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:
Trish Butler

Member Links
1. Gina Karasek
2. David Alyn Gordon
3. Tristen Kozinski
4. P.L. Tavormina
5. Wayne McKinstry
6. K.T. Munson
7. Isaac Nasri
8. Noor Al-Shanti
9. Rik Ty
10. Ann Birdgenaw

Book Links
1. In Proper Time
2. Beginnings
3. The Darkness That Slept
4. Aerovoyant
5. Beyond the Atmosphere: A Military Sci-Fi Adventure
6. The Sixth Gate
7. Into the Violet Gardens
8. When the Traveler Stands Still
9. Thrill Kings Fragmented Sky
10. Ka'Azula

In order to participate in this round, your setting for 'Who Can Send Me Private Messages' needs to be 'anyone'.
Please follow this link to check - and if necessary change - your privacy setting.
https://www.goodreads.com/user/edit?t...

I'm interested in joining this round.
My profile:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

My book:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

Welcome Gina - please keep checking back for any clashes as the round fills.

I'll join with the Darkness That Slept.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/dash...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Hi E.M.

If you are okay with my completing 312, can I join this group with Jigsaw: Beginnings? Please advise and take care.

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

Welcome David - please keep checking back frequently as the group fills to spot any review clashes.

Tristen - In order to participate in this round, your setting for 'Who Can Send Me Private Messages' needs to be 'anyone'. Please follow this link to your privacy setting. https://www.goodreads.com/user/edit?t... Please make the necessary change and then let me know and I can add you to this group. Thanks.

All right, fixed it.

Welcome Tristen - please keep checking back frequently to spot any clashes.

I would like to join this round with my Military Sci-Fi novel Beyond the Atmosphere.

My book
https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Atmosph...

My author profile
https://www.goodreads.com/author/dash...

Welcome Wayne - please keep checking back and let me know if there are any review clashes.

I've just finished up in round 319 and would love to join here with Aerovoyant. I'm trying to get the amz reviews past the 50 mark.

My recent reading frenzy has fizzled, and so, I will not be reading at such a breakneck speed... in whatever round this book fits next. :) But a book every three weeks sounds lovely.

I've got no conflicts with Gina, David, Tristan, or Wayne. Have never met any of these lovely authors.

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

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

Welcome P.L. - please keep checking back frequently for clashes.

Hi EM
Here I am again . Trying to fill up a spot with Ka'Azula

I've read PL, David, and GIna, but I think they all have another book for me to review.
No one has read me yet. :-)

Welcome Ann - looks like you fit in here, but after I added you I saw you had not said which book...?

E.M. wrote: "Welcome Ann - looks like you fit in here, but after I added you I saw you had not said which book...?"

Ka'Azula

Ann wrote: "E.M. wrote: "Welcome Ann - looks like you fit in here, but after I added you I saw you had not said which book...?"

Ka'Azula"

Done! Please keep checking back for any clashes as the group fills.

That is true. I do have other books for Ann to read. Take care.

Oooh, glad to see there's an available Out of this World round!

Can you fit me in with When the Traveler Stands Still?

The only clashes I am noticing are that Tristen has read my other books and P.L. had read When the Traveler Stands Still, but not my other ones, so they would both have something of mine to read if they needed to for the round.

Welcome Noor - Please keep checking back for clashes as the group fills.

Thanks! Will do!

Good afternoon. This is Isaac Nasri. I may be very late but I'm interested in joining this round. My novel is Into the Violet Gardens

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

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

Isaac - happy to add you, but please can you check and confirm any review clashes you might have with others in the group.

@E.M.

Checked. No clashes with anyone. Plus if necessary your group admin is free to do review the first few pages of novel. It’s fine.

Good morning

Checked. No clashes with anyone. Plus if necessary your group admin is free to do review the first few pages of novel. It’s fine.

Welcome Isaac - please keep checking back for any clashes as we fill the last couple of spots

I'm interested in joining this round with my book Thrill Kings: Fragmented Sky. I have reviewed Aerovoyant (Hi PL!), and Noor (hi Noor!) has reviewed Fragmented Sky already. If I don't fit, I will try again next time. Thanks
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

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

Welcome Rik - please keep checking back frequently.

