Review Policy & Rating System

If you are an author/publisher, we strongly encourage you to familiarize yourself with the reviewers’ reviewing style and read over their preferences carefully before submitting a review request.

Who’s accepting requests?

Steph is NOT accepting review requests unless she has worked with the author/publicist previously before.
Kat is NOT accepting review requests.
Meg is accepting review requests on a limited basis, but she is unlikely to review self-published novels.
Paul is accepting review requests on a limited basis.
Nafiza is NOT accepting review requests.
Paola is accepting review requests on a limited basis.


Steph

I am happy to accept print copies and e-copies on occasion. Print is strongly preferred and given more of a priority. Please note: I reserve the right to refuse to review a book, but also realize if I do review your book, I will review it per my usual reviewing style. I’m more than likely to reject any titles containing zombies, ghosts and witches since they don’t particularly interest me.

Preferred Genres:

  • Dystopian (favorite)
  • Science Fiction (favorite)
  • Fantasy
  • Urban Fantasy
  • Contemporary
  • Paranormal Romance (hit or miss genre for me)

Genres I don’t review:

  • Horror (I may make some exceptions)
  • Non fiction

Rating System:

I find that as I continue to read YA books, I become less tolerant for plot holes, sloppy world building overused tropes. I am a more critical reviewer and I pay very close attention to details. Sarcasm is almost always woven into my reviews. All jokes are meant to be taken as “tongue in cheek.” Please do not view it as a personal attack on an author because I don’t review authors. I review books.

Most of the books I read comes straight from my public library or is an ARC acquired from the author, publisher or NetGalley/Edelweiss. I don’t usually buy many books unless I have read it before and know for sure I would read it again. That doesn’t happen very often. What can I say? I’m pretty picky.

five-stars

I LOVED this book. I would buy this book, re-read this book, stalk all my friends and make my mother read it.

four-stars

I really liked this book. It had a few flaws, but I didn’t stop me from enjoying it. I’d probably buy it too.

three-stars

I liked it, but wasn’t blown away it. It could be a hit or miss for others.

two-stars

It was okay or “meh.” Books considered “not for me” will probably fall in this category.

one-star

“Hate” is such a strong word. But if I give a book 1 star, I’m not afraid to fling that word around. Precious hours of my life were spent reading this book and I’d like them back.

zero-stars

I could find absolutely no redeeming qualities and I’m surprised the book was published.


Kat

I accept ebooks and print arcs for reviewing purposes. Whilst I may agree to look at your book, that doesn’t guarantee I will be able  to read and review it.  I am happy to accept Galleys but I will give my  honest opinion so only send them to me if you’re sure I will love it or are willing to live with it if I don’t.  I prefer strong female characters and strong concept novels.

Preferred Genres:

  • All variety of Young Adult novels
  • Urban Fantasy
  • Paranormal Romance

Genres I don’t review:

  • Biographies
  • Non fiction titles

Rating System:

My reviews are brutally honest and entirely my opinion.  I’m most likely to read a book from a feminist perspective and am easily frustrated by passive heroines and bully heroes.  I enjoy books that show gender equality and a wide range of well-written, interesting characters. Most of the books I read are either ARCs or library books.  At the end of the year I make a list of all my favourite books that year and I purchase them hardcover.  I believe in supporting, financially, my favourite authors.

five-stars

Perfection or pretty darn close. This book comes highly recommended.

four-stars

A few flaws were noticed, but I still really loved the book. I would possibly own this book.

three-stars

It was okay. There were things about the book I had issues with.

two-stars

This book wasn’t that great but at least I finished it.  I can see what other people liked though.

one-star

This was a terrible book and I struggle to find a redeeming feature to speak about it.


Meg

I will accept e-books, ARCs and books from authors and publishers with a preference for hard copies. As much as I’d like to read all the books there are, by receiving your book I am not guaranteeing I will be able to read and review it, especially if it is wildly outside of my genre preferences listed below. When sending me books, please keep in mind that I will be honest when telling people what I think of them.

