Disliked a book and unsure how to say so? Here is how to write a negative book review: name what failed, give specific reasons, and judge the book rather than the author.
This guide sits within our wider book reviews collection.
| Item | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Goal of a critical review | Outline the elements that didn’t work for you and why |
| Focus | The merits of the book, not the author as an individual |
| Specificity | Say what didn’t work: plot, characterization or pacing |
| Spoilers | Steer clear of them |
| Rating | Make your rating match your critical thoughts |
The guidance above comes from NetGalley’s Bookish guide to critical reviews. Advice on platforms changes, so check the source before you rely on it.
Start by understanding why the book didn’t work
A vague “I just didn’t like it” helps nobody. Before you write, spend time on the why, and be as specific as possible.
Ask yourself which part let you down:
- The plot, such as holes, coincidences or a slow middle.
- The characters, such as flat or inconsistent people.
- The pacing, such as rushed endings or dragging chapters.
- A mismatch between what the blurb promised and what you got.
NetGalley’s guide says to tell readers specifically what didn’t work, and what could be improved, whether it was the plot, characterization or pacing.
Turn a gut reaction into evidence
Your first feeling is a starting point, not a review. Reread the passages that made you wince and note the chapter, so your claims rest on something concrete.
Compare a weak and a strong sentence:
- Weak: “The writing was terrible and boring.”
- Stronger: “Every chapter ends on the same cliffhanger, so the tension stopped working for me by the middle.”
The second tells a reader exactly what to expect, and they can decide whether it would bother them. A difference of taste, such as not enjoying slow literary fiction, is worth naming as taste rather than as a failing of the book.
Critique the book, not the author
Disliking a book can feel personal, especially when others loved it. That feeling is normal, and it is also why a pause before writing pays off.
The most common line between a fair review and a rant is who the criticism targets. The same guide advises you to focus on the merits of the book, rather than the author as an individual, and to be thoughtful and respectful about the work.
In practice, “the dialogue repeats itself in every chapter” is a review. Guessing at the writer’s motives, intelligence or personal life is not.
The same rule covers other readers. If a book is popular, you can explain why it missed for you without suggesting that fans have poor taste.
Separating the work from the person also keeps your review useful. A reader who shares your tastes will trust you more when your points stay on the page, and a reader who disagrees can still see your reasoning and make up their own mind.
How to write a negative book review step by step
- Give a short, spoiler-free summary so readers know what the book is.
- State your overall verdict early, in plain words.
- Explain the main problems, each with a specific example.
- Mention what did work, if anything did.
- Say who might still enjoy the book.
NetGalley’s guide notes that a glowing review is filled with praise, while a critical reviewer more often shares elements that both did and didn’t work. Naming a strength makes your complaints more believable.
Keep the summary brief. Readers came for your judgement, so most of the space should go to your reasons.
Spoilers, language and tone
Explaining a flaw without ruining the story is hard, but avoiding spoilers is part of the job. Describe the problem in general terms, such as “the ending undercuts the character’s earlier choices”, and use a spoiler warning if you must be specific.
Small word choices change how a critique lands. Phrases that own your opinion, such as “for me” or “this reader”, are honest, because they separate your reaction from a universal fact.
Watch for these habits:
- Sarcasm and mockery, which entertain but tell readers little.
- Absolute claims such as “nobody could enjoy this”.
- Comparisons that insult the author or other readers.
- Reviewing the book you wished the author had written instead of the one they wrote.
Think about who is reading. The guide says your review should reflect the audience you’re writing it for, whether that is a bookseller deciding on a title or a fellow reader choosing a weekend read.
It also admits that rant reviews are common, and that many readers have written one, but the aim is a review of real value to readers.
A calm tone is not the same as a weak verdict. You can say a book bored you, frustrated you or left you cold, and still be courteous about it.
Consider a short example. “The narrator keeps explaining other characters’ feelings, which left this reader no room to work anything out” is firm, specific and fair. It names the problem, owns the reaction and attacks nobody.
Match your rating to your words, then edit
A harsh review with a generous score confuses everyone. NetGalley’s guide warns that a critical review paired with a four star rating may be confusing to the publisher, author, and fellow readers.
Our guide on how to rate a book covers choosing a score, and what makes a good book review covers the qualities any review, kind or critical, should share.
Leave the draft for a few hours, then read it as a stranger would. A review written the moment you close the book tends to carry more heat than information.
Run through this checklist before posting:
- Does every complaint have a reason or an example behind it?
- Is anything aimed at the author personally? Cut it.
- Have you given away a twist or the ending?
- Does your rating agree with your tone?
- Would a reader who loves this genre still find the review useful?
If you cannot write something balanced right now, waiting or skipping the review is a respectable choice. Reviews are for readers, and nobody owes the internet an opinion on every book.
Frequently asked questions
Is it okay to write a negative review at all?
Show answer
Yes. Honest, specific criticism helps other readers decide. The aim is to be useful rather than to be negative for its own sake.
Should I mention the author by name?
Show answer
You can, since the book carries their name. Keep every comment about the work on the page, not the person.
What if I only read part of the book?
Show answer
Say so openly. Readers can then weigh your view fairly, and you avoid claiming knowledge of an ending you never reached.
How do I avoid sounding cruel?
Show answer
Stick to specifics, skip insults and sarcasm, and acknowledge anything that worked. Specific reasons read as fair; sweeping verdicts read as venting.
Can a negative review still recommend the book to someone?
Show answer
Yes, and it often should. Saying who might enjoy the book, such as readers who like a slower pace, gives your criticism context and helps the right reader find it.