Hi Everyone. Isaac has read Jigsaw: Beginnings. He can read the next book: Jigsaw: Warheads if that is agreeable. Take care.

E.M.

Relooked into updates following list and confirmed that I did review one of David Gordon’s work called jigsaw beginnings once.

I do confirm

Thanks David and Isaac.

Fortunately, you are already in each other's blind spot so no change is needed at the moment.

Reviews are up
Coyote's Road Trip - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...

Final Stroke - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Amazon's should be up soon.

Blind Cerulean - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...

Ann wrote: "Hi EM
Here I am again . Trying to fill up a spot with Ka'Azula

I've read PL, David, and GIna, but I think they all have another book for me to review.
No one has read me yet. :-)"

Yes, I have another book that Ann can read. :)

Joseph wrote: "Reviews are up
Coyote's Road Trip - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re......"

I think you put this on the wrong thread, Joseph.

It may be too late (I seem to be having bad luck trying to fit into these) but I thought I'd see if I could sneak in with The Sixth Gate.

Tristen has reviewed me (and this book I believe so can offer another) and I have reviewed Noor. If they can't be shuffled around I understand. I don't see any other conflicts.

Welcome K.T. - I think you fit, let's see...

Everyone - 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.

Remember that 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 their name. You can check if someone has reviewed you in the same way through their profile and searching for your name.

Please check all those who are the 4 above and 4 below you.

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. Please do not post who you have reviewed or been reviewed by unless there is a clash

If you spot a clash or someone in the four below who has no book you can review, please say.

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.

Good to go.

Oh never mind, let me check again.

P.L. wrote: "Rik has reviewed me (Hi Rik!) So i don't think I can review him--that looks like a reciprocal conflict to me.

(I admit I still get confused on the who-revews-who, though)"

You are in his blind spot so neither of you will review the other.

Good to go! Thank you E. M.

Oh yay! This order works for me. ☺️

everything looks good to me.

I only see the one list. Noor is positioned above me. She just reviewed Fragmented Sky, so I don't think i can review her. Thanks

E.M. wrote: "Joseph wrote: "Reviews are up
Coyote's Road Trip - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re......"

(sorry, multi-tasking, they name is 'joseph' not)

Rik wrote: "I only see the one list. Noor is positioned above me. She just reviewed Fragmented Sky, so I don't think i can review her. Thanks"

Rik

You review the 4 below you - 10, 1, 2, 3
The four above you review you - 8, 7, 6, 5

Noor is #8 so will be reviewing you in that position, so that's fine, providing you have another book.

Trish

Good to go.

good to go

Hi Trish!
I should know that by now. I don't want to torture Noor. My only other novel is actually violent and grim, so, could I substitute a few short stories? I can make most of them free on amazon when the time comes. Just in case, here are links.

Thrill Kings: The Size Of Minneapolis Upright - short story. no real violence
https://www.amazon.com/Thrill-Kings-M...



Thrill Kings: Not So Bad - short story - no violence at all.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...


Thrill Kings: Fitful Dreaming - short comic book - character work. no violence.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...


these can all be free if I set them up.


Thrill Kings: The Gray Walls - this short story would be a bonus - it is a little grim, and can't be free - but i can send a pdf.

https://www.amazon.com/Thrill-Kings-W...

Thank you

Hi Trish, those last links were all amazon. I will get them for good reads.

Hello. Here are the links on goodreads. The first book has a different cover.


Thrill Kings: The Size Of Minneapolis Upright - short story. no real violence - some tension.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

Thrill Kings: Not So Bad - short story - no violence at all. lots of action though
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

Thrill Kings: Fitful Dreaming - short comic book - character work- Noor might like this one.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...



bonus
Thrill Kings: The Gray Walls - this short story would be a bonus - it is a little grim, and can't be free - but i can send a pdf.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

Thank you