[archived]Round_120 "Speculative" (reviews on GR & Amz)-Done! > Likes and Comments

This is a "Speculative, Goodreads & Amazon" round

Any and all fiction books (stories) primarily classified as fantasy, sci-fi, steampunk, alternate history, apocalyptic / post-apocalyptic, dystopian, magical realism, paranormal, superhero, supernatural, utopian, etc. are accepted, as long as they are published, finished works and available on Amazon.

In Goodreads+Amazon rounds, every participant must be able to leave a review on their local Amazon store, so everyone’s starting with the same options. Participants post reviews to Goodreads, and please also post on your own Amazon store and any other Amazon stores you might have access to.

Before you sign up, please make sure:

1. You’ve thoroughly read and understand How Read/Review Rounds Work (The Rules). Participating in the round indicates your understanding and acceptance of the rules and compliance with them.

2. You’ve claimed your Goodreads author page.
If you’re on a regular Goodreads user account, rather than an author account, you’ll need to do this before joining a round. You’ll find the directions for claiming your author profile page here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/program.

3. You’ve completed your review commitment if you’re currently in another read/review round in this group. (You can’t sign up to a new round until after you’ve completed that review commitment (posted both review links) in the other round in this Goodreads group.)

4. Your book is fit and ready to be reviewed.
If it’s not, due to editing or other issues, you risk poor reviews. For GR+Amz rounds, your book must be currently available for sale or free download at Amazon and other online booksellers (not pre-order).

5. You have enough time to read and review a book within the round timeframe of four weeks.

6. Your book fits the round theme.

7. You can provide — and accept — at least PDF files.
You’re not expected or required to buy the books you’re scheduled to read, although that’s a nice gesture. And doing so for GR+Amz rounds will give a "Verified Purchase" review on Amazon, which is a nice thing for the author. Each participant is responsible for getting a review copy of their book to their reader in the round and must be able to provide — and accept — at least PDF files. Many provide and accept other formats as well. Please ask your reader’s preference if you can provide files in a variety of formats. And many authors have books available via KU and others might provide Smashwords coupons.

Note that International Copyright laws apply: you cannot sell or give away material you’ve received, without the author’s express permission.

8. You are able to submit reviews to Amazon.

(On Amazon, only people who have spent $50 in the last year can leave reviews in each of their stores. If you’re uncertain about your Amazon reviewer status, try to post a "test" review before you sign up for the round. If you’re unable to post reviews on Amazon, please don’t sign up for GR+Amz rounds. Instead, look for rounds that say “reviews on GR+ (NOT Amz)”.)

9. You agree to provide a contact email address when the Moderator requests it.

This is necessary to allow for sending/receiving a review copy, if needed, as well as to allow the Mod to contact you about your reviewing commitment, if needed. Emails must not be used for marketing purposes or sold. The "Final Check" post for the round will have a link to the form in which you'll provide your contact email.

To sign up for this read/review round, please reply to this topic with these details:

1. Your Goodreads Profile link

Please also include any additional names/profiles under which you publish, to help the other participants check for and avoid reciprocal reviewing.

2. Your Goodreads Book info link for your book that you want to have reviewed

3. Specify which of the other authors in the round have previously reviewed any of your books (if none, please specifically say so), and also which of the other authors in the round you have previously reviewed (if none, please specifically say so), to help everyone avoid reciprocal reviews. Also, state any relationship you have with other members in the round.

It’s a more-professional practice to avoid reviews from the same household on a book from that same household, or if you are an editor, relative, or close friend of the author. And Amazon doesn’t allow this anyway.

How to check for reciprocal reviews:
Go to your reviews through your profile (the link is under your portrait), and search for the other author’s name. Check if someone has reviewed you in the same way… through their profile, searching for your name.

Please check back as the round fills to report any new conflicts.

And be sure to check back periodically, so you don't miss out on anything in the round (note that Goodreads notifications aren't reliable).

By joining this round, you agree to accept for reading and reviewing whatever book you are scheduled for. Please note that it’s possible that the book you’re scheduled to read may contain material you find upsetting or offensive. You are expected to finish the book — that’s only fair. If you can't commit to this, please don’t sign up.

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Round Parameters:

-Four weeks to complete reading the book and post your review.

Read the entire book and write your unbiased and honest review of the book, making every attempt to avoid spoilers if possible, and post it. For what constitutes a book review for this group (and for reviewing tips), please see Book Reviewing.

-After your review is posted, add the link(s) to it to this reading-round topic so the Mod can "sign you off" for the round.

When you add your link(s) to this topic, make sure the links are to your own review not the book page. Please shorten the links (always a good practice for any social media). See Finding review links to post them in the group for specific tips.

Additional Notes:

-Reviews that state you received a copy "in return" or "in exchange" for a review will probably be removed/disallowed by some retailers. If you wish to add a disclaimer, the following would be more acceptable: "I received a free copy from the author without an obligation to review".

-Your Goodreads details and the rounds you participate in may be recorded by Mods on a database. We don’t retain details of email addresses, etc.

