Round_138 "Speculative" -Full & underway > Likes and Comments

This is a "Speculative" round
Any and all fiction books (stories) primarily classified as fantasy, sci-fi, steampunk, alternate history, apocalyptic / post-apocalyptic, dystopian, magical realism, paranormal, superhero, supernatural, utopian, etc. are accepted.

Books can be published, finished works, available at Amazon & other online booksellers; or not-yet-published, i.e. ARC files & pre-order books. If the book is not yet published, you must be able to provide an ARC file and the book must be able to be reviewed in at least one other place in addition to Goodreads.

Participants post reviews to Goodreads and at least one place elsewhere. Amazon is the preferred second location.

If you can review on Amazon, please do so. And give it time to show up – about 2 weeks – before reviewing in another location as a backup.

However, if it's not feasible for you to review on Amazon (either the book's in pre-order or you cannot review on Amazon), that second location can be BookBub, LibraryThing, TheStoryGraph, Readers' Favorite, Smashwords, Kobo, Audible, B&N, IG, X/Twitter, or FB, etc.

When posting your review to places like IG, X/Twitter, etc., please create a new post, on your own account, in which you review the book. Don't go to the author's account and paste your review as a comment on one of their posts - that comment is too easily lost in all the activity on the platform.

Before you sign up, please make sure:

1. You've thoroughly read and understand How Read/Review Rounds Work (The Rules). Participating in the round indicates your understanding and acceptance of the rules and compliance with them.

2. You've claimed your Goodreads author page.
If you're on a regular Goodreads user account, rather than an author account, you'll need to do this before joining a round. You'll find the directions for claiming your author profile page here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/program.

3. You've completed your review commitment if you're currently in another read/review round in this group. (You can't sign up to a new round until after you've completed that review commitment (posted both review links) in the other round in this Goodreads group.)

4. Your book is fit and ready to be reviewed.
If it's not, due to editing or other issues, you risk poor reviews.

5. You have enough time to read and review a book within the round timeframe of four weeks.

6. Your book fits the round theme.

7. You can provide — and accept — at least PDF files.
You're not expected or required to buy the books you're scheduled to read, although that's a nice gesture. Each participant is responsible for getting a review copy of their book to their reader in the round and must be able to provide — and accept — at least PDF files. Many provide and accept other formats as well. Please ask your reader's preference if you can provide files in a variety of formats. And many authors have books available via KU and others might provide Smashwords coupons.

Note that International Copyright laws apply: you cannot sell or give away material you've received, without the author's express permission.

8. You agree to provide a contact email address when you sign up (see below).

This is necessary to allow for sending/receiving a review copy, if needed, as well as to allow the Mod to contact you about the round or your reviewing commitment, if needed. Emails must not be used for marketing purposes or sold.

To sign up for this read/review round:

1. Please provide your contact information via this form - https://forms.gle/KjqB9uuHuYbPwpfG8

If you want to create a new email account only for use for this review group, see Getting a review copy for a list of the supposedly best free email providers.

2. And please reply to this topic with these details:

a. Your Goodreads Profile link

Please also include any additional names/profiles under which you publish, to help the other participants check for and avoid reciprocal reviewing.

b. Your Goodreads Book info link for your book that you want to have reviewed.

c. A disclosure statement regarding your use or non-use of generative AI for your book's interior content. Some example statements:

"I used {AI-based tool name} to generate content for my book."
OR
"I used {AI-based tool name} to generate interior artwork for my book."
OR
"I used {AI-based tool name} to generate the English translation of my book's text.
OR
"I didn't use generative AI in the creation of this book. I created all content myself."

d. Which of the other authors have previously reviewed any of your books; of the authors already in the round’s list and those signing up but not yet listed. If none, please specifically say so. This helps avoid reciprocal reviews.

e. Which of the other authors you’ve previously reviewed; of the authors already in the round’s list and those signing up but not yet listed. If none, please specifically say so. This helps avoid reciprocal reviews.

f. Any relationship you have with other members in the round.

It's a more-professional practice to avoid reviews from the same household on a book from that same household, or if you are an editor, relative, or close friend of the author.

