Nadja’s review of Shots Fired (The Blade Kings #3) > Likes and Comments

Have all the comments been removed from your review too?

cakecoffeeandbooks wrote: "Have all the comments been removed from your review too?"

Yes, all the comments have been removed too. My review was fully reported before, and I’ve reposted it since — but it looks like it’s still being soft-reported. I can see it, and so can my friends, but it doesn’t show up if someone clicks on the 1-star reviews. So basically, unless you have a direct link, it’s invisible. It’s exhausting at this point. It’s ridiculous — they’re really out here trying to scrub any trace of criticism like it never existed.

Thank you Nadja for the excellent review. You just saved me a headache.

I have had this happen many times in the past, especially from Indy authors who can't take any criticism. They either have their fan bases attack negative reviewers or go on social media to bash us. Then there is what happened to you. By any chance, did you have quotes listed on all the previous reviews that got deleted? If so, GR gives a warning about that to posters as "we are violating content rules".

If you did not have quotes, I suggest writing "SPOILERS" at the top so that no one can flag you or have it removed.

Thirdly, I also recommend sending a message to GR of why they are deleting your review because nothing you posted here has violated any rules of GR's as long as you include the word "spoilers" at the top.

GR may come back to you with the fact that you are "bashing author" but I don't see that you are. You simply mentioned that unprofessional author can't take criticism which is true and your right to do so.

I speak from experience which is why I say all this to you. I have had this done to me over & over again and have since changed my GR settings to "private" and "only friends can view and comment". Made life so much simpler of having snowflakes coming into reviews to post their BS because they can't take criticism.

Unfortunately GR doesn't do anything about unprofessional authors which BTW I have flagged many, many times as it works both ways. They just give them a warning which I will take over nothing.

Anyway, hope this is the last review you have to write on this shitty book but thank you so much for saving me the aggravation!

Paula wrote: "Thank you Nadja for the excellent review. You just saved me a headache.

I have had this happen many times in the past, especially from Indy authors who can't take any criticism. They either have t..."

Thank you so, so much for all the tips — I seriously appreciate you taking the time to share them! Hopefully they help keep this version of the review from getting removed (again).

And yes, I didn’t use any quotes in the review. Everything between the underscores is the original review, and everything above that is me explaining how many times it’s been taken down. Below the line are basically the responses I had for Ruth’s fanbase, who were jumping to her defense on my original post before it got removed.

I have no clue what’s happening on her socials since she blocked me, and honestly, I have better things to do in life than make a third account just to check if she’s bashing people — though, given the pattern, I sadly wouldn’t be surprised.

Thanks again for your support and advice — it really means a lot!

Nadja, just an FYI - we are able to see your review under 1 star. And what Paula said? Good advice as it saved me a ton of aggravation in the past. A few years ago, GR deleted my account for no reason so I definitely would send a note to GR and ask them why they deleted your review as you were not breaking any of their rules. They are supposed to give a reason and a warning for you to change any content in your review - not delete it altogether. That is just not right!

Alina wrote: "I'm so sorry they're hiding your honest opinion, goodreads should be a place to openly and honestly review the book AND the author"

Yes, it absolutely should be — but sadly, it’s not. Honest criticism gets buried, while overhyped praise gets spotlighted. It’s disheartening, but I’m not backing down.

KaylaJane wrote: "Nadja, just an FYI - we are able to see your review under 1 star. And what Paula said? Good advice as it saved me a ton of aggravation in the past. A few years ago, GR deleted my account for no rea..."

It must be the birthday miracle to finally have my review up without it being removed!! 😅 Paula’s advice really helped—honestly, I think marking it as a spoiler made all the difference. Fingers crossed it actually stays visible this time! And thank you for the support and the heads-up, it means a lot. 🤍

I am so sorry this happening to you. Every Review matters and is important.

Okay, this is seriously messed up. I have proof that the author’s own team was straight-up telling people to mass report my review — without even commenting or engaging. Here’s the exact message they sent around:

“Hello team. We would appreciate if you could report this review on Goodreads.
Please DO NOT comment or engage with this person as it will
Bring more attention to the review and move it up on the Shots Fired feed
It could blow up and make things 10x worse.
All we're asking is for you to report the review.
You are not obligated in any way to do this but would be appreciated. Thank you.”

And surprise, surprise — my review got buried and made invisible AGAIN. I’m beyond tired of this nonsense.

I see my original comment in support of you has also been wiped.
I am disgusted that not only the author but it appears her PR group Wordsmith Publicity is actively asking the other ARC readers to report your review.
Disgusting and vile behavior

Nadja wrote: "Okay, this is seriously messed up. I have proof that the author’s own team was straight-up telling people to mass report my review — without even commenting or engaging. Here’s the exact message th..."

Nadja, now I am furious! PLEASE report this to GR! There is absolutely no reason at all to flag your review just because author doesn't like your opinion. You did NOT break any GR rules at all and there is no reason why they should flag you. PLUS, you now have proof that author is harassing you!!! That is not cool of her!

Paula wrote: "Nadja wrote: "Okay, this is seriously messed up. I have proof that the author’s own team was straight-up telling people to mass report my review — without even commenting or engaging. Here’s the ex..."

