[archived]Round_126 "Speculative" (reviews on GR & Amz)-Done! > Likes and Comments

This is a "Speculative, Goodreads & Amazon" 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, as long as they are published, finished works and available on Amazon.

In Goodreads+Amazon rounds, every participant must be able to leave a review on their local Amazon store, so everyone’s starting with the same options. Participants post reviews to Goodreads, and please also post on your own Amazon store and any other Amazon stores you might have access to.

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. For GR+Amz rounds, your book must be currently available for sale or free download at Amazon and other online booksellers (not pre-order).

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. And doing so for GR+Amz rounds will give a "Verified Purchase" review on Amazon, which is a nice thing for the author. 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 are able to submit reviews to Amazon.

(On Amazon, only people who have spent $50 in the last year can leave reviews in each of their stores. If you’re uncertain about your Amazon reviewer status, try to post a "test" review before you sign up for the round. If you’re unable to post reviews on Amazon, please don’t sign up for GR+Amz rounds. Instead, look for rounds that say “reviews on GR+ (NOT Amz)”.)

9. You agree to provide a contact email address when the Moderator requests it.

This is necessary to allow for sending/receiving a review copy, if needed, as well as to allow the Mod to contact you about your reviewing commitment, if needed. Emails must not be used for marketing purposes or sold. The "Final Check" post for the round will have a link to the form in which you'll provide your contact email.

To sign up for this read/review round, please reply to this topic with these details:

1. 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.

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

3. Specify which of the other authors in the round have previously reviewed any of your books (if none, please specifically say so), and also which of the other authors in the round you have previously reviewed (if none, please specifically say so), to help everyone avoid reciprocal reviews. Also, state 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. And Amazon doesn’t allow this anyway.

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 check back as the round fills to report any new conflicts.

And be sure to check back periodically, 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 (tentative order)
1. Terry Birdgenaw ✓ | Cyborg Contact
2. Sotto Voce ✓ | A Scarred Drifter
3. Keerthana Balamurugan ✓ | Angelo Sapiens and the Serpent's stone
4. Linda A. Sanchez ✓ | Acceptable Loss: A Conspiratorium Novel

(✓ 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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I'd like to join with Antunites Unite.

Terry wrote: "I'd like to join with Antunites Unite."

Welcome to the round, Terry. Please keep checking back for any conflicts as the round fills up.

Hi E.K.,
Can I join with A Scarred Drifter?

Terry has reviewed me but not this book.

Thanks in advance.

Sotto wrote: "Hi E.K.,
Can I join with A Scarred Drifter?

Terry has reviewed me but not this book.

Thanks in advance."

Welcome to the round, Sotto :)

This round is still looking for another participant so it can get going!

See message 1 for the rules and how to sign-up.

Maybe if I switch my book to my new one, Cyborg Contact, we'll have better luck moving forward.

I'd like to join if possible with my book Acceptable Loss: A Conspiratorium Novel

I have read from Terry, and his listed book, but I don't think I've read Cyborg Contact. He has not reviewed me. I have also reviewed Sotto, but he has not reviewed me.

Welcome to the round, Linda.

Terry wrote: "Maybe if I switch my book to my new one, Cyborg Contact, we'll have better luck moving forward."

Congrats on the new book :)

This round just needs one more person...

Hello,

I am interested in joining this round with my fantasy novel, Angelo Sapiens and the Serpent's stone

Before signing up, I have a quick question regarding the Amazon review requirement. I use a shared family Amazon account that is eligible to post reviews. Would that satisfy the Amazon review requirement for this round?

Hi Keerthana,

A family account is OK. Have you (or anyone on the family account) reviewed any of the authors listed in message 1. And have any of them reviewed any of your books?

Thanks

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.
Neither I nor anyone on the family Amazon account has reviewed any of the authors currently listed in message 1, and none of those authors have reviewed my book, Angelo Sapiens and the Serpent's Stone (my debut novel and only published book so far).
Thank you.

Keerthana wrote: "Hi,

Thanks for your reply.
Neither I nor anyone on the family Amazon account has reviewed any of the authors currently listed in message 1, and none of those authors have reviewed my book, Angelo ..."

Welcome to the round.

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

Just a couple more things before the round can get underway...

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

This will allow for sending/receiving a review copy, if needed, as well as allow the Mod to contact you about your reviewing commitment, if needed. 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. 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):

a) 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.

b) 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.

c) 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, and have filled out & submitted the form, 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.

Thank you! Looking forward to participating in the round

Ready to start.
My book is available on KU and I can also provide a pdf copy if required

Thanks!

Ready to start.

Note: my book is on KU, and if the review is done at the end of the KU book viewed on a cellphone, it will often be counted as a verified-purchase review.

I'm good to go.
My book is on KU but let me know if you need a digital copy, Terry.
Thanks in advance.

Sotto wrote: "I'm good to go.
My book is on KU but let me know if you need a digital copy, Terry.
Thanks in advance."

