Dangerous Hero Addict Support Group discussion
Question of the Week
>
Are there purposely negative reviewers?
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Kristina
(new)
Jan 12, 2014 06:21AM
Does it seem like some people purposely seek out a book book that is clearly not a genre that they prefer in order to write a negative review?
reply
|
flag
Yes, I do. I can't prove this, but I've even encountered a few who I suspect haven't truly read the book that they are reviewing and commenting on.
Natalie. It is definitely an issue I have also brought up with friends before. I rely heavily on reviews for alot of things especially new books or series. One thing I have noticed is that it does seem to be a recurring thing with certain reviewers also. I really think that it is good to explore new books outside your comfort zone but if you choose to write a review, especially if it is a negative one, that they should keep that in consideration while sharing their opinion. When I see reviews like that, excuse the mommy analogy, but it is like feeding a small child. They have decided that don't like it before they have even tried it and just have to be dramatic about just how bad it is.
Mod
Mochaspresso, I must admit it had not occurred to me that they had not even bothered to read the book. It is a very good point that that would probably explain alot especially the repeat offenders.
Sometimes it seems there are negative reviews because the person has an issue with the author and not with the book at all (for real or imagined slights, because they didn't like something else the author wrote, etc.).
This is an interesting question. For some reason, I find it much easier to write a review when I dislike a book. I can very eloquently explain exactly what I didn't like. However, when it comes to books I love, my vocabulary seems to consist of..."Ummm, I really liked it." I don't set out to write only negative reviews, although if you looked at the reviews I have posted, you might wonder if that is the case. I also do consider whether or not I am the intended audience, especially if the book is of a genre outside my 'norm'. I would also say that 99% of my negative reviews are due to horrible writing as opposed to subject matter. I am a grammar/semantic nerd and I cannot tolerate books with bad grammar.
I had never considered whether or not others set out to purposely write negative reviews, but thinking about it now, it wouldn't surprise me. Just like I suspect publishing houses have people inflate the good reviews on books they are trying to promote.
It really irritates me when someone starts their review with the words "I don't usually read X genre" and then proceed to trash the book. My question is always - how can you possibly give an objective review for a book in a genre you do not enjoy?
Mod
I agree, Lauren. I just read a review where the person starts out with not understanding what all the fuss was about a highly-acclaimed (prestigious awards) novel by a really good author. When I looked at her shelf, she'd low-rated every book in the genre and the books she'd consistently rated highly were completely opposite types of genres. I find it helpful to dig a little deeper on these reviewers so I can either discount their comments then and in the future or discover them credible.
Pamela(AllHoney) wrote: "I have read books out of my normal genre in an attempt to broaden my horizons but I do admit it in my reviews. I don't read books to give a bad review. I like giving every book I read a chance. And..."I think that's helpful, Pamela. Honestly written negative reviews are often very helpful for me to decide to read a book, especially when the person acknowledges the genre is not their cup of tea.
Another trend I have noticed with some reviewers, which personally I don't understand, is when they will read the first book in a series and decide that they do not like the story or the author. Which is fine and there is not a book out there that is liked by everyone, but then the they continue to "read" more books of that same series just to bad mouth it.
There have been a few instances where negative reviews made me curious enough to actually want to read the book. I wanted to see if it was as bad as the reviews were making it out to be.
I think there are some people who do that. There have been some reviewers I've seen/read that every single book they've read by an author or in a certain genre (usually 7 or more) have been 1 star reviews. Those are the reviews that I look at a little more cautiously when I'm reading through reviews. I remember looking through reviews on a series I love and I saw a couple 1 star reviews for a few books in the series by the same reviewer so I clicked on the name to see what else they had reviewed and there was at least 10, probably more, 1-2 star reviews for every single one of the books available. After the 5th or 6th book shouldn't you realize that this is not the series for you? It's one thing if there was something you enjoyed in the books that kept you hanging on hoping it would be better but the reviews kept saying that the books had no redeeming qualities for them so why keep reading?
