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. 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:
Kat Kinney


Member Links
1. Cathleen Townsend
2. Loralee Evans
3. Collette Heather
4. Alex Canna
5. Franca Ogbonnaya
6. Gwendoline Rose
7. Bruce Pedersen
8. Pete Peru
9. Tristen Kozinski
10. S. Lynn Helton

Book Links
1. Snow White and the Civil War, Part 1
2. Felicity~ A Sparrow's Tale
3. Two Doors Down
4. Operation Outfect: Spreading humankind to the stars. What could go wrong?
5. The Wielder Trials
6. Bartered Innocence: A Dystopian Romance
7. The Eighth Stone
8. The Reeking Hegs
9. The Darkness That Slept
10. Duplicity of Power

Hi, I'd like to join with sci-fi novel Operation Outfect please: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Welcome Alex - please do remember to check back frequently to keep an eye out for any clashes as the group fills.

I'd like to join, please, with Snow White and the Civil War, part 1: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5....

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

No clashes with Alex. : )

Hello, EM! Might I join with my children’s fantasy, Felicity~ A Sparrow’s Tale? https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

I have not reviewed or been reviewed by Alex.

Welcome Cathleen - and please do keep me updated with any clashes :)

Loralee wrote: "Hello, EM! Might I join with my children’s fantasy, Felicity~ A Sparrow’s Tale? https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

I have not reviewed or been reviewed by Alex."

Happy to add you - any clashes with Cathleen?

I can read Loralee, but she can't read me: I have already reviewed her Raccoons and Rabbit Holes.

And I'm sorry, but I have to go work on a construction jobsite today, so this is the last clash check I will be able to run for about twelve hours. I will update as soon as I get home. : )

Cathleen wrote: "I can read Loralee, but she can't read me: I have already reviewed her Raccoons and Rabbit Holes.

And I'm sorry, but I have to go work on a construction jobsite today, so this is the last clash ch..."

Thanks Cathleen :)

Welcome Loralee - please keep on checking back, as always :)

Hello! I'd like to join with my fantasy Duplicity of Power.

I've completed my obligations in the previous Out of This World round.

I've already read and reviewed Alex's book, but he's got another that I can read.

No conflicts with either Loralee or Cathleen.

-Lynn
S. Lynn Helton

Welcome S. - as ever please keep on checking back for any new clashes :)

G'day,

I'd like to participate in this group.
I'm the co-author of "The Reeking Hegs".
It's a satirical fantasy/horror.
I have not participated in this before, so would appreciate a rundown on how it works, please.
For example; should I post a link to the book here?
Many thanks, Pete

Peter wrote: "G'day,

I'd like to participate in this group.
I'm the co-author of "The Reeking Hegs".
It's a satirical fantasy/horror.
I have not participated in this before, so would appreciate a rundown on ho..."

Hi Peter!

You should please post a link to the book you would like to enter.

You also need to please claim your author profile. Right now you're just posting from a regular member profile. To merge your GR author profile with your member profile go to your author profile, and click at the bottom where it says "Is this you?" and follow the instructions.

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

Hi I would like to join with my book The Wielder Trials.

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

I have been reviewed by Alex for this book however he can review a different book.
I have been reviewed by Loralee and Cathleen for a different book , so they can read this one but I can’t review them.
I have already reviewed Lynn for her book duplicity of power. So if I get her I need a different book to read.

Thanks

Apologies. I had not seen that Cathleen had posted before me. And yes, she is right that she has reviewed me, but she can review this book.
And as Franca said, I have reviewed her. But I believe I can review this one.
I have not been reviewed by or reviewed any of the others.

Welcome Franca - and please keep on checking back as we fill up to let me know of any other clashes that might appear :)

Loralee wrote: "Apologies. I had not seen that Cathleen had posted before me. And yes, she is right that she has reviewed me, but she can review this book.
And as Franca said, I have reviewed her. But I believe I ..."

Thanks for the information :)

As Franca said, she's already reviewed my book, but I do have others available (even in the same series).

Hi all! I'd like to join with The Wake Up (or The Art of War: a Novel, for those who've read the former).
The Wake Up: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
The Art of War: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

I've reviewed Alex before (but for another book), and have been reviewed by Loralee (twice) and Cathleen (once).

Hello, I would like to join, but I'm not sure which group would be a better fit. My book has magic, putting it in out of this world, but has darker adult themes, while not graphic, that might put it in 18 plus.

Angela has read me before but not this book.

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

Welcome Angela - assuming you have a third book to offer Loralee, Please let me know because if not I am afraid you won't fit in this round.

Welcome Gwendoline - I've added you as your book sounds as if it would fit in this round just fine :) Please check back frequently and keep me informed if you see any review clashes.

They weren't ready for us, so I made it back early. Clash update.

List as is currently works fine for me.

No clashes with:
Alex Canna
S. Lynn Helton, or
Gwendoline.

