Review Group discussion

The review group is the most successful group for peer reviews on goodreads. It hosts non-reciprocal reading/review rounds of ten authors with a variety of themes and genres, as well as ‘general’ rounds where any book is permitted, from non-fiction, to horror. 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 or check back another time.

The Amazon rules state that authors/publishers are not allowed to specifically supply published books in return for reviews on Amazon. To comply with this rule, we don’t insist members review on Amazon, but we do insist that every participant in the round has the capacity to leave a review on their local Amazon store, so we all start with the same options.

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 and do check back as the group fills to report any clashes. Usually places are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

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

Please note it is always possible that the books you are assigned may contain material you find upsetting or offensive. If you can't commit to this, please do not sign up.

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 4 books within the 12 weeks of 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 and Amazon.
Amazon allows only those people who have spent $50 in the last year to leave reviews in each of their stores. If you are unsure about your Amazon reviewer status, try posting a ‘test’ review before signing up. If you are unable to post reviews on Amazon, please do not sign up.

5. You can provide (and accept) at least PDF files.
You are not expected or required to buy the books you are allocated to review, but as this will give a ‘Verified Purchase’ review on Amazon, it is welcomed when you choose to do so. Many authors have books available via KU and others might provide smashwords coupons. Most authors can provide mobi and/or epub files directly by email. Please note: International Copyright laws apply. You cannot sell, or give away material you have received without the author’s express permission.

6. You have completed your reading if you are currently in another review round in this group. You can be involved in the ‘one for one’ list whilst you are in a round.

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

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

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

Please note:
We all want reviews, it’s 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 DNF and/or don’t post reviews will find it difficult to get into a subsequent group.

It is not necessary to leave any kind of disclaimer in your review, but ultimately, it is up to individuals. Reviews that state you received a copy ‘in return’ for a review will probably be removed/not allowed by amazon.com. ‘I received a free copy from the author without an obligation to review’ would be more acceptable if you feel the need to add a disclaimer.

Your Goodreads details and the rounds you participate in may be recorded by the admin mod on a database. We do not retain details of email addresses etc.

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.

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/...

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. It’s a pain to have to keep rearranging the list because people haven’t read the above.

Your group moderator will be:
Trish Butler

Member Links
1. Peter Martuneac
2. Gene Kendall
3. James Maxstadt
4. Audrey Driscoll
5. Florian Armas
6. I.M. Redwright
7. S.D. Brown
8. Phillip Murrell
9. Neus Figueras
10. Scott Spotson

Book Links
1. Her Name Was Abby
2. Black Hat Blues
3. Death Lessons
4. The Friendship of Mortals
5. Errant
6. The Sapphire Eruption
7. Saving Bigfoot Valley
8. Augury Answered
9. Lorac
10. Delusional

I'll move to this group with Black Hat Blues. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

Thank you Gene, incredibly kind of you.

Please can you both check back often and report anyone who signs up with whom you have a clash. Thank you so much.

Hello there, I'd like to join this group. My fantasy book here:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Welcome I.M. !

Hi EM,
I'd like to join with SAVING BIGFOOT VALLEY
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

I have read Gene's Black Hat Blues.

Welcome S.D.

Hello, I'd be interested in joining this group. I've already read Gene's Black Hat Blues. My books is a collection of dark scifi short stories.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

Alexis - I am sorry but as Gene has no other books to offer, I believe (he can correct me if I am wrong but it has been an issue before) and his one 'blind spot' is already occupied. I can't include you in this group.

You could check out the 18+ group which still has vacancies and I note your book is quite short so maybe you could check the word length and see if it would fit in the Novella group?

Failing that, check back again soon as new groups will be opening as soon as the present outstanding ones have filled up.

Just finished my last review in the other group, I would like to join this round if possible:

Book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Author: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Now, I have been marketing this book as a YA fantasy. The thing is, one of the main characters is 19. However, this is a complex book, and really can go either way.

Plus...I really want to read some adult fiction again.

Welcome S.D. Reeves.

Please make sure you have no clashes with others in the group so far. You can check if you have reviewed anyone before by going to your reviews, clicking the 'Author' heading to get them in alphabetical author order, and then checking through to see. You can check if someone has reviewed you in the same way through their profile.

No clashes so far

It's fine, I'll check back another time:)

I would like to enter with Errant

I've reviewed S.D Brown in the past

Alexis and EM,
I do have alternates (I believe Alexis has only read one of my books, unlike some other reviewers on the forum who've already reviewed my alternate.) They don't fit neatly into "Out of this World," but I was told previously they're okay as alternates.

I'd like to jump in with Death Lessons.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Welcome Florian and James.

Alexis - Are you ok with reading a possibly non-'out of this world' book? if so I can put you in. :)

Everyone - please update me on any clashes you spot as they happen!

James reviewed me (another book), so we have switch places.
1. Gene Kendall
2. I.M. Redwright
3. S.D. Reeves
4. James Maxstadt
5. Florian Armas
6. S.D. Brown

Florian wrote: "James reviewed me (another book), so we have switch places."

