Group 256. Children and YA - Mod. Chrys

[E.M.]

The review group is the most successful group for peer reviews on goodreads. It hosts non-reciprocal reading/review rounds of ten authors with a variety of themes and genres, as well as ‘general’ rounds where any book is permitted, from non-fiction, to horror. When a round has ‘now forming’ in the title, there are places available, you can sign up. If it doesn’t, it’s full – look for another round or check back another time.

The Amazon rules state that authors/publishers are not allowed to specifically supply published books in return for reviews on Amazon. To comply with this rule, we don’t insist members review on Amazon, but we do insist that every participant in the round has the capacity to leave a review on their local Amazon store, so we all start with the same options.

The founding principle of the group is honest, non-reciprocal reviews, so please help maintain the integrity of the group by letting me know as you sign up if you have been reviewed by, or have reviewed another author in the group and do check back as the group fills to report any clashes. Usually places are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

This is a 'Children and YA' round
Fiction and non-fiction books listed as being for children or young adults.

Now for the boring stuff, but please read it, it saves a lot of time if everyone is on the same wavelength.
Before signing up below with your Goodreads author and Goodreads book link in the thread below, please ensure that:

1. You have enough time to read and review 4 books within the 12 weeks of time allowed.

2. Your book is currently available for sale on Amazon (not pre-order) and it complies with the individual round theme, if there is one.

3. Your book is fit to be reviewed.
If it is not, due to editing or other issues, you risk poor reviews. This is your problem, not that of the reviewers or the groups. For a small fee, the group admin will look at the first few pages of your book to advise. The number one error new authors make is not having their book beta read and edited, by non-family members.

4. You can submit reviews to Goodreads and Amazon.
Amazon allows only those people who have spent $50 in the last year to leave reviews in each of their stores. If you are unsure about your Amazon reviewer status, try posting a ‘test’ review before signing up. If you are unable to post reviews on Amazon, please do not sign up.

5. You can provide (and accept) at least PDF files.
You are not expected or required to buy the books you are allocated to review, but as this will give a ‘Verified Purchase’ review on Amazon, it is welcomed when you choose to do so. Many authors have books available via KU and others might provide smashwords coupons. Most authors can provide mobi and/or epub files directly by email. Please note: International Copyright laws apply. You cannot sell, or give away material you have received without the author’s express permission.

6. You have completed your reading if you are currently in another review round in this group. You can be involved in the ‘one for one’ list whilst you are in a round.

7. You have an author profile set up before you join.

8. Your Goodreads profile allows people to message you, i.e. your profile is not set to private.

9. You declare any relationship you have with another member in the round.
Amazon will not allow reviews from the same household on the same book or if you are an editor, relative or close friend of another member.

10. You agree that your reviews will be unbiased and honest, whatever the star rating, and you will try to avoid ‘spoilers’. i.e. giving away the finale of a book.

11. You will not ask a fellow author to change a review of your book because you don’t agree with it.
If you think you have a legitimate concern, talk to the mod of your round, NOT the other author. Personal attacks, or pressurising other members WILL NOT BE TOLERATED and will result in you being blacklisted.

Please note:
We all want reviews, it’s why we joined the group. It is bad taste to expect other people to review your book and then not do the same for other people in the group. People that DNF and/or don’t post reviews will find it difficult to get into a subsequent group.

It is not necessary to leave any kind of disclaimer in your review, but ultimately, it is up to individuals. Reviews that state you received a copy ‘in return’ for a review will probably be removed/not allowed by amazon.com. ‘I received a free copy from the author without an obligation to review’ would be more acceptable if you feel the need to add a disclaimer.

Your Goodreads details and the rounds you participate in may be recorded by the admin mod on a database. We do not retain details of email addresses etc.

Allocation is entirely random and there will NOT be any rearranging of the listing to accommodate personal preference. The ONLY circumstance in which you may duck out of giving a review is if YOU provide a stand-in reviewer.

The only way this group can function is if we trust each other to behave honourably. And it IS perfectly possible to give a fair-minded review of a text that does not coincide with our normal choice of reading matter. If you need a few hints/tips, please see this thread:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I will do my best to fit everyone into the group they request, but occasionally, particularly in the case of our more prolific good standing members, I may have to decline a member request to fit the maximum number of people into a particular round. I will always endeavour to start another round as soon as possible with that member in mind.

It is permissible to review an author more than once if a different book is available.
If you need anything clarified please ask, either by goodreads personal message to me or on the thread below, before signing up. It’s a pain to have to keep rearranging the list because people haven’t read the above.