I can understand completely if you're trying out a few books by different authors in a genre to see if you like it or if you're trying a few books by the same author, hoping that maybe you just got one or two bad ones. I get that. But when you start getting into high single digits and double digits and all your reviews are negative or 1 stars for that author or genre that review/reviewer carries no weight for me.
Normally I give a new author to me 2 chances and if I don't like anything I've read in those 2 tries I move on. Now I do admit there is one author I've read that I've liked none of their offerings but I read 4, can only remember 3, but I keep hoping that I'll like a book by her because she writes well and it's usually a quick read I can bang out in an hour and a half. However the characters and the relationship between the hero and heroine are always horrendous to me. But I personally never give an author more than 5 tries maximum, unless they are an author that I've read and liked a lot of their books, then I give them more chances but new authors to me, 2-5 chances.
Kim wrote: "This is an interesting question. For some reason, I find it much easier to write a review when I dislike a book. I can very eloquently explain exactly what I didn't like. However, when it comes to ..."Kim, I can totally understand this. I can bang out an unfavorable review pretty quickly, but currently treating a book loved like a homework. I'm trying to explain it just right, so my friends can understand all my status reports tied to it.
I too have run into people in book discussions that openly pick popular books in hated genres just to rip them apart. This is different than giving something out of your comfort zone a chance because it snagged your attention. I know people who hate-watch certain television shows for the snark, but hate-reading is baffling to me because of the huge time suck. Especially, if this a routine hobby. Which seems to be the case of certain goodreaders because they routinely show up on romance book discussions, knowledgeable about the contents, but are fanatically opposed to the genre because it goes against a personal dogma.
Kristina wrote: "Another trend I have noticed with some reviewers, which personally I don't understand, is when they will read the first book in a series and decide that they do not like the story or the author. Which is fine and there is not a book out there that is liked by everyone, but then the they continue to "read" more books of that same series just to bad mouth it. "Well, I will be honest and say that I have finished a series that I didn't particularly like, but it wasn't just to bad mouth it. There were a lot of different factors at play in my decision to finish. I don't like an unfinished story if I can help it. The series had high ratings and I wanted to see if things would get better. I was discussing it with some people and they would reference things that happened in the 2nd and 3rd installments as if it was important and somehow might change my opinions on things that happened in the first installment. Unfortunately, things did not get better for me and I said so...but I felt that sticking it out to the end of the series meant that I did genuinely give it a fair chance.
Mochaspresso wrote: "There have been a few instances where negative reviews made me curious enough to actually want to read the book. I wanted to see if it was as bad as the reviews were making it out to be."Mocha, I agree. I hold this groups infamous buddy read of the dino-erotica classic
as a perfect example of this. LOL
Don't get me wrong, I have continued to read a series if I didn't particularly like the first book, but never on one that I would give only 1 star to or that I was willing to describe as absolutely horrible. Sometimes I may not be particularly fond of the characters but like the story in general. Sometimes I feel like it was a little "slow starting" and did not catch my interest at first but I wanted to give it an honest chance. In those situations I try to specify that in my review just to keep it in perspective.I too have the tendency to want to read an entire series from begining to end because I just have to know all the details of the story.
Yet then you have authors (as a NYT bestseller did the other day) who get negative reviews for their book, complain about it on Facebook, and all their fans either #1 go and post five star reviews everywhere or #2 adjust their ratings because they feel sorry for the author. (This is exactly what happened over the past few days, and I'm pretty disgusted with the author's passive-aggressive behaviour!)It definitely works both ways.
In the end, we're all smart enough to read reviews and make our own decisions. Some of my most hated books have ratings over 4.00 here on Goodreads. But I can easily find the more balanced reviews if I want honest, informed, non-fangirl opinions...
Kristina wrote: "Another trend I have noticed with some reviewers, which personally I don't understand, is when they will read the first book in a series and decide that they do not like the story or the author. W..."I've read books/series where I didn't like the first book but continued for a book or so because sometimes in the first book things are still getting settled and whatever the problem was gets resolved. but even if I continue to read the series when I'm at book 5 I don't harp on what the problem was in book 1.