Thanks Florian. Sorted!

Howdy! Moving here, and hopefully will fit. :) Checking for clashes...

I've read: 2 books by Gene (he has more) + 3 books by SD Brown (has more). I've been read twice by Florian. That's it so far...

Welcome Angela!

S.D. Brown - I'm assuming you are ok to read a maybe not 'out-of-this-world' book of Gene's this round, if that is a problem please let me know.

Hi EM.

Other than the fixed clash with Florian, I've read one of SD Reeves books, although not the one listed.

Other than that, I should be good so far.

Thanks.

James wrote: "Hi EM.

Other than the fixed clash with Florian, I've read one of SD Reeves books, although not the one listed."

Sorted!

Hi EM! -- Florian has reviewed both my books; any chance we can be reorganized?

Angela - I can't see how I can move you and not cause another clash for you. I see you have 4 books listed, if one of those other two is not on offer then I am really sorry but I think you might need to sit this one out after all.

E.M. wrote: "Angela - I can't see how I can move you and not cause another clash for you. I see you have 4 books listed, if one of those other two is not on offer then I am really sorry but I think you might ne..."

Ok, gotcha. Guess it wouldn't hurt to throw a third book into the mix this time. I can send Florian "The Cardiology of Broken Things". Let's leave the list as is, then. Thanks :)

E.M. wrote: "Welcome Angela!

S.D. Brown - I'm assuming you are ok to read a maybe not 'out-of-this-world' book of Gene's this round, if that is a problem please let me know."

I've read both of Gene's books . . . sent you a note in messager.

I'd like to join.

Augury Answered

Phillip Murrell

I.M Redwright has reviewed one of my other books.

I'd like to sign up for this with my latest dystopian novel.

Her Name Was Abby

Peter Martuneac

Phillip Murrell reviewed my first novel (to which the one I'm submitting is the sequel), but I've not reviewed anyone here.

Welcome Phillip and Peter.

I.M. - I have removed you as you signed up on the 18+ group instead.

I'd like to sign up for this group with my new suspense/thriller. Trap Play

B - I don't think your book fits this group which is for speculative fiction only. Please check back next week when new rounds will be opening up that your book will fit.

Hi EM, I'm available, but I may not be a good fit. If it doesn't work or is too complicated, no problem, I'll wait for the next round.

I've read Gene, Angela, and SD Brown and would need different books from all three.
Florian has reviewed me.

I'd like to submit The Sorcerer's Garden
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

I can provide Diana (hi Diana! :)) with The Art of War instead of The Wake Up. No clash on my end!

I'm sure I have something for her to read as well

Sorry Diana, I can't fit you in this group, but I shall be opening some new ones later this week so do check back.

E.M. wrote: "Sorry Diana, I can't fit you in this group, but I shall be opening some new ones later this week so do check back."

No problem at all. Just threw it out there. :-)

I think I could join this group with Dyrwolf (with Dark as an alternate) if I go into position ten and Angela skips me.

I have reviewed James. Florian, SD Brown, Angela and Phillip have reviewed me. Spot number ten puts me in Florian's blind spot. Angela could skip me. SD and Phillip could read my aternate book and person #9 could read Dyrwolf.

I'll throw my hat in the ring. With Delusional Delusional. I've reviewed S.D. Reeves and James Maxstadt, and Florian has reviewed me. However, in every single case, the book is different from any in the past.

Thanks.

Welcome Scott!

Thanks so much for the offer Kat, but Scott fits perfectly in that slot so to put you in would make it very hard to include him.

Anyone looking at snagging that last spot, please make sure you fit in it without clashes. New members of the group with a speculative fiction book most welcome!

No problem. I'll join one of the new rounds next time they're available :) Have fun, all :)

Hey E.M. I hate to do this, but I think I am going to withdraw. I have become swamped lately with work (and review request, since I put up a review policy), and won't have enough time.

No worries S.D. - life happens. Hopefully, you can join a round another time.

Angela - really sorry, but I just realised you can't fit in this round after all. Since Gene and S.D. have to be in each other's blind spots there is no way you can review both of them again as you need to. My extreme bad for not checking more carefully before adding you. However, I have just opened 3 new rounds so you should be able to sign up for one of those bright and early!

I'd like to join this round with The Friendship of Mortals (Lovecraftian, supernatural). I haven't read anything by any of the authors already on the list.

Book link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Author link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

E.M. wrote: "No worries S.D. - life happens. Hopefully, you can join a round another time."

I am going to have to put up a thing on my website that says I am no longer available, I am at this point booked till at least June.

Welcome Audrey!

E.M. wrote: "Welcome Phillip and Peter.

I.M. - I have removed you as you signed up on the 18+ group instead."

Hi E.M, I just got over with the other round so maybe I could fit here now?

I have read Peter Martuneac and Phillip Murrell's books, the rest I am good