Your group moderator will be:
Chrys Cymri


Member Links
1. Michael Dane
2. I.M. Redwright
3. Stjepan Varesevac Cobets
4. Loralee Evans
5. S.D. Brown
6. S.D. Reeves
7. J.B. Zuker
8. Victor Hess
9. Stacie Eirich
10. Mary E. Hughes

Book Links
1. The Curse of the Spider-riders
2. The Sapphire Eruption
3. Joseph, The Good Giant
4. Felicity and the Fire Stoppers
5. EVERY NUMBER COUNTS
6. The Melody of Three
7. The Wacky Adventures of Tony The Pickle
8. The Clock Tower Treasure
9. Dragon Kingdom & The Wishing Stone
10. Imagining Violet

[Michael]

Hi, I would love to join this round please.

Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Book:
https://www.goodreads.com/series/2897...

Thanks

[I.M.]

Hi, I would love to join this round

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

[Loralee, Admin]

Hi, I'd like to join this round, as well, if possible. I'd like to submit my book, Felicity and the Firestoppers.

I don't have any review conflicts at all with Michael or I.M.

Author Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

[Stjepan]

Hi, I would love to join this round with my fairy tale Joseph, The Good Giant


I read books by Loralee but she has more books I haven't read.

[Stacie]

I’d like to join with my middle-grade children’s fantasy, Dragon Kingdom & The Wishing Stone.

*Note: If someone has already reviewed this one, there are other books in the same series that could be reviewed instead.

*Note: I’ve read/reviewed Loralee’s Felicity series, but perhaps she has another book I could review.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

-Stacie

[Loralee, Admin]

Unfortunately, Stacie has reviewed every book I have available to review. But as long as we are kept in each other's blind spots, that should probably be fine.

[S.D.]

Hey folks

I think I am ready to get into some reviews again. I would like to join if possible

My book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
My profile:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Michael has reviewed one of my books, and I have reviewed Stacie. I could review another one of hers.

[E.M.]

Welcome all!

Please keep checking back and let me know of any clashes you spot ongoing as others join the round :)

[Michael]

I have already read and reviewed The Melody of Three, so there may be a clash with this one

[Bethany]

Does your book need to be specifically tagged as young adult to qualify for this round?

My book is not, but I have been told my many people that it could be marketed as such (older teens).

[E.M.]

Bethany - as it says in the OP 'Fiction and non-fiction books listed as being for children or young adults.' If the book isn't listed in a children's or YA category, it isn't a fit. You could try the General round though :)

[S.D.]

I'D like to join with a 32 page picture book: EVERY NUMBER COUNTS

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

I've been in groups with I have reviewed Staci & Loralee has reviewed me

[William]

I'd love to join with A Darker Shade of Sorcery.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

I've reviewed one of Stjepan's books I believe.

[E.M.]

Welcome S.D. and William.

[Jacky]

I would like to join with The Wacky Adventures of Tony The Pickle https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

It's my first time doing this but I am looking forward.

[S.D.]

Stjepan has reviewed me as well.

[William]

Just double checked and see I've reviewed S.D Brown so she can't review me. Loralee and Stacie has reviewed me before but not this book.

Thank you.

[J.B.]

Hi
I created my author account.
I would love to participate In this round

The Wacky Adventures of Tony The Pickle
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

[J.B.]

I have not reviewed anyone in this round or viceversa

[I.M.]

Hi, I have reviewed SD Brown, so she can't review mine

[Victor]

I would like to join this group. I am new to all of this.
I might need people to tell me what to do.
My book is The Clock Tower Treasure.

The Clock Tower Treasure

My Author Profile - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Also, please note that I intend to buy the ebooks off Amazon that I review.

[S.D.]

EM if you need to remove me from the group due to conflicts I'm okay with that. SD Brown

[E.M.]

Welcome J.B. and Victor.

S.D. - unless I've missed something, which is very possible, you look like you fit in to me :)

William - I am sorry but I'll have to remove you from this round as there is no way I can fit you in when Loralee and Stacie both have to review you but have to be in each other's blind spots. if you can fit in the General round it still has a space I believe.

[S.D.]

GREAT

[Victor]

Do we start now, or do we get an assignment list?

[E.M.]

Victor - First we have to fill the group, then I will ask everyone to check for any clashes I may have missed - and then I will post who to make sure gets your book and which books you will be reviewing :)

[I.M.]

Victor wrote: "Do we start now, or do we get an assignment list?"

Hi, right now Sd Brown clashes with me

[E.M.]

