1, 2

Totally unworthy of reading or rating fully. No hope for saving even with extensive work. Author obviously needs to develop their skills, style, and voice.

          3, 4

It isn't good, but it may be fixable with extensive work in all or most areas.

          5

It is okay, with some definite positives. Worthy of the effort to make it even better in places.

          6*, 7

It is good, worth reading, while having room for improvement to strive for excellence.

*As a baseline, we recommend authors only make books rated 6+ available for sale.

          8, 9

It is excellent, with no real weak areas. This is where I would rate most books I love if I didn't find any weak area.

          10

Wow! It is over the top perfect! Couldn't be better; a rare book.

 

 

Choose the rating that best correlates with your thoughts and feelings towards the book you just read.

 

Grammar/editing

 

1, 2:

There were so many typos and errors I couldn’t even understand the story

3, 4:

There were enough typos and errors to be annoying

5:

There were some very obvious typos or errors

6, 7:

There were some mild typos or errors

8, 9:

There were little to no errors

10:

There were no errors

 

Overall flow/pacing

 

1, 2:

Flow and pacing were choppy and confusing

3, 4:

Flow of the story was frequently disrupted by errors or awkward pacing

5:

Story generally had a good flow but was too slow/fast in some parts

6, 7:

Story flowed smoothly with some awkward pacing

8, 9:

Story flowed smoothly with little to no interruptions

10:

The story flowed seamlessly

 

 

 Plot and characters

 

1, 2:

Unoriginal and predictable

Or just very bizarre but not in a good, refreshing way

3, 4:

Some unique plot twists and/or character developments

Overall it was pretty bland

5:

Overall this book was very interesting but was very predictable

Some minor plot or character development flaws that either didn’t make sense or fit with the story

6, 7:

The story was new and/or interesting but didn’t wow me

The characters were either unoriginal or their development was lacking

8, 9:

Original story that help my attention throughout

Great character development and connection/growth with them

10:

The plot was original or a new twist to a classic

The characters were real and evoked strong emotions (I loved the characters – or loved to hate them)

 

Subject/genre appropriateness (sex, violence, and language)

 

1, 2:

Was not appropriate to the genre it claimed to be

3, 4: 

Borderline for the genre listed

There were definitely times I felt the author/story crossed the line

5:

There were some inappropriate scenes and/language that I wouldn’t have expected

6, 7:

There were some unexpected inappropriate scenes I wasn’t expecting but overall not too shocking

8, 9:

There were little to no surprises based on the genre

10:

If there were any inappropriate scenes, I fully expected them

 

Level of explicitness

 

1

No explicit content

2

Almost no explicit content

3

Small amounts but not offensive

4

Some explicit content but tastefully done

5

Moderate amount but still tasteful

6

Moderate amount but is appropriate to the genre

7

A large amount of explicit content that would only appeal to a very specific audience

8

A decent amount of explicit content with much of it bordering offensive

9

A strong amount of explicit and offensive content

10

There was so much explicit content it took away from the story/content

 

Overall impression

 

1, 2:

I felt disappointed and like I wasted my time reading this book (in whole or part)

Wouldn’t even give to my worst enemy to read

3, 4:

I feel indifferent towards this book

I might recommend it to someone

5:

I liked this book but wouldn’t reread it

I would recommend it to a friend

6, 7:

I liked this book and might considered rereading it

I would recommend this book to someone

8, 9:

I thought this book was great (although not perfect) and would definitely reread it

I would definitely recommend this book

10:

I loved this book and can’t stop thinking about it

I would definitely reread this book

I have already recommended this book to everyone I know

 

Book cover & blurb*/ presentation/ format

*book cover and blurb will not be applicable if you reviewed a manuscript

 

1, 2:

Cover isn’t eye-catching at all

Blurb was uninformative and/or didn’t make me want to read the book

Format is inconsistent and/or made reading difficult

3, 4:

Cover is boring

Blurb didn’t peak my interest

Formatting is a little weird or off

5:

Cover is average

Blurb was informative

Weren’t any major formatting flaws that tripped me up while reading

6, 7:

Cover is interesting but could be improved

Blurb was informative

No major formatting flaws

8, 9:

Cover was visually engaging

Blurb was informative and compelling

Few formatting flaws if any

10:

Cover was really unique and engaging

Blurb made me want to start reading immediately

No formatting flaws