Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy discussion

I just added JR Ward Angel series book 4 to my 'to be read' list. It's expected to be released in Sept 2012. So why does it have a rating of 4.36?

I've noticed this on lots of books that have yet to be released and was just wondering if there is a value to a book having a rating before it's release or if it's just annoying?

Doesn't it really skew it's eventual rating???? Does Goodreads wipe the rating and start from scratch once it's released? Just curious about what others think about it. :)

I think with a book this popular that will end up with thousands of legitimate ratings it probably won't skew it too much.

But I really dislike rating before its released. It's sort of dishonest and misleading.

Oh, I am glad someone asked about this. I don't think they drop the ratings as they are still on there. It definitely skews the ratings for a book to be released that already has a bunch of five stars. I also don't pay a lot of attention to the early reviews - amazing how often the person mentions they know the author or that it was a gift or an ARC. I know from doing it a couple of times it is uncomfortable to be asked to review a book and then not like it.

A lot of ratings come from people who have read an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of the book, so they should be legitimate ratings.

However, someone rating books that they haven't read yet really isn't fair to the rating system. That is why I always read reviews too, not just look at how many stars it has.

I guess the early "ratings" are just a confirmation of anticipation toward an upcoming release. I suppose it helps hype the books release and that's good for sales...or bad depending on those "ratings". :P

Mlpmom wrote: "A lot of ratings come from people who have read an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of the book, so they should be legitimate ratings.

However, someone rating books that they haven't read yet really is..."

So true! Reviews mean so much more. And reviews from trusted reviewers even more.

Eileen wrote: "I've actually tried to get a few ARCs, but none of the people I asked got back to me, because they usually only give a limited number of copies, and then reserve those to popular blogs or reviewers. The rest of the ratings are probably just people predicting what they'll rate it.
"

Have you tried joining NetGalley Eileen? It's a site that has ARCs from many different publishers and you get to ask whichever you want to review, even if you're not a blogger (I'm not). Of course some publishing houses will reject your requests, but there are many -especially Harlequin- that usually do give away the books. I've read many books this way ahead of their publishing date and there are many GR members who are Netgalley members as well.

I forgot to mention, it's almost exclusively ebooks, not paperback ARCs.

I don't mind if they review and rate before a book is released but I don't like when it's just a rating. Or if it's a rating and then in their review they say they haven't actually read the book they're just very exciting.

I disagree. I think if a book is terrible (*Cough* Halo *Cough*) we have the right to rate the sequel, even before it comes out.

Honestly, if a book is bad, the sequel won't be any better, at least most of the time (Hunger Games is one exception)

Actually I disagree, lots of author's writing improves with each book.

I haven't read Halo but I think rating a book without reading it isn't fair to the book or the author.

Elle wrote: "I disagree. I think if a book is terrible (*Cough* Halo *Cough*) we have the right to rate the sequel, even before it comes out.

Honestly, if a book is bad, the sequel won't be any better, at le..."


Rating a book because the prequel was bad is one of the most ridiculous things I have heard. Book 1 is usually an introductory book, where the author lays a foundation for the story they want to tell.

I cannot think of a single series that I have read where book 1 was the best. NOT ONE series. The best books were always subsequent books, not necessarily the last book in the series, but ones after the first book.

It's like a teacher pre-emptively giving you an "F" in your world literature class because, you got an "F" in a previous class the semester before. It's a mark that you haven't earned yet.

I have to say I disagree as well Elle. IMO the first book is usually the weakest in the series and in almost all cases assuming I didn't hate the 1st book so much that I gave up, I have found subsequent books in series to get better and better.

An example for me are the IAD books. I really didn't care for , but the next book was better and I really liked the next few in the series. I have now read up through 7 and I loved books 6 & 7.

Unless someone has read an ARC of a book, I don't think a review can be justified. How can a reviewer point out the strengths and weaknesses of plot and characterization if he/she hasn't read the book? And a reviewer can't assume that just because he/she didn't like one book that the author wrote that another book is awful (and the reverse, of course). Sometimes the reader is in for a surprise if he/she goes into a book with preconceived ideas.

Elle wrote: "I disagree. I think if a book is terrible (*Cough* Halo *Cough*) we have the right to rate the sequel, even before it comes out.

Honestly, if a book is bad, the sequel won't be any better, at le..."

I also completely disagree with Elle. Many authors get better and better throughout their series. I dislike the first book of many of my fav series.

Elle wrote: "I disagree. I think if a book is terrible (*Cough* Halo *Cough*) we have the right to rate the sequel, even before it comes out.

