What do my Star Ratings Mean?

Like many rating and review sites across this great, wide web – I use Stars to define how much I liked, or disliked, a book. But what do my Star Ratings mean?

Please note, this rating system (with 1/2 stars) is for my blog only. When I rate on Goodreads or Amazon, I rate UP from its lowest met criteria. So if a book earns a 3.5 for the blog, it would gain a 4 star rating on Goodreads and Amazon. I do this for two reasons: First, they do not offer 1/2 star options on those platforms, and second, Authors work hard to put their work out there. I may not enjoy every page of their efforts, but I can respect their time and energy – and those reviews help them sell books. How can I argue with that?

What do my Star Ratings mean? A Break Down.

5 out of 5 Stars

Books that earn a 5 star rating from me meet, and often exceed, the following criteria:

I LOVED it!
They are entertaining
Unique – if the plot or theme is familiar, it MUST have a new take to earn a 5
No editing issues
Would beg you to read it
Kept me captivated from beginning to end
Literary value, along with content
No obvious plot holes

4.5 out of 5 Stars

Books that earn a 4.5 star rating from me meet all of the following criteria:

I almost Loved it
Entertaining
Unique, if the plot or theme is familiar, it MUST have a new take or view, no matter if we are talking about vampires, teenage love or the chicken that crosses the road.
No obvious editing issues
Would definitely recommend
Kept me interested from beginning to end
Literary value, along with content
No obvious plot holes

4 out of 5 Stars

Books that earn a 4 star rating from me meet most of the following criteria:

I liked it
Entertaining
Unique, offering new views of familiar themes if they are present
No obvious editing issues, or if some are present, they are not glaring
Would definitely recommend
Kept me interested
Literary value, along with content
No obvious plot holes

3.5 out of 5 Stars

Books that earn a 3.5 star rating from me meet most of the following criteria:

It was decent… but I have questions
Interesting
Unique enough
Would still recommend
Some editing issues may be present, does not detract
Literary value, along with content
Plot holes are minor, if present

3 out of 5 Stars

Books that earn a 3 Star rating form me meet most of the following criteria:

It was okay
Average
Would recommend with reservations
If this is part of a series, I will most likely NOT continue it
Some editing issues may be present, may detract (or not – I will note in review)
Plot holes may make me stumble and lower the rating

2.5 out of 5 Stars

Books that earn a 2.5 Star Rating from me have most of the following characteristics:

Little less than okay, but probably finished it (Hey, I’m a glutton for literary punishment!)
Very average
Probably would not recommend
If part of a series, will NOT finish
Editing issues (will note in review if present)
Plot Holes (will note in review if present)

2 out of 5 Stars