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 a 'Children and YA' round
Fiction and non-fiction books listed as being for children or young adults.

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. Please note the Review Group will back any reviewer's right to express their opinion about a book, but personal comments about a fellow author are against both Review Group and Goodreads policy.

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:
Chrys Cymri

Member Links
1. Dorothy Mbori
2. Loralee Evans
3. Stephanie M. Ward
4. S.D. Brown
5. S.D. Reeves
6. Balroop Singh
7. K.S. Abhishek
8. Kelly Brady Channick
9. D. Gail Miller
10. Margaret Standafer

Book Links
1. The Quest Search for a Lost Brother
2. Kits and Cubbyholes
3. Arabella and the Magic Pencil
4. Escape to Molokai
5. The Melody of Three
6. Magical Whispers
7. The Sword of Kalki
8. Asbury High and the Parcels of Poison: Asbury High Series
9. The Gateway to Danger: Chelsea Crosses into e-Commerceland: A Coming of Age Christian Novel for Young Adults
10. I Know an Old Lady

Hi Everyone. Happy New Year!

I'd love to join this round with my picture book, Arabella and the Magic Pencil I have a PDF to share, but it isn't yet available on Kindle or ePub.

Here are links to the Goodreads and Amazon pages for reference.

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

https://amzn.to/2Zy7Sfe

Thanks,
Stephanie

Hello! I'd like to join if possible with my book Kits and Cubbyholes. I've read Stephanie's book Arabella and the Magic Pencil before, but I could read Wally the Warm Weather Penguin if I'm assigned to read Stephanie's book.

Here is mine: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

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

Hi everyone, I'd like to join this round with my book "The Quest Search for a Lost Brother." Thank you.

Sorry I forgot to post my link.

here is my amazon link
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KGY3N8Y

and my Goodreads author page
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Thank you,
Dorothy

Dorothy has read my book, but I have others she can read.

Welcome Stephanie, Loralee and Dorothy - please keep checking back and let me know right away if you spot any clashes as the group fills. Thank you.

Loralee wrote: "Dorothy has read my book, but I have others she can read."

Hello, I have read Kits and Cubbyholes, but I am open to reading something else from Loralee.

Thanks,
Dorothy

Hey folks,

I would like to throw my hat in the ring for this round with the Melody of Three.

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

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

Loralee and Stephanie have reviewed me before, but I have another book they haven't reviewed if need be.

Welcome S.D.

Hello!
I would like to join this round with my YA novel, I Know an Old Lady.

I have previously reviewed Loralee, and have reviewed the book she has in this round, but she may have others I haven't reviewed?

I don't have any other clashes thus far.

I Know an Old Lady

Margaret Standafer

Margaret, I don’t think you’ve read my fourth Felicity book, Felicity and the Scary Bear. Or Tabby Cats and Trap Doors. You could read one of those.

Welcome Margaret - please do keep checking by as the group fills and sing out if you spot any further clashes that develop. thanks :)

Anastasia is right, that I have already read Seven Ways to Paint the Sky.

Anastasia, do you have any other books? If you do, Margaret and I could probably read and review something else you've written.

I would like to join this round as well with my YA mythological fantasy- The Sword of Kalki. How does this work though?

Anastasia wrote: "I don't have anything else yet. I'm more than happy to wait til next round if that makes things easier when I will most likely have another book."

There's also the 18+ round, if you're interested. You might have fewer clashes there :)

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

Anastasia - I am sorry but with two people who have both read you and only the one book I can't fit you in the round as you only have one blind spot. You could try for a fit in the 18+ round - all books are welcome in that round regardless of genre, but there is an expectation you may be asked to read something 'adult' if you participate which might not work for you. Thanks for your guidance offered to K.S. too :)

K.S. - Firstly, please make sure you have the ability to post reviews to your local Amazon store as having that option is a pre-requisite for participation in these rounds. Then, as Anastasia said post your Goodreads author page and book page for the book you would like to enter in the round. If you have read or reviewed anyone else please let me know as reciprocal reviews are not allowed. When the round has filled and the checks are completed you will be assigned 4 books to read and review over 12 weeks. Hope this helps :)

Kat wrote: "Anastasia wrote: "I don't have anything else yet. I'm more than happy to wait til next round if that makes things easier when I will most likely have another book."

There's also the 18+ round, if ..."

Great minds ... ;)

Hi! I'd like to add my book, Asbury High and the Parcels of Poison. I've already read and reviewed I Know an Old Lady by Margaret. But other than that I'm good to go!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Asbury-High-Pa...

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

E.M. wrote: "Welcome Stephanie, Loralee and Dorothy - please keep checking back and let me know right away if you spot any clashes as the group fills. Thank you."

Hi E.M. So far, the only book I've already read and reviewed on the list is The Melody of Three. I'll keep you posted if any others pop up. Thanks!

E.M. wrote: "Anastasia - I am sorry but with two people who have both read you and only the one book I can't fit you in the round as you only have one blind spot. You could try for a fit in the 18+ round - all ..."

Thanks to both of you- E.M and Anastasia.
I think I get how it works now.
I have gone through the list and haven't read any of them.
I would like to join in with my book- The Sword of Kalki.