If you have questions, please first review How Read/Review Rounds Work (The Rules) and check Questions about Review Rounds for an answer. If you still have questions, please ask before signing up.
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Each author will review one other book in this reading round.

(Person 1 reviews 2. Person 2 reviews 3. Person 3 reviews 1. (And if the round expands to a 4-way or 5-way round, reviewing follows the same pattern, just expanded for the additional participants.))

Please don’t get books or begin reading/reviewing until the Mod has posted that the round has started.

Participants & Book Links (tentative order)
1. Ann Birdgenaw ✓ | Black Hole Radio - Nebulis
2. J.R. Gibson ✓ | Wizard Bamzooki's Legal Troubles
3. Eric Gibson ✓ | Poison Harbor

(✓ means the participant is done with their review commitment, ✍︎ means the participant has provided one review link but hasn't yet posted the other link)

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Hi, I would like to join this round with Wizard Bamzooki's Legal Troubles:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

J.R. wrote: "Hi, I would like to join this round with Wizard Bamzooki's Legal Troubles:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2..."

Welcome to the round, J.R. Please check back as the round fills up.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

the book I've included to be reviewed is not linked to my authors page yet but I'm working on it.

A.A. wrote: "https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2..."

Thanks, A.A. I'm not sure your book fits the theme here: Any and all fiction books (stories) primarily classified as fantasy, sci-fi, steampunk, alternate history, apocalyptic / post-apocalyptic, dystopian, magical realism, paranormal, superhero, supernatural, utopian, etc. are accepted, as long as they are published, finished works and available on Amazon.

I notice you also asked to join 119. As you can only join one round at a time and it seems like your book doesn't fit here, I suggest you ask to sign up to that round and drop out of this one.

Hi E.K. can I join this round with my new book Black Hole Radio-Nebulis?
I have read JRs books before but not this one

Ann wrote: "Hi E.K. can I join this round with my new book Black Hole Radio-Nebulis?
I have read JRs books before but not this one"

Welcome to the round, Ann. Please keep checking back as the round fills up.

Can I join with Poison Harbor
I have reviewed Ann and J.R. has reviewed me.

Eric wrote: "Can I join with Poison Harbor
I have reviewed Ann and J.R. has reviewed me."

Hi Eric,

You would fit in the final spot, but you're currently signed up for Round 122 so I can't add you here as well.

Sorry about that.

I dropped group 122, may I join now? Thanks

Eric wrote: "I dropped group 122, may I join now? Thanks"

Welcome to the round, Eric.

Just a couple more things before the round can get underway...

1. Everyone please provide your contact information via this form - https://forms.gle/KjqB9uuHuYbPwpfG8

This will allow for sending/receiving a review copy, if needed, as well as allow the Mod to contact you about your reviewing commitment, if needed. If you want to create a new email account only for use for this review group, see Getting a review copy for a list of the supposedly best free email providers.

2. Everyone please do one last double-check for reciprocal and other review conflicts. You can’t be listed to review someone who reviewed you before and vice versa. It’s all about who has already read whom, when positioning the readers in the slots.

Please double-check these things (please don't rely on memory):

a) Have you previously reviewed the person directly above you on the list in message 1 (the list wraps around so the last number is "above" 1.)?

If you have, please post a reply that says so. That way we can fix the list so as to avoid a reciprocal review, which isn’t allowed here.

b) Have you already reviewed the book listed for the person directly below you on the list (the list wraps around so "1." is "below" the last number)?

If you have, post a reply that says so. That way we can fix the list so it shows the correct book for reviewing.

c) Are you an editor, relative, close friend, or from the same household of either the person whose book you'll be reviewing or the person who'll be reviewing your book?

If so, please state any relationship you have with those other members. It’s a more-professional practice to avoid reviews from people in those relationships to the author. And Amazon doesn’t allow this anyway.

Reminder of how to check for reciprocal reviews:

Go to your reviews through your profile (the link is under your portrait), and search for the other author’s name. Check if someone has reviewed you in the same way… through their profile, searching for your name.

If you have no review conflicts, and have filled out & submitted the form, please post a reply with "Ready to start”, or similar words.

After everyone has posted that they’re ready, I'll post the official "start the round" message to get the round rolling! :)

Please don’t get books or begin reading/reviewing until that official "start the round" message has been posted. The order can still change before then.

I've just updated message 1 to reflect the need to provide an email address as GRs have disabled DMs.

Form sent, no conflicts.

Form sent

Form sent

Thank you all - let’s get this round going!

You have four weeks to read and review.
Start date: February 28, 2026
End date: March 29, 2026

Please post your review no later than March 29, 2026.

As AUTHORS, you’ll send your book file to your reviewer, and as REVIEWERS, you’ll receive a book file to read.

1.__Ann Birdgenaw
You're reviewing Wizard Bamzooki's Legal Troubles (J.R. Gibson).
Eric Gibson is reviewing your book, so please make sure they have a copy to read.

2.__J.R. Gibson
You're reviewing Poison Harbor (Eric Gibson).
Ann Birdgenaw is reviewing your book, so please make sure they have a copy to read.