How to check for reciprocal reviews:
Go to your reviews through your profile (the link is under your portrait), and search for the other author's name. Check if someone has reviewed you in the same way… through their profile, searching for your name.

Please be sure to check back periodically as the round fills, to report any new conflicts and so you don't miss out on anything in the round (note that Goodreads notifications aren't reliable).

By joining this round, you agree to accept for reading and reviewing whatever book you are scheduled for. Please note that it's possible that the book you're scheduled to read may contain material you find upsetting or offensive. You are expected to finish the book — that's only fair. If you can't commit to this, please don't sign up.

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Round Parameters:

-Four weeks to complete reading the book and post your review.

Read the entire book and write your unbiased and honest review of the book, making every attempt to avoid spoilers if possible, and post it. For what constitutes a book review for this group (and for reviewing tips), please see Book Reviewing.

-After your review is posted, add the link(s) to it to this reading-round topic so the Mod can "sign you off" for the round.

When you add your link(s) to this topic, make sure the links are to your own review not the book page. Please shorten the links (always a good practice for any social media). See Finding review links to post them in the group for specific tips.

Additional Notes:

-Reviews that state you received a copy "in return" or "in exchange" for a review will probably be removed/disallowed by some retailers. If you wish to add a disclaimer, the following would be more acceptable: "I received a free copy from the author without an obligation to review".

-Your Goodreads details and the rounds you participate in may be recorded by Mods on a database. We don't retain details of email addresses, etc.

If you have questions, please first review How Read/Review Rounds Work (The Rules) and check Questions about Review Rounds for an answer. If you still have questions, please ask before signing up.

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Each author will review one other book in this reading round.

(Person 1 reviews 2. Person 2 reviews 3. Person 3 reviews 1. (And if the round expands to a 4-way or 5-way round, reviewing follows the same pattern, just expanded for the additional participants.))

Please don't get books or begin reading/reviewing until the Mod has posted that the round has started.

Participants & Book Links
1. Andreas Brooks - The Forgotten Children (NO gen-AI used)
2. Terry Birdgenaw - The Rise and Fall of Antocracy: an extraterrestrial Orwellian allegory about failed democracy and climate denialism
3. Eric Gibson - Poison Harbor (NO gen-AI used)
4. Andrew Beardmore - Cold Sanctuary: Book Two of The Nessemiah (NO gen-AI used)

(✓ means the participant is done with their review commitment,
✍︎ means the participant has provided one review link but hasn't yet posted the other link)

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Since the rules have recently updated, be sure to review all of the topic How Read/Review Rounds Work - The Rules and all of message 1 in this round to be current with how rounds are working now.

I would like to join with Poison Harbor
My profile Eric Gibson
No AI was used to create or edit any part of this book.
I have filled out the contact form

I'd like to join with Cyborg Contact: A humorous first-contact, Cli-Fi adventure. I have reviewed Eric previously, but not this book. I have completed the contact form. I didn't use generative AI in the creation of this book. I created all content myself.

Welcome to the round, Eric and Terry.

Since Goodreads notifications aren't reliable, please be sure to check back periodically (at least once every seven days is recommended) to report any new conflicts and avoid missing out on anything posted in the round.

Hi, I'd like to join with The Forgotten Children . I have reviewed Terry previously. Andreas Brooks
No AI Used.

Thank you!

Hi, I would like to join with Cold Sanctuary please. This is Book Two in my series The Nessemiah. Eric has already reviewed Book One (The Strains of Malice) and Terry is scheduled to review Book One as part of another reading round.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

I haven't reviewed or been reviewed by Andreas if you accept him into this round, so this might just work depending upon other members' reviewing history. If not, I'll wait for the next round :-)

Andrew can't go last because I'll be reviewing him in Review Group 398, so he can't review me.

Terry wrote: "Andrew can't go last because I'll be reviewing him in Review Group 398, so he can't review me."

Thanks, got it.

Andreas and Andrew, I'm happy to add you both to the round (and I think you'll both fit) but before I can, there's still some of the sign-up that needs to be completed.

