Let’s Talk About … Rating Criteria – Does It Differ Across Genres?

Hey dolls! A common method of reviewing a novel (or any product for that matter) involves assigning a numerical rating of some sort. I typically notice this done in star values ranging between one and five, but this number can vary. When I write reviews on Another Book in the Wall, I do attach a star value to it, based on how I think it compares to other novels. Nearly the entire selection of books I have read from in my life are fictional, so this makes it quite difficult for me to assign star ratings to non-fiction titles. I don’t have a sturdy foundation from which I gauge the quality of which non-fiction books are exceptional, and other are mediocre. I imagine other readers have similar conflicting feelings about how to rate fiction and non-fiction titles, but lately, I’ve been struggling to compare Contemporary Fiction with Fantasy/Sci-fi. These genres have a plethora of differences, but many similarities as well. Is a four-star rating interchangeable to books from both genres?

Personal And Technical Aspects And Their Influence

Although there isn’t a strict regiment reviewers follow when rating novels, I typically find that many choose to focus on:

• World Building
• Writing/Pacing
• Characters (Development & Likability)
• Themes/Messages
• Overall Execution and Enjoyment

While its simple to determine how well or poor a novel’s world building is, it can be quite challenging to incorporate aspects that are subjective, such as enjoyment. Rating scales are wonderful for assigning numerical values to objective aspects, but how do you incorporate your own personal experiences and opinions into a star value? Is it right to deduct a star from a book that is flawless in its technical aspects, but had a message you didn’t personally agree? Therefore, is this book, equivalent to one which lost a star for its poor execution or one-dimensional characters? It’s for this reason that I believe it’s vital for reviewers to explain how they rate their books and what aspects they look for in novels. I appreciate it when reviewers point out what they like and dislike about technical aspects, while also informing us of their own personal thoughts and feelings about purely subjective matters.

Are These Factors Measured Equally, Regardless of The Genre?

All novels are unique in their own ways, so it makes it no simple feat to compare them to one another. With that being said, should technical aspects be measured by the same standards across different genres? Is the world building in a fantasy novel comparable to the setting of a contemporary? Because these aren’t necessarily the same, I personally tend to focus mostly on their respective atmospheres – the emotions and feelings authors convey through their descriptions of the characters and environment. For the most part, I believe technical aspects can be analyzed with relative parity; however, there are a few factors that I think operate outside of this rule. One of which, is realism. I would like to think I can appropriately suspend my disbelief when reading fantasy novels, but where is the line drawn for realistic fiction? Realism is nearly impossible to define to begin with, but I usually can swallow any amount of nonsense, so long as it is befitting to the realms of the story. I’m often more forgiving of this when a novel originates from the Fantasy or Science Fiction genres, because the characters reside in worlds vastly divergent from our own.

Are Certain Genres Incapable of Being Compared?

Aside from Non-Fiction, there is one particular genre I never know how to aptly rate, because the novels from it are usually quite lovable, despite having numerous faults – fluffy YA romances. These types of novels are practically Hallmark Movies, but I almost have to force myself to look for issues, because I find these stories so enjoyable. Cliches and predictable endings are recurring factors, weaved throughout the entirety of these novels. But, how do these factors compare to novels from different genres that possess the same qualities? Are fluffy romances granted an excuse because predictability and stereotypes are expected and accepted in this genre? I’m afraid I will never resolve the battle within myself about how to rate novels from this genre, but would love to see your insight and thoughts on the matter!

Thanks for reading, dolls! How do you rate your books? What factors do you look at when thinking about your ratings? Do you rate differently depending on the genre? Let me know in the comments!Instagram | Twitter | Goodreads | Bloglovin