Hi Sotto, please can you fill in the form: https://forms.gle/KjqB9uuHuYbPwpfG8

Hi E.K,

Sorry I have missed this.
Done!

Thanks! Just need Linda to fill in the form and confirm and we should be good to start :)

Filled out form and ready to go

Also, Terry, I'll pick up your book on KU, and my book is on KU as well. Happy reading...

Sotto please sent me a PDF, but I'll probably also give you page reads on Ann's KU.

Hi Terry, I'll be happy to do so once I get your details. And that will be awesome, thanks in advance.

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

You have four weeks to read and review.
Start date: Jun 15, 2026
End date: July 14, 2026

Please post your review no later than July 14, 2026.

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

1.__Terry Birdgenaw
You're reviewing A Scarred Drifter (Sotto Voce).
Linda A. Sanchez is reviewing your book, so please make sure they have a copy to read.

2.__Sotto Voce
You're reviewing Angelo Sapiens and the Serpent's stone (Keerthana Balamurugan).
Terry Birdgenaw is reviewing your book, so please make sure they have a copy to read.

3.__Keerthana Balamurugan
You're reviewing Acceptable Loss: A Conspiratorium Novel (Linda A. Sanchez).
Sotto Voce is reviewing your book, so please make sure they have a copy to read.

4.__Linda A. Sanchez
You're reviewing Cyborg Contact (Terry Birdgenaw).
Keerthana Balamurugan 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. If you do buy, certainly the author will appreciate the verified review on Amazon.

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.

-For this round, you’re requested to please post your review to Goodreads, and on your own Amazon store and any other Amazon stores you might have access to. Posting a review to other sites is by agreement between both author and reviewer.

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).

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 until 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 GR+Amz Rounds:
The moderator will note whether participants have posted reviews on Amazon. Members who persistently fail to post to Amazon will find mods less than willing to add them to subsequent GR+Amz rounds, as joining these rounds indicates both a capability and a willingness to review on Amazon.

For the good of all, participants in any type of round 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! :)

Sotto, Terry, I've emailed you both so you can exchange a copy.

Keerthana and Sotto, please let me know how you'll get copies of the books you need to read.

Hi E.K.,
I will be reading Linda's book through KU...

Keerthana wrote: "Hi E.K.,
I will be reading Linda's book through KU..."

Thanks for confirming :)

Hi Sotto, my book is available through KU.. but please let me know if you'd like a digital copy and I'll be happy to send one.

Hi Keerthana, KU is not available in my region. Would you be able to send me a PDF?
Thanks in advance.

Hi Sotto,

Sure.. I will send you the pdf file once I receive your details.. Thanks!

Sorry for the delay. Just sent you an email with each other's details.

Thank you E.K.! I have sent the pdf file to Sotto... Thanks

Keerthana wrote: "Thank you E.K.! I have sent the pdf file to Sotto... Thanks"

Thanks :)

Here are my links for Terry's book Cyborg Contact

https://www.amazon.com/review/R1S2AJF...

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

Linda, thank you for your wonderful review, it came after a nasty 1-star review on Amazon and really raised my spirits.

Linda wrote: "Here are my links for Terry's book Cyborg Contact

https://www.amazon.com/review/R1S2AJF...

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

Thanks for those links, Linda. That completes your commitment to this round.

Hi,
I have completed my reviews for Linda’s book Acceptable Loss: A Conspiratorium Novel

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

https://www.amazon.in/portal/customer...

Thanks !

Terry wrote: "Linda, thank you for your wonderful review, it came after a nasty 1-star review on Amazon and really raised my spirits.". I've enjoyed all of your books, Terry. And I think I've learned from my own books that not every book is going to be everyone's cup of tea.

Keerthana wrote: "Hi,
I have completed my reviews for Linda’s book Acceptable Loss: A Conspiratorium Novel

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

https://www.amazon.in/portal/customer-re..."

Thanks for those links, Keerthana. That completes your commitment to this round.

My Goodreads review of Sotto's book:

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

My Amazon review is pending.

Terry wrote: "My Goodreads review of Sotto's book:

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

My Amazon review is pending."

Thanks for that link, Terry. Please post your Zon review in a new message when it comes through.

Here's my Amazon review of Sotto's book:

https://www.amazon.ca/review/R2NBY14A...

Terry wrote: "Here's my Amazon review of Sotto's book:

https://www.amazon.ca/review/R2NBY14A..."

Thanks for that link, Terry. That completes your commitment to this round. Thanks for taking part :)

Hi all,

Sorry I took a while.
Here are my links for Angelo Sapiens and the Serpent's Stone.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/R2MK98Q...

Thank you so much for the review, Terry.
Thanks E.K for moderating this.

Sotto wrote: "Hi all,

Sorry I took a while.
Here are my links for Angelo Sapiens and the Serpent's Stone.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/R2MK98..."

Thanks for those links, Sotto. That completes your commitment to this round.