Erin wrote: "I see my original comment in support of you has also been wiped.
I am disgusted that not only the author but it appears her PR group Wordsmith Publicity is actively asking the other ARC readers to..."

Yes, I’ve now reported everything to Goodreads and am waiting for a response. I wasn’t even going to escalate it this far, but it’s clearly crossed the line. I’m being directly targeted just for leaving a critical review, and now with actual proof of the PR team encouraging mass reporting… I couldn’t stay silent anymore. Thank you so much for standing with me through all this 💛

Always my friend. Always!

Cannot believe PR firms are asking their teams to report negative reviews!

Hoping your review returns because I definitely want to hear your thoughts on this

Thank you for staying honest and true!!! The author acting like this is so childish

Thank you for your honest review and showing me an author I do not want to support!!

Just came here to say I’ve seen the screenshotted message from Wordsmith Publicity specifically asking people to report this review WITH A LINK TO THE REVIEW. It does state they are not obligated but it would be appreciated 🤨 This is not acceptable and is tampering with reviews and essentially making them biased in the authors favour. Wholly unacceptable.

Just so you know this isn't an isolated incident. She has tried to have reviews and reviewers cancelled before when they've called her out for plagiarism. The first book she released is stolen from another author.

Go off - thank you for your HONEST review! 🩷

I don't see anything wrong with your original review. People are allowed to have opinions and rate a book 1 star because they found it flawed. I'm currently typing up a post on threads right now because I'm incensed on your behalf

Thank you for your honest review! What a trash way for an author and her “street team” to behave!

This PR company and author are 🤮 Authors should stay off of reader spaces and we’re entitled to our honest reviews!

"This is a flaming trash fire wrapped in designer clothes trying to pretend it's high-end when it's giving Walmart clearance bin." Almost took me OUT.

Thanks for the helpful review! It's good to know the good and the bad of a book, but especially good to know which authors and PR teams send their followers after those who give negative reviews.
Certainly seems as if it would be against the rules of Goodreads.

honest reviews should stay up!!!

definitely won’t be supporting this author. thank you for being truthful!

Don’t write bad books and you won’t receive bad reviews is exactly right! What a trashy way for this author and her "street team" to act. Have they no shame? Is one negative review really worth a scandal??

Thank you for speaking up, and bringing attention to this bad author behavior!

Way to go Nadja, authors need to either take criticism without going after reviewers or stay away from reader spaces like GR!

Here for solidarity. If she'd just let the review stand and moved on, I never would have even heard of this author. Now she's on a big fat NO list.

Thanks for your thoughtful review.

Nadja I just added you as a friend even though I can't find your original review. I'm an indie author and what's happening is not OK - you're entitled to your opinion and the author's reaction is utterly unprofessional as far as I can tell.

Yup. I dnfd this one because it gave me AWFUL vibes and i genuinely hated it.

The reaction from the author seems completely ridiculous. Thank you so much for writing an honest review and standing by it.

Honestly any author who does this automatically goes on my do not read list. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you for being honest!

Yikes. I’m so glad I saw your review!!

Can't see the original review :(

Thank you for being honest! Why are we bashing people for not liking something??!

I'm so sorry that this is happening to you. I will never not be disgusted by this behaviour. I have never, EVER, gone after anyone for their reviews on my books. It's not my place. And now I don't write reviews under my name at all because of a situation just like this - except the "author" and their "associates" who came after me took the next insane step hiring a PI to fucking DOX ME. I was stalked, harassed, intimidated and bullied for well over a month by email, had my life threatened, and had to endure a website being put up about me. It's over now (I guess they lost interest) but I will never forget the cruelty, and never review again under my professional name.

Thank you for standing strong and making sure that the truth comes out. Both the author and their bad writing. I will not be reading this!

Thanks for your honesty. Any author who would do something like this is on my do not read list for sure.

thank you for being honest!

I really value your candor and based on the authors behavior re: your review I will never spend a penny on her books.

It's a shame I can't read your review. Behaviour like this by the author and her team is unacceptable in a place meant for readers.

I’m so glad that the link to this review was posted so we could still see it. Even if the review “style” isn’t your favorite, the content within is still valuable. Knowing the author was encouraging their street team to report your review is dirty and says a LOT about their (lack of) character.

I had no clue who the author or series was, but a friend sent me a threads that showed her PR team asking everyone to report your review. So now I’m here, reading it, liking it and sharing it. Reviews are for readers not authors and it’s ok if not everyone likes a book

I haven’t read this book, nor will I ever read one of her books. But, if you ever took an actual writing class in college by esteemed professors and writers the number one piece of advice they first give you is if you can’t take criticism then don’t be a writer. And that just because you write something, and can do it, doesn’t mean it’s good. The book community has gotten out of hand. We don’t give participation trophies here. When I give less than a 5 star review, it’s because I have critical thinking/writing skills and have an opinion about it. If a plumber comes into your home and they were so nice but they did a sh!tty job you’re not going to give a good review are you? NO

Thank you for your honest review & resilience!!!!

Thanks for your honest review