What makes a good review book? At Ensorcelled, our reviews fall into two categories: books we liked, and reasonably well-known books. The reason for this is very simple: those are the two kinds of reviews readers will be most interested in.

One thing a reader can get out of a book review is a recommendation, something new to look for at the bookstore or pick up at the library next time the opportunity comes along. While you may or may not agree with the review, at least you know that this book has been vetted by someone who reads a lot of fantasy or science fiction. Even if our tastes may be a bit different from yours. Conversely, if we review a book you haven’t heard of that we didn’t like, you probably haven’t gained much from reading our review.

However, a review of a well-known book is a different story. If the book is already on your mind, and you’re already considering reading it, knowing what a fellow reader thinks of the book may be enough to sway you one way or the other. (Hence my review of Twilight, a book I would probably never touch otherwise.) If we agree with an overwhelming public opinion, though, a review from us probably won’t help you much.

Reviews can also be useful for another family of visitors to the site: writers. By highlighting what we liked and didn’t like about a book, we are suggesting ways you can improve your own stories, as well as techniques to avoid or at least be careful using. While the best way to improve your writing is, of course, to write, reading works you can admire can certainly help as well.

When I write a review, the most important part is usually in the last paragraph: who would enjoy this book? More than any plot summary or technique critique, this is what a reader is looking for. The two types of books we review are the two types where this answer is most useful to you.

Feel free to send in suggestions of books for us to analyze and review by e-mailing us at reviews@ensorcelled.berkeley.edu. After all, we enjoy reading good books as much as anybody!