Although they are uncommon, from time to time an unfavorable review will pop up on my blog. I don’t like posting them – but I also don’t feel as if I’m doing a good thing by only posting positive reviews. You know that popular book #104 that’s out there? I’d like to hear if people don’t like it before I waste my time on it. So with that in mind, I present to you..
Ten Reasons I Might Give Your Book a Bad Review
- The editing is done so badly that I catch the characters talking to themselves or eating the same thing twice.. just an example.
- The book may be a highly addictive read but the characters in it make me want to scream and close my eyes and sing “na-na-na”. Where are all the girls with the backbones?
- The author(s) breaks their own rules set up for their book – this is mostly a fantasy/sci-fi thing. If people can’t do something, then don’t let them do it and come up with some roundabout reason as to why they can.
- The book alternates between first and third person narratives. Seriously – nothing can drive me more crazy and give me a headache.
- Heavy name dropping. Including the names of famous people/places/books/movies/events in huge abundance (a few is okay but if I’ve counted a dozen or more.. that’s not okay) will not make the book seem more smart.
- The plot is so full of twists and turns that I can’t keep track of the characters and end up detaching myself from them.
- The characters voices are unbelievable. No, a three year old (unless they are exceptionally gifted in some way I’ve never heard of) cannot speak like a teenager.
- Using a “gimmick” to give the book a name so people will pick it up. If the author/publisher advertises the story as one about a kid that has lost a leg, then don’t give him a miraculous life-like leg within the first few chapters so he can go on to greatness.
- There’s really no need to go to certain places. If the author wants their character to have experienced something horrifying, that’s fine – I get that. But please, I don’t need to be reading every detail about it, just let me know enough to get the picture.
- Huge cliffhangers. I can handle cliffhangers.. but I”m talking about the type of cliffhanger that gives absolutely no resolution and makes me feel as if I should be starting another chapter, not another entire book. Give me just a little resolution on a side-storyline at least!
These are things I’ve come across as I’ve read books this year alone! Now, granted, some of it is personal preference.. but some of these things should never happen. What about you? What’s a deal-breaker for you when it comes to books?