Preferred Genres:

  • YA of any kind
  • Science Fiction
  • Fantasy
  • Urban Fantasy
  • Mysteries/Thrillers
  • Historical Fiction
  • Horror/Suspense
  • Paranormal

Genres I don’t review:

  • Non-fiction
  • Biographies

Ratings System:

I am drawn towards character driven storytelling and complex plot-lines, clever wordplay or unique writing styles are a plus. While I am an emotional reader and willing to overlook weak points in favor of overall feeling, if your book is full of tropes, passive characters and/or weak world-building, you may want to consider sending it to someone else.

five-stars

ZOMG THIS BOOK IS AMAZING. Upon finishing it, I will proceed to badger everyone I know into reading it and will not rest until I have shouted its praises to every corner of the world. Not only do I own a copy, I probably hug it sometimes.

four-stars

This book was fantastic and I definitely recommend it. While it may have had some imperfections, the overall story made up for them. If I haven’t already bought a copy, I will be doing so soon.

three-stars

This was a good book, I liked it but didn’t love it. My feelings could also be summed up with a non-committal shrug.

two-stars

Meh, I finished it. It has redeeming features, I guess, but I did not connect.

one-star

Kill it with fire.

zero-stars

After you’ve killed it with fire, gather the ashes, bury them deep and salt the earth.


Paul

I am happy to read books in either an electronic or print format, though I do confess that I prefer the latter. Because I must try to balance books that are “for work” with books that are simply “for fun,” and reading in general with other obligations, the amount of time that it takes to finish and review a novel will vary on a case-to-case basis. I tend to be a rather fast reader, however.

Preferred Genres:

  • Fantasy
  • Paranormal
  • Dystopian
  • Horror/Suspense

Genres I Don’t Review:

  • Nonfiction (unless it’s humor)
  • Romance
  • Science Fiction (usually – I’m more than willing to make an exception)

Rating System:

I do my best to write reviews that draw upon both my particular opinions and a nonbiased, semi-professional viewpoint. By this, I mean that I rate what I read according to two different sets of criteria. The first consists of my strictly personal preferences and pet peeves. The second consists of the standard templates that are used to construct a “good” story. These include such things as grammar, writing clarity and fluency, narrative structure, character complexity, and so on. The sheer number of YA works that I have read has ensured that I have a rather low tolerance for the clichés and tropes that abound in the genre, particularly love triangles, paranormal romances, and Mary Sues. If your book contains these sorts of things, I certainly hope that you employed them in a clever way, as I admit that I have a fondness for stories that employ “meta” concepts (lampshade-hanging, the breaking of the fourth wall, self-referential humor, and so on).

For the most part, I try to inject a bit of humor into my reviewing, so you will likely encounter sarcasm and pictures/GIFs in my reviews. I do my best, however, to write fairly and include detailed, thoughtful points and ideas. Most of the books that I read come from the library. I do, on occasion, purchase novels, but I do so rarely and only when I am certain that I will enjoy them. This means that they tend to be ones that I have already read and want to reread at some point.

five-stars

A near-perfect book that I love and highly recommend. I will certainly reread and/or purchase this one in the future.

four-stars

A flawed book, but one that I nonetheless enjoyed. I can overlook its problems, so I will likely reread and/or purchase this one in the future.

three-stars

A book with flaws that are too numerous or significant to overlook. I may reread and/or purchase this one in the future. At the very least, it was enjoyable enough that it was worth a single read-through.

two-stars

A book that I didn’t really enjoy, but was able to finish. It may simply be a “not for me” kind of book, or one that has a few redeemable qualities that prevent it from being a complete waste of time. Not something that I will reread and/or purchase, however.

one-star

A book that I hate and likely did not finish. A complete waste of time that has no redeemable qualities.


