I’ve used Amazon reviews and ratings in making a decision about books and other products. Do you?
I also believe that they can be used to evaluate the quality of one’s fiction--if readers rate you highly, then that strikes me as a strong sign that your novel or novels is/are doing the right thing. Low ratings can clue you to where you might have gone wrong--I received a one-star rating on one of my novels, but, fortunately, it was the only one, and it derived from an idiosyncratic take on the nature of some of the content.
I come to this because, with 4 novels on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle versions, I got to wondering how they all worked with readers. So I added up all the stars and divided that total number by the number of reviewers. I was happy to find out that the average rating for my novels is 4.6 stars. Very happy.
So what do you look for in reader reviews and ratings, either for your own books or for those of other authors?
Spoiler alert: shameless self-promotion ahead!
Since I’m on the subject, I want to share with you the three most recent reviews. But be sure to give your thoughts on Amazon reader reviews in comments. Thanks.
It Makes Magic Believable
They're around us. A small mutation gives them powers over natural life, akin to magic. They've been persecuted and burned at the stake. So they have withdrawn from humanity, but their genes continue to ferment in the populace.
When powers blossom, and no one can teach you what they are and how to use them, how do you cope? When you grow up different, when Homeland Security hones in on you because they see terrorists in every strange manifestation, what do you do? When your only child shows the same powers, how do you protect him when you feel like a lost child too?
This is that story.
Rhamey is an excellent storyteller who grabs you from the first page and builds the tension so that you don't want to put the book down. He's been honing his craft for years and this gem is the result.
I just hope he's working on a sequel. I can't wait for the story to continue.
Tongue-In-Cheek At Its Best!!!
Fun, fun,and more fun!!!! This is the purrr-fect book to pick up after a long day when you need a few laughs or just a light read for the beach. Since I'm a fan of vampires and cats it was win/win. I loved the sometimes whimsical but sometimes snarky humor of this book. Don't expect a strong, prize winning tale. Just sit back and enjoy this book! If you don't, you're taking life way too seriously!!!!! Mr. Rhamey....MORE PLEASE!
Ray Rhamey does it again!
A warm and engrossing tale of growing up--Texas style. You'll find yourself rifling through the pages, as you sweat through the oppressive Texas heat along with Jesse, a young man struggling to survive his summer job as a newly hired ranchhand in 1950s Texas.
Jesse's journey to discover who he is as a man, and find his place in the world, is complicated by his budding relationship with a young woman, Lola, who he can't keep his eyes off of, a dangerous loose cannon of a co-worker, Buddy, who is bent on forcing Jesse to leave the ranch by any means necessary, Lola's cruel, controlling mother, who disapproves of her daughter's relationship with Jesse and a murder that looms large over everything that happens that summer at the ranch.
This novel will tug on your heartstrings. Great fun and powerfully written. Don't miss out.
Ray
© 2012 Ray Rhamey