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.


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.

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, its 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:
Warren Dean


Member Links
1.Rhian Waller
2.Stacie Eirich
3.James Maxstadt
4.Jeanette O'Hagan
5.Helen Mathey-Horn
6. Cearúil Swords
7.Florian Armas
8. Aitch Diamond
9.Shari Branning
10.Kat Kinney


Book Links
1. Spy Rats: A Tale of Secrets on the High Seas
2. Tiger Kingdom & The Book of Destiny
3. Solomon's Exile
4. Heart of the Mountain
5. Bait
6. Splutter
7. Errant
8. Ito's Dream
9. Quench the Day
10. Dyrwolf

I'd like to sign up. Just finished my last (novella) round.

I'll sign up with Heart of the Mountain - or subsequent books in the series if this one has already been read. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

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

Thank you :)

I'd like to join, please. I'm finished with my last round. 😊

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

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

I'd like to join please. I also just finished my last round.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DNG1CK9

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

I have read Kat's book Dyrwolf.

I'm putting a book in here too Trust a Few

I would like to join with The Truth Dancer. It will be published in three days. Waiting for it, I leave here Errant.
Errant

Florian Armas

I have read E.M.

I received reviews from Helen and Jeanette.

Hello! I’d be happy to join with my children’s fantasy novella, Tiger Kingdom & The Book of Destiny. (For any who have already read/reviewed it, there is also a sequel - Bear Kingdom & The Golden Sword - that could be reviewed).

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

https://www.amazon.com/Tiger-Kingdom-...

Thank you! -Stacie

I'd like to join with my book Quench the Day. So far of the folks in this round Jeanette has reviewed me. There is a sequel available in case it does come up as a repeat for anyone.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/069...

Update on conflicts - as noted - I've reviewed Helen's Bait, a few of EM's (2 or 3 Dai & Julia mysteries & Fated Sky), Florian's Errant & Shari's Quench the Day. (I can read subsequent books if needed).

Stacie has reviewed my Akrad's Chidren.

Jeanette

I'm in - with Spy Rats. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

I've read Stacie - but happy to look at the sequel.
Likewise read Jeanette - again, happy to look at her other work.

EM has read mine, but not this book.

Love to join with Solomon's Exile: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

I know I've reviewed Helen's book.

I've read Jeanette, but not that book, so that's fine

Stacy has read me, but not this book, so should be fine

And EM has read me, but also not this book.

Thanks!

Hi there,

If there is still space I'd be up for joining the group.
I have no clashes with anyone.
If not I'll cross my fingers and I'll wait for another group to open up ;) I am about to see if the new general group still has space, I think this group is more appropriate though.

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

As the book is written under a pseudonym, Cloud McStrange, it is not coming up on my author page at the moment. But I am trying to rectify that.
Here is Splutter (books title) on amazon though:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077XV2HP3
And the goodreads page as it is right now:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...


Thanks and all the best to everyone,

Cearúil

I would like to sign up, please.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

It was previously Fried Brains and Microchips but has been substantially re-written and reimagined so even if someone had read it before they will hardly recognise it.

Damn have I missed it EM? I have been checking almost every day for a new group.

I've taken myself out as that would just make this completely impossible ;)

Cearúil - as soon as you can provide me with a valid link to your book I can put you in the round.

Everyone else - welcome aboard, please check your clashes and let me know if you spot any. Thanks.

No clashes for me. Thanks E.M.

Hi,

Don't know what happened there ...

Here is the book:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

Anything else?

Cheers.

So far, I think I'm good. I'll have to read something other than Bait, since I just did that one in another round, but it looks like Helen has plenty of others.

Welcome aboard Cearúil!

Now I need you all to check that you have no negative clashes - that you have not reviewed the four people 'above' you on the list (it wraps around so 10 is 'above' 1) or been reviewed by the four below.

When enough people have posted that they don't have any such clashes, I can start the round :)

I'm good. No clashes. Thanks!

Ah, yes, I'll need alternatives to Bait and also Earrant - but I don't think that's a problem.

And I have alternatives to Heart of the Mountain if necessary :)

Hi EM! I'm listed in two different places. In one, I am in author position #10, which causes no clashes. In the other list, my book Dyrwolf is in position #6, which does cause clashes as Helen has already reviewed it (that is my only clash.)

Thank you :)

Edited to add: When I check the "books" list, it also looks like several other authors have their books listed in different positions from their names...

Looks good

Looks like it will work! ;-) Thanks E.M.

