Review Group discussion

Round 1 -- April 21
Round 2 - May 12
Round 3 - June 2
Round 4 - June 23

1. Stacie Eirich Bear Kingdom & The Golden Sword

2. Steve Pillinger The Mindruler

3. Florian Armas Errant

4. D.J. Reid Shadowfest: A Dark Fantasy Adventure

5. J.B. Trepagnier Child of Fire, Child of Ice

6. Scott Spotson Alia Tero: The Many Lives of Darren Datita

7. Jaci Miller The Scrying

8. Mark Daydy A Perilous Journey

9. Rajamayyoor Sharma Age of Azmoq: The Valantian Imperium

10. D.H. de Bruin Wangta

The review group is the most successful group for peer reviews on Goodreads. It hosts non-reciprocal reading/review rounds of ten authors. When a round has 'now forming' in the title, there are places available, you can sign up. If it doesn't, it's full – look for another round.

The new Amazon rules state that authors/publishers are no longer allowed to specifically supply published books in return for reviews on Amazon. To comply with this new rule, we no longer insist members review on Amazon. However, we are all in the same situation, we want reviews.
When sorting out groups, I prioritise those members who have fully participated in previous groups and don't have multiple review connections with the other participants.

This is an 'Out of this World' round
Fiction books classified as sci-fi, fantasy, dystopian, paranormal.

If you are only willing to review your own preferred genre, make sure you join a genre round. Allocation is entirely random and there will NOT be any rearranging of the listing to accommodate personal preference. The ONLY circumstance in which you may duck out of giving a review is if YOU provide a stand-in reviewer.
Let's be honest here – we don't all like the same things but we all want reviews.

The only way this group can function is if we trust each other to behave honourably. And it IS perfectly possible to give a fair-minded review of a text that does not coincide with our normal choice of reading matter. If you need a few hints/tips, please see this thread:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Now for the boring stuff, but please read it, it saves a lot of time if everyone is on the same wavelength.
Before signing up below with your Goodreads author and Goodreads book link in the thread below, please ensure that:

1. You have enough time to read and review four books within the time allowed.

2. Your book is currently available for sale on Amazon (not pre-order) and it complies with the individual round theme, if there is one.

3. Your book is fit to be reviewed. If it is not, due to editing or other issues, you risk poor reviews. This is your problem, not that of the reviewers or the groups. For a small fee, the group admin will look at the first few pages of your book to advise. The number one error new authors make is not having their book beta read and edited, by non-family members.

4. You can submit reviews to Goodreads, amazon.com and amazon.uk. Amazon has recently changed their criteria for reviewers to allow only those people who have spent $50 on Amazon. If you are unsure about your Amazon reviewer status, try posting a 'test' review before signing up.

5. Many authors can provide .mobi and .epub files, for free. You can provide (and accept) at least .pdf files. You may buy e-books if you feel the price is a bargain, but you are not expected or required to buy the books you are allocated to review. Some authors borrow books via KU and others provide Smashwords coupons. This is their choice. International Copyright laws apply. You cannot sell, or give away material you have received without the author's express permission.

6. It is up to individuals what disclaimers they place in a review concerning receiving a book in exchange for a review.

7. You have completed your reading if you are currently in another review round in this group.

8. You have an author profile set up before you join.

9. Your Goodreads profile allows people to message you, i.e. your profile is not set to private.

10. You declare any relationship you have with another member in the round. Amazon will not allow reviews from the same household on the same book or if you are an editor, relative or close friend of another member.

11. You agree that your reviews will be unbiased and honest, whatever the star rating, and you will try to avoid 'spoilers'. i.e. giving away the finale of a book.

12. You will not ask a fellow author to change a review of your book because you don't agree with it. If you think you have a legitimate concern, talk to the mod of your round, not the other author. Personal attacks, or pressurising other members will not be tolerated and will result in you being blacklisted.

13. We all want reviews, its why we joined the group. It is bad taste to expect other people to review your book and then not do the same for other people in the group. People that do not finish and/or don't post reviews will find it difficult to get into a subsequent group.

The founding principle of the group is honest, non-reciprocal reviews, so please help maintain the integrity of the group by letting me know as you sign up if you have been reviewed by, or have reviewed another author in the group. Usually places are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

I will do my best to fit everyone into the group they request, but occasionally, particularly in the case of our more prolific good standing members, I may have to decline a member request to fit the maximum number of people into a particular round. I will always endeavour to start another round as soon as possible with that member in mind.

It is permissible to review an author more than once if a different book is available.
If you need anything clarified please ask, either by Goodreads personal message to me or on the thread below, before signing up.

