Roxanne Bland's Blog - Posts Tagged "review"
And The Reviews Are Coming In
The Underground is getting some good reviews. Not without their criticisms--some of which I agree with--but good, nonetheless. Bookreview.com called it "A fookin' good book," which is my alien's way of pronouncing the f-bomb. Kirkus Reviews called it "sexy, twisted," and "A diverting urban fantasy." They also said it was too much like "True Blood" and Charlaine Harris's books. Having never seen "True Blood," and having read just one of Charlaine Harris's books, I don't think I'm in a position to argue.
My Goodreads ratings have been all over the place, from 5 stars (3) down to 1 star (1). I wish the negative raters had written a text review. I'd have liked to know what they didn't like about The Underground. I mean, was it the sex? The violence? Or the story itself? Guess I'll never know.
Meanwhile, I'm conducting another giveaway. It's open to the US, CA, GB, FR, DE and AU. So if any of you are from any of those places, go ahead--enter to win!
My Goodreads ratings have been all over the place, from 5 stars (3) down to 1 star (1). I wish the negative raters had written a text review. I'd have liked to know what they didn't like about The Underground. I mean, was it the sex? The violence? Or the story itself? Guess I'll never know.
Meanwhile, I'm conducting another giveaway. It's open to the US, CA, GB, FR, DE and AU. So if any of you are from any of those places, go ahead--enter to win!
You'll Either Love It Or You'll Hate It
I just had to share this.
The Underground: Second Edition received a 5-star review the other day. The review was thoughtful and insightful, what a review should be. The reviewer wrote something that absolutely tickled me. She said, "you'll either love it or you'll hate it," depending on whether you can "meld" with my world. She pretty much said the same thing--you'll either love it or you'll hate it--depending on whether you can stomach the profanity, violence and graphic erotic content. This is what I was trying to tell readers with my warning on the online descriptions and the warning--in big red letters--on the back of the book. If you can't handle it, move along.
At any rate, I'm also running a giveaway. When that review appeared, my numbers shot up. I suppose readers are curious now. But whoever wins, if they hate the book, they can't say they weren't forewarned.
Hee, hee.
The Underground: Second Edition received a 5-star review the other day. The review was thoughtful and insightful, what a review should be. The reviewer wrote something that absolutely tickled me. She said, "you'll either love it or you'll hate it," depending on whether you can "meld" with my world. She pretty much said the same thing--you'll either love it or you'll hate it--depending on whether you can stomach the profanity, violence and graphic erotic content. This is what I was trying to tell readers with my warning on the online descriptions and the warning--in big red letters--on the back of the book. If you can't handle it, move along.
At any rate, I'm also running a giveaway. When that review appeared, my numbers shot up. I suppose readers are curious now. But whoever wins, if they hate the book, they can't say they weren't forewarned.
Hee, hee.
Just Askin'
I've had any number of reviews for the Moreva of Astoreth--eighty-something, by my last count (there have been a few more since then). Most of the reviews are excellent. A few are outright stunning in their praise. That's great. That so many people loved my story makes me feel that writing is worthwhile.
That said, I've received four bad reviews. I don't mind bad reviews in general. They can make many good points, which can only help a writer--especially this one--to improve the next time around. What gets me about bad reviews is this: Why does the reviewer have to be so damned snarky? If you didn't like the book, or see there's room for improvement, say so, and that's it. That's enough. The snark detracts from the review, detracts from its helpfulness. What writer wants to read a snarky review? I certainly don't. If I'm a bad writer, say so. If I'm a good writer, but I need to learn some things, say so. The snark is unnecessary. To my mind, it also says something about the reviewer, and it's not positive.
So again. Why do reviewers handing down a bad review have to be so snarky?
Just askin'.
That said, I've received four bad reviews. I don't mind bad reviews in general. They can make many good points, which can only help a writer--especially this one--to improve the next time around. What gets me about bad reviews is this: Why does the reviewer have to be so damned snarky? If you didn't like the book, or see there's room for improvement, say so, and that's it. That's enough. The snark detracts from the review, detracts from its helpfulness. What writer wants to read a snarky review? I certainly don't. If I'm a bad writer, say so. If I'm a good writer, but I need to learn some things, say so. The snark is unnecessary. To my mind, it also says something about the reviewer, and it's not positive.
So again. Why do reviewers handing down a bad review have to be so snarky?
Just askin'.
ARC Copies Available!
Hi, all!
Re-releasing The Underground, set to drop on Oct. 1! Here's a link to get an ARC!
https://booksprout.co/arc/20485/the-u...
If you do choose to review, you have my thanks!
Re-releasing The Underground, set to drop on Oct. 1! Here's a link to get an ARC!
https://booksprout.co/arc/20485/the-u...
If you do choose to review, you have my thanks!
