NetGalley Addicts Support Group discussion

Has anyone ever heard of BookSirens? I've looked into it, and they are supposed to be similar to NetGalley, so do any of you know if they are legit?

I reviewed a book for them recently. I've only done one so far since what they have been offering I don't normally read but I had no problems at all with getting the galley. They didn't bug me to get it done either.

I have reviewed a few from them and have a couple in my queue. Totally legit.
What I like about them:
~ they will do an analysis on your goodreads account and give a well detailed report of your reading habits. I mean well detailed!!
~ They have a widget of your readers rank that you can add to your blog.
~ each book they have available is very well described ~ gives you # pages, if a series, can see if hea (it’s hidden, so only click if you want to know), how many number of days you have to review it, how many available reader spots remaining, trigger warnings.
~ I am pretty sure, not 100%, but I think if you want to read #3 in a series and the author had book 1 and 2 on there previously you can download it.

You can see my readers rank on my blog if you’re curious about it. It’s just a little snip it, but clicking on it gives the whole thing.
www.heatheradoresbooks.com

It’s a really easy site and I like reviewing for them.

They are legit. I've reviewed about 50 titles for them. But you wont find big publishers there. Mostly indie works. I have discovered some really good indie writers through their site.

What I like most about them is the analysis they provide of your reading and reviewing stats using your Goodreads account (as Heather pointed out) and the details they provide wrt the books. Their customer care is also very receptive to ideas. (They are also supposed to be more pocket-friendly than NetGalley for authors.) Books don't get archived by publishing date but when the reader spots are filled up. This stat is shown on the book info page so it's very helpful to plan if you want to request the book immediately or bookmark it for later.

What I don't like about the site is that you can't search books by author or book title, only by genre.

I am still more active on NetGalley but I try to read at least a couple of BookSirens titles every month to support indie authors.

Thanks for the feedback!

They are legit. I've reviewed about half a dozen titles from them. They have less choice than NetGalley but some of the best books I read last year I got from Book Sirens like The Devil in the Red Dirt by Michael J Smith (Australian Noir) and Her Winter of Darkness by Melinda Woodhall (Police Procedural).

I reviewed for BookSirens - and they are wonderful to work with. Indie publishers, and small press mostly.

I've been reviewing books for BookSirens for a year. The only minus is that, unlike Netgalley, you have a maximum of 90 days to read a book, and after that, you can extend the period for 7 days, that's all. After that, you have to DNF the book.

The big plus is that they are small, thus there are real people behind the project. I recently found out they read all the downloaded books to filter out the most obnoxious. I constantly like and interact with them on Instagram, and the interaction leaves only warm feelings.

I will tell you this. If you review a book and you give it a rating of 2 stars and under, they will ask you not to publish it everywhere and to just leave it on BookSirens. I wasn't ok with that since the book I read involved incest. The author complained about my review to them. I stood by it because I will NOT abide by incest even if you cloak it in the guise of a fairytale retelling and say "But it was her Stepmother.". Doesn't matter. It's incest.
Thank you for attending my rant.

I really liked the analysis they gave. I just joined so only requested 1 book so far

An Influential Murder: An absolutely gripping psychological thriller with a shocking twist


Just finished this ARC. 3.5 stars for me. Good short novel just over 160 pgs. Murder mystery. BookSirens ARC

The detailed review here -
https://sanjibsblogreads.blogspot.com...

Hope wrote: "I will tell you this. If you review a book and you give it a rating of 2 stars and under, they will ask you not to publish it everywhere and to just leave it on BookSirens. I wasn't ok with that si..."

Good for you! There is a very dark side to the internet, which includes the advocation of incest and calling sexual abuse of children "love", that keeps slipping closer and closer towards the light side.

I recently did a documentary review at Amazon about the subway spokesman pervert, and I got a notice the review broke "guidelines". There was nothing in it that broke guidelines, unless Amazon thought it was "hateful" to call a pedophile a pervert and the scum of the earth. IMDB also posted the review, with no problems, and that website is owned by Amazon. Thus, I resubmitted it two more times, it finally got posted, and then I got a notice from "Communities" that my reviewing rights were revoked and all my reviews disappeared.

This happened once before years ago after I posted a lot of reviews in one weekend. I emailed Jeff Bezos' and his staff immediately got my reviews and reviewing rights returned. Since I submitted a lot of reviews right before the "Communites" action, I don't know for sure if it was the review or something else.

How can you know? Amazon will not tell you anything when they take such action against a reviewer. The only response from "Communities" showed the rep had absolutely no idea what the problem was! It was like she was answering someone else's email about a different issue.Plus, unlike Jeff Bezos, Andy Jassy does not get his staff to answer his emails.

I'm not sure the matter is going to get resolved this time, either. But if the review revocation was due to the documentary review, I will see them in a very hot place before I agree for a second that review was abusive and broke guidelines. Those who prey on children are perverts and the scum of the earth. They need to be stopped, not encouraged to think the general public will one day accept their perversion and their abuse of children.

