Review Spoilers-Where and when to draw the line
The Reading Café has been a labor of love, and when I say labor, it has on occasion felt more like a job than a hobby. But like many hobbies, they seem to gather a life of their own, and 8 months later, The Reading Café has over 2050 members and a secure base with which we promote new and established authors and books. And our members and contributing reviewers are a major part of our success. We do not get paid: we have full time jobs: we have families: we have lives. We write reviews because of our love of books. But there are occasions when reviewers are questioned about a presumed spoiler. Let’s discuss the effect of a spoiler in a review and what truly constitutes a spoiler.
Writing a review takes time unless the review is only a few sentences long. We must first read the book, make notes and then write an overview of the book, all the while, remembering that many authors do not like spoilers. A spoiler is a major faux pas in the review world, and yet sometimes it is difficult NOT to reveal some important aspect of the storyline premise otherwise the review is nothing but a character critique or love fest of the author. The books we review come from various sources: self-purchase, ARCs, giveaways, publishers, publicist, assistants, authors and recommendations from friends.
Sometimes a reviewer is taken to task for a review that supposedly contains a spoiler. The admonisher could be a fellow reviewer, a site member, someone from Amazon or Goodreads or an author. At times, the book blurbs contain more of a premise spoiler than the review, but in the end, someone is not happy. Some reviewers write a quick, no fuss review-yes/no, good/bad, end of story. Others like to give a premise outline with some character description and a wrap-up of their opinion and what’s new. Some reviewers basically re-write the entire storyline-lock, stock and barrel, while others write a glowing overview about the author, and barely scratch the surface of the book. Where do you draw the line? What do you want to see in a review?
Now, here is a conundrum. What if the book/novel has been on the market for close to one year or longer? When should spoilers be allowed? At 6 months? 1 year? Over 1 year? At this point, if you are a fan of the series, you have already read the novel therefore the information in the review is old news. But what if the series or book is new to you? Do you want to know something about the storyline? If the book in question is older (6 months or more) is the reviewer still responsible for placing a-SPOILER ALERT-READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION?
On occasion the reviewer will be admonished for a presumed spoiler, when the actual excerpt or the part (spoiler) in question is taken directly from the book blurb or website.
I am not talking about telling the entire tale of twists, secrets, villains and death, but perhaps a path not usually travelled that may reveal a little too much of the story.
We want to know: Where do you think the line should be drawn as it pertains to reviews and spoilers? 6months? 1 year or longer? And how much information should the review contain? Many back cover blurbs or website promotions basically present themselves as a miniature version of the book premise, therefore all that is required of a reviewer is whether the storyline is good, bad or indifferent. When do you think a review has revealed too much of the story? What do you consider a spoiler? If you are an author, what do you want to see in a review?
Sandy
I am the last person to ask about a spoiler I have been known to read the last chapter first and the more spoilers the better especially if I have been waiting a long time for the book. LOL You will not get a complaint from me on spoilers. I feel if the author is a favorite you would buy it anyway and lots of times it is that added something that will have me buy the book.
Hey Fran…I am like you. I read the last chapter first and then I am all over the book before I actually start…lol
LMAO both of your are incorrigible. No matter the temptation, I will not read the end first. I have to go through the entire story.
However, there are people who don’t even want to know what the story is about, but then they should not read reviews.
I do believe in not revealing spoilers that would ruin the story. An outline of the book, without revealing the twists, revelations, secrets, or ending is good.
BTW, Sandy, great article.
I want to know how the book got to point the spoiler talks about so I would read it anyway. :LOL
You find time to have a life? LOL. Alright, we got that over with. I find it isn’t always a bad thing to have a spoiler, it pulls in the reader, and some spoilers are no more than a little tease… I have been known to tease a little. I only read the end of the book when I am thoroughly bored by a book, I then sigh and go back to where I left off. (doesn’t make it any better) Personally I think a little insight into the book helps the sale in the end… no little teaser is going to give away the entire storyline in my opinion.
LOL MaryAnn, do you have a life. you are a busy beaver. lmao
I agree with what you said. For the majority, authors are flexible, as long as we dont reveal the surprises, twists, secrets, endings. Talking about the book, sort of an outline, does make people want to read it. Unless it’s a negative review.
Negative reviews are like constructive criticism, they are deserved on the average and a warning to the author to get their act together. I can think of at least one author I believe gets more credit than she deserves, but that kind of thing happens.
Wow, interesting topic. I guess I never thought about people getting angry over spoilers. Like Fran and Sandy, I always read ahead and check out what’s happening in the book. I don’t remember reading a review where all the secrets are spilled, but I guess sometimes it happens. I just didn’t think (in the grand scheme of life) it is that important.
Interesting article Sandy, and I have to agree with both you and Fran in terms of finding out what happens in the end. I myself am guilty of jumping head to the last few pages just to see if it ends the way I hope it will end. I only do this when I’m so wrapped up in the story, and the characters are in dire circumstances and the suspense is killing me. As for spoilers/teasers/plot synopsis in a review, I am fine with all of them. For me I enjoy the odd spoiler/teaser because it whets my appetite for the book even more. As for a plot synopsis, I do like reviews that give a brief overview because how the heck else am I suppose to know if it’s something I will enjoy reading. Sometimes the blurb on the back of the book isn’t enough for me to tell and then if I wind up hating the book, I’m bummed I spent the money on it. So I’d rather know more about the book’s storyline so i can draw my own conclusions before putting out the money.
I have no doubt that many people read the last chapter first and pages in between. 😉
I struggle with this issue ALL the dang time!!! Don’t I, Barb? HA.
At times I KNOW it smells too much like a spoiler, so I edit or I highlight it…then send it to Barb for HER opinion, LOL!!!!
As far as negative reviews, and I’ve had 2 on this site alone, I feel I should inform the reader so that they’re prepared to “waste” money. It would be a disservice otherwise, IMO. I still remain mum on the spoilers, though.
Lastly…and I’m just a freak, I guess: I have no problem hearing spoilers or outright tells from the book from MY FRIENDS. Does that make sense??? Unless I specifically ask NOT to be told, I don’t like surprises. During my Dark Hunter exploration, I’m sure I begged a few of you to just tell me already!!! If I’d read “insight” from some random person’s post, I know I’d feel let down. As a matter of fact, someone on CF spoiled the Artie/Nick thing for me and I tried desperately to wipe it from my mind. Didn’t work. It made me sick then…still does. 😀
OOOOPS!!!! Was that a spoiler???? 😀
Now…about your dilemma over a respectable amount of time AFTER said book is released…I still say NO spoilers, but…it’s hard not to lead a horse to water. I’ve never used that saying before — was that ok to use in this situation?
WONDERFUL topic, Sandy!!!
A overview of the storyline is enough information for me to decide if I want to read a book. Is it fast paced, does it drag, etc. Even if a book just like a movie is given a bad review I decide if I want to read or watch. If 3, 6, 9, 12 months have gone by many have read the book and should be able to discuss freely. But to keep peace I think the *spoiler alert* has always worked.
Very interesting topic and it gives me food for thought when discussing a book on other websites.