Honestly, if a book is bad, the sequel won't be any better, at le..."

I completely disagree with what you are saying. You shouldn't rate or review books you havent read. What is the point. Reviews help people make a decision about whether or not you want to purchase a book--if you're rating or reviewing books you haven't read you give that person a false impression. Why do you feel the need to rate the book anyway? If you didn't like the first what do you care?

Ellen wrote: "Elle wrote: "I disagree. I think if a book is terrible (*Cough* Halo *Cough*) we have the right to rate the sequel, even before it comes out.

Honestly, if a book is bad, the sequel won't be any ..."

Ellen, I think you nailed it on the head! You don't HAVE to give a rating.

I would hate to see the system go to a "review" only system and not just a quick rating because I am certainly guilty of just clicking on stars to express my opinion. I just think there should be something behind your opinion...like actually reading the material. :)

LisaT wrote: "I just added JR Ward Angel series book 4 to my 'to be read' list. It's expected to be released in Sept 2012. So why does it have a rating of 4.36?

I've noticed t..."

I didn't read through the threads, but typical ARCs are given out. And that is how some books have ratings before they are released to the genreal public.

Amazon doesn't allow ratings until the book comes out...or unless the reader got an ARC from the Amazon vine program.

Michelle(Chelle) aka Nightshade wrote: "I have to say I disagree as well Elle. IMO the first book is usually the weakest in the series and in almost all cases assuming I didn't hate the 1st book so much that I gave up, I have found subse..."

Oh I agree Michelle! I really didn't care all that much for the first IAD book. But I LOVE the series. Thought book 2 was fantastic.

I don't get rating a book when you haven't read it. Rating it because you didn't like a different book by that author makes absolutely no sense to me.

I've rated a few books before they came out but that's because I had actually read an ARC of the book and I always will put an actual review with ones like that.

Ezinwanyi wrote: "Amazon doesn't allow ratings until the book comes out...or unless the reader got an ARC from the Amazon vine program."

I really like the amazon verified purchase as well. At least you have a better chance that the person has actually read the book before they review it.

Alright, let me say something to my defense.

I have read about every darn teenage book series I could possibly read, and I'll tell you, most YA series are plain bad.

I actually think the House of Night Series went downhill after the first four books.

And don't even get me started on Twilight...

But then again, that's my opinion. (And for whoever said something about the 'F', tell me, how many times will an F student improve? Not many times!)

But, it's your opinion, and we're here to express them, not to jump on one another's cases.

Ok. Point taken. You are entitled to your opinion.

By the way, my example was "F" in a particular class, not an F student. My point was about passing judgment prematurely.

Its one thing for you to form your opinions based on a prior book for your own purposes. But when someone rates a sequel without reading that particular book, they are misleading many of us who look to ratings and reviews as a guide when picking new books. They are falsifying their experience with that book. That is the opinion many of us are expressing.

Elle, honey, I love you (I DO), I only partially agree with you.

While it is a good thing to form an opinion about a book series, you also need to be open minded about it.

I don't think you should rate it. Write a review about how you're not going to read it? Fine.

But, that's just my two cents. I'm not here to fight with anyone.

Elle wrote: "Alright, let me say something to my defense.

I have read about every darn teenage book series I could possibly read, and I'll tell you, most YA series are plain bad.

I actually think the Hous..."

First of all, yes, you are entitled to your opinion of course.

BUT, many readers absolutely love those YA series you are talking so poorly about. So to rate ones you haven't read just cuz you dislike the YA genre or dislike the first book is ridiculously unfair and simply a lie cuz there is no way without reading it that you can know for certainty that it IS bad.

Also, having worked for several years in the education system, I can say for a solid fact that it IS possible for a failing student to turn themselves around and score A's and B's.

This is my opinion. Not here to fight either.

I completely agree with Aestas.
If you don't like something you are completely within your rights to rate it however you like.
I don't think anyone here is saying that you can't. Just don't rate it without reading it. It's not fair to the author, or the people who are checking out the reviews. I can only tell you that I look at the reviews of books and trust that the ratings that show are because the people who have rated it have actually read the book and not just prejudged it.
And like Nepeta said if you want to put why you aren't going to read a book or series good for it.
We are all intitled to our opinion, but part of the reasons that I use goodreads is because I trust that when I'm reading the reviews or checking the stars that person has actually read the book.

I usually avoid rating a book before its released. Even though the series is great it doesn't really mean that I would automatically like the book.

This annoys me too!

First of all, HI NEPETA!

Second, a lot of more popular goodreads reviewers (ex: Kira) have rated a book before its release, and when I read the book, I can't help but agree.

