Here’s what my star ratings mean when I review books. I use this system to help you (and future me!) understand how a book made me feel, how well it was crafted, and how likely I am to recommend it. I’ve tailored my ratings to be Middle Earth inspired for a bit of fun!
You’ll notice I don’t give 1-star reviews. That’s because…
❌ Why No 1-Star Ratings?
I tend to DNF (Did Not Finish) books I’m not enjoying. Life’s too short and my TBR is too long. Since I only rate books I’ve finished, the lowest rating you’ll usually see from me is 2 stars.
“Not all those who wander are lost… but I definitely was.”
So if you do see a 2-star review, know that I pushed through to the end — which means something in it kept me reading, even if it ultimately didn’t work for me.
🌟🌟 2 Stars
“One does not simply… enjoy this book.”
This means:
- Had potential, but didn’t deliver
- Possibly some interesting ideas or moments, but poorly executed
- Maybe okay for a very specific audience
🌟🌟🌟 3 Stars
“It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt… over something so average.”
This means:
- An average read – not bad, not amazing
- Enjoyable in parts, but didn’t leave a strong impression
- Might recommend with caveats
🌟🌟🌟🌟 4 Stars
“Even the smallest page can change the course of the future.”
This means:
- Strong writing, great characters, compelling story
- I was engaged most of the time
- Would recommend
- Maybe something held it back from 5 stars (e.g., pacing, ending, tropes I don’t love)
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5 Stars
“I would rather spend one lifetime reading this, than face all the ages of the world without it…”
This means:
- Absolutely loved it, would shout about it from rooftops
- Beautifully written, emotionally resonant, or just pure joy
- I still think about it long after finishing
- I want everyone I know to read it
💭 Half Stars?
Sometimes I use half-stars (like 2.5, 3.5 or 4.5) when a book doesn’t quite fit a full rating. These are mostly for nuance and reflect how conflicted or mixed my feelings were.
🔄 Ratings Can Change
My opinions evolve! A 4-star book might feel more like a 3.5 a year later—or vice versa.
🧁 Personal Taste Disclaimer
Star ratings are subjective. A 2-star read for me might be a 5-star favourite for you, especially if we have different reading tastes. I try to explain why I rated a book the way I did, so take the stars as a quick summary, not the full story.
