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 'General' round
All fiction/ non-fiction accepted. This means you may be required to read anything from a book about tax returns to horror/erotica and everything in between.

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.

12. You declare all Goodreads accounts when signing up for rounds, including all pen names and additional user accounts, so that these can be checked by moderators and other group members to ensure that there are not previous review conflicts.

13. Books which include AI-generated writing are not permitted. Reviews may not be written by AI.

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: E.K. Frances

Member Links | Book Links
1. Rachel Byrne | Predestined
2. Florian Armas | Errant
3. Terry Birdgenaw | Antunites Unite
4. Tony Travis | Unearthing Worlds: Book Two of the Keyholes Trilogy
5. Arriah Kiprujistho | A Tale of Renascence
6. Joseph Minart (also Davon M. Custis) - The Memory of Lost Dreams
7. Phillip Murrell | Just Joe
8. S. Lynn Helton (also (Lynn Helton) | Duplicity of Power
9. T.E.W. Tameka E. Wesley | Remnants : The Forsaken Goddess & The Eternal Flame
10. Liudmila Brus | No Life but Immortality: Book 1 of Geryon's Code Cycle

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...

Please Note: When signing up, as well as posting your Goodreads author and Goodreads book link, please post review conflicts. Please don't rely on memory.

To check if you’ve reviewed someone, click your “My Books”, and type their name in "search and add books".

To check if someone else has reviewed you, go to their profile, click the middle link under their picture (x reviews) then type your name into “search and add books”

Thank you :)

Please note two rules that are recent additions:

12. You declare all Goodreads accounts when signing up for rounds, including all pen names and additional user accounts, so that these can be checked by moderators and other group members to ensure that there are not previous review conflicts.

13. Books which include AI-generated writing are not permitted. Reviews may not be written by AI.

I'd like to join with Just Joe.

I'd like to join with Antunites Unite by Terry Birdgenaw

I use Terry Birdgenaw for GR and Dr. TJ or T-Rex for Amazon

Phillip wrote: "I'd like to join with Just Joe."

Welcome, Phillip.

Terry wrote: "I'd like to join with Antunites Unite by Terry Birdgenaw

I use Terry Birdgenaw for GR and Dr. TJ or T-Rex for Amazon"

Hi Terry, please can you let me know if you have any conflicts with Phillip. Thanks

No conflicts.

I would like to join with Errant (or The Game and the Board, or The Shamans at the End of Time, or The Other Side).

I've reviewed Phillip and Terry.

I don't have other accounts on Goodreads.

Edited to add another title to my list.

Welcome to the round, Terry & Florian.

I'd like to join with Predestined. I've never reviewed here.

Rachel wrote: "I'd like to join with Predestined. I've never reviewed here."

Hi Rachel, before I can sign you up, 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'd like to join with my fantasy book Duplicity of Power, if I can fit.

My GR book link: www.goodreads.com/book/show/51578866-...
My GR author link: www.goodreads.com/slynnhelton
(I also write as Lynn Helton)

I've already reviewed all the books that Terry has so far, so I'd need to be in his blind spot.

I've already reviewed the books that Florian listed, but it looks like there are others available.

Phillip has already reviewed this book of mine, but I do have others available.

No clash with Rachel.

I have reviewed Florian Armas ' Errant. I would like to join with https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

A Quick Spin Around the Galaxy... It's Sci Fi.

I have reviewed Lynn Helton too (if you're able to work Lynn into the group) - Crystalbourne Sigals and Songborne Gates.

I have reviewed Phillip Murrell too. a Soldier's Perspective...

E.K. wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I'd like to join with Predestined. I've never reviewed here."

Hi Rachel, before I can sign you up, your setting for 'Who Can Send Me Private Messages' needs to be 'anyone'.
Please f..."

I changed it, thanks!

Welcome, Rachel and Lynn.

J.A., I'm sorry, I can't fit you in with the existing conflicts.

Hey Everyone! Can I join with "Black Powder, Black Heart"?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Powder-H...

I have reviewed Florian, Philip, and Lynn-- but I think they all have other books I can review.

Terry has reviewed me, but I have some books he has not.

No other conflicts thus far.

Seth wrote: "Hey Everyone! Can I join with "Black Powder, Black Heart"?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

https://www.amazon.co..."

Hi Seth, I'm sorry, I can't fit you in with the existing conflicts.

I'd like to get on this group with The Dog Thief. It doesn't matter if someone has reviewed The Dog Thief and Other Stories (same book) because that version no longer exists. I'd prefer reviews for The Dog Thief, but it is fine with me is some other book gets reviewed. Florian, S. Lynn and Terry have reviewed me.

Also Philip has reviewed me but I have no conflicts with Amber.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Hi Laura, I'm sorry, I can't fit you in with the existing conflicts.

I would like to submit my book Remnants:

The Forsaken Goddess & The Eternal Flame

https://amzn.to/4hHNReF

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

If anyone is interested March 7th it's available for free on Amazon. I will make it available for free if needed and or give redemption codes to all that chooses my submission as long as it completes with the rules. Thank you!!!

T.E.W. wrote: "I would like to submit my book Remnants:

The Forsaken Goddess & The Eternal Flame

https://amzn.to/4hHNReF

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

If anyone is interested March 7t..."

Hi T.E.W., before I can sign you up, 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...

