Genre Specific Review Groups discussion

In joining this review group you have agreed to review the novels assigned to you on a two month schedule. The sign up phase is over and the review stage is starting.

This is Thriller Review Group 1, which will include all types of novels classified as any type of thriller including but not limited to crime, espionage, adventure, and combat. As with other review groups, you will be expected to read and give an honest review of the book assigned to you. Assignments will be made after the group sign-up has filled.

Participants are expected to post reviews to Goodreads. If the Goodreads review is positive (three stars or higher), the review should be posted to Amazon at the same star level, if the book is available there. This makes having accounts with both Goodreads and Amazon.com a requirement.

If a reviewer and the author agree that the review should not be posted to Goodreads due to quality issues, the reviewer is relieved of the requirement of posting the review. If this occurs in the first round, the second reviewer is relieved of the requirement to read and review the book. This is entirely at the discretion of the reviewer and is not intended in any way to manipulate the rating of any book.

Contact the authors you are scheduled to review to arrange to receive a review copy of their work.

Please post to this topic, both when you receive review copies and when you post the reviews.

If you are going to be late with your review, either post to this topic as soon as possible or message the author and the moderator.

If your book has not been reviewed by the deadline for either round, contact the review group moderator. This is necessary to make certain that the review process is fair for everyone.


THE AUTHORS AND BOOKS ARE:

1 Shane Hall - Impulse

2 Susanne Leist - The Dead Game

3 Brandon Collier - Red Days and Grey Nights

4 Ica Iova - she never got to say goodbye

5 G.J. Griffiths - So What Do I Do?

6 Ed Morawski - Wolinski


THE ORDER OF REVIEW IS AS FOLLOWS:

June 29 to July 29

Shane Hall reviews Ica Iova
Susanne Leist reviews G.J. Griffiths
Brandon Collier reviews Susanne Leist
Ica Iova reviews Ed Morawski
G.J. Griffiths reviews Brandon Collier
Ed Morawski reviews Shane Hall

July 29 to August 29

Shane Hall reviews Brandon Collier
Susanne Leist reviews Ica Iova
Brandon Collier reviews Ed Morawski
Ica Iova reviews G.J. Griffiths
G.J. Griffiths reviews Shane Hall
Ed Morawski reviews Susanne Leist

Hi. I have a dystopian thriller called Impulse It's the first in a serial, so does that count? It's not a novel per se. It's 32k words but has a complete arc within its story.

Just let me know. Thanks!

Shane wrote: "Hi. I have a dystopian thriller called Impulse It's the first in a serial, so does that count? It's not a novel per se. It's 32k words but has a complete arc within its story.

Just..."

Sounds like a fit to me.

R.

A thriller groups sounds perfect for The Dead Game. Could I enter this group?

R. wrote: "Shane wrote: "Hi. I have a dystopian thriller called Impulse It's the first in a serial, so does that count? It's not a novel per se. It's 32k words but has a complete arc within it..."

Terrific! Can't wait to read some thriller myself.

I would like to submit Red Days and Grey Nights, a revenge thriller.

If is not too late I'd like to enter She Never Got To Say Goodbye, a paranormal/romantic thriller.she never got to say goodbye

Please sign me up to this review group. Thanks, G J

So What Do I Do?



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

Authors:

I just want to make certain that we are clear about the criterion for this group. To me, a thriller is a story that runs on adrenalin, keeping the reader on the edge of excitement most of the way through. I expect that reviews for this group will be lower for works that challenge the readers' minds and higher for big time action than they would be for other review groups.

Is everybody in for that? If not, now is the time to bow out gracefully.

R.

I think 'Wolinski' qualifies if you need one more:



Warning! Hard boiled, graphic, and plenty of sex.

Hi R. I entered my book, The Doom Murders. Reading your comments on the criteria for this swop, I don't think it qualifies as a high-octane thriller; it's just a serial killer detective mystery. So, I'll take your advice and bow out gracefully.

Brian O'Hare

Ed wrote: "I think 'Wolinski' qualifies if you need one more:

Warning! Hard boiled, graphic, and plenty of sex."

If this warning puts off any of the other authors in this group, please let me know to exclude you from reviewing it, when I make the schedule.

R.

Authors:

The first ever Thriller review group has filled up. I will wait a day to put together the schedule so that the other authors can review Ed's warning.

R.

Brandon wrote: "I would like to submit Red Days and Grey Nights, a revenge thriller."

