Rule One Book Ratings System

With only 20 days left until I post the first true Rule One indie book review, I'm  dropping the star ratings system.  The more I thought about it, the more I realized the star-ratings system for books is too controversial, too inaccurate and can be easily misunderstood or misinterpreted. I'm going to use words instead of symbols, because words are harder to misinterpret. This reader experience-based system is predicated on whether or not I can recommend the book and to whom I can recommend it to. Only books that can be positively recommended will be reviewed. 

​Here's how it works: 

Books with an UNSUSTAINABLE reading experience will not be reviewed.  These books do not reasonably meet minimal acceptable quality standards for a published work for one or more of the following reasons:
1. In need of significant editing as spelling, formatting or mechanical errors were common, highly noticeable and detracted from the book's overall experience.
2.  The novel's structure (plot, characters, flow, dialogue, etc.) was significantly flawed and strongly inhibited the reader from following the story due to unnecessary effort or distraction.  
3. The content does not meet basic literature expectations, was highly unoriginal, and possibly plagiarized
4. The presence of AI-generated content is strongly suspected. 
 
Books with an UNSATISFYING reading experience will not be reviewed. These books' overall reading experience is lacking and do not reasonably approach level of a contemporary traditionally-published book, in its genre or others, for one or more of the following reasons:
1. This book does not meet the expectations for consumers of that genre.  
2. Editing quality was poor, as spelling or mechanical errors were present, noticeable and detracted from the novel's overall experience.
​3. The novel's structure (plot, characters, flow, dialogue, etch) inhibited reader from  experiencing the story due to unnecessary effort or distraction.  
4. The story was highly unoriginal, borrowed heavily from other sources as it may border on plagiarism.
5. The presence of AI-generated content is suspected. 
 
"RECOMMENDED" - A positive reading experience
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This book provides the reader a satisfying experience, especially if the reader is already a fan the genre. This may not hold true for readers outside the genre. This book approaches the level of a contemporary traditionally-published book in its genre. This book met or exceeded the minimal editing quality of a traditionally published book. If spelling or mechanical errors were present, they were rare, hard to notice, and didn't detract from the novel's overall experience. The novel's structure (plot, characters, flow, dialogue, etc.) allowed reader to reasonably experience the story without unnecessary effort or distraction.  The story met genre expectations, though did not necessarily bring anything new to the literary form. ​
 
"HIGHLY RECOMMENDED" - A highly enjoyable reading experience. 
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This book provides the reader a fully entertaining experience, and may appeal readers outside the genre. This indie novel met or exceeded the level of a contemporary traditionally-published books in its genre. This novel met or exceeded the editing quality of traditionally published novel. If spelling or mechanical errors were present, they were rare, hard to notice, and didn't detract from the novel's overall experience. The novel's structure (plot, characters, flow, dialogue, etc) immersed the reader and provided an effortless reading experience.  The story not only met genre expectations , but brought something original to the literary form. 
 
"STRONGLY RECOMMENDED" - A rewarding and memorable reading experience. 
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This book provides the reader of any genre a deeply rich,  rewarding and memorable experience.  This novel fully met or exceeded the editing quality of traditionally published novels. Spelling or mechanical errors were virtually undetectable to the average reader.  The novel's structure (plot, characters, flow, dialogue, etc) sweeps up the reader, . exceeds genre expectations, and introduces a new dimension to the art form.
 
"EXCEPTIONALLY RECOMMENDED" - A transformative reading  experience.
​  
The overall story experience challenges and elevates the reader on an emotional and intellectual level. This book transcends genre. and is "must-reading" for a wider audience.  The reader is transformed by the experience, and will think of the book often and perhaps occasionally reread it. The book not only brings something new to the genre, but something completely new to literature itself. This book is a potential award-winner. ​