What Makes a Good Book Review? A Guide for Thoughtful Readers (Discussion)

Writing Book Reviews—Tips and Tricks

Book reviewing can feel intimidating. Whether you’re sharing thoughts on Goodreads/StoryGraph, Instagram, your blog, or just texting a friend, it can be hard to know where to start or how much detail is too much.

As someone who’s written hundreds of reviews, been reviewing over the last ten (10) years, and built a platform around sharing my reading life, I’ve developed a process that balances honesty, nuance, and clarity.

Here's my take on what makes a good book review and how you can write one that reflects your voice and experience.

What is a Book Review For, Anyway?

Before we dive into structure, it's important to understand your purpose:

Are you helping others decide if they’ll enjoy a book?
Are you reflecting on your own reading experience?
Are you trying to spotlight an author, theme, or equity-deserving group's voice?

Great reviews do at least one of these things, but the best ones often do all three.

The Building Blocks of a Strong Review

Here are the essential elements I aim to include in every post:

1. Your Reaction, Not Just a Recap

A plot summary isn’t a review. You can reference what the book is about, but readers are here to know what you thought of it.

✅ Tip: Weave in summary through your opinion.
Example: “The enemies-to-lovers dynamic in this sci-fi romance made for great tension, but I wish it had taken more time to develop before the relationship turned romantic.”

2. Talk About the Craft

Was the pacing tight or meandering? Did the worldbuilding immerse you or leave gaps? How about the prose: clunky, purple, or poetic? This shows you’re engaging critically, not just emotionally.

3. Highlight Characters and Their Growth Arcs

Did the protagonist change in a satisfying way? Were the characters believable, complex, relatable? Or were they flat, overdone, unlikable (and not in a fun way)? Bonus points if you can articulate why.

4. Representation & Content Warnings

If a book features equity-deserving groups identities, note how well they were handled (and by whom). Also, offer a heads-up for anything potentially distressing—it's helpful, not spoilery.

✅ Tip: Research the books your reading, read diversely, and look to reviewers from that equity-deserving group for advice.
Example: “Features queer rep and an aro-ace character; includes grief, death of a parent, and on-page panic attacks.”

5. Star Ratings: Optional But Helpful

I use a 5-star scale (with quarter stars!), but numbers aren't everything. Explain why you gave the rating you did as it helps people align with your taste, even if they don’t share it.

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My Review Structure (And Examples)

Here’s how I typically organize my reviews:

Hook or Quick Impression

A single sentence that captures the vibe or how I felt. Looking especially at some of those tropes or ways that the author sets the scene and vibe.

✅ Tip: Use descriptors that match the setting overall, creating an ambiance for the reader.
“This was haunting, poetic, and slow in the best way.”

Contextual Details

Always include where you got the book, especially if it's an advanced copy. But also mention things like library, hype train, etc. and why that matters or doesn't (see: The Wedding People by Alison Espach review I did!)

Thematic Discussion

What themes stood out? What questions did the book ask or answer? Did it provide any new insights into a trope or subvert your expectations?

✅ Tip: Read widely to know how tropes are typically used and what may be a "subversion" of a trope.
In most Chosen One stories, the hero discovers a hidden destiny and is reluctantly thrust into greatness (think The Hunger Games and Percy Jackson). But in The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin, Essun’s powers are feared, not celebrated, and the world actively punishes magic users. Instead of being uplifted, the “Chosen Ones” are controlled. That’s a powerful subversion and recognizing it lets you comment on how the book critiques traditional power narratives rather than reinforcing them.

Characters & Relationships

Who stood out and why? Was the romance compelling? Did I root for them? Did they have good growth within those relationships? Or was the relationship muted just to move the plot along?

Critiques

I try to be honest without being harsh. It's okay to say, “This didn’t work for me,” especially when explaining why. (But also, if you need to rant, RANT. It's helpful for people to know if a book isn't good.)

✅ Tip: Be honest, not harsh. Critique the book, not the author.
Instead of writing: “The writing was terrible and the characters were annoying.”
Try: “I struggled with the pacing. The first half felt slow with lots of internal monologue, which made it hard to connect with the characters. I wanted more development in their relationships before the emotional climax, which felt rushed in comparison.”

This shows what didn’t work and why, giving helpful context for readers who might feel differently or be drawn to those elements.

Final Thoughts & Rating

A conclusion that ties it together with a star rating (or not!). Focusing especially on who I would recommend the book to if it's something that has a particular vibe.

Things I Try to Avoid

❌ Spoiling major plot points without warning

❌ Not including important disclaimers about when something isn't handled properly

❌ Comparing every book to another author’s work

❌ Letting personal bias overtake thoughtful critique

❌ Being vague (e.g., “It was boring” without context)

Finding Your Reviewing Voice

Write how you speak—formality isn’t required.
Use bullet points if full paragraphs feel daunting.
Not every review has to be in-depth; short reactions are valid.
Create a review template (and use some of my tips!) to get started.
Figure out your audience: are you posting on Goodreads/StoryGraph, Instagram, your blog?

There may be different ways to review depending on where you're reviewing!

9 Jun 2025