There are two types of reviews: peer reviews, in which you comment on 
another writer’s pieces, and reviews of published books that you are 
recommending as books to read. The purposes are different: in a peer 
review, you offer a reader’s perspective/ feedback to a fellow 
writing in order to help him/her improve his or her story. In a book 
review, the piece has obviously been finished and published, and your 
opinion won’t change the book one whit. Your opinion is aimed at 
other readers, not writers, to help them decide whether or not to 
read the book, and not what to change.

Another major difference between the peer and book reviews is the 
fact that your audience has not read the book yet- be careful that 
you don’t give away the ending! Be conscience of your audience at all 
times. Give them just enough detail to entice them, but not enough to 
blow their enjoyment of the book. 

So what is important to mention in a book review? Well, some of the 
same things you’d mention in a good peer review: your opinions of 
characters, plot, settings, style, etc. There is an extensive amount 
of overlap in this regard. You are not, however, required to be 
particularly nice about the book review, unlike a peer review. If you 
thought something really stunk, you may say it really stunk. You are 
unlikely to hurt the feelings of a published author. He or she has 
probably already accepted the fact that people’s tastes are 
different. At the same time, of course, avoid thinking that your 
opinion counts as more than just that- your opinion. It should avoid 
libel! In other words, "I think this author stinks" makes it clear 
that this is your opinion. "The author is an idiot beginner who can’t 
tell the difference between a Magnum and an Uzi" suggests that the 
defect of the author is fact, not opinion. This could be libelous. 

Just like writing a good peer review, it is also important to think 
about a book after reading it in order to give it a good review. You 
liked it? Great! What did you like about it? Uh-oh. Yep, time to get 
specific. Did you love the main character? Her relationship with her 
mother? The house she lived in? The fact that it is set in the South 
and everyone talks in dialect? Think about the basic stuff: plot, 
theme, characters, settings, tone, mood – and give it (or them all) a 
good, specific review. Show the reader a snapshot of what was best 
(or worst) about the book.

Book reviews should be easier than peer reviews for several reasons: 
one, you don’t know the author, and don’t have to tip toe around 
egos; two, the writing is good enough to get published, and should be 
clear and easy to read; and three, you don’t have to give advice. If 
you have hesitated to write a peer review, give book reviews a try. 
You get to write about a favorite (or least favorite) book, and 
convert a new fan for your favorite obsession!