Hi there Brandon, I'd be delighted. Count me in, sign me up. I'm ready to read.

Rodeo

Authors:

The schedule has been published in the initial post of this topic. Authors should arrange for review copies and update this topic once they have received their books for review.

R.

Hi Ed, you can send me your book at icaiova@hotmail.com. Please title the email "Review" so it doesn't get mixed up with hundreds of others.

Here is the link to my review of 'Impulse'. Sorry Shane, I can't rate it higher.

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

Due to the low rating I will not be posting to Amazon.

We seem to have very different ideas of what constitutes a thriller. Still, a reasonable review. Thanks Ed.

Shane wrote: "We seem to have very different ideas of what constitutes a thriller. Still, a reasonable review. Thanks Ed."

See R.'s definition:

I just want to make certain that we are clear about the criterion for this group. To me, a thriller is a story that runs on adrenalin, keeping the reader on the edge of excitement most of the way through., I expect that reviews for this group will be lower for works that challenge the readers' minds and higher for big time action than they would be for other review groups.

Ed wrote: "Shane wrote: "We seem to have very different ideas of what constitutes a thriller. Still, a reasonable review. Thanks Ed."

See R.'s definition:

I just want to make certain that we are clear about..."

What stories must have to be exciting or action-packed is subjective. Thank you for the review regardless.

My review of the 'Dead Game' : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Due to the low rating I will not be posting to Amazon unless requested.

Ed wrote: "My review of the 'Dead Game' : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Due to the low rating I will not be posting to Amazon unless requested."

Reviews shouldn't be based upon whether they fit into a certain niche or not. My book is a mystery/thriller. It has vampires and suspense. You can't please everyone. What might be a thriller for someone might not be for the next person. Animosity in reviews doesn't play well in the real world. We are here to learn from each other.

The fact is this is a Thriller review section. My expectation is that I would be reading a thriller. If I wanted to read sci-fi or horror I would have joined one of those review groups. When you enter a book into the thriller category I expect it to be a thriller so I review it on the basis of being a thriller.

If you enter a pie into a cake baking contest and the judges give you a low score because it's not a cake then...maybe you should entered it in a different category.

This was or is no animosity at all, just my opinion. I have no problem rating books five stars if they met my expectations.

If both books you have reviewed in this group are far below your expectations of a thriller, then maybe your expectations are wrong or skewed. My book isn't horror or science fiction. It's not a romance. It's a vampire thriller. If it's not bloody enough, then maybe you should be in a horror group.

I can't believe this! I'm not handing out 5 stars unless a book is amazing - just like the rating system says.

Two Stars = 'It was okay'. That's all I'm saying.

Ed wrote: "I can't believe this! I'm not handing out 5 stars unless a book is amazing - just like the rating system says.

Two Stars = 'It was okay'. That's all I'm saying."

I don't care about the stars but the wording.

Gotta second Susanne to be honest. I wanted to be nice about it, but if it's allowed I'll just say: My review didn't really make sense, and mostly came across as "It was boring." Also, there was a weird prejudice against college students in both reviews, for some reason. There are high achievers in college, just like any educational group. And the idea that all college students are loud, even in a reconstructed society that taught them not to be from birth...it's called speculative fiction.

The comment about Florida is just wrong. I LIVE in Florida. There are other trees besides palms, and yes, a wide variety of seasons and biomes. It is not "just hurricanes". Why would anyone live there if that was true?

No offense, but the trend I see is a narrow view of the world, as well as what is or isn't a thriller. That's kind of silly when it's the largest genre in the world. Of course there will be overlap and variations.

Anyway, that's how I look at it.

Shane wrote: "Gotta second Susanne to be honest. I wanted to be nice about it, but if it's allowed I'll just say: My review didn't really make sense, and mostly came across as "It was boring." Also, there was a ..."

I felt bad when I saw your review. And then I received mine. I tried to explain to him that there are ways to say things in a professional manner without making fun of the whole book.
I don't think there is a big difference between a thriller or suspense. My book has both. Horror comes into play at times. There are vampires, human vampires, chase scenes, traps, dungeons, etc.
And Todd has money and power because he isn't just a human in his twenties. The vampires are good looking. But the humans aren't.
I'm just disappointed.

Well I am cruel and drip with animosity, and now I have an prejudice against college students? Hmmm.