Paganalexandria **wicked juices bubbling over** wrote: "Mochaspresso wrote: "There have been a few instances where negative reviews made me curious enough to actually want to read the book. I wanted to see if it was as bad as the reviews were making i..."What the hell?!! My mind is now completely blown! I have to read this. LOL.
(Is it even possible to go into reading a book like this with an completely objective mindset? I don't think it is.)
Pamela(AllHoney) wrote: "I have read books out of my normal genre in an attempt to broaden my horizons but I do admit it in my reviews. I don't read books to give a bad review. I like giving every book I read a chance. And..."Absolutely. I've often given a new to me genre a chance but try to go into the experience with an open mind - I try to make sure to say something positive even if its not my thing. However, to go into the review process knowing that the book is not for you and to trash it anyway seems wrong to me.
Kristina wrote: "Another trend I have noticed with some reviewers, which personally I don't understand, is when they will read the first book in a series and decide that they do not like the story or the author. W..."I've also noticed this as well as someone reading the 11th book in a series without having read books #1-10 and then giving a negative review because they were unable to follow the story and the characterization. It makes me itch to leave them a sarcastic comment: Well of course, you don't know what's going on - you didn't read the series from the beginning, argh!!
Mochaspresso wrote: "What the hell?!! My mind is now completely blown! I have to read this. LOL. (Is it even possible to go into reading a book like this with an completely objective mindset? I don't think it is.)"
Mocha this is the review that started it all:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
It was for
which amazingly seemed like a "better?" book than the one we tried. Even though Ravaged by the Raptor was the worst book I ever finished, I had to give it three stars because knew going in, what to expect. Okay, back to the topic at hand...
I have to speak on continuing to read a series your not that into because it has happened to me. I was one of the few Fifty Shades that hated the This Man series. The first book was respectable, but each one annoyed me more and my reviews reflected it. Even though my reviews "went in", I did admit something about the story was working because it fueled my need to know what happens despite hating most of the characters(though started skipping big block through the last book). Sometimes it's better to DNF than finish a book I hate because of the anger it generates sometimes. Unfortunately, I have undiagnosed Book OCD. It compels me to finish books even when I don't want to. When I mark a book DNF, it really means something because it doesn't happen often.
You know what baffles me more than mean reviews? People that Four and Five star every book they read. How do you like everything? Do they live in live in a magical Candy Land similar to the one depicted in Katy Perry's California Gurls video? I have a friend who does this, she is cool, and it might be an extension of the "if you don't have anything nice to say..." philosophy. I do know that all her book recs are automatically ignored by me because of not having any barometer of her taste level. It's just as bad as finding something negative in every book you read, IMO.
Some people just want the attention that some negative reviews get. I don't give them much attention unless I'm familiar with the reviewer.@ Paganalexandria..I think many readers have their own idea of STAR meaning. I stay with the tried & true:
1 didn't like
2 ok
3 liked
4 really really liked
5 LOVED IT
No matter how bad the book is, I try to find something likeable to write about it.There was some kid who reviewed a Anita Blake book & gave it 4 or 5 stars yet tore it apart, yet what he wrote didn't fit the book & he listed it as not finished. Made you want to ask which is it.
If you don't like a book at least state why. Horrible for a review is useless to anyone, as is attacking the author.
Lauren wrote: "Kristina wrote: "Another trend I have noticed with some reviewers, which personally I don't understand, is when they will read the first book in a series and decide that they do not like the story ..."I recently read a book that was book 3 in a series. In my review I stated that I wasn't able to get a few things, but I also stated that I hadn't read books 1 and 2, nor did I count that against the book.
Alice wrote: "Some people just want the attention that some negative reviews get. I don't give them much attention unless I'm familiar with the reviewer.@ Paganalexandria..I think many readers have their own i..."