Nafiza

While I will read e-galleys if there is no other choice, I prefer print copies. Because of my academic background, the works I read will be subject to a more thorough analysis than you may want so please be aware that while I will always be courteous, I will not mince my words if I find problematic aspects in the book. I am more likely to review books with paranormal/fantastic aspects than realistic fiction and my weakness are strong individuated characters.

Preferred Genres:

  • Paranormal/High Fantasy YA Novels
  • Any kind of Middle Grade novel
  • Picturebooks

Rating System:

five-stars

I’ll write an ode to this and send it to the moon aka I loved this book.

four-stars

It wasn’t perfect but it still made me swoon.

three-stars

We are not the best of friends but we’ll have tea together once.

two-stars

We need to talk about this one.

one-star

Let’s pretend we never saw each other.


Paola

I’ll accept either ARCs or ebooks but I prefer hard copies since I do the majority of my reading through that medium. I tend to read quickly but the time it takes me to review a particular book will depend on my schedule.

Preferred Genres:

  • YA in general
  • Fantasy
  • Historical Fiction
  • Science Fiction

Genres I don’t review:

  • Non-fiction

Rating System:

I tend to enjoy novels with strong female characters and beautiful writing. I try to stay away from novels that feature love triangles, whiny protagonists, or a very predictable plot. While I do my best to review as critically as I possibly can, I might be a tiny bit lenient with novels that capture me emotionally. However, I do consider both aspects when I’m rating and reviewing a book.

five-stars

As good as they come. I’ll talk about it with anyone willing to listen and I’ll probably buy all of the editions until the end of time. If I could cuddle with this book for the rest of my life, I would.

four-stars

I enjoyed this book a lot but felt like it lacked a little something special in some areas. I wouldn’t think twice about buying or recommending it, though.

three-stars

I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it either. I liked it enough to finish it and I would reread it in the future.

two-stars

I found that this novel had too many flaws to be enjoyable. Some people might like it but it wasn’t for me.

one-star

Didn’t finish it and/or couldn’t stand it.


Natalie

I am happy to accept print copies and e-copies on occasion. Due to an eye condition, I’m actually very inclined towards e-copies (*snuggles print books while weeping*). Accepting a review request does not mean I will definitely post a review, due to a variety of factors. My reviews will always be very honest, so please bear that in mind before sending them through.

Preferred Genres:

  • Fantasy
  • Science Fiction
  • Historical
  • I’ll read any and all YA, but the above genres are my favourites

Genres I don’t review:

  • Biographies
  • Non fiction

Rating System:

I am a very critical reviewer, even of books that I love. I try to lace my reviews with humour, but note that my reviews are all about the book and never about the author. I love shipping and romance, but I tend to become incredibly cynical if romance completely overwhelms everything else. If romance is the be all end and all of your book, you might not want to shoot it my way.

I always lean towards fantasy fiction, but I am able to review a book based on its own criteria as well. I try to review every book in this way. On one hand, I’m commenting on my own feelings. On the other, I’m looking at the book from the larger picture.

five-stars

I’M IN LOVE. A five star review from me doesn’t necessarily mean that the book was perfect, but it DOES mean that it got my heart pounding and my eyes weeping. I think it was perfect, even if I can point out ways in which others might not.

four-stars

Objectively, I can see that this is a great book and I did really enjoy it. BUT it just lacked that little bit of magic that really gets me going.

three-stars

I liked it, but there were significant flaws.

two-stars

It just didn’t do anything for me, and is fundamentally flawed. That said it has some redeeming qualities and might appeal to others.

one-star

My review is a pit of anger and rage, or full of me metaphorically shaking my head with resignation.

zero-stars

Utterly offensive. Take it away.



Disclaimer: As stated above, all books we read are either purchased by us, borrowed from our library, or received from publishers for reviewing purposes. Please note that most of the GIFs and photos used are not ours and were found for free use on Tumblr and Google Images. However, all reviews are written by us (unless noted otherwise) and are original. Please do not copy and redistribute without first contacting us. DMCA.com Creative Commons License Cuddlebuggery Book Blog is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.