Rethinking the 5-Star Rating

An Op-Ed

Let’s talk about reviews.

Specifically, those little stars we hand out like candy—or like darts, depending on our mood. I’ve been meaning to write this for a while, because I think the 5-star system is due for a gentle, loving takedown renovation. Or at least, a retake.

Unless otherwise noted, all artwork is by the author. Visuals vary by post, but are typically created using a mix of original photography, commercially licensed Canva assets, Midjourney elements, Adobe Photoshop, and freehand design.

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First things first: I do not leave 1 or 2 star reviews. Ever.

(Well maybe if the dog dies.)

Why? Because I know how much work goes into writing a book. Even the ones I don’t connect with. Even the ones I don’t finish. Someone stayed up late for that book. They sacrificed time, sanity, and probably some friendships. So unless a book is actively harmful, or damagingly offensive, I’m not rating it below 3. That’s my personal ethic as both a reader and a writer.

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Here’s how my system works, let’s call it, the Simat-Star-Spangle:

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars)

A neutral rating. I didn’t love it, didn’t hate it. I’m heavily considering that it might not be for me—and hey, maybe I wasn’t the target audience. Maybe, not everything is written for me…shocking. Maybe something went over my head, probably something went over my head. Maybe I’m just not that cool or that smart.

That’s not your problem. So what you will get from me is constructive feedback, written in love, and not a feral rant because the book didn’t satisfy me. I mean it didn’t, but I’m not here to whine about it. I want to be a good literary citizen.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

I recommend the book. I enjoyed it. It gave me something. However, there are one (or two) areas that, in my humble reader-writer eyes, could be strengthened. I say this with respect and encouragement, not superiority. I say this in solidarity, that it is very hard to get it purfict.

YAYAY! I recommend it wholeheartedly! I want others to read it!

But let’s be clear: 5 stars does not mean it’s perfect. It just means it’s something special, and I endorse it. Because frankly, this whole 5-star metric is too crude to reflect perfection. But 5-stars can mean that I’m still thinking about your story three weeks later, and I absolutely am subscribing to your substack, and I am buying whatever you are selling. High-FIVE!

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Maybe one day we’ll get a 10-star system, and there will be room for a little nuance. Regardless of star count, when I leave a review, it’s not an outlet to punish (unless Fido was murdered), or warning others of the peril of the bad book, or a stage to show how smart I am based off my critique, but rather, it’s about engaging, being a part of a community, and honoring the craft.

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