Copy Cats, Reviews and Such

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COPY CATS, REVIEWS and SUCH

IN MY OPINION by Vickie M.
Copy Cats, Reviews and such……………..
 
I’ve had some things on my mind for a while, so I figured what better place to vent than right here!!  When I first started reviewing for The Reading Cafe, I would look at different reviews to see what the general feeling was about that book.  It is, in my humble opinion, inevitable that reviews will generally follow the same route.  Of course there are those who love it and those who don’t, but even with that, the lovers follow a similar path as well as the haters.  I realize that there are only so many words that one can use to describe certain situations in the scenes that we read.  This, of course, does not apply to Sandy and Barb here at The Reading Cafe.  Their reviews are so thought provoking and wonderfully written.
 
With that said, I can’t help but notice that sometimes sites post an idea or a thought, only to be seen on another site within a day or so with a few of the words changed, and maybe said a little differently.  BUT, the basis for the idea is the same.  So here is my conundrum.  Is it a coincidence that folks are thinking about the same article at the same time?  Are others feeding off of other sites?  And is there anything that can be done about it?  Or, should anything be done about it?  I recently read an article about reviewers reviewing books that they hadn’t even read.  They were reading other reviews and creating their own that way.  Talk about dishonest!!
 
Another thing that sticks in my craw is to read a review about a PARANORMAL ROMANCE and the reviewer says “it was not believable”.  As opposed to what?!  Now don’t get me wrong, I’m with ya when it comes to my beloved series and the author comes totally out of left field with something that that character would have never done. I don’t like that either.   Whenever I see someone post that the story wasn’t “believable”, my first thought is always, ALWAYS, “you do know vampires and dragons aren’t real, right?”.  😀
 
Happy reading!!!!
Vickie M.
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26 thoughts on “Copy Cats, Reviews and Such”

  1. Vickie, you did a sensational job with this post. Awesome. I agree with you on many of your points. We are never happy, and I know of some other sites also, that do not like when our thoughts or ideas are copied and changed around to make it look different, when they are stealing other peoples thoughts or ideas.

    I am appalled that there are reviewers who will copy from other sites to write a review without reading the book. I cannot imagine that, and I agree that is dishonest.

    Your point at the end of your article is funny. yep, there are no vampires or dragons in real life. (looks over her shoulder)

      • Thanks Barb!! I truly have had this stuff on my mind for a while and I saw something the other day that just about pushed me over the edge. So, I wanted to know if it bothered others as well and what their opinions would be on the subject…………

  2. Wonderful thoughts Vickie.

    I know the article you are speaking about. It was actually quite revealing how so many reviewers ‘charge’ to review a book and then actually never read the novels. They put together ‘their own reviews’ based on the information from other sites and other reviews….scary!!

    And like Barb said…I too agree, with many of your points. And sometimes….I do NOT think it is a coincidence…..too similar with the premise and opinion.

    As for a reader applying human ideology, ethics and morals to supernatural and paranormal characters that can lead to many misunderstandings. When a reader applies the rules and regulations that govern human society to storybook characters of fantasy and the paranormal…there is only one word that can describe such….ethnocentrism….when someone judges another society based on the views and ideals of one’s own…..or……Ethnocentrism is judging another culture solely by the values and standards of one’s own culture. I believe readers should NOT judge the actions of a fantasy/paranormal/supernatural characters using the standards of human ideology. The stories are not real, the characters are not real, the situations are not real and never will they be, so to apply human constraints on immortal and supernatural beings is dangerous, especially when one believes the characters and author have crossed some imaginary line.

    • Thanks Sandy!! I’m so with you on this!!! I know you’ve heard me say a million times that I totally trust the authors that I love to tell THEIR characters’ stories. I may not always agree with the direction the author takes, but that is why I’m a reader/reviewer and not a writer!!! I do love that people are so passionate about their books and their beloved characters and series, but dang!!! There is NEVER a reason to attack an author over THEIR story. I also can’t stand when people who post comments attack others who’ve posted their opinions………… Good debate is healthy, but attacking someone waaaay crosses the line.

      And, don’t even get me started on the copy cat thing…….. I really can’t stand that. I want my conundrum answered dang it!!! LOL!!!!