Plus, I know a lot of people like YA, I'm just saying I've only read THREE out of hundreds of series that I enjoyed.

Hey Elle,
First I want to thank you for even explaining your side (though I still vehemently disagree), I appreciate your honesty. I hope you don't feel jumped on, because that isn't my intent.

Can I ask why you continue to read YAs, when you don't seem to enjoy them? Also, you may not be a series girl. There are a lot of good books that are just stand-alone stories. It could also be a genre thing for you. But I think you should kiss YA's goodbye and find those areas of literature that speak to your soul. Embark on a new adventure of sorts.

I have to say, I've seen this exact discussion on GR a lot and sometimes it gets out of hand. It's nice to see that even though we disagree with each other the conversation has remained civil.

I agree with what Nepeta said, if you haven't read it you could write a review and say you didn't like the series based on the first book. However, the moment someone rates a book I assume they've read it. If you don't specify in the review that you HAVEN"T read the book then I don't think it's fair to readers. If you want to rate a book without reading it I think the least you should do is write in a review that you haven't read the book so readers don't assume that you have.

I do not mind ratings(even on ARC's) as long as the reviewer avoids spoilers. A reviewer, in my opinion, should just give a few short sentences(that should be enough to get a point across) about what they thought about the book. They should never trash talk the book or author (thats just in bad taste.)There are plenty of ways to say you didn't like something without being ugly. I think all reviewers should strive to be fair and honest about their review because anything else is not only dishonest, but unfair to the author and other readers.

Cyndi wrote: "I do not mind ratings(even on ARC's) as long as the reviewer avoids spoilers. A reviewer, in my opinion, should just give a few short sentences(that should be enough to get a point across) about wh..."

I have to agree with you Cyndi. I'm always surprised when a review is as almost as long as the book itself. LOL. It's also surprising how often this happens.

There is a difference between a review and a summation. Maybe some readers want a book summary but that's not what I look for in a review. I guess I want to know how a book makes you feel (or not feel), it's pace and whether or not it was satisfying. Cliff notes are not a review. :)

LisaT wrote: "Cyndi wrote: "I do not mind ratings(even on ARC's) as long as the reviewer avoids spoilers. A reviewer, in my opinion, should just give a few short sentences(that should be enough to get a point ac..."

I agree, I always wonder why people recap the blurb as well. Usually I've read the blurb before I move onto the review so I know what the story's about. That's why I never recap in a review, I figure it's redundant.

Ezinwayni, thank you very much for that comment!

I really don't feel jumped on, I actually enjoy other people's opinion.

The reason I read YA even if I don't like it is because I do reviews on a couple of different websites, and people seem to enjoy them...

Actually, I LOVE A Series of Unfortunate Events and Harry Potter, as well as Percy Jackson

And, P.A., I know you don't know me, but Nepeta does, and we're both quite opened to peoples' opinions and their discussions about different opinions as long as they're respectful, which is what I appreciate in this discussion

:D

Aww, you guys

*Blushes*

I'm just glad we're not all jumping on each other and screaming

'nuu. MY OPINUIN IS BETA DEN URS... 111'...

I actually like the respect that's given on here. Makes me feel at home :D

Nepeta wrote: "Aww, you guys

*Blushes*

I'm just glad we're not all jumping on each other and screaming

'nuu. MY OPINUIN IS BETA DEN URS... 111'...



I actually like the respect that's given on here. Ma..."

LIKE!!!

P.A. wrote: "LisaT wrote: "Cyndi wrote: "I do not mind ratings(even on ARC's) as long as the reviewer avoids spoilers. A reviewer, in my opinion, should just give a few short sentences(that should be enough to ..."

I will do this- but like one or two short paragraphs in my own words. I don't do it with every book. Sorry if it's frowned upon

Alana (aka ◘Whiplash◘) wrote: "P.A. wrote: "LisaT wrote: "Cyndi wrote: "I do not mind ratings(even on ARC's) as long as the reviewer avoids spoilers. A reviewer, in my opinion, should just give a few short sentences(that should ..."

No worries Alana, I don't think anyone frowns upon it--I just don't read the recap in GR usually because I have read the blurb. YOU review books on your blog where people most likely haven't read the blurb before and sometimes have never even heard of the book so it's good you do a short description. For me, I don't post reviews on a blog so it seems pointless to do a recap. Sorry, I should have been more specific. It's mostly the reviews on Amazon and GR where you're reading the review right underneath the blurb. Even still, it doesn't bother me, I just wondered why they do it there I know I just skip over it.