How We Decide Rankings
A good way of reviewing almost anything involves giving them a ranking - usually stars. There are good and bad things about it, but it does make it easier. We wanted to give our readers some insight into what we use to rank our books.
We do want to make one thing VERY clear, though: higher rankings does not necessarily mean better.
Language
Consistently terrible grammar, sentence structure, and style and/or poorly translated.
Frequent grammatical errors that are bad enough to take you out of the story. Telling, rather than showing. This could also be stories that are using language that is unnecessarily difficult just to sound smart, particularly if it’s using it incorrectly.
Simple writing style, possibly noticeable errors throughout. I would also use this category for books/stories written for younger audiences. They need the simple language as their reading comprehension continues to grow.
Good use of grammar, diction and syntax. Few or no grammatical errors and the ones that do pop up do not detract from the story. Language that can pull you into the story and make you feel what the characters are feeling.
Use of language that seems almost like poetry. This language has a rhythm that you can feel as you read it. Poetry in prose.
Story
The storyline was offensive, boring, or unimaginative. This story didn’t have a beginning, middle and end.
The storyline was predictable and lacked depth. Think formula based romance novels (the protagonist and love interest were trapped in a situation together for some time, learned to respect and love each other, had a misunderstanding, then a happy ending with sex at 50%, 75% and 90%).
This story was good. Maybe a little predictable, but had some twists and turns. Kept you captivated.
This is a great story. It kept you captivated from the start.
An epic story that stays with you. The kind of books you want to re-read as soon as you finish. Something that you think about regularly and that connected with you and your life. This could also be a story that was familiar but told from a new perspective (Song of Achilles for example).
Difficulty
Easy – This book could easily be ready by a tween or teenager without any comprehension difficulty.
Basic – Most easy reading fiction falls in this category. Think soft rock and easy listening music. A book you can read at the beach without thinking too much about it.
A good challenge – this story introduces you to new vocabulary or use unfamiliar phrases, wording, or diction.
Only worth it for a five star story – you feel like you needed a translation to read it. Think Shakespeare.
Spiciness/sexiness
Hinted romance and physical affection that you would feel comfortable doing in front of a young kid. Think Jane Austen.
A little more explicit physical affection. Kissing and hints of other things. Things that 12 year olds get up to at movie parties.
First base on screen and depictions of other sexual acts off screen.
Explicit sexual content. Orgasms for everyone on screen. Porn with a story.
Either mostly dirty (plot, what plot/porn without plot) or delves into kinks.
Conflict
Below I have a list of types of conflict. Many stories have more than one type of conflict written throughout it, but these can make it easier to analyze a story.
Person vs. person – The heart of this type of story involves two characters with opposing outlooks, opinions, or goals. The story will become richer when both characters believe themselves to be right or when there is no clear right or wrong between their differences. Example: Harry Potter vs Voldemort
Person vs. Nature – This type of conflict counters a character against some force of nature, such as an animal or the weather. Examples: Life of Pi (kid and tiger vs the ocean and kid vs. tiger) or The Grapes or Wrath (characters vs. drought)
Person vs. Society – When a novel sets a character against a tradition, an institution, a law, or some other societal construct. Examples: The Handmaid’s Tale or To Kill a Mockingbird
Person vs Technology - When science moves beyond human control. Examples: Frankenstein or 2001: A Space Odyssey
Person vs. Supernatural - Vampires, werewolves, aliens, and ghosts – any typically unbelievable, supernatural, or inexplicable phenomena. Examples: The Shining or Edgar Allan Poe.
Person vs. Self - A character battling inner demons, one who has an inner moral conflict, or is simply striving to become a better person. Example: Hamlet
Person vs. Destiny (Fate/Luck/God) – When the conflict is with between a character and their fate or destiny or predisposed plan. Examples: The Odyssey, Frodo in the Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter as the chosen one.