Paint by Murders


⭐⭐⭐ Stars
Closer to 3.5 stars.
Short Horror mystery thriller.
Read as a Review copy
BookSirens

Review on blog -
https://sanjibsblogreads.blogspot.com...

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

Hope wrote: "I will tell you this. If you review a book and you give it a rating of 2 stars and under, they will ask you not to publish it everywhere and to just leave it on BookSirens. I wasn't ok with that si..."

They are legit but I haven't been impressed with them and if they don't want to allow 2* reviews, I'll never accept a book from them again. There isn't anything on there often that I want or can't get between EW and NG! Thanks for telling us about your experience Hope!

Good for you Hope for standing behind your review and the actions that you took. Any book that is in any way describing incest is o.k. or pedophilia is an instant 1* and I will post it and with trigger points listed at the top. Thankfully I haven't come across any lately, I'm much more careful about what I choose to review. But I do know that often you start reading and then get blindsided with abuse of children, animals, women, rape, kidnapping, human trafficking etc etc

Hope wrote: "I will tell you this. If you review a book and you give it a rating of 2 stars and under, they will ask you not to publish it everywhere and to just leave it on BookSirens. I wasn't ok with that si..."

I just came across a comment on Instagram claiming that people should not post three-star or less reviews on the site, or social media except GR and Amazon. Sorry, but if I read a book to review it, I'm going to review it honestly and post it, that's the point of reviews.

(Though I'm a little afraid that publishers will stop giving me books through NetGalley because I'm not afraid to share my 3-star and less reviews all other the internet.)

I wouldn't worry about it. BookSirens may have an issue because it appears that the author received the reviews but I have posted low star reviews on Netgalley...but I explained why and wasn't nasty. In the early days I posted 2 reviews with 3 star rating and received a backlash from an author for one, and a fan for another. both took offense at my Liking the book, and demanded I give it 5 stars...I stopped reviewing for almost 2 years...but decided to keep going. I have authors following me even without a high review...one even agreed with my review

Diana wrote: "I wouldn't worry about it. BookSirens may have an issue because it appears that the author received the reviews but I have posted low star reviews on Netgalley...but I explained why and wasn't nast..."
if a person explains why they didn't like a book, without spite, and also gives good points with the bad, those are the helpful reviews. And it's pretty cool that authors follow you!

And those who get angry for unfavorable reviews, it only shows what kind of person they just might be.

Billie's Not So Secret Diary wrote: "Has anyone ever heard of BookSirens? I've looked into it, and they are supposed to be similar to NetGalley, so do any of you know if they are legit?"


Hey Billie, good to see you here lol - SUPER LATE but I LOVE booksirens they're amazing and often times get me in touch personally with indie publishers or authors that I can then promote or work with for official reviews/get physical arcs later on. They also still have really good books available, even if they are lesser known and don't pack the big titles like netgalley. I also like their rating system, it gives you something to work toward and brag about.

Paperwitches wrote: "Billie's Not So Secret Diary wrote: "Has anyone ever heard of BookSirens? I've looked into it, and they are supposed to be similar to NetGalley, so do any of you know if they are legit?"


Hey Bill..."

Sounds like a bonus! If only I could get caught up with NetGalley and my personal shelves! But you know, maybe I'll take a browse... lol

Hope wrote: "I will tell you this. If you review a book and you give it a rating of 2 stars and under, they will ask you not to publish it everywhere and to just leave it on BookSirens. I wasn't ok with that si..."

Yesterday was my first 2 star book on BookSirens and they do not provide an option to share links on the review sheet if it is under 3 stars but their message is, " When you rate a book less than three stars, a review on Goodreads, Amazon, or any other site is optional."
The same message is there on their review sheet and I go ahead and post my review as I choose. So far there has been no problem.
Gotta call a spade a spade.
I always put in a reason why I didn't like/or like a particular book.
Review works both ways, it is up to the site how they advertise their book and the reviews and up to me to publish them where and when it pleases me.

To suggest reviews less than three stars not be published makes BookSirens a dishonest organization, in my opinion.

SundayAtDusk wrote: "To suggest reviews less than three stars not be published makes BookSirens a dishonest organization, in my opinion."

I've never had them tell me this. I have been working with BookSirens for more than a year (they are fabulous!) and have had some books that were not for me. As such, the reviews were 1 or
2 stars. I was not asked to take my reviews down or refrain from publishing them. They just give you a "review publishing is optional" if it is 3 stars or less.
I assume the review in question had some harsh critiques judging by that comment (from Hope) above and this was why it was asked to be removed. Less to do with the 2 stars and more to do with the way the 2 stars was discussed.

Raven's Grave


⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stars
Ravens Grave by Charlotte Stuart
@cstuartauthor
19th Sept 2023 #release
Read as an ARC on #booksirens
Stone cold murder mystery based in Alaska. Fun ride.

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

The Text


⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stars
The Text by Julane Fisher

19th Sept 2023 #release
Read as an ARC on #booksirens
Young Adult Dystopian futuristic adventure. Worldwide pandemic. Government monitoring people through App.

