Should I post a one-star review?

Recently, I finished reading an indie novel. I bought it because its Amazon page glittered with 5- and 4-star reviews. But it was trite, predictable, with characters that were shopworn even thirty years ago, and — the sin of all sins — boring. Because I know the effort it takes to write a novel, and the hope vested in its publication, I was still determined to be supportive, write a kind review, and give the book three stars.

But I just couldn’t do it. This book didn’t deserve three stars. It...