Alice, yeah the stars mean many things to many people. They are important to me because anytime someone in a group recs a book new to me, I use the compare books feature, and it gives me an idea if our tastes are similar. Like if we haven't read any of the same books, considering my read list is close to a thousand, it's a good indicator of that book being for me. Or if we have read the same books, but all my five stars are ones for them, then most likely we look for different things.
By the way, my scale is:
1 = DNF or hated it
2 = didn't like it but finished it
3 = it was good, but unmemorable
4 = Loved it, will read anything by this author
5 = Holy Grail of Awesome, changed my reading life in some way.
Paganalexandria **wicked juices bubbling over** wrote: "Alice wrote: "Some people just want the attention that some negative reviews get. I don't give them much attention unless I'm familiar with the reviewer.@ Paganalexandria..I think many readers ha..."
Love your scale! ☺
Paganalexandria **wicked juices bubbling over** wrote: "You know what baffles me more than mean reviews? People that Four and Five star every book they read. How do you like everything? Do they live in live in a magical Candy Land similar to the one depicted in Katy Perry's California Gurls video? "I do agree with that statement myself. I see too many people whose scale starts at 4. I tend to ignore those reviews/reviewers much more than any negative ones.
Personally, I usually find negative reviews more honest and forthcoming. Just as someone else here already said, when I don't like a book, I tend to be more vocal and detailed about what I didn't like about it. When I like it, I'm more "It was awesome, can't express how much I liked it", etc. I think the same goes for many reviewers, hence I always read negative reviews and sometimes, those are the reason I decide to read a book. For example, if a reader says "I didn't like this book because it was a boddice ripper and unPC", I know it's MY style.
What I don't like is when people start a review by saying that they KNEW they were going to read a boddice ripper/rapist hero/non HEA book, and then they trash it because it was exactly that. Not because of the writing or grammar or anything else, but because it was the troppe they knew they didn't like; I find that kinda crazy. But I can't say I see that often, and I'm glad for it.
@ Pagaalexandria, I agree that your scale is clear on the differences in star ratings. I really like that.I admit that I don't have a lot of ratings below 3 star, but I am still just getting started on building my reading list also. I really like to look through the reviewers and find the ones who I have noticed have very similar interest and opinions of books that I have already read.
Kristina wrote: "@ Pagaalexandria, I agree that your scale is clear on the differences in star ratings. I really like that.I admit that I don't have a lot of ratings below 3 star, but I am still just getting sta..."
Thanks guys, Lol
You know I noticed a change in my rating scale once becoming fully immersed in Goodreads versus my original Amazon scale. It was something about seeing the order the system ranked my supposed favorites, based on my ratings, next to my name, and it felt that list did not represent my true reading self well. I also thought creating a truer scale would improve my system recommendations, but that's a lost cause at this point. ;)
It's funny because I only rate on Amazon now, if it's a condition of receiving an ARC.
Paganalexandria **wicked juices bubbling over** wrote: Mocha, I agree. I hold this groups infamous buddy read of the dino-erotica classic as a perfect example of this. LOL "ACK! I was trying to block that from my memory!! lol
Missyb wrote: "I recently read a book that was book 3 in a series. In my review I stated that I wasn't able to get a few things, but I also stated that I hadn't read books 1 and 2, nor did I count that against the book. "That's is quite legitimate, especially if it is difficult to get your hands on earlier books in the series. My problem is when the reviewer's main gripe with the book is that they don't know what's going on because they didn't read earlier books.
Let's be honest, there are some very good, very funny (sometimes I've laughed my head off at some of the more creative negative reviews!) and well-written negative reviews out there. I tend to look at a mix of reviews when I am thinking of reading a particular book to get a flavour of opinion. I go a lot by reviews and it is certainly helpful to have differing opinions given.
However, there is certainly a difference between a constructive negative review and one where the book - and often it's author - is trashed and completely ripped apart!!
I still don't understand atall where getting personal about the author and their life comes into a review. For example, what does an authors appearance or faith have to do with their ability to write a novel?!
