The recent RTB column about reviews and readers in search of more information about a book made me ponder a little. At least one person didn’t mind spoilers; she wanted as much information as possible. There was some frustration expressed over only getting to read an excerpt and cover copy and see the cover.

I dunno about this. I can tell a lot about a book by the cover, cover copy, excerpt, and the author and publisher. Publisher? Yes. For instance, I’ve taken chances on lots of Avon’s debut authors and not been sorry. It’s a line that’s built trust with me. I discovered Julia Quinn that way and have continued to buy her books based solely on the author’s name. I like her voice. I know that whatever she writes will be a read I enjoy.

An excerpt gives me a glimpse of the author’s writing style and skill. I don’t really have to read much of a book to know if it’s well-written. In a book store, if I’m borderline on a book I’ll open it up and read the first paragraph. It doesn’t take much more to make my decision. (BTW, this doesn’t always work. I would never, ever, ever have read anything by Roger Zelazny based on first paragraph or first page because he always has awful openings. But once you get past that and into the story, you can’t beat him for a good time.)

My point being that it doesn’t take in-depth reviews with tons of spoilers to convince me I’ll like a given book. In fact, I avoid spoilers at all costs. I don’t want the entire plot given away.

Here in my blog I’m pretty vague about my own books because I don’t want to introduce spoilers. There are some things in Dangerous Games that if the reader knew about in advance might break the tension. I don’t know that for sure, but I suspect it would. I know that as a reader, I would prefer not to have the story given away. I want to see it unfold as I read.

I’m also vague about works in progress, but that’s for a different reason. Or reasons. Like, in the beginning I don’t know everything. Stories always surprise me as they unfold. I don’t want to be misleading when a story turns into something I didn’t expect. Also, I am very protective of works in progress. I don’t like to expose the seedling idea until it’s had a chance to grow into a state that’s able to withstand scrutiny. (Premature praise is just as bad as premature criticism. But aside from that, a developing idea is vulnerable to being twisted into something that may not be its proper form by early input.)

All in all, I like to be warned up front when spoilers are forthcoming, because in that case I would skip the review. Which is why I always say “spoilers” when I do a review containing ’em. But I do like to know what a reviewer thought. What was well done, what didn’t work? That’s tough to do while staying out of spoiler territory.

So I think in the end reviews, like books, can’t please everybody. You just have to find those sources you trust to provide what you’re looking for.