Erm...Im member 8 but book link 10. Mines itos dream. Ive read tiger kingdom. Thanks em

Ooops... good spot Haze! Sorted the right books to the right people now ;)

Hi,

I've read Stacie's book Tiger Kingdom and the Book of Destiny, but there are no clashes other than that and I can read another of her titles in the series, if it suits.

Cheers,

Cearúil

Looks like there are no clashes for me.

Off we go then!

START DATE: 11-Mar-19

END DATE: 03-June-19

Round 1 – post your review by 01-Apr-19
Round 2 – post your review by 22-Apr-19
Round 3 – post your review by 13-May-19
Round 4 – post your review by 03-June-19

As AUTHORS you SEND your book file to:

210-01__Rhian Waller
Kat Kinney for round 1
Shari Branning for round 2
Aitch Diamond for round 3
Florian Armas for round 4

210-02__Stacie Eirich
Rhian Waller for round 1
Kat Kinney for round 2
Shari Branning for round 3
Aitch Diamond for round 4

210-03__James Maxstadt
Stacie Eirich for round 1
Rhian Waller for round 2
Kat Kinney for round 3
Shari Branning for round 4

210-04__ Jeanette O'Hagan
James Maxstadt for round 1
Stacie Eirich for round 2
Rhian Waller for round 3
Kat Kinney for round 4

210-05__ Helen Mathey-Horn
Jeanette O'Hagan for round 1
James Maxstadt for round 2
Stacie Eirich for round 3
Rhian Waller for round 4

210-06__ Cearúil Swords
Helen Mathey-Horn for round 1
Jeanette O'Hagan for round 2
James Maxstadt for round 3
Stacie Eirich for round 4

210-07__ Florian Armas
Cearúil Swords for round 1
Helen Mathey-Horn for round 2
Jeanette O'Hagan for round 3
James Maxstadt for round 4

210-08__ Aitch Diamond
Florian Armas for round 1
Cearúil Swords for round 2
Helen Mathey-Horn for round 3
Jeanette O'Hagan for round 4

210-09__ Shari Branning
Aitch Diamond for round 1
Florian Armas for round 2
Cearúil Swords for round 3
Helen Mathey-Horn for round 4

210-10__ Kat Kinney
Shari Branning for round 1
Aitch Diamond for round 2
Florian Armas for round 3
Cearúil Swords for round 4

As REVIEWERS you will receive books for review from:

210-01__Rhian Waller
Stacie Eirich for round 1
James Maxstadt for round 2
Jeanette O'Hagan for round 3
Helen Mathey-Horn for round 4

210-02__Stacie Eirich
James Maxstadt for round 1
Jeanette O'Hagan for round 2
Helen Mathey-Horn for round 3
Cearúil Swords for round 4

210-03__James Maxstadt
Jeanette O'Hagan for round 1
Helen Mathey-Horn for round 2
Cearúil Swords for round 3
Florian Armas for round 4

210-04__ Jeanette O'Hagan
Helen Mathey-Horn for round 1
Cearúil Swords for round 2
Florian Armas for round 3
Aitch Diamond for round 4

210-05__ Helen Mathey-Horn
Cearúil Swords for round 1
Florian Armas for round 2
Aitch Diamond for round 3
Shari Branning for round 4

210-06__ Cearúil Swords
Florian Armas for round 1
Aitch Diamond for round 2
Shari Branning for round 3
Kat Kinney for round 4

210-07__ Florian Armas
Aitch Diamond for round 1
Shari Branning for round 2
Kat Kinney for round 3
Rhian Waller for round 4

210-08__ Aitch Diamond
Shari Branning for round 1
Kat Kinney for round 2
Rhian Waller for round 3
Stacie Eirich for round 4

210-09__ Shari Branning
Kat Kinney for round 1
Rhian Waller for round 2
Stacie Eirich for round 3
James Maxstadt for round 4

210-10__ Kat Kinney
Rhian Waller for round 1
Stacie Eirich for round 2
James Maxstadt for round 3
Jeanette O'Hagan for round 4


Please remember the commitment you are making to your fellow group members. If you pull out after the start date for any reason it is the other members who will be faced with the problem of finding a replacement, or missing out on reads/reviews, through no fault of their own. Please don’t ask the moderators to chase after replacements as we just don’t have the time.

It is the responsibility of the author to get their book to their readers in a format the reviewer can manage. Everyone must be able to provide and accept PDF. You may buy or borrow the books you are due to read if you wish, and I’m sure the author will appreciate the verified review, but IT IS NOT COMPULSORY. There are no set dates for the start of each round. You can each work at your own pace, within the limits of the round deadlines.

