Review Group discussion

The review group is the most successful group for peer reviews on Goodreads. It hosts non-reciprocal reading/review rounds of ten authors with a variety of themes and genres, as well as ‘general’ rounds where any book is permitted, from non-fiction, to horror. When a round has ‘now forming’ in the title, there are places available, you can sign up. If it doesn’t, it’s full – look for another round or check back another time.

The Amazon rules state that authors/publishers are not allowed to specifically supply published books in return for reviews on Amazon. To comply with this rule, we don’t insist members review on Amazon, but we do insist that every participant in the round has the capacity to leave a review on their local Amazon store, so we all start with the same options.

The founding principle of the group is honest, non-reciprocal reviews, so please help maintain the integrity of the group by letting me know as you sign up if you have been reviewed by, or have reviewed another author in the group and do check back as the group fills to report any clashes. Usually places are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

This is an 'Out of this World' round
Fiction books classified as sci-fi, fantasy, dystopian, paranormal.

Please note it is always possible that the books you are assigned may contain material you find upsetting or offensive. If you can't commit to this, please do not sign up.

Now for the boring stuff, but please read it, it saves a lot of time if everyone is on the same wavelength.
Before signing up below with your Goodreads author and Goodreads book link in the thread below, please ensure that:

1. You have enough time to read and review 4 books within the 12 weeks of time allowed.

2. Your book is currently available for sale on Amazon (not pre-order) and it complies with the individual round theme, if there is one.

3. Your book is fit to be reviewed.
If it is not, due to editing or other issues, you risk poor reviews. This is your problem, not that of the reviewers or the groups. For a small fee, the group admin will look at the first few pages of your book to advise. The number one error new authors make is not having their book beta read and edited, by non-family members.

4. You can submit reviews to Goodreads and Amazon.
Amazon allows only those people who have spent $50 in the last year to leave reviews in each of their stores. If you are unsure about your Amazon reviewer status, try posting a ‘test’ review before signing up. If you are unable to post reviews on Amazon, please do not sign up.

5. You can provide (and accept) at least PDF files.
You are not expected or required to buy the books you are allocated to review, but as this will give a ‘Verified Purchase’ review on Amazon, it is welcomed when you choose to do so. Many authors have books available via KU and others might provide smashwords coupons. Most authors can provide mobi and/or epub files directly by email. Please note: International Copyright laws apply. You cannot sell, or give away material you have received without the author’s express permission.

6. You have completed your reading if you are currently in another review round in this group. You can be involved in the ‘one for one’ list whilst you are in a round.

7. You have an author profile set up before you join.

8. Your Goodreads profile allows people to message you, i.e. your profile is not set to private.

9. You declare any relationship you have with another member in the round.
Amazon will not allow reviews from the same household on the same book or if you are an editor, relative or close friend of another member.

10. You agree that your reviews will be unbiased and honest, whatever the star rating, and you will try to avoid ‘spoilers’. i.e. giving away the finale of a book. Please note the Review Group will back any reviewer's right to express their opinion about a book, but personal comments about a fellow author are against both Review Group and Goodreads policy.

11. You will not ask a fellow author to change a review of your book because you don’t agree with it.
If you think you have a legitimate concern, talk to the mod of your round, NOT the other author. Personal attacks, or pressurising other members WILL NOT BE TOLERATED and will result in you being blacklisted.

Please note:
We all want reviews, it’s why we joined the group. It is bad taste to expect other people to review your book and then not do the same for other people in the group. People that DNF and/or don’t post reviews will find it difficult to get into a subsequent group.

It is not necessary to leave any kind of disclaimer in your review, but ultimately, it is up to individuals. Reviews that state you received a copy ‘in return’ for a review will probably be removed/not allowed by amazon.com. ‘I received a free copy from the author without an obligation to review’ would be more acceptable if you feel the need to add a disclaimer.

Your Goodreads details and the rounds you participate in may be recorded by the admin mod on a database. We do not retain details of email addresses etc.

Allocation is entirely random and there will NOT be any rearranging of the listing to accommodate personal preference. The ONLY circumstance in which you may duck out of giving a review is if YOU provide a stand-in reviewer.

The only way this group can function is if we trust each other to behave honourably. And it IS perfectly possible to give a fair-minded review of a text that does not coincide with our normal choice of reading matter. If you need a few hints/tips, please see this thread:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I will do my best to fit everyone into the group they request, but occasionally, particularly in the case of our more prolific good standing members, I may have to decline a member request to fit the maximum number of people into a particular round. I will always endeavour to start another round as soon as possible with that member in mind.

It is permissible to review an author more than once if a different book is available.
If you need anything clarified please ask, either by goodreads personal message to me or on the thread below, before signing up. It’s a pain to have to keep rearranging the list because people haven’t read the above.