I'll throw my book in... Alia Tero: The Many Lives of Darren Datita, but I'll allow my listing in the ten authors to be flexible, maybe even at the end of the list once formed.

Alia Tero: The Many Lives of Darren Datita

I’d like to join with my children’s fantasy novel, Bear Kingdom & The Golden Sword (The Dream Chronicles Book 2).

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Thanks! Stacie

Scott wrote: "The new Amazon rules state that authors/publishers are no longer allowed to specifically supply published books in return for reviews on Amazon..."

I'm interested in joining, but what you're saying about Amazon's new rules is alarming. So what are they prohibiting exactly? If I give someone a PDF of my book for them to review, does that count as supplying them with 'a published book'? Or are they only talking about gifting people with Kindle copies or paperbacks?

I wouldn't worry about Amazon. In effect, everyone in the reading rounds posts reviews on Amazon, and so far, it's been fine.

Hi Scott,

I would like to get into this round if possible. I have reviewed Stacie in a review round and she has read my book in a personal capacity. That is the only conflict so far.

Thanks
Jaci

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Scott wrote: "I wouldn't worry about Amazon. In effect, everyone in the reading rounds posts reviews on Amazon, and so far, it's been fine."

Thanks for the reassurance! Then I'd like to join with The Mindruler. I've already reviewed your Life II, but not Alia Tero.

Thanks, will keep an eye on this.

Jaci wrote: "Hi Scott,

I would like to get into this round if possible. I have reviewed Stacie in a review round and she has read my book in a personal capacity. That is the only conflict so far.

Thanks
Jaci..."

Hi Jaci & Scott!

Jaci, since you've already reviewed both my children's fantasy books - you are welcome to review any of my other books for this round if need be. I have 4 poetry books, and they all include some amount of fantasy in them. :-)

Good to see you here again! Looking forward to the Round. Happy Easter weekend.

-Stacie

Stacie wrote: "Jaci wrote: "Hi Scott,

I would like to get into this round if possible. I have reviewed Stacie in a review round and she has read my book in a personal capacity. That is the only conflict so far. ..."

I'd be happy to Stacie! I've had a difficult time getting into rounds lately so I am hoping this one works out!

Happy Easter!

Hello Scott

I'd like to offer my book for this round.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

I've got no conflicts so far.

I'd like to join with Child of Fire, Child of Ice

I've read Scott, but not that book and Stacie has reviewed me before. D.J has reviewed me, but not this book. This book just published, so no one would have read it before

Seems like seven so far. Still some room left.

Hi Scott - I would like to offer my book (Age of Azmoq: The Valantian Imperium) for this round.

Age of Azmoq: The Valantian Imperium

Hi Scott
I'd like to join with my pen name book "A Perilous Journey" by A. S. Hames.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

One conflict so far. Scott, you reviewed one of my children's picture books (The Check-Up by Mark Daydy).

Steve wrote: "Scott wrote: "The new Amazon rules state that authors/publishers are no longer allowed to specifically supply published books in return for reviews on Amazon..."

I'm interested in joining, but wha..."

As I understand it, you cannot write "I received a free copy of this book in return for a review". That wording implies a review was a requirement. A lot of the bloggers are now saying "I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to review". Or you could put nothing at all.

I would like to join with Errant

I have reviewed Scott, but not for this book.
While I am in group 169, I will post today my last review there.

Wow looks like we got our ten.

I'll figure out the listing soon.

Okay, the list is up. Let me know if you have any conflicts. If I don't hear from any one of the ten authors, I'll assume that author has no conflicts, especially the ones who are new.

Mark wrote: "As I understand it, you cannot write "I received a free copy of this book in return for a review". That wording implies a review was a requirement."

Thanks, Mark, that makes it clear.

You review the books from #1, #2, #3, and #4 on the list.

Scott,

Is the format still, you send you book to the four below you and recieve books from the four above you? If so I would have to send my book to Stacie and she has already read it.

Thanks
Jaci

Other way around, you send your book to the four authors listed above you.

Ah D.H... you send your book to #6, #7, #8, and #9

Scott wrote: "Other way around, you send your book to the four authors listed above you."

Well then that works perfectly- thanks so much Scott for the clarification!

People usually prefer ,mobi, but they should be sending you a message on your author profile on Goodreads so they can 1) tell you what format they prefer, and 2) to give you their email address to make it possible in the first place.

Dave, you say you're born in Canada, but you're not still living in Canada, are you? Are you living in the Netherlands now?

Yes, you may review your four assigned books in any order, as long as you do the minimum number of books by the matching deadline, ie. you must do one book by Round 1 deadline, three books by Round Three deadline, and so on.