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

Project Outcast



⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stars
Project Outcast by A.C. Louis

Published 1st Sept 2023
Read as an ARC on #booksirens
Dystopian space colonization adventure.
Deadly Pandemic on ship.
Government cover-up

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

I joined them but with several hundred already waiting from Netflix, I haven't requested any with BookSirens.

Sherri wrote: "I joined them but with several hundred already waiting from Netflix, I haven't requested any with BookSirens."

Same.

Hell Moon


⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stars
#horror #scifi #BookSirens #ARC
Blockbuster story. Entertaining storyline.
Not for the squeamish.

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

https://sanjibsblogreads.blogspot.com...

Sherri wrote: "I joined them but with several hundred already waiting from Netflix, I haven't requested any with BookSirens."

I just realized I said I had several waiting from Netflix when I meant NetGalley... lolol

I'm sure you guys knew what I meant... lolol

Sherri wrote: "Sherri wrote: "I joined them but with several hundred already waiting from Netflix, I haven't requested any with BookSirens."

I just realized I said I had several waiting from Netflix when I meant..."
:) Netflix's fine too.
;)

Tetherless



⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stars
#thriller #scifi #BookSirens #ARC
#newauthor #femaleauthor #femaleprotagonist
#Debut author
Continuous action

Check out the review here -
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Or my blog -
https://sanjibsblogreads.blogspot.com...

Death Date: A YA Dystopian Romance Novel: Book One Of The Rageblight Duology



⭐⭐⭐ Stars
#thriller #scifi #BookSirens #ARC
#newauthor #femaleauthor #femaleprotagonist
#Debut author
Continuous action

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

https://sanjibsblogreads.blogspot.com...

#dystopianfiction #youngadultbooks #femaleauthors #adventure #booksirensreview #advancereviewcopy #honestreview #honestreviews #tetherless #newauthors #debutnovel

has anyone found books on book sirens that were actually decent? I had a look recently and most of the books recommended to me was about vampires falling in love. I don't like vampire books so didn't read. then they sent me an email with a book that contained rape. Not interested in that either. it looks like mostly self published not very interesting books. I hope there's something more interesting there in the future.

Booksirens
Terminal Lucidity: A Chilling Medical Thriller With The Tug of Romance

⭐⭐⭐ star Thriller
Published August 26, 2024
Female author. Female protagonist. Medial thriller. Read as a review copy.

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

Billie's Not So Secret Diary wrote: "Hope wrote: "I will tell you this. If you review a book and you give it a rating of 2 stars and under, they will ask you not to publish it everywhere and to just leave it on BookSirens. I wasn't ok..."

I can tell you from an author's experience. Some authors put their books to be "read now" available, without giving permission first, but this is not recommended because of the reviewers who give everyone 1 and 2 stars. I am an indie author, and I do permit people to read, but so far, I've only refused one out of 40 that applied for my book. I don't mind if this person ranked someone 1 or 2, actually I really like when I see a 2. It means that this person is honest, which probably means that if I connect to that person, I will be also able to contact it for social media promotion. People who give everyone 5 stars, are maybe less followed on social network then people who give honest opinions. So, it really doesn't matter is you rate it honestly. The problem is, and I will not permit the book to be reviewed from someone who's average review is 2. This means that this person mostly doesn't like anything. Then she/he will not like my book either, so why do I bother? There are others out there. With the honest reviewer who's average is 3, or 3.75, I guess there is still a chance that I will get a 1 or 2, but OK, then my book really disappointed someone and I should know why, so I can try to improve the next book maybe.

Diana wrote: "I wouldn't worry about it. BookSirens may have an issue because it appears that the author received the reviews but I have posted low star reviews on Netgalley...but I explained why and wasn't nast..."

Well I don't thin that's fair. I don't have a 2 so far. Also on Netgalley, so far I've only got 4 and 5 stars. I have one 3 star so far on Goodreads and I wanted to read that review to check if there will be some valuable information about my book, but they removed it because of the spoilers, so I can't read it. I can only see it's a 3.

I am a debut author and I just published my book in English as soon as it has been translated into English. I new there are platforms for that and I do like to keep control myself, so I didn't even try to find a publisher. But now as an indie author, I face different reasons why it might be also good to have a publisher. :) I am on both Netgalley and Booksirens, and it was super interesting for me to read your experiences.

I can tell you that Booksirens doesn't say to authors that they will not get 1 and 2 stars review posted, so I guess it sometimes happens that way too. I'm not sure if I do all the things right (yet), because I'm new and I'm probably doing everything in the wrong way, but on Netgalley, for authors it is much more expensive, but I have around 40 readers so far. On Booksirens, I've requested 100, but I only have 2 so far. I have no idea why. Booksirens is super cheap for authors. And everyone can publish it. So, I guess all the published authors are on Netgalley, there are more readers there, bigger community and it might be that the quality is better if all the published books are there and many indies can't pay for it.