Your group moderator will be:
Gene Kendall

Member Links
1. P.L. Tavormina
2. Zita Harrison
3. Gene Kendall
4. Liz Tuckwell
5. Dennis Strubbe
6. S. Lynn Helton
7. Vanessa MacLellan
8. Loralee Evans
9. Joseph Carrabis
10. Laura Koerber

Book Links
1. Aerovoyant
2. Owl Manor - the Final Stroke: Book 3 of the Owl Manor Gothic Suspense Trilogy
3. Blind Cerulean
4. Moonsleep and Other Stories
5. Dr. Metifunger’s Transdimensional Veterinary Clinic
6. Duplicity of Power
7. Awaken: A Norse Dark Fantasy
8. Woodlands and Wormholes
9. Tales Told 'Round Celestial Campfires
10. Coyote's Road Trip

In order to participate in this round, your setting for 'Who Can Send Me Private Messages' needs to be 'anyone'.
Please follow this link to check - and if necessary change - your privacy setting.
https://www.goodreads.com/user/edit?t...

I'd love to join this round. I'm all done in the previous round, Round 310, and trying my darnedest to get past 50 amazon reviews on Aerovoyant.

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

Aerovoyant: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

I have no conflicts as yet. ;-)

I'd like to join with Blind Cerulean: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
I've been reviewed by P. L. before.

I'd like to join with my fantasy book Duplicity of Power.
-Lynn

My Goodreads book link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
My Goodreads author link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

I've reviewed P.L. before and I'm not sure she's got a different book for me to review for this round.

Gene has reviewed me before. I've got another book he can review.

Welcome P.L. and Gene. As ever, please check back frequently and report any review clashes you spot as the round fills.

S. Lynn - I've put you in for now but please confirm that P.L. has a book available that you have not reviewed or I will not be able to fit you in the round.

Gene - as you've signed up here I've put you in to mod ;)

E.M. wrote: "Welcome P.L. and Gene. As ever, please check back frequently and report any review clashes you spot as the round fills.

S. Lynn - I've put you in for now but please confirm that P.L. has a book av..."

Wouldn't I fit in P.L.'s blind spot (spot #6) if she doesn't have a book for me to review? I don't need to be in Gene's blind spot. I do have another book that he can review.

I do not have another book for Lynn (she has reviewed all three). I'm also in an anthology but cannot get her a PDF (etc) of that.

I have reviewed Gene's Blind Cerulean.

P.L. wrote: "I do not have another book for Lynn (she has reviewed all three). I'm also in an anthology but cannot get her a PDF (etc) of that.

I have reviewed Gene's Blind Cerulean."

Does Gene have another book you can review?

E.M., please see message 6 above. Thanks!
-Lynn

S.Lynn wrote: "Wouldn't I fit in P.L.'s blind spot (spot #6) if she doesn't have a book for me to review? I don't need to be in Gene's blind spot. I do have another book that he can review."

Done :)

E.M. wrote: Does Gene h..."

Aha, so he does. Thank you.

E.M. wrote: "S.Lynn wrote: "Wouldn't I fit in P.L.'s blind spot (spot #6) if she doesn't have a book for me to review? I don't need to be in Gene's blind spot. I do have another book that he can review."

Done :)"
Thanks! :)

I’d like to join with my book “Moonsleep and Other Stories’.

My Goodreads book link is https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

My Goodreads author link is https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Thanks.

I have no clashes with Liz.
-Lynn

I also have no clashes with Liz (and I see we both love Vinge's 'Snow Queen!')

Welcome Liz - please keep checking back often for possible clashes as the group fills.

Hello! Could I fit in spot 7 just under S. Lynn Helton? I have reviewed P.L. before, but could review another book. S. Lynn has reviewed me before, but I have other books that S. Lynn could review. Gene Kendall has reviewed me, but if I'm in spot 7 we'd be in each other's blind spots. I have no conflicts either way with Liz Tuckwell.

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

Woodlands and Wormholes: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

Hello, I would like to join this round with "Lord of the Wills"

SkyView: Lord of the Wills

Thanks
M

I have no conflicts either way with M. Sheehan.
However, M. Sheehan, you will need to adjust your privacy settings to that you can message anyone.
To do that, go here: https://www.goodreads.com/user/edit
Then click on Settings at the top of the page.
Then scroll down a little. Where it says Who Can Send Me Private Messages, click anyone.
Then scroll to the bottom and save your account settings.

I would like to join with Tales Told 'Round Celestial Campfires V1 - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
My profile is at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
I know Liz from once-a-week Zoom meetings.

I have no conflicts either way with Joseph.

M. and Joseph, have you reviewed any of the authors already on this list, or been reviewed by them?

Howdy,
I've read some of Liz's short stories and offered suggestions on Moonsleep and Other Stories, but haven't read it in its entirety. Just so we're clear, I have asked Liz to send me an autographed print copy (I'm paying for the book and postage).

Joseph, if you're personally acquainted with Liz, you may be able to fit, so long as you're in each others' blind spots. Provided you have no other conflicts, and provided that M. doesn't have any conflicts that would push you out of Liz's blind spot, you may be able to fit in spot 8, but E.M. would make that call.