You should contact the four people below you so they have your email address to send you their books. You can do this anytime now.

If you're reviewing me, mine is available on instafreebie here until the 9th, then it will go up on KU

Thanks for the copy, J.B. Since it's going to be on KU, I'll download it and read it then.

Mine's on KU for anyone with a sub. If not, send me a message with the format you want and I'll email you a copy.

I will be purchasing the author’s books I am reviewing from Amazon so you will get a verified purchase review. No need to send any copies directly to me.

Thanks
Jaci

Scott, I'm sorry, I'm finding this quite confusing. OK, I get it that I review the four people after me, and am reviewed by the four before me. But, especially with the latter, in what order? I notice that for D.H. you listed #6, #7, #8, and #9 from smallest to largest number, though he's #10 and #9 is the first one before him… So #6 would be reviewing him in the first round, #7 in the second, and so on?

I just wonder if you could give us a neat list of who reviews/is reviewed by who, and for which round, as was done for group 182? Sorry, I know that means extra work, but it would reassure my non-mathematical brain to have it set down in black & white so I know I'm not getting mixed up!

(If everybody else is happy, maybe you could just do it for me! Thanks.)

I'll do it just for you, Steve. And, books may be reviewed out of order if you wish.

You need to get books from these people and read and review them for the following rounds. Florian - 1st round, DJ second round, J.B. third round, and Scott for fourth round.

You need to give your book in a .mobi copy or other format to these people. Stacie will review you for first round, so get your book to her the fastest. Then DH will review you for second round, so he should be next for you to send him a copy. Then Raj for his third round, and then Mark for his fourth round. But most of us supply our book within 24 to 48 hours to get it out of the way.

OK! Got it, thanks. (I'd actually put my reviewers in the opposite order, so it's just as well you spelt it out!)

Jaci wrote: "I will be purchasing the author’s books I am reviewing from Amazon so you will get a verified purchase review. No need to send any copies directly to me.

Thanks
Jaci"

Thanks Jaci. You're reviewing my pen name book "A Perilous Journey" by A. S. Hames - it's very much appreciated.

Best wishes,
Mark

Mark wrote: "Jaci wrote: "I will be purchasing the author’s books I am reviewing from Amazon so you will get a verified purchase review. No need to send any copies directly to me.

Thanks
Jaci"

Thanks Jaci. Y..."

Purchased this morning and started reading :) I'm intrigued.

Looks like I'm first out of the blocks, for once.

Here are the links to my review of A Perilous Journey:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

https://www.amazon.com/review/R1B9B43...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R108T...

Thanks D.J.
Awesome review.
Best wishes
Mark (pen name A. S. Hames)

You're welcome, Mark:-) Enjoyed the book.

Mark, it looks like you are getting all the attention today :) My review of The Perilous Journey.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R29OD...

https://www.amazon.com/review/R1G3FLT...

My review of Stacie Eirich's Space to Dream poetry collection. Amazing! Thanks Stacie!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

https://www.amazon.com/review/R8UBAS2...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R26H6...

Thanks for the early reviews. No rush, but it's fun to see them as they come in.

Many thanks, Jaci - that's great.
Best wishes,
Mark

Jaci wrote: "My review of Stacie Eirich's Space to Dream poetry collection. Amazing! Thanks Stacie!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

https://www.amazon.com/review/R8UBAS2......"

Thank you for your review, Jaci! :-) -Stacie

Hi all - here are my links for "Age of Azmoq"

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...

My reviews for The Scrying
Goodreads
Amazon
Amazon UK

My review for Azmoq, interesting epic fantasy with an India-enriched perspective!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R1EEU...

https://www.amazon.com/review/RCQT21W...

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

J.B. wrote: "My reviews for The Scrying
Goodreads
Amazon
Amazon UK"

Thanks J.B. :)

Everyone should have his or her first round book by now. If any problem still, be sure to contact that author, or me. Even the second book up for review should be in your hands by now.

Here are my reviews for Bear Kingdom

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-...

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Currently having a problem posting to zon.com. will try again tomorrow.

I think you'll find, Mark, that you can't post to the .com site unless you've made "sufficient purchases". That's what I and several others with accounts on non-US Amazon sites have found: they've tightened up this restriction recently. Even the method described in https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... no longer works.

Steve wrote: "I think you'll find, Mark, that you can't post to the .com site unless you've made "sufficient purchases". That's what I and several others with accounts on non-US Amazon sites have found: they've ..."

Yes, I'm UK-based. It's weird though because I posted a review to .com only six days ago with no problem. Do you think they've changed the rule that recently?