Andreas, I need to know please whether you've previously reviewed Eric Gibson, and also whether he's previously reviewed you (2.d. and 2.e. under "To sign up for this read/review round" in message 1). Thanks!

Andrew, please provide your AI disclosure statement (2.c. under "To sign up for this read/review round" in message 1). Thanks!

Hi-

No I have not reviewed or been reviewed by Eric Gibson. Thanks!

-Andreas

Andreas wrote: "Hi-
No I have not reviewed or been reviewed by Eric Gibson. Thanks!
-Andreas"

Thank you for that information and welcome to the round, Andreas.

Since Goodreads notifications aren't reliable, please be sure to check back from time to time (at least once every seven days is recommended) to report any new conflicts and avoid missing out on anything posted in the round.

Hi - I can confirm that I have not used AI to either create or edit any part of my book.

Andrew wrote: "Hi - I can confirm that I have not used AI to either create or edit any part of my book."

Thank you for that information and welcome to the round, Andrew.

Since Goodreads notifications aren't reliable, please be sure to check back periodically (at least once every seven days is recommended) to report any new conflicts and avoid missing out on anything posted in the round.

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Final Check
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Hi everyone and welcome to this Read/Review Round!

I think we're good on having no one set for a reciprocal review, but before the round can get underway, everyone please do one last double-check for reciprocal and other review conflicts. You can’t be listed to review someone who reviewed you before and vice versa. It’s all about who has already read whom, when positioning the readers in the slots.

Please double-check these things (please don't rely on memory):

1. Have you previously reviewed the person directly above you on the list in message 1 (the list wraps around so the last number is "above" 1.)?

If you have, please post a reply that says so. That way we can fix the list so as to avoid a reciprocal review, which isn’t allowed here.

2. Have you already reviewed the book listed for the person directly below you on the list (the list wraps around so "1" is "below" the last number)?

If you have, post a reply that says so. That way we can fix the list so it shows the correct book for reviewing.

3. Are you an editor, relative, close friend, or from the same household of either the person whose book you'll be reviewing or the person who'll be reviewing your book?

If so, please state any relationship you have with those other members. It’s a more-professional practice to avoid reviews from people in those relationships to the author. And Amazon doesn’t allow this anyway.

Reminder of how to check for reciprocal reviews:
Go to your reviews through your profile (the link is under your portrait), and search for the other author’s name. Check if someone has reviewed you in the same way… through their profile, searching for your name.

If you have no review conflicts, please post a reply with "Ready to start" or similar words.

After everyone has posted that they’re ready, I'll post the official "start the round" message to get the round rolling! :)

Please don’t get books or begin reading/reviewing until that official "start the round" message has been posted. The order can still change before then.

Ready to start.

Ready to start.

Ready to start.

Ready to start.

Andreas has read my posted book, but he can choose any of the other three in the series.

Terry wrote: "Andreas has read my posted book, but he can choose any of the other three in the series."

Sounds good. When the two of you decide which of your books he'll read and review, please let me know and I'll update the lists. Thanks!

Thank you all - let’s get this round going!

You have four weeks to read and review.
Start date: Aug 17, 2026
End date: Sep 15, 2026

Please post your review no later than SEPTEMBER 15, 2026.

As AUTHORS, you’ll send your book file to your reviewer, and as REVIEWERS, you’ll receive a book file to read.

1.__Andreas Brooks
You're reviewing The Rise and Fall of Antocracy: an extraterrestrial Orwellian allegory about failed democracy and climate denialism (Terry Birdgenaw).
Andrew Beardmore is reviewing your book, so please make sure they have a copy to read.

2.__Terry Birdgenaw
You're reviewing Poison Harbor (Eric Gibson).
Andreas Brooks is reviewing your book, so please make sure they have a copy to read.

3.__Eric Gibson
You're reviewing Cold Sanctuary: Book Two of The Nessemiah (Andrew Beardmore).
Terry Birdgenaw is reviewing your book, so please make sure they have a copy to read.