I.M. wrote: "Hi, right now Sd Brown clashes with me"

I.M. - I don't think so. You said you had reviewed SD Brown before and as things stand you will do so again. Unless you have reviewed all of her books?

[I.M.]

E.M. wrote: "I.M. wrote: "Hi, right now Sd Brown clashes with me"

I.M. - I don't think so. You said you had reviewed SD Brown before and as things stand you will do so again. Unless you have reviewed all of he..."

You are right, my apologies. I thought we reviewed books from above ours and it’s the opposite, problem solved

[Victor]

Could this work with the nine we have?

[Loralee, Admin]

That would leave four people with only three reviews. I hope someone jumps in soon.

[S.D.]

I don't mind reading an extra ...I could read Victor's in addition to the others.
I don't believe we're in conflict.

[Victor]

I don't mind reading more.

[I.M.]

I'm up for a 5th book to read as well :)

[Mary]

I would like to join this group with Imagining Violet. A 16 year old English girl with ambitions to become a concert violinist goes by herself to the Leipzig Conservatory in 1891. This is historical fiction and suitable for young adults.

[S.D.]

Mary has reviewed me

[E.M.]

Phew! Filled at last! :)

Thanks for your patience everyone!

I need everyone to check they have not reviewed the four people above them on the list ( the list wraps around so 10 is 'above 1). Please also check that if you have already reviewed any of the four people 'below' you on the list they have more books available that you have not yet reviewed.

You can check if you have reviewed anyone before by going to your reviews, clicking the 'Author' heading to get them in alphabetical author order, and then checking through to see. You can check if someone has reviewed you in the same way through their profile.

If you are new to these rounds although you won't need to check for previous reviews I do suggest you try the steps I have put here so you know what to do in future rounds :)

Any issues with these, please post to say so. If both these things check out please post to say you are good to go.

When enough have said they are good, we can start the reading phase.

[S.D.]

looks okay...

[Mary]

I have read 3 of Loralee's books. Does that mean she cannot review me?
I have not read any of the four above me.

[Victor]

I have not read any of the books. I don't believe any here have reviewed me.

[I.M.]

No clashes here :)

[Stjepan]

No clashes here :)

[S.D.]

I will just have to review a different book of Stacie's, that is it.

[J.B.]

I think I haven’t reviewed any of those books before.

[E.M.]

It looks as if we are good to go!

START DATE: 22-June-20

END DATE: 14-Sept-20

Round 1 – post your review by 13-July-20
Round 2 – post your review by 03 -Aug-20
Round 3– post your review by 24-Aug-20
Round 4 – post your review by 14-Sept-20

As AUTHORS you SEND your book file to:

256-01__Michael Dane
Mary E. Hughes for round 1
Stacie Eirich for round 2
Victor Hess for round 3
J.B. Zuker for round 4

256-02__I.M. Redwright
Michael Dane for round 1
Mary E. Hughes for round 2
Stacie Eirich for round 3
Victor Hess for round 4

256-03__Stjepan Varesevac Cobets
I.M. Redwright for round 1
Michael Dane for round 2
Mary E. Hughes for round 3
Stacie Eirich for round 4

256-04__ Loralee Evans
Stjepan Varesevac Cobets for round 1
I.M. Redwright for round 2
Michael Dane for round 3
Mary E. Hughes for round 4

256-05__ S.D. Brown
Loralee Evans for round 1
Stjepan Varesevac Cobets for round 2
I.M. Redwright for round 3
Michael Dane for round 4

256-06__ S.D. Reeves
S.D. Brown for round 1
Loralee Evans for round 2
Stjepan Varesevac Cobets for round 3
I.M. Redwright for round 4

256-07__ J.B. Zuker
S.D. Reeves for round 1
S.D. Brown for round 2
Loralee Evans for round 3
Stjepan Varesevac Cobets for round 4

256-08__ Victor Hess
J.B. Zuker for round 1
S.D. Reeves for round 2
S.D. Brown for round 3
Loralee Evans for round 4

256-09__ Stacie Eirich
Victor Hess for round 1
J.B. Zuker for round 2
S.D. Reeves for round 3
S.D. Brown for round 4

256-10__ Mary E. Hughes
Stacie Eirich for round 1
Victor Hess for round 2
J.B. Zuker for round 3
S.D. Reeves for round 4

As REVIEWERS you will receive books for review from:

256-01__Michael Dane
I.M. Redwright for round 1
Stjepan Varesevac Cobets for round 2
Loralee Evans for round 3
S.D. Brown for round 4