I must have a good ability to pick books as I've rarely ever read a real stinker of a book atall!! Most of mine are 3, 4 or 5 stars reviews and only a few have been 1 or 2 stars. I just rarely read a really bad book!Last year I gave my most negative review yet (I felt so awful!) but the book produced strong feelings in me. I really thought about what I wished to express, mentioned the parts which worked for me and which didn't, and why. Plus being a regular reader of the genre I felt able to understand well what it was that was lacking for me. I always think that an author, aswell as review readers, deserve honest genuine constructive reviews - whether negative or positive!
Natalie wrote: "Let's be honest, there are some very good, very funny (sometimes I've laughed my head off at some of the more creative negative reviews!) and well-written negative reviews out there. I tend to loo..."
Natalie, I totally agree, to a point. The Smart Bitches blog, for example, gave a review of Shayla Black's
that took it from "ugh" to literary classic in my eyes:http://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/bl...
After reading the review I had to re-read the book again from that perspective. Ah, fun times. Sharing that review has sold a couple of copies to my friends (who don't even read erotica) because they had to see it for themselves.
I think the problem comes in everyone's interpretation of "ripped apart". I've seen certain authors consider any negative review as being a personal attack and then the usual Goodreads Theatrics ensue.
Mod
Thanks for posting a question, Kristina!
Mod
I find this very irritating. I wonder how much free time people like this have.
Mod
I am a reviewer for a few different sites, so I may get a book later in a series when I didn't read the first books. I try to take that into consideration when I read the book though.
Mod
I try not to give bad reviews but that doesn't always work. If I give a bad review, I'll tell the reasons why so if someone loves what I hate, they can ignore me. I don't write that I will never read an author because they're a bad person and then give all their books bad ratings. I've head that this has happened on Goodreads. Just because the writer is a dick in real life, doesn't always mean that their writing is awful. So, I try to pick up each new book with an open mind. What I do find is that sometimes if the book has been given awful ratings but I'll be reading it anyway, the lower expectations will sometimes do the reverse and I'll end up really liking the book. I think that may be because I'm not expecting to like it. But the reverse has happened, books that have really high ratings I expect to love from the get-go and end up not liking at all. Maybe it's my contrary nature?
Kim wrote: "This is an interesting question. For some reason, I find it much easier to write a review when I dislike a book. I can very eloquently explain exactly what I didn't like. However, when it comes to ..."I find I have an easier time writing reviews on books I didn't love as opposed to ones I did also. Most of my 5 star reviews are made up of mindless gushing lol
Mochaspresso wrote: "There have been a few instances where negative reviews made me curious enough to actually want to read the book. I wanted to see if it was as bad as the reviews were making it out to be."Good point Mocha, I think I have actually done this also.
V-Cam wrote: "I find I have an easier time writing reviews on books I didn't love as opposed to ones I did also. Most of my 5 star reviews are made up of mindless gushing lol "Does anyone else think fear of spoiling makes it harder to write detailed reviews for your favorite books? Usually the things I love about a book are major character arcs or plot lines. Here is a review I wrote for one of my 2013 favorites:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
In contrast, the things that turn me off are easier to list without spoiling anything. You can list the annoying character traits of the heroine and still not ruin anything for prospective readers. Here is a review of a not so favorite:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Painted Lines review is longer but much easier to give details for.
@ Natalie, I agree that bashing the author personally is probably the worst kind of negative review. Yes their political and/or religious views do play a role in their work. If it is a view that you personally do not like then say so but do it with respect.
Right Kristina - don't "read" the book just so you can tell the Goodreads world how awful the book/author is.
Most authors don't take bad reviews to heart we understand that not everyone will love the stories we write. When you do Love a story review it so others will read it and they can experience what you loved about the story. (Mostly True Ghost Stories for ages 7 and up~my shameless plug of my books)
Mod
Dangerous Hero Addict Support Group
Books mentioned in this topic
Undeniable (other topics)Painted Lines (other topics)
Decadent (other topics)
Ravaged By the Raptor (other topics)