All reviews must be posted to GR. We also encourage members to post on Amazon. When you have posted your reviews, please post the links to each of your reviews, not the book page in this thread.
The mod of each round will record whether members have posted reviews on Amazon and for the good of all, members who persistently fail to post reviews or DNF reviews to Amazon, will find mods less than willing to add them to subsequent groups.

Postings to other sites are by agreement by both author and reviewer.

If I’ve missed something that results in you being asked to review someone who has already reviewed you, please let me know asap.

To exchange book files, my advice is to use PM to give email addresses to each other (save the chance of spammers getting your addies from this open forum). Happy reviewing, everyone :)

Please consider downloading one of my books and/or one of the round mod’s books as a thank you for all the hard work we put in for the group.

Please read this especially if you are new to these review rounds.

Quick 'start-up' summary for anyone new who might be scratching their heads. You should PM the four people who will be reviewing you (the four above you on the original list of names) through their Goodreads author pages. Click on the down arrow beside the 'Follow Author' button under their picture and it opens a menu which will allow you to message them.

Ask what kind of file they would like or say you can only offer PDF, though unless a publisher uploaded it for you, you can always download a .mobi of your own book from Amazon.

Don't forget to ask where to send it so they can give you their email.

The four people who you are reviewing should be in touch with you in a similar way.

You can, of course, choose to buy any or all of the books instead, or read the books on KU, if you are a subscriber and the books are available there. If you can buy it adds weight to your review as it gives the 'Verified Purchase' stamp on Amazon.

Please make sure you have exchanged ALL FOUR books - or have been assured by your reviewers they will buy your book or read it through KU - as soon as possible. Some people read fast and it can be very frustrating to have to wait a long time to get hold of a book you are committed to review.
Don't forget to post the links to your reviews here so you can be signed off for them.

Finally, recent changes on Amazon mean that we are now asking you to post your review to your own Amazon store and any others you might have access to as well.

Your mod is Warren Dean and he will be along shortly to make himself known!

Rhian, Stacie, James and Jeanette, I have purchased or downloaded your books through KU so I'm good to go! Looking forward to some great reads! 😊

Kat wrote: "Rhian, Stacie, James and Jeanette, I have purchased or downloaded your books through KU so I'm good to go! Looking forward to some great reads! 😊"

Thank you!

Kat wrote: "Rhian, Stacie, James and Jeanette, I have purchased or downloaded your books through KU so I'm good to go! Looking forward to some great reads! 😊"

Thanks Kat! I hope you enjoy, and thanks for participating! -Stacie

And... cue music!

Thanks very much, Kat! Hope you like it.

if my reviewees are on KU i will down load your books. Mine is slso on KU.

Kat wrote: "Rhian, Stacie, James and Jeanette, I have purchased or downloaded your books through KU so I'm good to go! Looking forward to some great reads! 😊"

Thanks Kat

Warren wrote: "And... cue music!"

Hiya Warren :)

Jeanette wrote: "Warren wrote: "And... cue music!"

Hiya Warren :)"

Oh no, not again...!

*runs away and hides under sombrero*

I see a lot of old faces in this round so you probably don't need much help from me. (By 'old' I mean 'familiar' rather than 'aged', of course.)

If anyone needs help, has questions or problems, don't hesitate to post on the thread or PM me.

Also, please don't forget to post the links to your reviews. It makes it easier for me to keep score and it is nice for group members to follow the reviews as they come out.

Happy Reading.

I purchased the books for my round, Cearuil, Aitch and Shari. I'm waiting on Florian's new book to come out.

Warren,

Could you please replace Errant with The Truth Dancer?
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

Thank you and
Thank you, Helen

Florian wrote: "Warren,

Could you please replace Errant with The Truth Dancer?
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4..."

Hi Florian,

I don't think it's a problem. It looks like Helen and Jeannette have already reviewed Errant anyway.

Cearuil and James, do you have any difficulty reviewing Florian's new book The Truth Dancer rather than Errant? If not, the link is as above.

Sorry, I forgot,
Cearuil will review Errant, as The Truth Dancer was published after his round started (we already agreed on this).

Florian wrote: "Sorry, I forgot,
Cearuil will review Errant, as The Truth Dancer was published after his round started (we already agreed on this)."

Okay, no problem

I'm fine with that

Thanks James.

Thank you, Warren, James.

My Round One reviews. Thanks for the awesome read, Rhian! 😊

GR: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/RECXNEQ...
Also posted to Twitter

Hi Kat, thank you so much! This would make a great blurb. ;)

My reviews for Splutter:

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

https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...