Advice please on reviewing books?

I started a blog trying to review the books I read. I have been lazy with my writing since I graduated college and I thought a way to work on my writing would be to review some of the books I read.





What makes a good review? I have been struggling with being able to explain the book without giving too much away. So I find that my reviews tend to be boring and flat. Here is a link to my blog I would appreciate any help.


http://darknovels.today.com/Advice please on reviewing books?
Most of the reviews on my books have shown a great interest in the story and my writing style.


First post the blurb from the book itself you can lift it from the author website usually or a sale outlet.


--- Second move into the movement and flow of the writer or the story. ie: 'the story has such a build up from beginning to end that the reader is quickly encompassed by the stark setting (or writing) and the energy of the characters (or words).


--- Third if the ending is your favorite part and you don't want to give it away talk about how it was a 'surprise to you' or 'unique in the way it was presented leaving the reader completely fulfilled (or expectant).


--- It also doesn't hurt to compare styles to other authors or the story to other books in the sense that if your audience is aware of the genre there is a good chance that they have heard of the other references and get a better idea of what the reviewer is saying.


--- Also mentioning the authors other works is good for the author even if you haven't read them. Many of my reviewers end with comments such as 'I hope her first novel is more satisfying' or 'I hope the second novel shows this authors staying powers in the industry'. For me even negative reviews have a positive response. Though people will like what they want they will go out and purchase a book in some cases to see if it is as bad as they say.





I went and read your reviews not bad. You are informative and give opinions based on your preferences. You will get better.





SGAdvice please on reviewing books?
Give a small blurb about the actual story but then switch to things like style, movement, flow. How did it affect you emotionally etc.





There is more to a book than just the story.





I hope I helped as I have never written a book review before.
Well basically you should start out with a quick summary, and quickly go into your favorite parts, with good details. You might also want to put the things you didn't like. Also add how you felt while reading those parts, to make it more vivid.