Are you baffled when you want to write a book review? Do you settle for giving only a rating at Amazon because words just won’t flow?
Any author will tell you that while some readers claim they do not look at reviews, the majority do. The majority like to review books that have many reviews. People generally want to be part of a popular club!
Yet, the average reader is very resistant to writing reviews, even when he or she loves the book. Why? I believe it’s because most readers are intimidated by the task of writing.
Readers sometimes have personal agendas, sometimes malicious, for writing reviews. Years ago, I remember reading a review for the book Fifty Shades of Grey, a top best seller at the time.
The reader wrote that she would not let her daughter read that smutty, filthy book. It was ungodly and should be banned. She herself had not read it, but her friends had told her all about it, and she bought it just so she could review it.
This was a malicious review aiming to influence the book’s sales and malign the author. The agenda was religious propaganda. The review said nothing about the quality of the writing, the complexity of the characters, the quality of the writing, etc. Today, I hope such a review would be flagged by Amazon and not allowed.
Following the process I recommend, should result in a review that does justice to both the reviewer and the book.
Begin your review by stating your take on the book.
I really loved this book.
I liked this book very much.
I like this book, but it could have been better.
I did not enjoy this book and will not recommend it.
I hated this book.
Next, choose three specific things you liked or disliked.
If your review will be positive, select three things you liked about the book. If your review will be negative, pick three things you disliked about the book.
The heroine was wonderful.
The setting was perfectly romantic.
I loved the bitter-sweet romance.
The main characters were perfect for each other.
I loved the theme and how it’s still valid today.
I loved how the hero never gives up.
The interaction between the children and the hero was very funny.
I liked that the novel was well-written.
I hated the weak-willed heroine.
The stubborn, cold heroine was unlikeable.
The ending was disappointing.
The male protagonist was no hero at all.
I found the love story weak and unbelievable.
I thought the mystery was easily solved.
I found the pace of the novel slow and plodding.
I was turned off by the many grammatical errors and faulty editing.
State each point and elaborate by explaining and giving an example.
The following is an example.
I hated the weak-willed heroine. She never stood up for herself or for the children. For example, when the wicked stepmother locked Annie in the closet, Annie did not speak up up to protect the child. She just went meekly to her room and worried.
There are things you must not do.
Never review a book you did not read or finish. This makes your review a lie.
Never retell or summarize the story. Especially, do not give away key points or the ending!
Do not allow your politics or prejudices to guide you.
Readers want to know about the quality of the writing, the flow of the story, the levels of action or suspense. Is it exciting or boring? Is it clean and wholesome? Does it have a happy ending? Does it end in a cliffhanger?
Keep it simple. Readers do not want a literary, three-page review.
Following are two examples I wrote to guide you.
Positive:
I have just finished reading A Love to Remember by Jenny Doe, and I loved it! The heroine, Dove Grey, is beautiful but also strong and driven. She meets all her trials and tribulations without ever resorting to feeling sorry for herself. Another thing I like about the story is the male character, who is both strong and gentle at the same time. I love the way he interacts with Jenny’s siblings and their crazy dog. For those readers who like a story to be clean and wholesome, I have to recommend this one. Finally, I must say that the book is well-written. I found no glaring errors or typos to take me out of the story. I recommend this book and will read other works by this author.
Negative:
I have just finished reading A Love to Remember by Jenny Doe, and I cannot recommend it. First, I found the heroine, Jenny Doe, to be an unlikable character. She is too driven by her need to succeed, to the point that she ignores the unhappiness of her siblings. She is forever complaining about things most of us face routinely. Next, the male protagonist seemed weak and easily manipulated. He spent more time interacting with the dog than with Jenny. The story went on forever, with very little happening. Finally, I was surprised to see so many typos and grammatical errors. The book absolutely needs editing! This book is not for me.
I hope I have given you some understanding of how to write a review. Remember, stick to facts, don’t summarize the story, and find at least three things to discuss. At least, show you’ve read the book by being factual and not malicious.