I’ve come across some controversy online about 5 star reviews lately and I’d love your take on the subject. Basically, some readers are saying that ‘true’ 5 star reads are rare, if not impossible to find and they criticized reader reviewers who leave a lot of 5 star reviews (Yikes! That’s me!) They object to these ‘false’ high reviews because they distort the ‘true’ rating of the book and do a disservice to other readers. Heated exchanges ensued and became quite hoity-toity literary in my humble opinion – almost like they were talking about professional, critical reviewers instead of bibliophiles who share reviews as an extension of their hobby (or bookish obsession, whichever fits!)
I have to say, it quite surprised me to see these kinds of negative conversations going on amongst fellow book lovers. You’d think we’d be united in our passion for stories and we all understand that not every book is the right match for every reader so shouldn’t that also be reflected in our reviews?
Anyway, this got me to thinking about how I approach starring my reviews and wondering if I am letting the team down, so to speak, in my over enthusiastic ratings? So here’s the discussion question:
What criteria do you use to determine a 5 star rating?
I’ve been living in a happy bubble where most of my reads end up being 5 stars. Perhaps I’m delusional or maybe it’s just that I’m approaching ratings in a very different way?
I consider my relationship to the story, as opposed to taking an objective look at literary devices, word usage etc. Sometimes beautiful writing moves me and I’ll note that in my written review, but mostly a 5 star read is one that:
- engages me wholeheartedly, often to the point that it’s jarring to resurface into my ‘real’ world.
- I connect with characters, have to love MCs, but even loving to hate their nemesis keeps me engaged and invested in the story as well.
- I become emotionally invested
- I think about the plot and or/characters throughout the day when I’m not reading the book. Sometimes I even dream about them.
- I look forward to picking up where I left off and/or find it hard to put the book down
- And when I reach the end I experience the blissful contentment of a story well told.
Fortunately (or unfortunately according to some reviewers,) most of the books I read meet this criteria. I think, partly, because I’ve fine-tuned my ability to pick out books I know I’ll enjoy. Also, I readily DNF ones that don’t interest me. But mostly, I think I’m easy to entertain and I appreciate a good story and why shouldn’t I give it a 5 star rating if it made me happy?
So, what do you think? I’d love to hear how you determine a 5 star read. Oh — and 4.5s – what’s with that? What keeps a 4.5 star read from being a 5 star read? Reviewers never say, but they gush over every aspect of the book and I’m left wondering why they couldn’t just give the poor story a 5 star rating? 🙂
Share your thoughts in a comment and I’ll enter you in a draw for:
Kav's Best Reads 
As long as people are being sincere and fair about their rating (high or low), they can do whatever they want. It’s their review, not mine.
You give your reasons in detail so people should be glad to read your WHY!
Sometimes I read reviews and endorsements that have such a generic write-up that I truly wonder how they could have read the book. Clicks and likes, I guess??
I do not give five stars easily. I save them for books that *really* wow me. If they completely blew me away, they get 5+ stars. If it was good or really good, they will get 4, 4.25. My average rating each month is almost always between 4 and 4.25.
I do not agree with those who say a person can’t leave a low rating or review. I’m going to be honest either way. I don’t enjoy it but I have to be honest. I try to say it as politely as I can. I will DNF if I need to and have no qualms about that either. I rarely do it but I will. It may not be for me but perhaps someone will find a way to appreciate it.
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