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 NO LONGER exclusively a Mystery, Thriller, and Suspense round. We're opening up the remaining slots to all authors. This is now a General round. All fiction/ non-fiction accepted. This means you may be required to read anything from a book about tax returns to horror/erotica and everything in between.



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:
Announced Shortly

Member Links * Book Links
1. Gene Kendall * Blind Cerulean
2.J.E. Rowney * Gaslight
3. Thomas A. Burns Jr. * Sister!
4. Kaia Misk *The Firstborn Son
5. Luís Falcão de Magalhães * The Daughter of The Ice
6. Dan Williams * The Dreaming Crystal
7. S.T. Blake * Transformer Kit (Mantle Series: 1) - A gritty urban fantasy with adult humor
8. J.C. Gatlin * Darkness Hides
9. Terry Birdgenaw * Antunites Unite
10. E.M. Swift-Hook * The Mercenary's Blade


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...

This is a new category we're trying out for Mystery, Thriller, and Suspense books. If you'll note in the above description, the titles don't have to be set in the real world, but should conform to the conventions of the genre.
I'll start off with my book, Blind Cerulean.

Nice to see this group!

Please add me with The Book Swap.


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

Actually my new book is out on Friday and I don’t think the group will start before the. So please add me with Gaslight instead

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

Sorry I’m on my phone and can’t just edit my post!

I'd like to join with my latest Natalie McMasters Mystery, Sister!

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

Hi everyone! As you're joining, please state your previous review conflicts and continue to do so as new people join the thread.

I have reviewed Bob before.
Jane has reviewed me.

If you're not sure, go to your "My Books" page and type in the name of other authors who join the thread. That will tell you if you've read them in the past.

Then go to the profile of other authors in the thread and click on their "My Books" page, this time searching for your name. That will tell you if they have read you in the past.

I'd like to join with my historical fiction mystery The Mercenary's Blade. Since GR is being a cow about letting me claim the author page, please list me under this name for my 'Member Link'.

I have previously reviewed Gene, J.E. and Thomas, but I believe all have books I have yet to read.

Gene has read me, I have read Thomas, but not this one. Can’t wait to read it!

Okay, I've added E.M. Thanks for listing conflicts upfront, everyone.

I have been reviewed by Gene, JE and EM, but not this book.

I'd like to join with Wild Hare's Daughter, though I'm probably stretching the mystery/thriller a bit. There is not a conventional whodunit plot, but all of the characters have secrets which are revealed and there is a scene which involves people sneaking around in the dark to commit a crime. There's also a crime committed in the back story (previous book in the series) that is an important part of the plot in this book. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

I have read Gene, EM and J.E. In the case of Gene, I think I have read all of his books. The others I can still review because I have not read the books they are offering. Thomas has read several of my books, but there are some that he hasn't read.

Sorry, Laura, but I don't see a way you can fit. If I had an alternate to offer you, and if Thomas could send you his book, it could work, but as of now we have too many conflicts.

Laura, you are also already signed up in the General round and the rules only allow participation in one round at a time.

Kat wrote: "Laura, you are also already signed up in the General round and the rules only allow participation in one round at a time." I thought I was not able to take part in that round Kat due to conflicts.

Okay, Got it! I'm in over on an general round and withdraw from this one.

Hi, I put my name in General, but if they can't fit me in, can I check back on this one with my Gothic Suspense, Owl Manor - the FInal Stroke?

Thomas has reviewed a different book of mine.
I've reviewed Blind Cerulean.
I've reviewed a different book by J.E. Rowney and E.M.

Zita, I just added you in the General round. :)

Oh, awesome, thanks, Kat.

Hello everyone!
It thrills me to see this type of reading round forming!
I would like to join with my psychological thriller “The Girl who Painted Death”.
Thank you!

Oh, almost forgot: Gene and Thomas have reviewed my book, but I don’t think there are any other clashes. I hope you can fit me.

I can confirm that I have no previous review relationship with Andrea.

Thanks, Andrea. Looks like we're halfway there -- if anyone knows of any authors open to participating, please let them know!

