Amazon gives me advice how to review

[reviews_and_ramblings]

I sent an enquiry to Amazon wondering why some reviews were not posted. I was replied that there were some forbidden words (as usual, hand job, blow job), and that I was welcomed to post them again without them. But they also give me an advice more... directly from their words:

"Also, please make sure you are providing your opinion on whether the items you are review are good or bad and the reasons why. It appears that the majority of your reviews are just the descriptions of the plots of the books."

Strange, I was very well certain to do exactly the opposite. If I retell part of the story, it's only to point out some side of the characters... but well, they probably know more than me, don't they?

A very pissed off Elisa, who is really wondered why she bothers to post reviews on Amazon (I know why, I do that to promote the books, Amazon is till the main online booksellers, but still...)

Comments

[yachay.livejournal.com]

I read your reviews mainly because I can judge by them, will I like the book or not. You give a deeper insight to the book, than a blurb. Basically, deepen the blurb and tell a bit more about the characters and so on. I really like that.
I do think that sometimes you don't give out your opinion, but I have always assumed that the book was really not that impressive when your opinion is not clear. (Please correct me if I am wrong!)

There has been a few times, when I thought "damn, does Elisa hate anything?" But I figured that that is your way. You always find something good in a book, and concentrate on that. That's why it seems that sometimes you don't have an opinion, but when I actually concentrate on the review, and really read it instead of skimming it through, I can see if you liked it or if it wasn't your cup of tea.

The point of my too long ramble: Amazon should learn that reviews are not always about simply stating opinions. People read them to find out more about the book. Hell, they are paying for them, so it's easier if they know something more about the books, than just a blurb and some random person saying "yeah, it was good". Since everyone has a different taste, and what moves one person near to tears, can make someone else fall asleep.

I remember the book Lone by Rowan McBride. You said that it made you cry, where as I didn't like the book so much. If you would have just said "it made me cry" instead of telling a more about the story, I would have been really disappointed when I started reading it. But since your review told me what the book was about, I knew what to wait and that it will have things I personally hate. I take werewolf-stories really seriously, because they are my ultimate love (human topping a wolf is a big no-no for me because of this for some reason.) Your review pointed out what I will not like about this story, and it was easier for me to read it because of that.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

> I do think that sometimes you don't give out your opinion, but I have always assumed that the book was really not that impressive when your opinion is not clear

No you are right ;-)

> when I thought "damn, does Elisa hate anything?"

there is, but what I really hate probably you don't see on this journal ;-)

> I remember the book Lone by Rowan McBride. You said that it made you cry, where as I didn't like the book so much

See? That it what I'm saying, I love that book, that one would have been a 5 for me. And you could say reading my post I believe. But for you it was not. And I hope you were not disappointed by my post, I didn't tricking you into buying it, didn't I?

Elisa

[yachay.livejournal.com]

Yes, it was really obvious that you really loved that book. You don't even have to say it directly, anyone who would take time to read your review should feel how much you liked it. You didn't trick me into buying it, I try to get as many werewolf-books as possible, even if I know that I won't like it. Like I said, reading your review helped me when I got around reading Lone. I hate surprises, especially unpleasant ones, so with books like this it's easier when I know what to wait. Keeps my head clear, so I won't freak out when something I hate in my books shows up. :)

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Good, one of my fears is to "force" someone to buy a book they then hate. Elisa