My Five Star Rating System
I have created my own unique system to do reviews based on the five-star rating system and the Five Elements of Storytelling. I am currently looking for indie authors to review with fantasy debut novels out, preferably with dragons. If you fit this profile I look forward to giving you a timely and honest review based on my review system. I don't just give cursory opinions I try to delve into the five elements of storytelling (as I see them) individually.
Below is the system I have come up with for giving reviews for full length novels:
In writing this review of TITLE OF BOOK by Author of Book, as with any review I do, I will be referring to each star of the five-star rating system as individual elements of the story. Each star is divided into two parts, of which each part can receive half a star. The five elements of storytelling are: Idea, Plot, Characters, Setting, and Theme. Idea is divided into the parts: Hook and World; Plot is divided into the parts: Conflict and Climax; Characters is divided into the parts: Development and Dimension; Setting is divided into the parts: Scenes and Senses; and Theme is divided into the parts: Lesson and Epiphany. As this is not a critique, I will not go into much detail, not only to ward off spoilers, but also for brevity's sake. In the case that there is a half star attached to the rating I will use the Conclusion section as the tie breaker. The Conclusion section will consist of Style and Grammar. I will give + ½ star for a good rating in this section and -½ star for a poor rating in this section.
I normally give reviews in 1 week from receiving the book.
Below is the system I have come up with for giving reviews for full length novels:
In writing this review of TITLE OF BOOK by Author of Book, as with any review I do, I will be referring to each star of the five-star rating system as individual elements of the story. Each star is divided into two parts, of which each part can receive half a star. The five elements of storytelling are: Idea, Plot, Characters, Setting, and Theme. Idea is divided into the parts: Hook and World; Plot is divided into the parts: Conflict and Climax; Characters is divided into the parts: Development and Dimension; Setting is divided into the parts: Scenes and Senses; and Theme is divided into the parts: Lesson and Epiphany. As this is not a critique, I will not go into much detail, not only to ward off spoilers, but also for brevity's sake. In the case that there is a half star attached to the rating I will use the Conclusion section as the tie breaker. The Conclusion section will consist of Style and Grammar. I will give + ½ star for a good rating in this section and -½ star for a poor rating in this section.
I normally give reviews in 1 week from receiving the book.
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Kerry
(new)
Apr 28, 2013 08:56PM
Hi John, very interesting, what made you come up with this?
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I came up with it from reading, how-to-write books like: STORY ENGINEERING MASTERING THE 6 CORE COMPETENCIES OF SUCCESSFUL WRITING by Larry Brooks, and THE GUIDE TO WRITING FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION 6 STEPS TO WRITING AND PUBLISHING YOUR BESTSELLER! by Philip Athans, and HOW TO WRITE SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY by Orson Scott Card.I think it helps me to remain centered when I write reviews and not put too much weight on one aspect of writing or another.
Well, I hope my system will be appreciated. I am thinking about writing a book on how to do book reviews. ;D
That would be a great idea, if it's something you're interested in and have the heart to do - go for it (I'll get the 1st copy :)
Cool, I know it will be a blast. However, I will have to do like 300 reviews so that I can fill its pages. That will mean reading like 300 books! I am at 3 right now :D It will be a while.
hahah - well you gotta start somewhere, and you got my book there if you're interested. The thing with that idea is if you're going to put reviews in - would you need to get the writers permission? - hmmm I don't think so actually as it falls under freedom of speech and creative liberty.On GR you can set yourself a challenge on your home page of how many books you want to read in the year.
For eg - I set mine at 29. I'm already at about 14.
I have added your book to want-to-read. I will do a book review about it. I am currently reading a monster fantasy chick-lit book so I will get to your book in a week.
oh thats nice of you thanks for the support i look forward to hearing your thoughts. join me on Fb when u have a moment too nice to meet u john
Interesting system for reviews. It looks like it would be useful for a lot of genre fiction, but I imagine it would be hard to use to evaluate some books that had non-traditional structures.I think that you could easily write a book on how to write reviews without needing 300 examples, as long as you could refer back to the same 20 or 30 reviews to illustrate multiple points.
well said JD. I think it's a very interesting idea,although as a reader myself, i review on my overall enjoyment, how well it was presented to me and how the book spoke to me
I know what you are saying. I think that 300 is not only a high number of reviews for a book about how-to-review but it is also a way of promoting the book. I could say I reviewed hundreds of books and finally formed and refined a system that can help you too!
I like fantasy with dragons in it. I will add your book to my want-to-read list. I am currently looking for fantasy debut novels with dragons to review, but I will still review others.Also, you can add the cover to goodreads.
If you send me a copy of you book it will expedite the review process.
John wrote: "I like fantasy with dragons in it. I will add your book to my want-to-read list. I am currently looking for fantasy debut novels with dragons to review, but I will still review others...."
Were you replying to Nocomus, or to me? It happens that I write fantasy with dragons in it, but Nocomus asked you about a review, so I wasn't sure.
J.D.I was talking to Nocomus, but I am still open to doing reviews. What is the title of your book? What is it about?
John
John wrote: "J.D.I was talking to Nocomus, but I am still open to doing reviews. What is the title of your book? What is it about?
John"
I have two published, so far:
Dragon Fateand
Dragon Blade
I would like to review Dragon Fate. Could you send me a copy on kindle?
John wrote: "I would like to review Dragon Fate. Could you send me a copy on kindle?"Sure. I'd be happy to. PM me your e-mail, or drop me an e-mail at JDHallowellBooks(at)gmail.com and I'll get it to you right away.