4.__Andrew Beardmore
You're reviewing The Forgotten Children (Andreas Brooks).
Eric Gibson is reviewing your book, so please make sure they have a copy to read.

It's the responsibility of each author to get their book to their reader in a format the reader can manage. Everyone must be able to provide — and accept — at least PDF files. You may buy or borrow the book you are due to read, if you want, but it’s not required.

Please honor the commitment you’re making to your fellow group members to give an honest review.

Quick "start-up" summary:

-Get a copy of the book you're reviewing as soon as possible. You’re reviewing the book "below" you on the list. There are several methods for getting a copy of the book to read and review:

1. You can choose to buy the book, but you don’t have to.

2. You can choose to read the book through KU, if you’re a subscriber and the book's available there.

3. You can request a review copy from the author.

If you need to get a review copy of the book you are to read & review, post in the round requesting a review copy from the author of the book you're to review. Then the Mod will email both of you (using the contact information you provided in the form during the "Final Check" phase) to pass along contact information so you can send/receive the review copy. (See Getting a review copy for more details.) Don't post your email in the round - it’s an open forum from which scammers can glean information.

When the author has sent the review copy, they need to post in this topic that they have done so.

Everyone, when you have gotten a copy of the book you are to review (through whatever method), post in this topic that you have a copy.

-Please make sure you have sent your book - or have been assured by your reviewer they will buy your book or read it through KU - as soon as possible so your reader can start reading.

-Please post your review to Goodreads and also on your own Amazon store and any other Amazon stores you might have access to.

If you can't post a review on Amazon, please post your review at least one place elsewhere, such as BookBub, LibraryThing, TheStoryGraph, Readers' Favorite, Smashwords, Kobo, Audible, B&N, IG, X/Twitter, FB etc.

We understand that outside world commitments can sometimes make it difficult to complete a review on schedule. If you're going to be late getting your review in, you need to post to the round topic about the delay. Failure to post or complete reviews can result in repercussions, as detailed in How Read/Review Rounds Work (The Rules).

-After you’ve posted your reviews, please reply to this topic with the links to your reviews (not the book page) so you can be "signed off" for reviewing.

Be sure to shorten your links to remove possibly personal information and give you a clean link to post (remove the "?" or "ref" and everything after it).

If your second review is on Amazon, you can post your Goodreads review link before the Amazon one has been approved, but since Amazon can take days to post the review, it might be better to wait. Once the Amazon review appears, then review the book on Goodreads, and then post both links together in one message in this topic. If you don't have the Goodreads and Amazon links on the same date, please don't edit your original post to add the second link as it's unlikely the Mod will see that. Create a new post with the link.

For the good of all, participants who persistently fail to post reviews, or DNF reviews, will find Mods less than willing to add them to subsequent rounds.

Please let me know ASAP if I missed something that results in you being asked to review someone who’s already reviewed you.

Feel free to ask questions if you need to.

Happy reading & reviewing! :)

I'd like a review copy of Cold Sanctuary. Thanks.

Terry-

Let me know what book you would like me to review. If it is on KU, I can read it there.

-A

I suggest you read The Rise and Fall of Antocracy. It is on KU.

Lynn, I'll need Eric's email to request his book for review

Eric wrote: "I'd like a review copy of Cold Sanctuary. Thanks."

Eric and Andrew, I've emailed you both each other's contact info to facilitate sending/getting that review copy.

Terry wrote: "I suggest you read The Rise and Fall of Antocracy. It is on KU."

Andreas wrote: "Terry-
Let me know what book you would like me to review. If it is on KU, I can read it there.
-A"

The lists are updated with this book.

Terry wrote: "Lynn, I'll need Eric's email to request his book for review"

Terry and Eric, I've emailed you both each other's contact info to facilitate sending/getting that review copy.

Andrew, The Forgotten Children by A.P. Brooks is on KU, or I can email you a .pdf. Let me know.

Hi Andreas. I've just bought your book from Amazon, so you'll get a Verified Purchase review across all marketplaces :-)

My Goodreads review of Poison Harbor:

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

My Amazon review is pending.