I have read Loralee, but not this book.
I have read Franca, but not this book.
I have read Angela's The Wake Up. I will be happy to read The Art of War as an alternate. : )

E.M. wrote: "Welcome Angela - assuming you have a third book to offer Loralee, Please let me know because if not I am afraid you won't fit in this round.

Welcome Gwendoline - I've added you as your book sounds..."

Thank you so much. I look forward to reading the books I'm assigned. :)

I would like to join with The Darkness That Slept. Epic Dark Fantasy.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
I have already read The Wake Up by Angela but I see no other conflicts.

I have no clashes with Tristen.

Welcome Tristen - Do please keep checking back for any clashes :)

Clash update for me.... The list as it is currently works well.
-Lynn

I've already read and reviewed Alex's book, but he's got another that I'm happy to read.

Franca has already reviewed my book, but I do have others available.

I've neither read, nor been read by:
Cathleen
Loralee
Angela
Gwendoline
Tristen

I have no clashes with qwendoline or Tristan.
Thanks

I'd like to join with my book The Eighth Stone:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08K43SJTQ

I have been reviewed by Loralee, and I have reviewed Angela's book, so I should be OK in position 8 I guess? No other clashes. Hope you can fit me in.

Many thanks
BP

I have no clashes with Bruce.

Hi!

I have been checking the review group every day, looking to enter my book. 'Two Doors Down'. It is primarily a psychological thriller that has the vibe of domestic noir, but it has a strong supernatural/fantasy theme with some adult content. As such, this is the group that I most wanted to enter. It would make my day to be accepted.

Here is the book on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088P75TH2


Thanks for considering me. All the best. Collette.

ETA: I forgot the goodreads link:

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

E.M. wrote: "Welcome Angela - assuming you have a third book to offer Loralee, Please let me know because if not I am afraid you won't fit in this round.

Welcome Gwendoline - I've added you as your book sounds..."

Nope, I don't have a third book to offer at this time. I'll jump to another group.

Hi EM, I also forgot the goodreads link:

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

Apols
BP

Hello,

I have claimed my author profile.
Here's a link to "The Reeking Hegs" which I'd like to be included in this group:
https://www.amazon.es/Reeking-Hegs-En...

It is also available on Amazon.com, Amz.uk etc

Excuse me for asking but I'm new to this :-)
What happens now?

Bruce, if you were in spot 8 you’d have to review me, which can’t be done, since I’ve reviewed you. Do you have other books I could review? If not, we’d have to be in each other’s blind spots, with you reviewing another of Angela’s books. Maybe that can be done?

As far as clashes, I’m good so far. If, as it looks, those above me will review me and those below me will be reviewed by me.

I have read Angela’s book but could read another.
I have not read or been reviewed by Alex
I have read another of Franca’s books, but not this one.
I have not read or been reviewed by Gwendoline.

Cathleen has read mine, but not this book.
Tristen has not read mine or been read by me.
S. Lynn has not read mine or been read by me.

If you can fit Collette in, I have neither read nor been reviewed by her.
If you can fit Bruce in, I have read his book.
If you can fit Pete in, I have neither read not been reviewed by him.

And here's the Goodreads link:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Pete wrote: "Excuse me for asking but I'm new to this :-)
What happens now?"

Hi Pete! Thanks for claiming your author profile and adding your link so that you can request a spot in the round. Now EM will look at all the people who have requested to join the round in the order that they requested to join and see if she can fill those last two spots. We have to make sure people don't "clash" i.e. you aren't reviewing someone who has reviewed you previously as this is against Amazon TOS. It can take a bit of sudoku to make it work!

I have no clashes with Pete or Collette.

I have no clashes with Pete, Bruce, or Collette.
-Lynn

No new clashes for me.

I have no clashes with anyone as I'm new kid on the block :-)

Just checking in. I'd like to join this round but I think I got too many conflicts to fit in anywhere. (I've read Angela and Franca and Cathleen has read mine)
Let me know if that works somehow, otherwise I'll try to jump on the next one before it fills.

Welcome Bruce, Collette and Pete.

Angela - thank you for withdrawing, hope you can snag a spot in another round.

Jeremy - we are full here now, do try another round.

Everyone in the group - HUGE thanks for everyone being so careful to keep me updated with clashes, I really do appreciate it and it has made it possible to spot issues early and putting this round together a lot easier.

Now we need to do a final check.

So 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), and searching your name. You can check if someone has reviewed you in the same way through their profile.

If you have no review clashes - or if you are scheduled to review someone who you have reviewed before but can see they have another book available just post 'Good to go :)' or words to that effect.

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

If you are new to these rounds do not worry, full instructions will be provided at every stage.

I am good to go.

I'm good to go.

Alex, since I've already reviewed Operation Outfect, I'll just review The South Tower: An alternate history of 9/11 for this round.

Fantastic! Thank you so much for having me! I have withdrawn my request to join the 18+ round. There will be no review clashes for me because this is my first time.

Thanks again for having me onboard, I very much look forward to reading your books. All the best. Colette.
ETA... Good to go...

All good with me. : )

All good.