To me, a book review is almost better than an actual sale. If I make a sale, I have gained one much loved and appreciated reader. If I can get that reader to leave me a review, then there’s the potential to engage with and capture a much larger audience. But book reviews are as individual as the readers themselves.
Some simply leave the starred rating – usually one to five stars. What writer doesn’t love a four- or five-star review! You really liked or loved the book. Yay! I’ve done my job as well as I could hope, sharing my story, capturing your interest, hopefully entertaining you for the time you were engaged with my book.
When a reader leaves a one-, two-, or three-star review but nothing else, I can’t help but wonder what I could have done better. Writers really do want to learn from their audience. For some reviewers, a three-star review is high praise and it is nothing to take lightly if a reader likes your book. I’m always grateful. The one- and two-star reviews are difficult as any writer will likely admit. You didn’t like the story. Some take it personally. You didn’t like me. It’s hard for an artist to separate themselves from their work.
When I leave a review, I often go into great detail about what I like or didn’t like because I feel like it’s a conversation with the author. I want the author to know I’ve thought about what I’m writing and I’m not leaving something to be mean-spirited or capricious. I rarely leave a one- or two-star review. Whatever I think about a book, I know how much effort goes into putting one out and as a writer, I would never want to dent the spirit of a fellow writer. I can get my point across in the comments just as easily. I’m honest and hopefully always kind and fair.
I don’t usually summarize the plot in my reviews. That’s something a potential reader can get from the book’s blurb. Occasional I expand on it if I think it’s crucial to understanding my review, however.
My opening statement is usually my first impression with the story. Did it grab my attention? Was I pulled forward into the events as they unfolded? Did it make sense? Then I talk about the characters – were they likable and sympathetic (if they are protagonists) or did the antagonists make me want to rip out the pages so I could get my hands around their necks? Were they three-dimensional? By this I mean did the author introduce me to the WHOLE character – were there positive and negative traits, a backstory that supported the character’s actions, an internalized story that influenced the character, hobbies and quirks and flaws that made this a real person I would want to interact with and get to know?
I also talk about the plot at a high level – NO SPOILERS! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read reviews to have the ending ruined because a reader didn’t have the presence of mind to mark that their review contained spoilers. Was the ending satisfactory? Did it make sense? Was it believable?
From there, if I really like a story I’ll add in comments about the author’s writing style, talk about world-building, imagery, their understanding of the mechanics of writing. These are more writerly things many readers don’t think about but as a writer, they are things that influence my appreciation of a good book. If I encounter a half dozen typos by the end of page two, I can’t say I’m going to enjoy the book if the writer doesn’t take the time to properly edit the manuscript. Some are forgivable, of course; I never expect perfection.
But for anything I don’t like about a book, I try to make sure I find something I do like. I want my review to be balanced.
The part that always gives me the greatest pause is the title of the review. I have some standards – laugh out loud funny, great beach read, perfect romance, edge of my seat read, kept me up at night. If it’s not one of my favorite books, I still try and stay positive – entertaining, decent read – or I focus on a positive trait I did like about the story (good hero, beautiful imagery, great world building). There’s almost always something positive you can say about a book.
If you’re an avid reader that doesn’t usually leave a review, consider finding a platform and leaving your favorite authors a few sentences to let them know what you like about their books, or what you’d like to see changed/improved. We really do want to know. Be kind – that’s never out of line. And who knows, you may influence your favorite writer and get your wish in the next book!