And please can you confirm whether you have read or been read by anyone in the list in message one.

Thanks

E.K. Frances hey, My settings have been updated and have made the necessary changes to receive private messages from everyone. I have not read or been read by anyone in the list in message one.

T.E.W. wrote: "E.K. Frances hey, My settings have been updated and have made the necessary changes to receive private messages from everyone. I have not read or been read by anyone in the list in message one."

Perfect, thank you! Welcome to the round.

E.K. Frances
Yes!!!!!!! Thank you!! how exciting 😁

Hey E.K. Frances I'm still relatively new to this app 😅 and can't figure out how to pm 😕. I decided on the book I want to read from the list and want to contact them but... I don't know how.

T.E.W. wrote: "Hey E.K. Frances I'm still relatively new to this app 😅 and can't figure out how to pm 😕. I decided on the book I want to read from the list and want to contact them but... I don't know how."

Hi T.E.W, the way that reading rounds work here is that you will be assigned four books to read by the moderator - me in this case. Four different people will be assigned to read your book. This will happen once we have all ten people signed up (right now we only have six.)

So for the moment, we are waiting for the group to fill up. Once it's full I will issue additional instructions - keep a look out for those. Please don't read any books from the list until we kick off the round.

Thanks :)

May I join with The Memory of Lost Dreams? Terry Birdgenaw read a different book from me, and I have already read Duplicity of Power by S. Lynn Helton (also (Lynn Helton). The others haven't read me, and I haven't read them.

E. K. Frances ohhh okay I see, Excellent! Thank you for explaining.

Joseph wrote: "May I join with The Memory of Lost Dreams? Terry Birdgenaw read a different book from me, and I have already read Duplicity of Power by S. Lynn Helton (also (Lynn Helton). The others haven't read m..."

Welcome to the round, Joseph.

T.E.W. wrote: "E. K. Frances ohhh okay I see, Excellent! Thank you for explaining."

No problem :) When the time does come to contact authors, you can do so by going to their author profile (listed in message 1 above). You'll see a grey button saying, 'Follow'. If you click on the small arrow to the right of that button a dropdown will be revealed and one of the options is 'Send Message'. That allows you to send a private message.

Hi E.K.
May I join this group in case I fit in?
Book: A Tale of Renascence
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

I have reviewed S. Lynn
Florian has reviewed this book but I can provide other book.
Terry has reviewed my other book, not this one.

I haven't reviewed anyone in this group, so I would like to submit my book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Arriah wrote: "Hi E.K.
May I join this group in case I fit in?
Book: A Tale of Renascence
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

I have reviewed S. Lynn
Florian has reviewed this book..."

Welcome to the round, Arriah.

Liudmila wrote: "I haven't reviewed anyone in this group, so I would like to submit my book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2..."

Hi Liudmila, have you completed your commitment to round 374 - with all GRs and Zon links submitted?

I would like in on
Unearthing Worlds: Book Two of the Keyholes Trilogy

If possible.

Thanks,

-Tony

Tony wrote: "I would like in on
Unearthing Worlds: Book Two of the Keyholes Trilogy

If possible.

Thanks,

-Tony"

Hi Tony, before I can add you, I need to know if you have any conflicts with those listed in message 1 (and also Liudmila in case she joins.)

Hello all:
I write as Sass Green and Cat Green

These people have reviewed me
-Florian Armas
Terry Birdgenaw
S. Lynn Helton

I have reviewed
- Jospeh Minart

E.K. wrote: "Tony wrote: "I would like in on
Unearthing Worlds: Book Two of the Keyholes Trilogy

If possible.

Thanks,

-Tony"

Hi Tony, before I can add you, I need to know if you have any ..."

Only one I see is Joseph Minart, I reviewed a book of his

Sass wrote: "Hello all:
I write as Sass Green and Cat Green

These people have reviewed me
-Florian Armas
Terry Birdgenaw
S. Lynn Helton

I have reviewed
- Jospeh Minart"

Hi Sass, I'm sorry, I can't fit you in with those conflicts.

Tony wrote: "E.K. wrote: "Tony wrote: "I would like in on
Unearthing Worlds: Book Two of the Keyholes Trilogy

If possible.

Thanks,

-Tony"

Hi Tony, before I can add you, I need to know if ..."

Welcome to the round, Tony.

Hi I would like to join this round with Wizard Bamzooki's Agenda:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

The only authors I have reviewed are Terry and Lynn (read Terry's book but not read Lynn's book so should be able to review Lynn's). I think Joseph possibly might have reviewed me but not this one. Not read or been reviewed by any of the other authors.

JR read all my books.

J.R. wrote: "Hi I would like to join this round with Wizard Bamzooki's Agenda:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

The only authors I have reviewed are Terry and Lynn (read Terry's book but not rea..."

Hi J.R., I'm sorry, I can't fit you in with those conflicts.

Terry wrote: "JR read all my books."

Thanks

For anyone looking to join, you need to be able to fit into either position 1, 9, or 10 as I can't move anyone else.

Thanks :)

Sorry for my late reply, I posted all the links for the group 374, every book's been reviewed. So can I join?

Liudmila wrote: "Sorry for my late reply, I posted all the links for the group 374, every book's been reviewed. So can I join?"

Have you reviewed or been reviewed by anyone in the list in message 1? It's been updated since you last posted here. Thanks