Hello! I am Seth Hobbs. I would like to join with my book, "Four Puppet Kings and a Fool". It is Epic Dark Fantasy, but also involves a lot of mystery and political intrigue, where the protagonist is trying to uncover dangerous secrets and conspiracies. My other book, "A Sword of the Three Rivers", was reviewed by Thomas Burns, but that is the only conflict I see so far, and it is a different book than the one I am offering now.

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

I have no previous review relationship with Seth.

Hi, Seth. I believe you're participating in Group 326. Out of this World. I checked and I'm not sure if you've finished your four reviews there. The rules prohibit participating in more than one round simultaneously.

Gene wrote: "Thanks, Andrea. Looks like we're halfway there -- if anyone knows of any authors open to participating, please let them know!"

I'm open to participating but I'm not sure I have enough thriller/suspense in my current works. I write second-world science fiction with climate themes.

So, please advise.

Laura has reviewed me twice before, and JERowney has reviewed me once before. Thomas Burns has also reviewed me once before. I have three titles with a fourth on the way.

I have reviewed Gene before, and i believe it was Blind Cerulean.

I think these are the only clashes. Again, not sure if I fit into thriller/suspense. I guess it depends if you think climate change is thrilling and suspenseful, hah!

Hi, P.L. This is the wiki definition: Thriller is a genre of fiction with numerous, often overlapping, subgenres, including crime, horror and detective fiction. Thrillers are characterized and defined by the moods they elicit, giving their audiences heightened feelings of suspense, excitement, surprise, anticipation and anxiety. ...
A thriller generally keeps its audience on the "edge of their seats" as the plot builds towards a climax.

So, if a book isn't designed to slowly unravel a mystery or keep readers on the "edge of their seats" then it likely won't fit.

I am very close to being finished and post my reviews. I am only waiting on one person to send me her book, and usually read books very quickly within a day or two. If I can get my reviews posted in the other group in the next couple of days, can I still join this one?

Hi, Seth. If we're still forming when your fourth review is posted, then I will definitely see if you'll fit in one of the slots. Thanks!

Can I ask what the point is in having a mystery thriller and suspense group if there’s no strict criteria for joining this group. A book with “elements of mystery” and isn’t really from the genres stated seems like a bit of a stretch. All books have some element of mystery. I would love to see this genre based group grow and continue as it will help to get more relevant books in the also reads on Goodreads and Amazon but opening the group to other genres that have a trace of mystery seems to defeat the purpose of starting up a group specifically aimed at these genres.

J. E. -- This is the first attempt at this group so maybe I haven't made things clear. The opening post states Fiction and non-fiction, “in this world” or “out of this world” books are eligible. Cozy mysteries, true crime, and thrillers set in reality are of course welcome. Additionally, if the story conforms to the conventions of 'Mystery, Thriller, and Suspense', it can fit here. For example, a detective story set in a dystopian future could qualify.

My feeling is, if a story has life or death stakes, an "edge of their seats" element, and/or a mystery for the protagonist to unravel, then it could fit. There are several thriller and mystery novelists in the group, and I was curious if there were enough of them willing to participate in a review round.

Good news! I have finished all of my obligations to the other group, and posted all of my reviews there. I had a couple days off, and was able to really delve into it. I am ready to go if you still want me. The only conflict is that Thomas Burns reviewed a separate book of mine in the past. Thanks!

I'd like to join with my book Darkness Hides.

I just finished my last review for Group 323.

I'm sorry, I don't think fantasy qualifies as mystery, thriller or suspense. It's certainly not what I'd find in that section of a bookstore. A good reason to have this type of review round is to allow the reviewers to review the genre they're most comfortable with. That's not fantasy for this reviewer.

Just a thought... one idea might be to look at how the author themselves has categorized their book on Amazon. Does the book fall into a mystery, thriller or suspense category?

I would tend to agree with the comments that all books have elements of suspense or mystery to them. My young adult fantasy romance certainly does... but I wouldn't call it a thriller or enter it into a round for books in that category because its selling categories on Amz are dark fantasy, shapeshifter romance, and romantic fantasy.