Hey there, no conflicts at all,
Thanks
M. Sheehan

I’d like to join, if possible, with Dr. Metifunger’s Transdimensional Veterinary Clinic. My Goodreads author profile is:

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

And my book can be found at:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

I just reviewed Duplicity of Power, but Lynn has others I could review if she’s okay with that. I already know I’d like them!

Hi Loralee, setting are updated,

Thanks
M

I have no conflict with Dennis Strube.

I have no conflict with Joseph.

I have no conflict with M. Sheehan.

:)

Hi, I'd like to join with Owl Manor - the Final Stroke, book 3 of the Owl Manor Gothic Suspense Trilogy.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

https://www.amazon.com/Owl-Manor-Stro...

So far, I have reviewed Blind Cerulean from the last. P.L. Tavormina has reviewed the first book in this series, the Dawning, but not this one. They are all stand-alone books and can be read out of order.

Thanks.

Forgot to say that I have no conflict with any others on the list.

Dennis, it looks like you are unable to send messages to people who aren't your friends. Will you update your account settings?
Go here: https://www.goodreads.com/user/edit
Then click on Settings.
Then scroll down to where it says "Who Can Send Me Private Messages" and click "anyone".
Then go to the bottom and save your changes.

Dennis - please read the note at the bottom of the sign-up post and set your messaging status accordingly. Then I can add you :)

M - you are already signed up for another group so i can't sign you up here.

Khira - I'm really sorry but I can't fit you in this round with the existing clashes. But there are 5 other rounds open where you can see if your book might fit :)

Welcome Loralee, Joseph and Zita - please check back frequently for any further clashes as the group fills :)

(newbie question/concern, and if this was mentioned previously, my apologies)
What precisely is a conflict? A clash? Does it mean I know one of the other people in the group? I've read some of their work? I have to shave off my beard to participate?

Just for the record - I know Liz, don't think I've worked with/read anybody else.

Catching up on reporting my clashes…

Loralee… I’ve already reviewed this book of hers but she’s got many others that I could review.

Joseph… no clashes.

Dennis… has reviewed my book already, but I’ve got the next one in the series that he can review. :)

Zita… no clashes.

Joseph wrote: "(newbie question/concern, and if this was mentioned previously, my apologies)
What precisely is a conflict? A clash? Does it mean I know one of the other people in the group? I've read some of the..."

A 'clash' is either a close connection (such as you share with Liz) where ethically it would be impossible for one of you to provide a truly impartial review to the other or an existing review clash where one of you has reviewed the other as Amazon does not allow reciprocal reviews (which again can never be 100% impartial) Hope this explains :)

Yep, thankee.
Glad I get to keep my beard.
FWIW (and I hope Liz would agree) an existing friendship/relationship with someone doesn't alter my review of someone's work. I review the work, not the person (and expect the same).
And if the rules forbid such, no issues, there's other fish in the sea, other books in the group.

Okay, my message setting is changed to anyone. Sorry. Thought I’d already done that. 🤷‍♂️

I'd like to join with my sword and sorcery novel Lords of Illusion.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084KJYJVB

I've previously reviewed Duplicity of Power. I've also reviewed the first installment of Zita Harrison's Owl Manor trilogy, but I haven't read the second, so that might present an issue for reviewing the third. No one listed so far has reviewed me.

I have previously reviewed Owl Manor (Zita). I assume a different book in the series is available. Zita indicates this is the case, so all good.

I'd like to join with The Rise and Fall of Antocracy. I have reviewed Gene and Dennis previously, and my earlier book was reviewed by P.L. and Lynn, so I can't review them.

Here is my goodreads link:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

I'd love to join this round with my book Music in the Mirrors! (Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6... / Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0BB...)

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

One of my earlier books was reviewed by P.L. Other than that, it looks like I have no conflicts yet.

Guy wrote: "I'd like to join with my sword and sorcery novel Lords of Illusion.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084KJYJVB

I've previously reviewed Dup..."

The books are standalone with a whole different scenario and set of characters for each and don't need to be read in order. I've had people read them out of order and been perfectly fine with it. :)

P.L. wrote: "I have previously reviewed Owl Manor (Zita). I assume a different book in the series is available. Zita indicates this is the case, so all good."

The books are stand alone and don't need to be read in order. I've had people read them out of order and been perfectly fine with it. :)

Welcome Dennis - please keep checking back often for any further review clashes.

Sorry Guy, Terry and Greg but your clashes mean I can't fit you in with the existing people in the group. However, there are still 5 other review rounds open and you can see if your books would suit one of those instead.

Anyone signing up for the last 2 places please be aware there is zero flexibility now in the group order so if you can't fit in one of the two remaining slots, please sign up for a different group.

OK no problem.

No worries.

I'm interested in joining this round.

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

The Great Contagion: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

I have reviewed books by P.L. Tavormina; Gene Kendall; and S. Lynn Helton.

Jeff - I am really sorry but your clashes mean I can't fit you in this round. However there are 5 others you could look at to see if your book fits one of them.

Only conflict I have is with Gene's Blind Cerulean. Have reviewed that already. Does he have another book he would want me to review?