How to write a quick and helpful review!
Reviews are incredibly helpful, whether they are 5 stars or 1 star!
How so? When customers (readers) browse for a new product they check the rating and reviews before making a decision. They look to 4 & 5 star reviews to confirm that the product (book) will meet their expectations.
The 1 & 2 star reviews help people see if any of their deal breakers are present. This may stop someone who probably wouldn’t like your product (book) from buying it. And, that’s not a bad thing because each author has a target audience (their idea type of reader for their book).
___________________________
Elements of a good book review:
- Keep it truthful.
- Briefly describe the story. Don’t summarize the entire plot. No spoilers!
- Take a stand. Clearly state if you love it or hate it.
- Personalize your review. Why do you like it. What was your favorite part.
- Is this book similar to another story (book, comic, movie or tv show)?
- And, don’t forget to mention if you’d recommend it to others!
___________________________
A real example!
This was one of my first book reviews for This Time (Nadira Holden, Demon Hunter).
“I love this book!
In an industry and genre that is notoriously whitewashed, it’s refreshing to read a book centered around a POC character (and not one that is painfully stereotypical).
We begin the book with Nadira Holden literally clawing her way out of a grave. After she makes it back to her family home, she learns that a truce had been declared between the humans and demons, and her team of demon hunters, the Children of Orion, had been disbanded in an official capacity as part of the deal. Resurrected against her will for a purpose she no longer supports, Nadira struggles to find her place in the modern world that has moved on without her. But not all is as it seems.
Throughout the book, we get glimpses of what Nadira’s life was like. How she was groomed to be the greatest demon hunter who’d ever lived. Her longing for the approval of her father, and the love for a teammate. And, her inner battle with what she wants, versus what’s expected. No matter how much they push her to fit in the mold of their design, they should have realized they were doomed from the start.
Because Nadira Holden is no tool.”
Written by a Goodreads reviewer on 10/2/18 at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40778146-this-time?ac=1&from_search=true
Your book review doesn’t need to be this long, even 3 sentences will do! Ready?
If you’ve read This Time, consider rating/reviewing my book on Amazon , Goodreads, and/or Bookbub !
___________________________
Shadows and Spellcraft Urban Fantasy Book Fair
Check out all these urban fantasy books―from vampires to demons, werewolves to hunters, slayers to witches and everything in-between!
This Time is about a resurrected demon hunter and those who love her and my book is participating in this book fair.
Whether you buy a book or not, you can enter for a chance to win a Kindle Fire!
___________________________
Other pages or posts you may like: Spotlight / Novels / Rewards
Some online sources I used to help write this blog post: https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Review, https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/writing-help/top-tips-for-writing-a-review, https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/book-reviews/
Azaaa Davis — Author of YA/NA Fantasy Novels 
I think lots of people are intimidated by the idea of writing a review. I remember in the beginning I used to worry if I would hurt someone’s feelings (you know, if you don’t have something nice to say…) or that my opinion, good or bad, should be personal. Then I became a writer and knew how much we rely on reviews. This is a great post!
LikeLike
“I enjoyed it and you might too” reviews are golden!
I hope my little how-to segment was encouraging, and reduced some of the intimidation and complexity for potential book reviewers.
LikeLike
Hello nicce post
LikeLiked by 1 person