. I’d state directly what I like and don’t like, and how I feel about the plot, characters, and the pacing of the story. Even if the book isn’t to my taste, I’d try my best to provide an objective review. I don’t want to provide false hope to other potential readers but neither do I want to disappoint them nor hurt the author’s feeling because he/she is probably trying to improve the next book using our reviews.

My reviews tend to center more on a general feeling about the story I was reading.

Kathy wrote: "I haven’t written many reviews but for me I always be straightforward without being blunt/rude. I’d state directly what I like and don’t like, and how I feel about the plot, characters, and the pac..."


Hi Kathy,

I hope you’ll consider reviewing my latest novel, and winner of the Literary Titan Golden Book Award, “Yuri & the Pig” (87,000 words [282 pages] published by Wild Wolf Publishing on September 1, 2023), a work of fiction based on the current war in Ukraine. However, the countries involved are fictitious, too.

Some excerpts from editorial reviews:
“C W Lovatt's storytelling is masterful…” ~ Readers’ Favorite
“Lovatt's novel is a literary gem …” ~ A Look Inside
“A genuinely thought-provoking novel, it beckons readers to reflect on the intricate dance of life, growth, and self-discovery.” ~ Literary Titan

The following is the blurb:

“From the best-selling author of the Charlie Smithers adventures.

A farmer and his pig set off on an extraordinary quest across war-torn Eastern Europe.

Entangled in a savage war, the country of Xoraina is fighting for its very existence; but to Yuri, a simple peasant from a remote mountain village, it seems all but certain that the invading Zlaimperians must ultimately prevail. Not that it is of any consequence to him, of course. In Yuri’s view, every form of government is equally bad, so it makes very little difference who holds the reins of power. Indeed, throughout time, the only things that have ever really mattered are that the soil be tilled, the cows milked, and the pigs shipped to market, all in a timely fashion.

But when an exorbitant new tax threatens that philosophy, he sets off with his pig across the war-ravaged land to the Capital in order to fight the injustice. In the process, their journey becomes a road to a terrible enlightenment, causing Yuri to question his deeply seated beliefs. But only when he and his pig find themselves placed squarely in destiny’s path is there any hope of those questions finding answers.”

If interested, please contact me at clovatt@xplornet.ca and I’ll arrange for you to receive an e-copy in the format you prefer.

Thank you for your time.

C. W. (Chuck) Lovatt
Carroll, Mb
Canada

Hi all- After doing many Beta / ARC reads, I've made a "review list" of sorts that may help. Some authors have contributed to this list.

ARC REVIEW NOTES

1. What was your overall impression of the book? (plot, theme)

For Beta- any puntuation, spelling and/or grammatical errors? Where?

2. Did the story hold your interest from the very beginning? Did you ever feel like putting the book down? Or DNF? If so? Why?

3. Were there any parts that confused, frustrated, or annoyed you? Which parts and why? Parts you wanted less of? / more of?

4. Were you able to easily visualize the world created by this story?

5. Did the characters, main and secondary, come alive for you? If not, which characters seemed problematic? FMC. MMC. 2NDARYS

6. Favorite part in story - quote?

7. Any other thoughts you wish to share?

I had to recently decline to finish an arc read as there were so many spelling and punctuation errors. I even offered to fix them- but she declined. It happens 🤦‍♀️

Liz, you mentioned editing errors for beta readers, is that something commonly expected? I've only done a couple beta reads so far, but when I've asked the authors what they're looking for, they usually mention pacing, characters, plot, etc, but not editing, so I'm not sure proofreading mistakes would be appropriate to point out. I am a close reader and editing mistakes jump out to me. It grinds on me just a bit to skim over them, but I figure that the author will be hiring an editor at a later point in the writing process.

Liz wrote: "Hi all- After doing many Beta / ARC reads, I've made a "review list" of sorts that may help. Some authors have contributed to this list.

ARC REVIEW NOTES

1. What was your overall impression of th..."

honestly, when I was doing reviews this list would've been helpful. Though as past reviewer and now author, the beta part that i'd rather have in private than in my reviews. Once, I can finally get readers to review mine, i'd want them to tell me any inconsistencies or issues that need to be fixed, but i'd rather it be in private giving me the heads up, rather than in a public review.