The link to my book in Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Sword-Kalki-Ka...

My book's goodreads page:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

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

Thanks.

E.M. wrote: "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’ r..."

Hi, I would love to participate. I do have several YA books that people can choose from and can use more reviews. Here are the books (Israel, Kara's Quest, Fires of Discovery, Girl Revived, Into the Woods, and Girl Restored. Thank you for the opportunity!

Welcome Kelly,

Pam - I am very happy to add you provided you can fulfil the criteria of the OP, but I do need just one book you would like to have in the round :)

I may have too many clashes...
Loralee & Margaret have reviewd me.
I have reviewed S.D. Reeves & Kelly

I'd like to submit Escape to Molokai:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

I'll understand it I create too many clashes and don't fit the group.

I think I can squeeze you in here S.D. - as long as no one points out something I've missed ;) Welcome.

Is K.S. good to join, too?

Welcome K.S :)

Thanks Loralee, I completely missed the post - my extreme bad.

EM, I noticed in the lineup, that there are two number 4s. There are 11 spots there, because of that. I don’t think that hurts anyone currently, we just don’t have three spots remaining.

Loralee wrote: "Is K.S. good to join, too?"

Thanks. I was in two minds - whether to speak up or not.

Loralee wrote: "EM, I noticed in the lineup, that there are two number 4s. There are 11 spots there, because of that. I don’t think that hurts anyone currently, we just don’t have three spots remaining."

I think I need a new brain... thanks :)

E.M. - Just a reminder that I have already reviewed SD Brown's book Escape to Molokai. I have not reviewed SD Reeves. Earlier, I think you had Reeves at #4 and Brown at #5 which would work, but the way it is now won't work unless it's okay with SD Brown for me to review a different book.

Margaret wrote: "E.M. - Just a reminder that I have already reviewed SD Brown's book Escape to Molokai. I have not reviewed SD Reeves. Earlier, I think you had Reeves at #4 and Brown at #5 which would work, but the..."

Thanks for this :) S.D. Brown has a lot of really great books you can review (I know because I have reviewed a number myself), so unless you have reviewed them all I am sure there will be one for you :)

Hi E.M, I think I can fit in this group as I haven't reviewed anyone and I have been reviewed by S.D. and Loralee.
My latest book link:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Thanks.

Balroop wrote: "Hi E.M, I think I can fit in this group as I haven't reviewed anyone and I have been reviewed by S.D. and Loralee.
My latest book link:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5......"

Happy to add you, but please confirm the book is aimed at children/YA age groups. Thanks :)

Hi E.M. My latest collection has been recommended for Y/A even by a reviewer.
Thanks. Balroop.

Welcome Balroop :)

I would like my YA novel The Gateway to Danger: Chelsea Crosses into e-Commerceland considered for inclusion in this pool. I've participated in these review rounds in the past but do not believe I've reviewed/been reviewed by any of the authors currently participating in this one. Here are the Goodread and Amazon links:

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

https://www.amazon.com/Gateway-Danger...

Welcome D.

Alright, now we come to the 'check' phase. This is very important and I need everyone to do this, please, no exceptions.

Please post to tell me if you have reviewed any of the four people above you on the list (the list wraps around so (10) is 'above' (1). Please also check that if you have already reviewed any of the four people 'below' you on the list they have more books available that you have not yet reviewed and post to tell me if they have not.

You can check if you have reviewed anyone before by going to your reviews through your profile (the link is under your portrait), 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.

Any issues, please post to say.

When everyone has posted 'Good to go' we will be :)

Hi E.M, As mentioned earlier I've been reviewed by Loralee and S.D.
I haven't reviewed any of the four persons above me in this list.
S.D. has reviewed Magical Whispers but I have more books to offer for review in this case.
So I am good to go.

I have reviewed Loralee's book, but she has others she's okay with me reviewing for this round.

I have also reviewed SD Brown's Escape to Molokai but this is his only book I've reviewed so as long as its okay to review a different one, the order works for me.

Thanks for all you work settling this up!

Sorry, one more thing...
Kelly has already reviewed my book, I Know an Old Lady, and that's my only YA book.

I'm quite sure I haven't been reviewed by or reviewed any of the other authors on the list. So: Good to go.

My status is the same.
Loralee and Margaret have reviewed me... They have both read Molokai and can choose what else of mine they'd like to read.

I have reviewed Balroop, S.D., and Kelly.

My status is the same.
Margaret & Loralee had reviewed me.
I have reviewed Balroop, S.D. & Kelly.

Hey.
None of the above have been reviewed by me. My book hasn't been reviewed by any of the above wither.
Good to go.

I am good to go.

Good to go!

I'm good to go! I have reviewed Laralee's Kitts and Cubbyholes, but she has more books. I can review any other book that she has.

Kelly wrote: "Good to go!"

EM- just a reminder that Kelly has already reviewed my book, I Know an Old Lady and I don't have another YA book so not sure how you want to handle that. Thank you!

Good to go here. The three folks above me have reviewed Melody of Three, but I have Curses of Scale ready