.Can you believe a review?
There has been
a lot posted about the importance of getting plenty of reviews for a book. I've
just printed off a five page list of review sites from "Fabianspace"
and I'm sure this isn't the only site that will offer you contact details of
reviewers.
If you want to
promote your free book with KDP some sites insist that you have a minimum of
five 4* reviews before they will accept your listing. Writers are always
talking about reviews they have received both good and bad.
I review for
the Historical Novel Society and try to only take books that I think I would
like. As I am doing this professionally I have to be honest and if I don't like
the book any reason then I will say so. However, if I really don't like the
book and can find nothing positive to say about it I will return it to HNS for
someone else to do the review.
I make sure
that my comments are never directed at the author but the book and I never put
in a spoiler. I wonder if the reviewers realise how much damage they can do by
posting a 1* or 2* review?
I would like
to share with you some of the recent reviews I've received for my books on
Amazon. I think they illustrate my point better than anything I could write.
“I have only started this book so can’t pass
comment on the whole thing. So far I'm finding the story engaging but I'm
distracted by the poor grammar. Someone surely must have proofread this before
it was published? It’s = it is its =
possessive form of it. This is basic. If you can ignore errors and random , then
give it a go.” 3*
I checked this
manuscript and there was one instance of the incorrect use of the possessive
apostrophe out of 55 uses. I use Dragon software – I know this is no excuse for
poor proofreading - and occasionally the incorrect form is put and I don't pick
this up.
Was it fair of
the reviewer to say that my book was poorly written when there was only one of
the grammatical faults the reviewer mentioned? Is it going to put off a
potential reader?
"I like Regency romances and this is a
good, interesting and, well written and it held my attention all the way
through. The price is pretty incredibly really. Recommended." 4*
This is the
same book.
"At first I didn't like the hero but as the
story progressed he won me over and showed himself to be a decent guy deep
down. The heroine and her siblings are
delightful and resourceful.
My tolerance for indifferent writing is
usually quite high, but I couldn't get through this book. The writing style
seemed to consist of a long load of short descriptions and the story itself was
not
interesting enough to get through the
monotonous long sentences.
The plot is okay and the book could have
been much better if the author had developed the characters. The lack of
character development means that the plot developments are hardly credible and leaves
the reader annoyed rather than pleased at the end of the book. I like
historical romances but this author is a Z lister rather than an A lister."1*
"Good plot and characters. I would recommend
this book to those who enjoy romances. No more words to say the end."4*
Again these
reviews are for the same title.
"The writing is stiff and stilted. There were
numerous spelling and grammatical errors. Neither the hero or heroine had much
depth of character or behaved in an admirable manner, particularly the heroine.
For roughly the first half of the book she hates the hero and then suddenly
realises that she is in love with him with no real interactions between the two
that shows how that love grew, although physical attraction has been indicated.
I managed to finish the book will not be reading any other lots books by this
author." 1*
"I disagree with some of the other reviewers.
I enjoyed the antics and tribulations of the odd couple in this novel. They
were entertaining, romantic and funny.
Unusually, the heroine was so care of her
two younger siblings (as their parents died). This means she is mature,
extremely organised and somewhat bossy. The scarred hero who is just home from
the war is frequent in regency novels but Ms Miller has an unusual twist on
this character. At the start of the novel he was very depressed. He was not
taking care of himself, his home or estate. He was drinking and locking himself
in dark rooms. He did not want to interact with anyone. He was aghast when the
heroine and her siblings arrive to live with him (as they had nowhere else to
go).
I felt it was extremely well written. The
author uses descriptive language impressively. She betrayed the gist of the
period in an informative and readable manner. The characters dialogue is well
written and memorable. They use language appropriate to their time, education and
class – with no irritating modern phrases." 5*
Once more
these reviews are for the same title.
This brings me
to the point of the post. Should a writer or reader take any notice at all of
the reviews?
A review is
just the opinion of one reader - and few books are going to suit everyone.
I think it's a
shame that so much emphasis is put on reviews. The Amazon algorithms highlight
books with more than 12 five-star reviews and these titles are then included in
various promotions.
I know there
are hundreds, if not thousands, of books on Amazon with more than 12 five-star
reviews have been put up by families and friends. Amazon is also removing
reviews written by Indie writers for other Indie writers as they say they are
invalid.
Another
strange fact is that is that all but one of my negative reviews have been
written and posted on Amazon.com. It must be a cultural difference.
What do you
think? Have negative reviews caused you stress?
Do you buy/not buy because of reviews?
Best wishes
Fenella J
Miller
