Need Advice

[desertvixen]

So, minor dilemma here.

One of the book emails I get has titles for Read and Review, where you get the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

However, what if my reaction to reading the book is WTF is this?

I'm wondering if I should write the review it deserves, or send it back to the author and tell her I can't review it in good conscience.  (Either way, I'll still review it here for your enjoyment and warning.)

Thoughts?

DV

Comments

[jeriendhal.livejournal.com]

Well, if they were asking for an honest review, you should give it to them. Or is it genuinely unreadable?

[desert-vixen.livejournal.com]

Well, it's already published.

It's not as bad as some stuff I have read.

Leaning towards doing it.

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

If I was the author in question (and I do have books out there), I'd want the review, good or bad (bad reviews give a person street cred, IMHO). But I know of authors who Decidedly Do Not.

[garpu.livejournal.com]

If it's already published, I'd be honest.

[selenite.livejournal.com]

Agreed. Do it for the readers. Plus your reviews on the site have more credibility if you pan some stuff.

[desert-vixen.livejournal.com]

I did the review, but refrained from my general level of snark.

[carbonelle.livejournal.com]

If it's so WTF that you can't finish it or fairly analyze it, identifying what's wrong with it and an objective reason for the WTF-ery, than yes, send it back.

Otherwise, write a fair and honest review. If you're feeling kind because it's a newbie, go back over it afterwards and excise any/all snark. You'll never get published by Kirkus that way, but it's better for your conscience :-)

[desert-vixen.livejournal.com]

I finished both of them, but one was a slog.

I went with your second choice.