how to write a good review

When in doubt, stick to the template.
-Begin with a reservation
-Counter the reservation
-End with praise
-Don't forget the headline!

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Begin with a reservation
To help your review feel genuine, start off with a hesitation you felt before purchasing the book. For example: "At first I thought this was going to be a knock off of '1984'..." or "The title is kinda corny..."

Then counter it
Whatever reservation you began with, now is the time to counter it. For example: "...but it actually turned out to be really original." or "...but the writing was excellent."

And end with praise
Talk about what you liked. The characters, the writing, the plot, the mood, the relevance to today's world, whatever you want! For example: "I thought all the connections to '1984' were really interesting."

*Don't forget the headline: Try and write something that catches people's attention. A shortened version of your initial reservation + your counter to it will usually work just fine.

The final product: Your review can be however long or short you want. Just follow the template, be natural, and be honest.

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There ya have it! Feel free to send an email to mason@masonengel.com if you still have questions. Get back to the review guide here.