5 Easy Steps to Writing a Great Book Review
Writing a book review is easy with these five simple steps!
You don’t need to be a professional critic, just a reader eager to share your thoughts. If you’ve ever finished a book and thought, “Wow, I wish more people would read this,” then you’re already halfway there. Writing a book review doesn’t just benefit other readers. It also helps you become a better reader.
Follow these steps to write a review that captures what you loved (or didn’t) about a book without overthinking. We’ve even used examples from real reviews (complementary AND critical) about our books. If you didn’t love a book, you can still write a review that’s accurate to your experience but will also attract readers who WILL like the book.
Step 1:
Share Your Overall Impression and Hook Potential Readers
What stood out? What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about your experience reading this book. The characters? That twist at the end (don’t give it away though)? The unique writing style? State this in a one-liner that sums up what resonated with you about the book. Think of this as your own tagline to help perspective readers get excited about the story. Comparing to a similar book can be helpful.
RAVe Examples:
“I wasn’t sure what to expect diving into Remnant, but within a few chapters, I was completely hooked.”
“It’s a story packed with high stakes, eerie twists, and a lingering sense that something just beneath the surface isn’t quite right.”
Critical Example:
“I enjoyed this overall, but I thought it took a while to get past the world building parts.”
Step 2:
Talk About the Characters and Story Hook
Describe a favorite character or characters and what they’re striving to achieve. How did they drive the action? What about them stood out to you? Add 1 or 2 spoiler-free lines of what grabbed your attention. Not too much detail—just enough to entice or inform!
RAVE Examples:
“The details of the family and their background fascinated me. I’m now invested in these characters’ lives, so I want to know what is going to happen to them, especially to Ruth and Jeb.”
“When Jon Thurman and his family of smugglers get entangled in a manhunt for a godkiller they are forced out of hiding to face off against corrupt leaders and evil immortals. This will lead to learning things about their past that Jon would rather keep secret.”
Critical Example:
“With the amount of characters in the book, I found myself getting a little confused and lost in the storylines.”
Step 3:
Highlight the Book’s Strengths
What did the author really nail? What did you love about the world-building? The dialogue? Maybe the pacing or the action? Pinpoint a few of your favorite elements and share why they worked for you.
RAVE Examples:
“Remnant is a flintlock fantasy that is full of action scenes and deep character moments. This is a multi POV story with a strong and daring female perspective as well.”
“This is a highly detailed world with magic, shades, trolls, Fae, shapeshifters and other creatures. It's an intense epic fantasy with a complex storyline and multiple subplots, battles, and quests.”
Critical Example:
“The world-building does take up the first part of the book, but as the story moves along it feels like the different beings and powers are introduced very organically.”
Step 4:
Mention Areas for Improvement (Optional)
Were there parts of the book that didn’t quite hit the mark for you? Frustrations or unmet expectations? Mention them. Constructive reviews give credibility to your review, build trust with readers, and set realistic expectations for the book. What you may find as a drawback, another reader may love. Those multiple POVs you found a little tedious may be the secret sauce for another reader.
RAVE Examples:
“There is so much character and world building going on and it includes a map and multiple appendix for races, characters, places, etc. Sometimes the amount of points of view and different events got overwhelming but it got easier as I read.”
Critical Example:
“I had a bit of a hard time keeping track of all the characters and the different types of characters because there was so much going on. I didn't see the lists of characters until I finished the book.”
Step 5:
Wrap Up with Final Thoughts and a Rating
End your review by summarizing how you felt after finishing the book. Was it a satisfying conclusion? What type of reader would you recommend it to? If possible, compare it to a similar book. Lastly, give the book a rating (see below for criteria suggestions).
RAVE Examples:
“There is so much character and world building going on and it includes a map and multiple appendix for races, characters, places, etc. Sometimes the amount of points of view and different events got overwhelming but it got easier as I read.”
“I absolutely loved it. I am starting the second book immediately.”
“Solberg and Jacobson have done a great job of creating a lush and extensive new world, with a very complex and extensive storyline.”
Critical Example:
“Would I recommend this book? Yes, but with a small caveat: it takes some time to get into. If you love epic fantasy with deep world-building and multi-POV storytelling, you’ll enjoy it. If you prefer a more straightforward narrative, it might take a bit more patience. That said, once it finds its rhythm, it’s an exciting, well-crafted adventure.”
Rating criteria is subjective, but these are good guidelines followed by lots of experienced book reviewers:
1 Star: You really didn’t enjoy the book.
2 Stars: It had some good moments but wasn’t your cup of tea.
3 Stars: A solid read with some flaws, but enjoyable.
4 Stars: A great book with only a few minor issues.
5 Stars: An outstanding read—you absolutely loved it.
Conclusion
By simplifying the process into just a few key steps, writing a book review can become a joy rather than a hassle. Whether you loved or didn’t quite connect with a book, your review can help others decide if it’s the right fit for them. And remember, the most important part is to share your honest thoughts and put them where other readers can find them.
Pro Tip
Posting your review in multiple places helps authors immensely (especially indies). Writing your review in a note or document on your device means you can easily copy and paste it anywhere!