What say you? How do you like your reviews?
Personally, I tend to review my feelings and emotions. I try to explain what I loved or what I disliked and if I had any, what my issues were and why.
I rarely go over the plot of make a recap of the story. I personally think the blurb is already there for a reason, without revealing too much. I don’t need a summary of the book, I want to experience first hand every possible twist or surprise.
By doing a recap I feel like I’m spoiling the fun or reading the story for a first time reader but then I know some readers want and sometimes need spoilers. So I guess recap reviews come in handy in those cases.
I’m one of those who rarely read reviews, unless I know the reviewer is only going to give me an incentive to read the book not give me the cliff notes.
I also HATE spoilers so this explains that, lol!
I don’t even care for trigger warnings, really. If I’m curious about a book but still undecided because… reasons, I’ll wait until one of my friends or a reviewer I trust reads it and will ask about it directly.
So that’s where I stand personally but I’m curious about what everyone likes, so how do YOU prefer your reviews?
Always review. Recaps are spoilerish whereas reviews convey feelings and analysis on the writing.
The book blurb tells us what the book is about, so a recap isn’t necessary. Although if I don’t care for a book but am trying to put a positive spin on it, I usually end up writing a spoiler-free recap.
But I prefer reviews that tell me how the story and characters made the reader feel.
I like both kinds of reviews, the ones that explais the why like it or not and the ones that gives a little more of the story without giving spoilers… ;D