3.__Eric Gibson
You're reviewing Black Hole Radio - Nebulis (Ann Birdgenaw).
J.R. Gibson is reviewing your book, so please make sure they have a copy to read.

It's the responsibility of each author to get their book to their reader in a format the reader can manage. Everyone must be able to provide — and accept — at least PDF files. You may buy or borrow the book you are due to read, if you want, but it’s not required.

Please honor the commitment you’re making to your fellow group members to give an honest review.

Quick "start-up" summary:

-Get a copy of the book you're reviewing as soon as possible. You’re reviewing the book "below" you on the list. There are several methods for getting a copy of the book to read and review:

1. You can choose to buy the book, but you don’t have to. If you do buy, certainly the author will appreciate the verified review on Amazon.

2. You can choose to read the book through KU, if you’re a subscriber and the book’s available there.

3. You can request a review copy from the author.

If you need to get a review copy of the book you are to read & review, post in the round requesting a review copy from the author of the book you're to review. Then the Mod will email both of you (using the contact information you provided in the form during the "Final Check" phase) to pass along contact information so you can send/receive the review copy. (See Getting a review copy for more details.) Don’t post your email in the round - it’s an open forum from which scammers can glean information.

When the author has sent the review copy, they need to post in this topic that they have done so.

Everyone, when you have gotten a copy of the book you are to review (through whatever method), post in this topic that you have a copy.

-Please make sure you have sent your book - or have been assured by your reviewer they will buy your book or read it through KU - as soon as possible so your reader can start reading.

-For this round, you’re requested to please post your review to Goodreads, and on your own Amazon store and any other Amazon stores you might have access to. Posting a review to other sites is by agreement between both author and reviewer.

We understand that outside world commitments can sometimes make it difficult to complete a review on schedule. If you're going to be late getting your review in, you need to post to the round topic about the delay. Failure to post or complete reviews can result in repercussions, as detailed in How Read/Review Rounds Work (The Rules).

-After you’ve posted your reviews, please reply to this topic with the links to your reviews (not the book page) so you can be "signed off" for reviewing.

Be sure to shorten your links to remove possibly personal information and give you a clean link to post (remove the "?" or "ref" and everything after it).

You can post your Goodreads review link before the Amazon one has been approved. But since Amazon can take days to post the review, it might be better to wait until the Amazon review appears, then review the book on Goodreads, and then post both links together in one message in this topic. If you don't have the Goodreads and Amazon links on the same date, please don't edit your original post to add the second link as it's unlikely the Mod will see that. Create a new post with the link.

For GR+Amz Rounds:
The moderator will note whether participants have posted reviews on Amazon. Members who persistently fail to post to Amazon will find mods less than willing to add them to subsequent GR+Amz rounds, as joining these rounds indicates both a capability and a willingness to review on Amazon.

For the good of all, participants in any type of round who persistently fail to post reviews, or DNF reviews, will find mods less than willing to add them to subsequent rounds.

Please let me know ASAP if I missed something that results in you being asked to review someone who’s already reviewed you.

Feel free to ask questions if you need to.

Happy reading & reviewing! :)

Everyone, when you have gotten a copy of the book you are to review (through whatever method), post in this topic that you have gotten a copy...

I've got my copy of BHR Nebulis

Thanks Eric
JR I'll get your book on KU

Are we waiting for the round to start, or are we good to go?

Here's my review of J.R.s book

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Amazon pending

Eric wrote: "Are we waiting for the round to start, or are we good to go?"

It's started.

Ann wrote: "Here's my review of J.R.s book

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Amazon pending"

Thanks, Ann. Please post your Zon in a new message when it comes through.

Here is the Zon link for my reivew
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/customer-rev...

COPING WITH ANXIETY: WITHOUT FEAR OR AVOIDANCE: PRACTICAL CBT-BASED GUIDE WITH WORKSHEETS FOR STUDENTS AND ADULTSThe Psychology of Overthinking: Understanding Thought Patterns, Emotional Awareness, and Calmer Thinking

Hi, i want to join the round. Kindly assist me . Your assitance will be highly appreciated

Goodreads review for Poison Harbor:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Ann wrote: "Here is the Zon link for my reivew
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/customer-rev..."

Thanks for those links, Ann. That completes your commitment to this round. Thanks for participating :)

J.R. wrote: "Goodreads review for Poison Harbor:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Thanks for that link, J.R. Please post your Zon link in a new message when it comes through.

Danish wrote: "Hi, i want to join the round. Kindly assist me . Your assitance will be highly appreciated"

Hi Danish,

This round has already started. There are some rounds that are forming that you might be able to join. You may only join one round at a time and be sure to read the instructions before you join.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...-

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...- (If your book is under 45k words)

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...-

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...-

Amazon review:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-...

J.R. wrote: "Amazon review:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-..."

Thanks for that link, J.R. That completes your commitment to this round. Thanks for taking part :)

My GR review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

AMZ https://www.amazon.com/review/R214SLC...

Eric wrote: "AMZ https://www.amazon.com/review/R214SLC..."

Thanks for those links, Eric. That completes your commitment to this round.