256-02__I.M. Redwright
Stjepan Varesevac Cobets for round 1
Loralee Evans for round 2
S.D. Brown for round 3
S.D. Reeves for round 4

256-03__Stjepan Varesevac Cobets
Loralee Evans for round 1
S.D. Brown for round 2
S.D. Reeves for round 3
J.B. Zuker for round 4

256-04__ Loralee Evans
S.D. Brown for round 1
S.D. Reeves for round 2
J.B. Zuker for round 3
Victor Hess for round 4

256-05__ S.D. Brown
S.D. Reeves for round 1
J.B. Zuker for round 2
Victor Hess for round 3
Stacie Eirich for round 4

256-06__ S.D. Reeves
J.B. Zuker for round 1
Victor Hess for round 2
Stacie Eirich for round 3
Mary E. Hughes for round 4

256-07__ J.B. Zuker
Victor Hess for round 1
Stacie Eirich for round 2
Mary E. Hughes for round 3
Michael Dane for round 4

256-08__ Victor Hess
Stacie Eirich for round 1
Mary E. Hughes for round 2
Michael Dane for round 3
I.M. Redwright for round 4

256-09__ Stacie Eirich
Mary E. Hughes for round 1
Michael Dane for round 2
I.M. Redwright for round 3
Stjepan Varesevac Cobets for round 4

256-10__ Mary E. Hughes
Michael Dane for round 1
I.M. Redwright for round 2
Stjepan Varesevac Cobets for round 3
Loralee Evans for round 4


Please remember the commitment you are making to your fellow group members. If you pull out after the start date for any reason it is the other members who will be faced with the problem of finding a replacement, or missing out on reads/reviews, through no fault of their own. Please don’t ask the moderators to chase after replacements as we just don’t have the time.

It is the responsibility of the author to get their book to their readers in a format the reviewer can manage. Everyone must be able to provide and accept PDF. You may buy or borrow the books you are due to read if you wish, and I’m sure the author will appreciate the verified review, but IT IS NOT COMPULSORY. There are no set dates for the start of each round. You can each work at your own pace, within the limits of the round deadlines.

All reviews must be posted to GR. We also encourage members to post on Amazon. When you have posted your reviews, please post the links to each of your reviews, not the book page in this thread.
The mod of each round will record whether members have posted reviews on Amazon and for the good of all, members who persistently fail to post reviews or DNF reviews to Amazon, will find mods less than willing to add them to subsequent groups.

Postings to other sites are by agreement by both author and reviewer.

If I’ve missed something that results in you being asked to review someone who has already reviewed you, please let me know asap.

To exchange book files, my advice is to use PM to give email addresses to each other (save the chance of spammers getting your addies from this open forum).

Setting up and modding these rounds is a labour of love, with a lot of emphasis on the ‘labour’. If you want to show appreciation for all the hard work we admins put in for the group, you could download one of our books as a ‘thank you’.

Happy reviewing, everyone :)

[E.M.]

Please read this especially if you are new to these review rounds.

Quick 'start-up' summary for anyone new who might be scratching their heads. You are reviewing the four books 'below' you on the list.

You can, of course, choose to buy any or all of the books or read the books on KU, if you are a subscriber and the books are available there. If you can buy it adds weight to your review as it gives the 'Verified Purchase' stamp on Amazon.

However, as not everyone can buy, you should PM the four people who will be reviewing you (the four above you on the original list of names) through their Goodreads author pages. Click on the down arrow beside the 'Follow Author' button under their picture and it opens a menu which will allow you to message them.

Ask what kind of file they would like or say you can only offer PDF, though unless a publisher uploaded it for you, you can always download a .mobi of your own book from Amazon.

Don't forget to ask where to send it so they can give you their email.

The four people who you are reviewing should be in touch with you in a similar way.

Please make sure you have exchanged ALL FOUR books - or have been assured by your reviewers they will buy your book or read it through KU - as soon as possible. Some people read fast and it can be very frustrating to have to wait a long time to get hold of a book you are committed to review.
Don't forget to post the links to your reviews here so you can be signed off for them.

Please post your review to Goodreads, your own Amazon store and any other Amazon stores you might have access to as well.

Chrys Cymri be modding this round so PM her with any issues ongoing please.

[Victor]

I have purchased the books I am to read on Amazon. I am looking forward to this.

[S.D.]

I will purchase the books from Amazon that I am to review.... looking forward to reading.

Those who are reviewing me, please send me a message with your e-mail address I'll send you a link-invitation to review the book on Google drive. It's a short read.

[Victor]

Those who are reviewing me, please send me a message with your e-mail address and I will send you a PDF of my book.