You could for example have a futuristic fantasy suspense series like JD Robb's In Death series, which is fantasy, but that would be also categorized under suspense.

I think Kat has a good idea to avoid confusion and keep it simple.

Why not state that category listing on Amazon, should include mystery, thriller or suspense in at least one category?

That way we know the book is being marketed as such.

For example, my book is listed under 'Historical mysteries'. It's historical fiction, but it is also mystery fiction. The same can surely be true of fantasy, sci-fi, contemporary etc.

Just a thought.

To be clear though, Gene set up the round so ultimately it is his call what qualifies.

The rest of us can have opinions, the decision is his.

I was actually considering using Amazon listings as the deciding factor, I just didn't know if others would find that too restrictive. I'm fine going ahead with that criteria.

J.C. wrote: "I'd like to join with my book Darkness Hides.

I just finished my last review for Group 323."

Hi, JC. Please link to your book and let me know if you have any conflicts with the authors already listed in the first post.

My only problem with using the Amazon listings is that they are are employed for more than just indicating genre. A book's ranking in a category affects it's visibility on Amazon, so a smart author will try to find categories in which his book will rank high with few sales. Also, Amazon only shows three of ten possible categories that a book may be in. In order to see all of them, you have to use a third party site like Booklink. https://www.bklnk.com/categories_2022...

For example, here are the Amazon categories for the Kindle version of my book Sister!

Sister!: A Natalie McMasters Mystery (The Natalie McMasters Mysteries Book 7) by Burns, Thomas  (Author) (B0BM4YPGBP)
Books » Books » Mystery, Thriller & Suspense » Mysteries » Women Sleuths,
Books » Books » Mystery, Thriller & Suspense » Thrillers & Suspense » Crime Thrillers,
Kindle Store » Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Literature & Fiction » Action & Adventure Fiction » Women's Adventure Fiction,
Kindle Store » Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Mystery, Thriller & Suspense » Mysteries » Women Sleuths,(Sales Rank: 11836)
Kindle Store » Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Mystery, Thriller & Suspense » Thrillers » Crime Thrillers,(Sales Rank: 7003)
Kindle Store » Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Mystery, Thriller & Suspense » Thrillers » Financial Thrillers,
Kindle Store » Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Mystery, Thriller & Suspense » Thrillers » Pulp Thrillers,(Sales Rank: 704)
Kindle Store » Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Mystery, Thriller & Suspense » Crime Fiction » Kidnapping Crime Fiction,

The paperback categories are different.

Hello all. I would like to join with my novel Antunites Unite. It's dystopian fiction like 1984, but on another planet with non-human species as characters. Yet, it is a spy thriller throughout, where foreign agents infiltrate the draconian regime, repeatedly risk their lives, and work throughout the story to foment a revolution that will free the enslaved citizens. I'm happy to let Gene decide whether my book qualifies. BTW it is listed on Amazon under Children's (YA) Mystery and Espionage as well as Science Fiction. I have reviewed Gene's book, but have no other conflicts.

Antunites Unite

Terry Birdgenaw

Thanks, Terry -- I have an alternate to offer, so the conflict won't be an issue.

Ok, then I am free and clear.

So I am guessing I can no longer join now? LOL. My novel is still a thriller, and has a lot of mysteries and conspiracies to uncover, and plenty of suspense, but it seems the criteria has changed.

Seth, if the book wasn't listed in some Mystery, Thriller, and Suspense category when posted to Amazon, then I don't think it'll fit. There doesn't seem to be a way to please everyone on this topic, but this is probably the least contentious way to move forward.

I'd like to join the group with my murder mystery, Darkness Hides
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

I've reviewed books by J.E. Rowney and E.M. Swift-Hook, but not the ones in this review round.

I don't see any conflicts

Hi, I am posting my last review for group 325 today and would like to put my name down for this one if I am permitted.

Owl Manor the Final Stroke

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

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

Thanks!

Hi Zita! I just need your final review over in 325 before you sign up for any other groups. Thanks :)

Hi, Zita. I checked and your Amazon review has been posted. Please list any new conflicts that might have arisen since your original post a few weeks back, and then I can work you in. Thanks!