When those of us at the chapter level of RWA® write a review, it’s normally for a friend, an author we already enjoy, or for a book to which we’ve connected in a big way. We want to show the book in its best light, praise the work, and heap accolades upon the author. This is a good thing.

But let’s look at what a professional review is all about. The word ‘review’ means ‘to view or look at again’, ‘to reexamine judicially’ and ‘to give a critical evaluation of (a novel)’. The purpose is to describe the work and to give a serious and thought provoking assessment of the work within its literary genre.

Even if I know I’m going to write a review, I read the book for enjoyment.

There is no one right way to write a review. But one thing is certain. It’s always got to be about the book.

A friend and critique partner, John Royal, writes reviews for the Houston Chronicle. His thoughts regarding a fiction review: read for enjoyment of the story and put aside all prejudice. Of course, then John notes this is difficult, if not impossible, because we all bring the knowledge of a subject, or a style, or the author’s previous work with us.

To quote John, “I do think if there’s someone you just don’t like, you shouldn’t be reviewing their work, because then it’s a personal thing and anyone reading the review is going to see your personal bias.”

Unfortunately, we all know this happens. In fact, some reviewers take the term ‘critical evaluation’ out of context. I believe the adjective ‘critical’ in this case means a ‘serious or significant’ evaluation rather than an ‘unfavorable, judgmental and nit-picking’ one.

I do believe there are guidelines that can help us to write interesting and informative reviews. These are mine.

First, even if I know I’m going to write a review, I read the book for enjoyment. Afterwards, I think about the story, the characters, their motivations, the plot and the setting. What problems did these characters face from the situations they were put into by the author? What backstory did they carry that motivated them to act the way they did?

From my review of Thelma Zirkelbach’s (aka Lorna Michaels) STRANGER IN HER ARMS:

The familiar warmth and relaxed atmosphere of her family’s beach cottage on San Sebastian Island on the Texas Gulf Coast is the perfect place for Christy Matthews to contemplate the direction of her future. A year after a hurtful divorce, she’s ready to move forward. With a fulfilling career as a nurse in the busy medical center district of Houston, she has no need for another controlling man in her life.

This gives good information about the character, her conflict and her daily life (as well as current setting).

Next, I focus on the book’s ambiance. Is it a character driven or a plot driven story? I like books with strong characters, so I find that most of my reviews revolve around weaving the main characters along with their motivational impetus together with setting, using only a few plot points to ‘gel’ the review. Most of the information given about the story within a review can be found in the first few chapters.

Our job is not to give away plot or to tell the story. It’s simply to give the reader enough information to determine if they’d be interested in the book.

So take the reader only so far. Define the main conflict, but in no way hint at the resolution. Use rhetorical questions if necessary. How will John keep Mary from falling deeper into the psychological clutches of the evil madman? Let the reader buy the book if they want to find out.

The last thing I do is to define what appeals to me as a particular strength of the author and use it in a summary paragraph.

From my review of Colleen Thompson’s FATAL ERROR:

. . . this book is a perfect example of goal, motivation and conflict. Not only is Susan and Luke’s conflict clear and strong . . . but the GMC for each of the secondary characters is extremely well-written, never cumbersome or overstated, but very clear. Luke’s mother’s pride in her lifestyle, Susan’s mother’s reasons for never approving of the Maddox boys, right down to the sheriff’s need to do things his own way. Choose your villain and hang on for the ride. It’s a great one.

From my review of Sharon Sala’s OUT OF THE DARK:

the author . . . has bravely touched on two subjects usually not dealt with in a romance, sexual child abuse and AIDS. Once again Sharon has woven a story of in-depth emotion in characters so real . . .

Because I’m normally writing a review for someone whose work I respect and like, it’s easy to end the review with a selling pitch about it being a ‘fun read’, or a ‘page-turner’, and I can truthfully say I’m looking forward to their next book. John doesn’t always say this in his reviews.

I use these review-writing guidelines because I feel they give the reader pertinent information about the book.

It’s so easy to let our own ego become involved with the review – after all the review itself is our writing. But, in this case, it’s not about us. In fact, it’s not about the author friend or chapter member whose work we’re reviewing. It’s not even about the reader, although it is for the reader.

Jo Anne Banker, as yet unpublished, recently finished her second contemporary novel, a woman’s fiction, THE CHILD OF THREE. She’s a member of Houston Bay Area RWA, West Houston RWA and Northwest Houston RWA.

Copyright © 2005 Jo Anne Banker. All rights reserved. Used with permission.