  3. Pingback: Copy Cats, Reviews and Such | The Reading Cafe | Pet Lover News

  4. I had no idea that people would actually put forth a review combining other reviews and information. But then again, there is always someone looking for a different angle.

    And why do people really get their hackles up when a paranormal storyline is not believable?? Really, there are no dragons???????

    • LOL!!! I know Alicia!!!!! It’s like Sandy said…… People want to put human constaints on Paranormal characters……

      And, I had no idea about the whole dishonest review thing until I read that article about reviewers stealing other’s reviews. And the whole copy cat thing with the articles really gets under my skin!!

  5. Vickie some people are good at review others not so much. I think you can tell if the person has really read the book. I love the reviews here because I feel the honesty in them . I also love Shauni and the reviews done there but very seldom read customer reviews. The ladies here and at BR’s have influenced a lot of my buying for awhile and most times I have not been disappointed. For the most part though it is the excerpt on the back of the book and the cover that have me picking up the book and taking it home.

      • Thanks Fran! Wee here at The Reading Cafe love to hear from all of our members and we’re always glad to help with reading choices.

        And the whole copy cat business is bad for everyone. Especially when it becomes noticable. It’s disheartening for someone who has sat down and written an article or review only to see it somewhere else the next day with the same information in it. Hopefully, like you said, folks are smart enough to see what’s going on!! 😉

  6. Nicely done Vickie and I too am floored that ppl would actually create a review but never read the book. My thing is how the heck can they possible do that by just reading others reveiws??? Don’t you want to know how the book is for your own curiosity, thoughts, emotions, etc? That is so dishonest to steal from others and never read the book, or read it later on down the road. For me my problem is I’m a motor mouth, never know when to shut up or stop typing when I do my reviews. I’m always worried I’m never thorough enough, worried I’m gonna give readers the wrong impression etc. All kinds of thoughts run though my mind when I’m reviewing a book and I find it so hard to narrow it down at times. Speaking of motor mouths, I’ve done it again, just rambled on and forgot to stop typing. LOL!!! Okay I’m ending it here 😉

    • LOL!! Thanks Marcie!! I sweat bullets when I do reviews. I ramble, and I know it!!! (that’s my version of motor mouth!) I think that I’ve gotten a bit better, hopefully, with the more I write. Of course, the hardest ones for me are the ones where I didn’t enjoy the book. I would never NEVER slam an author. They are the ones putting themselves out there, trying their hand at a craft that I can’t even conceive of doing. I hand it to anyone who has it in them to write!! And being an avid reader, I’m so glad they do.

      I, too, can’t imagine stealing from others reviews to come up with my own and not having read the book. The article was basically someone wanting to promote different authors and crossed that line. They didn’t care about the book, the cared about numbers….. And it’s just as bad to steal someone’s idea for an article. That just steams me. But, like I said, what are ya gonna do??

  7. It is surprising how many reviews on the web that echo others… and sometimes so closely that it make you frown and go … hummmmm… you can almost smell the tuna it is so fishy. My thought is that if you can’t write a review properly… you shouldn’t… that is why I don’t .. 😀

  8. I know that all sites want to get a “jump” on the other with reviews on New Releases; it’s the nature of the business. But I SO agree with you and on how so many sound SO alike. It could just be a coincidence; those of us who favor PNR and certain series tend to think similarly. As far as copy-cats? Opportunistic dogs! Ha, see what I did there?? As a reviewer, I always hope that MY review takes a unique angle; I do tend to go off on so many of them! 😀

    It’s NOT easy to write reviews, but I strive to stay original and free of copy-cat tendencies.

    As far as PNR…you DON’T want to get in my head…we’re all VERY happy there! 😀

    • ROFL!!!! We’re happy in my head too Carmen!!!

      Love your thoughts on the subject! We all try to put our own spin on our reviews, and you’re right. It is hard sometimes. As for being a copy cat for reviews AND articles, like Mary Ann said, hopefully folks can smell the tuna!!!

  10. I have to laugh at It’s Believable comment. I guess the first thing is that a person has to understand it’s fiction. Comments at times can be based on how you were feeling at the time of reviewing or reading. It can make or break a book or make it into a great or good read. Reading is suppose to be fun and enjoyuable. Some can take it too seriously.

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