I often find myself browsing reviews while I'm reading a book (am I the only one who does this?) and find myself raging over the ones I don't think are "fair." Alas, free speech is a thing, so how upset can you really get over the fairness of someone's opinion? Luckily, it is that freedom of speech that allows me to discuss this! I'm not talking about bullying today. I think that horse has been beaten to death at this point.
Without further ado, here are five types of reviews that really, REALLY get under my skin:
Books you didn't finish
One I came across very recently was for a book that wasn't actually published yet. It was book two in a series and the review went something like this: "I got an ARC of this book and started reading it, realized I hadn't read the first book, so I don't like this one."
It just seems incredibly unfair and maybe even a little dishonest to rate a book that you haven't read. I even found one review that blatantly stated "I really shouldn't be rating this book because I didn't finish it." Okay then. Why rate it?
Rating things you KNEW you wouldn't like
I have seen SO many negative reviews from people who stated in the review that they didn't like books about whatever the main topic of the book was.
One very common example of this is Harry Potter. I can't even tell you how many reviews I've seen that say, "I hate books about wizards." My personal favorite Harry Potter review went like this: "I only like realistic stories, sometimes fantasy, but never when there's magic." Um... is there ANYONE in the world who doesn't know Harry Potter is about a wizard?
But Harry Potter isn't my only example of this. I've seen reviews for books about fairies (with fairies ON THE COVER) that say, "Fairies aren't my thing." Seriously, guys. I know what I like and what I don't like. Since I hate chick lit, I don't read and review chick lit. It wouldn't be fair to the authors. If you know you hate books about magic, fairies, mermaids, or leprechauns, why are you reviewing them?
Not being able to handle fictionalized things
The example that comes to mind immediately was a review I read recently for the Angelfall series in which a reader could not handle the fact that A) Raphael had the nickname Raffe, and B) that the angels weren't presented as perfect beings.
On the one hand, I get it. You believe angels are perfect. On the other hand, this is fiction.
You don't see people getting bent out of shape that there's not REALLY a platform nine and three quarters at King's Cross Station, do you?
Books you read decades ago
First of all, I can't remember what I had for lunch yesterday. Sometimes if I wait a couple weeks to write a review I have a hard time remembering details or what my thoughts actually were. So how can you remember your thoughts about a book you read 35 years ago?
I mean, sure, when I first signed up for Goodreads I went a little crazy with the star ratings for books I hadn't read in awhile. But if you're taking the time to write a full review, shouldn't you be a little more fair in your rating? Like, I don't know, have read it sometime in the last decade?
Negative ratings for a job TOO well done
I was recently looking for my next amazing horror read when I came across a review that, I kid you not, was one star with a review to the effect of, "That was the scariest book I have ever read in my entire life." Um... Excuse me? You picked up a book in the horror section. There was a demon on the cover. And you're rating it one star because it was scary?
There is no justice in the world.
What do you think? Do you disagree with any of the examples I've provided?
Would you add any to the list? Or is everything fair game in your book?
