The Star Rating
I convert the extended rating into a star rating for quick reference to aid you readers. It means that if you're looking for only the best books in my opinion, you can find them quickly and easily. Likewise if you're wanting to be forewarned over which books I didn't enjoy nearly enough.
It works like this:
5 Stars: 90-100
4.5 Stars: 80-89
4 Stars: 70-79
3.5 Stars: 60-69
3 Stars: 50-59
2.5 Stars: 40:49
2 Stars: 30-39
1.5 Stars: 20-29
1 Star: 10-19
0.5 Stars: 0-9
The Extended Rating
My extended rating is designed in order to produce as fair a rating as possible, bearing in mind that it's based on my own opinion. There are ten categories upon which the book is rated, and combined they provide an overall rating that encompasses most aspects of a book which a reader might wish to know about. Then it's converted to a star rating for ease of reference.
It works like this:
Continuity:
Did everything link together properly, or was it fragmented where it shouldn't be. Basically, did all the ends meet up as they should.
Creativity:
Were the storyline and ideas within the book explained and/or created with a sense of flavour and depth, or was it too straight forward to hold interest?
Originality:
Have we heard all of this before, or is it all new to us? If it isn't new, have they been able to use these ideas in a way that is fresh, unique, and intriguing?
Expression:
Are we as readers able to feel and understand what is aiming to be said, or are we left without enough to feel satisfied that we know what the deal is?
Captivation:
Is this one of those fabulous can't-put-it-down-until-I'm-done books, or was it a physical effort to pick it back up to carry on each time?
Readability:
Does the writing flow as it should for such a story, or are we left stumbling and reading back over sentences like trying to cross a rocky terrain?
Relatable:
Are we led to understand and relate to the characters that we're following? Or the opposite if that's the point?
Twists and Turns:
Nothing worse than a book where you are constantly able to guess what is coming next because it's just so blatantly obvious. Not one of those, is it?
Imagery:
Have the pictures been painted vividly across our imaginations, or is everything a watery, colourless haze that lacks in detail?
External:
Did the cover and blurb spoil the contents? Was the story amazing, yet the cover the type you would turn away from if you saw it on the shelf?
So hopefully, this form of breaking down the components of a book from a reader's perspective will help you to understand why I've rated the book as I have. And to reassure you that I haven't simply pulled a rating form thin air.
In the interest of all readers, NO SPOILERS PLEASE. When commenting on a review for a book that you have read, please remember that others are searching to find their next literary treasure. Spoiler comments will be removed as soon as I am aware of them. I make the greatest effort not to spoil the contents of the books which I review. On the same note, it is likely that reviews for sequels and/or later books in sagas/series/trilogies may contain a certain degree of spoiler material for the previous books. I will attempt not to spoil the story for the book on which the review is based, but the background for the story may give away conclusions for prior titles.
Lastly, I would like to remind everyone that all reviews ARE based on my own personal opinion at the end of the day. Therefore, feel free to debate in the comments, and to disagree if you have read it yourself. We all have differing tastes in terms of what we enjoy in a book, so word is not gospel.
Enjoy :)
Brandon Loveless x
No comments:
Post a Comment