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Author Topic: Reviews with Spoilers  (Read 1480 times)

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Lord Anubis

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Reviews with Spoilers
« on: April 19, 2010, 11:16:00 AM »

So, I know I'm silly and old-fashioned and think people should learn things through experiencing them, not reading them on the internet...

But...

It struck me that I've had two "ehhhh" reviews for Ex-Heroes so far.  I'm not going to whine about it, even though I'm a bit baffled by the reasons both reviewers had for their mediocre--but not negative-- reviews.  It's a niche book, it's not going to appeal to everyone.  That's life.  Besides, the majority of the reviews are still pretty overwhelmingly positive.  ;)

What I can't figure out however is that both of these reviews decided to toss out a bit of information that isn't revealed until the second-to-last chapter of the book.

Now, this isn't a huge spoiler.  It's not like they announced Bruce Willis is dead for the whole movie or Verbal Gint is Keyser Sose or Darth Vader is really Luke Skywalker's father.  But it's still a spoiler, and it's pretty obvious it's a spoiler because this little fact is not revealed until--again-- the second-to-last chapter of the book.  There's a reason I put it there and not on page one, where it could've fit quite nicely.  I wanted to have a few small reveals in the denouement of the story as things settled down.

Instead, these two reviewers have taken it upon themselves to kick the legs out from under that little reveal.  And I'm a bit surprised because that's sort of critical review 101--don't give away material from the last third of whatever you're reviewing.

Am I alone in my annoyance, or do other folks see examples of this, too?  Is this just a given now, that a reviewer can give away anything in their review?  Is it just the internet, where anyone can claim to be a professional even when they make extremely amatuerish mistakes?

Okay... end rant.   :)
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Jessica Brown

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Re: Reviews with Spoilers
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2010, 12:19:28 PM »

No, it's still extremely unprofessional, even online. I think the majority of people don't sit down and analyze their thoughts before committing them to whatever site they're posting them on, and they either don't realize or don't care that they're giving key plot points away.

Personally, I tend to be a bit too vague most of the time, but I'd prefer that to being the idiot who throws out spoilers.
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Victorya

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Re: Reviews with Spoilers
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2010, 01:56:16 PM »

I was once reading a book, and happy to hear the author was doing a free question and answer and reading of said book.

I was halfway through, she read the ending.  I got mad.

Really?

Don't give stuff away!
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frank

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Re: Reviews with Spoilers
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2010, 02:28:29 PM »

Maybe I'm missing something.  These reviews would have been more spoilerish if they had seemed to get what was going on leading up to the big battle.

As for all that wasn't presented:  My God!  It's a small book obviously following a few of the many possible threads.

Part of being a critic is recognizing an author's intentions, and not complaining much about what wasn't attempted instead of evaluating what was.

I also notice that little specific was offered to back up rather broad judgments.  Maybe you can do that if you have cred, but I wasn't impressed.  Shoot, if you know your stuff you can and should make comparisons to other specific works and writers.  Being as general as these critics were suggests a certain lack of confidence or competence.
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Matthew

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Re: Reviews with Spoilers
« Reply #4 on: April 19, 2010, 02:29:44 PM »

DARTH VADER IS LUKE'S FATHER!?!

I'm not speaking to you any more.
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Re: Reviews with Spoilers
« Reply #5 on: April 20, 2010, 03:05:43 PM »

Reading EX HEROES right now. I am enjoying this book quite a bit.
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Thom Brannan

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Re: Reviews with Spoilers
« Reply #6 on: June 09, 2010, 01:03:43 PM »

my review was short and included no spoilers. so there. but, i have to ask you . . . in an email. yes.
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Lord Anubis

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Re: Reviews with Spoilers
« Reply #7 on: June 09, 2010, 02:21:48 PM »

And my answer to that email question is... because then I wouldn't have anything for the third book. 

 ;)
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Thom Brannan

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Re: Reviews with Spoilers
« Reply #8 on: June 09, 2010, 02:31:56 PM »

really? or are you just making me sound smart? hah. because we all know that's a chore.
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"Did you find anything else, Jack? Any more homicidal housewares? I think I see a toaster back here. We should call SWAT."  - Lady Sidhe, Sad Wings of Destiny

"Brannan and Snell have staked their claim to survival horror's top spot."—Joe McKinney, author of Apocalypse of the Dead and Flesh Eaters

Lord Anubis

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Re: Reviews with Spoilers
« Reply #9 on: June 09, 2010, 02:39:18 PM »

Well, I had scribbled down a few Ex-Patriots notes that revolved around the exact issue you were asking about, and all the things it implied.  Then, as that story started to flesh out more and more, I realized it probably wasn't going to fit in that story.

However, I'd already jotted down a few ideas for a maybe-there'll-even-be-a-third book, and I realized said issue meshed very well with those ideas.

And that's all I'm going to say about that...  :)
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"That's just my point, group-captain.  Nothing remotely human did."


A lie is just a perfectly good story someone ruined with the truth.

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Thom Brannan

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Re: Reviews with Spoilers
« Reply #10 on: June 09, 2010, 02:41:32 PM »

so what's next? Ex-Earthlings?
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"Did you find anything else, Jack? Any more homicidal housewares? I think I see a toaster back here. We should call SWAT."  - Lady Sidhe, Sad Wings of Destiny

"Brannan and Snell have staked their claim to survival horror's top spot."—Joe McKinney, author of Apocalypse of the Dead and Flesh Eaters

Lord Anubis

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Re: Reviews with Spoilers
« Reply #11 on: June 09, 2010, 02:47:34 PM »

Quote
And that's all I'm going to say about that...   :)

 :D
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Thom Brannan

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Re: Reviews with Spoilers
« Reply #12 on: June 09, 2010, 03:09:54 PM »

grr.
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"Did you find anything else, Jack? Any more homicidal housewares? I think I see a toaster back here. We should call SWAT."  - Lady Sidhe, Sad Wings of Destiny

"Brannan and Snell have staked their claim to survival horror's top spot."—Joe McKinney, author of Apocalypse of the Dead and Flesh Eaters

Rakie

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Re: Reviews with Spoilers
« Reply #13 on: June 10, 2010, 02:45:08 AM »

you're a pair of jerks.   >:(

;)
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Lord Anubis

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Re: Reviews with Spoilers
« Reply #14 on: June 11, 2010, 04:15:43 PM »

my review was short and included no spoilers. so there.


Quote
But it, read it, love it, but the author about the sequel.

But the author?

What are.... ummmm... what are you getting at here, Thom...  ???

 :bugeye:


 :D
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"Don't worry, Doctor.  Nothing remotely human could have survived that blast."
"That's just my point, group-captain.  Nothing remotely human did."


A lie is just a perfectly good story someone ruined with the truth.

Writer on Writing ---musings on writing for movies, books, fun, and profit--
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