Okay, let me just say this: no matter what the genre, I didn't care for either book. Sorry. It wouldn't have mattered what you entered them in. And I must have missed the little patch of Florida that changes seasons. And all the college kids that start successful businesses somehow escaped me. Sorry, sorry, sorry.

If you don't want an honest review then don't ask for one. I'm sure you'll both do quite well. Suzanne has over fifty five star reviews. What are you crying about?

You are missing the whole point.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Ed wrote: "Well I am cruel and drip with animosity, and now I have an prejudice against college students? Hmmm.

Okay, let me just say this: no matter what the genre, I didn't care for either book. Sorry. It..."

My comments about prejudice were regarding the review, not yourself. Please remember that distinction. There is no personal judgement.

I don't see any rule that says "Authors cannot explain why they disagree with a review." So I'm making my case for why I disagree, and so is Susanne. I thanked you for your honesty, and I'll do it again: thanks. I have no desire to censor anyone.

Asking what people are crying about, however, is flat out unprofessional, and I will contest that behavior.

I think there's nothing else to say, so I hope you all enjoyed the 4th and I wish everybody the best.

Thriller definition from the dictionary - a book, film, play, etc, depicting crime, mystery, or espionage in an atmosphere of excitement and suspense.

Ica wrote: "Thriller definition from the dictionary - a book, film, play, etc, depicting crime, mystery, or espionage in an atmosphere of excitement and suspense."

That's amusing. It doesn't solve the dilemma at all.

LOL. I thought it would, since we seem to disagree on what constitutes a thriller. In my humble opinion, and the dictionary seem to agree, a book that keeps me at the edge of my seat, is a thriller. Suspense keeps me at the edge of my seat, mystery keeps me at the edge of my seat, and of course, action keeps me at the edge of my seat. Any or all of the above = a thriller.

Ica wrote: "LOL. I thought it would, since we seem to disagree on what constitutes a thriller. In my humble opinion, and the dictionary seem to agree, a book that keeps me at the edge of my seat, is a thriller..."

Are you a politician in real life? I like your diplomacy. A book is what we believe it to be. We create it, nurture it--all from our over-active imaginations. I just want someone to be at the edge of their seat when they read mine.

I am not, I dislike politicians, but I've been told I have some skills. (Giggles) I agree with you, every one of us write a book hoping to wow everyone and to attract as many readers as possible. Unfortunately, one single book could never satisfy everyone's needs, Susanne, and we have to live with that. We are in the same boat fishing for fair reviews based on the book's merit - purpose, tone, terminology, accuracy, and coverage. There is no good reason to trash someone else's work or to mock an author. We all have our own flaws.

Hi everyone,

Just an observation, but another review group I have "experienced" stated that an author is not really meant to comment about their review, other than to politely say, "Thanks for the review, reviewer-name". In other words just take it on the chin and move on. I admit this is difficult having been criticised myself for expressing my dissatisfaction about reviews I've had.

I realise I've set myself up for a "harshly critical" review sometime soon but I'll buy a new chin-guard in readiness. :-)

Still learning,
G.J.

G.J. wrote: "Hi everyone,

Just an observation, but another review group I have "experienced" stated that an author is not really meant to comment about their review, other than to politely say, "Thanks for the..."

Hi G.J.,
I'm almost finished reading your book. I have about 20 pages left. I keep getting interrupted by life. I love your book so far, so no worries here of getting a bad review.
Have a nice weekend.

My review for Wolinsky
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Susanne wrote: "G.J. wrote: "Hi everyone,

Just an observation, but another review group I have "experienced" stated that an author is not really meant to comment about their review, other than to politely say, "T..."

Thanks Susanne :-)I enjoy your diplomacy!
G.J.

Hi Ica, here's my review of She Never Got to Say Goodbye: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... It was pretty darn good!

It should be on Amazon soon.

All the best!

Shane

I'm glad you liked it, Shane. Thank you so much for the beautiful review. :)

Ica wrote: "I'm glad you liked it, Shane. Thank you so much for the beautiful review. :)"

No problem!

G.J. Griffiths, please send your book to icaiova@hotmail.com.

I posted my review for So What Do I Do? on Goodreads and Amazon. It was a fun book to read.

Thank you for your positive review Susanne :-) Will you be posting it on Amazon UK?
Regards,
G.J.

I will post on Amazon UK.

Round One review of Red Days and Grey Nights:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-revie...

http://www.amazon.com/review/R696VJCA...

and on GoodReads
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...