Reviewing an ebook edition of a book on EF without having read the physical copy, is it acceptable?

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Reviewing an ebook edition of a book on EF without having read the physical copy, is it acceptable?

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Contributor: namelesschaos namelesschaos
So I was reading a review yesterday and the author noted that they only read the ebook version of the book. Now Eden only sells physical books so I was wondering how people feel about this.

Me, I think it is acceptable but I do feel the author should note that they are reviewing the ebook. There are obviously something someone who only read the ebook couldn’t comment on such as the binding on the book and so on, but I don’t consider that information essential enough to invalidate the usefulness and legitimacy of the review.

However, I ‘m curious if the rest of EF thinks this is acceptable.
Answers (public voting - your screen name will appear in the results):
It is acceptable, if the author states they are reviewing an ebook version
namelesschaos , LikeSunshineDust , DeliciousSurprise , Darling Jen , Lady Venus , Jobthingy , Selective Sensualist , Tori Rebel , darthkitt3n , sixfootsex , Jul!a , Yoda , El-Jaro , Alys , pinkcupcakes , danellejohns , Coralbell , liilii080 , Waterfall , loveshocks , Kindred , Airen Wolf , markeagleone , potstickers , tigerkate , ZenaidaMacroura , ~LaUr3n~ , Lily Night , Miss B Haven , Astia , Gunsmoke , slynch , Solar Ray , Miss T , lunapixie , BexvanKoot , 0 , Diabolical Kitty , Lummox , kawigrl , firekitten , MaryExy , Joie de Cherresse , Howells , PumpkinJuice , unfulfilled , Andrey2052 , Sir , Leather & Lace , Mikemanz , roskat , MistressDandelion
52  (85%)
It is acceptable, whether or not they state they are reviewing an ebook version.
Shellz31 , Lio , Taylor , toxie m , BBW Talks Toys , G.L. Morrison , Rockin' , Gone (LD29)
8  (13%)
It is unacceptable
It depends
bunny love
1  (2%)
Other (Please explain)
Total votes: 61
Poll is closed
02/16/2011
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Contributor: Shellz31 Shellz31
As long as the books are the exact same - then it doesn't bother me at all and I think it's fine.
02/16/2011
Contributor: DeliciousSurprise DeliciousSurprise
I think that, provided that there are no substantial changes between the ebook and physical versions (sometimes newer/later editions have new add-ons or subtractions) then it's fine--though I do think it should be noted that you are reviewing an ebook rather than a physical book.
02/16/2011
Contributor: Darling Jen Darling Jen
I think it's fine as long as you state it's the ebook version and if it's a different publication edition. There can be minor changes in those but at least you're fairly warning readers. Also, there is a little info left out of an ebook version about how sturdy the spine is, if the binding is attractive or not, if the pages are thin or thick, etc. But generally the physical properties of a book aren't as important as the actual content, though important to include if you have the book.
02/16/2011
Contributor: Jobthingy Jobthingy
More and more people are getting those electronic reader things these days so it is more common and will continue to be. It is no worse then someone ordering a porn off PPV and reviewing it here.
02/16/2011
Contributor: toxie m toxie m
The only way I think this would make a difference is if the physical book had some special feature that completely didn't translate to ebook, like a book about sex in water that had waterproof pages, or such. Otherwise I think it's pretty well the same to review one or the other. People read the reviews for the book's content, not to know how well the spine's gonna hold up (well, thats what I read them for, anyway haha)
02/16/2011
Contributor: BBW Talks Toys BBW Talks Toys
Quote:
Originally posted by Jobthingy
More and more people are getting those electronic reader things these days so it is more common and will continue to be. It is no worse then someone ordering a porn off PPV and reviewing it here.
Yes! ^^^ This.
02/16/2011
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
I don't see a problem with it so long as they mention it's the e-book version and they can't attest to any physical properties of the book.
02/16/2011
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
I think it'd be fine. It hasn't really come up before that I know of.
02/16/2011
Contributor: G.L. Morrison G.L. Morrison
Quote:
Originally posted by namelesschaos
So I was reading a review yesterday and the author noted that they only read the ebook version of the book. Now Eden only sells physical books so I was wondering how people feel about this.

Me, I think it is acceptable but I do feel the author ... more
I'm amused and enchanted that the book review form has a section for "binding" etc. I definitely made a note of it in my reviews posted here but I've been reviewing books for years and the idea that the review of a book is or should be about anything but author or the content of the book is RIDICULOUS.

Classic books (and many others) bounce from edition to edition, from publisher to publisher. Do you really think I should request a copy of the most recent edition or reread it again? Advance copies that are sent to reviewers are often basically bound galleys --without cover art and may be different even textually (though not significantly one hopes) from the book that will hit the market.

The edition advertised for sale or pictured on the web site alongside your review is not guaranteed to be the same printing/edition as the one you read. Some changes may occur from printing/edition (not substantive changes, of course but errors corrected, forwards, author credits) and if the publisher has changed printers between editions then the quality of paper, etc.

If you're putting the ISBN number in your review okay then be pedantic. If it's review by title, then that's what you are reviewing: the titled work.

Obviously a reviewer shouldn't make up information that's unavailable to them. But cover art and other info can be found online without a physical copy. And a truly dedicated reviewer could stop in Barnes & Noble and take notes on the physical edition.
02/16/2011
Contributor: Alys Alys
I'm pretty sure that this came from my review of The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women: link, and I wasn't sure originally if I should review it here, but seeing as it was the content of this book that I was so impressed by, both the writing and the illustrations, I figured it'd be okay. I made sure to mention that it was an eBook, and that I wasn't able to comment on the physical attributed of the book.
02/16/2011
Contributor: Rockin' Rockin'
I guess a review is more complete if the reviewer included information about the book format, but I read book reviews to learn about the book's content. I don't really care about the binding, page thickness, or cover art.
02/16/2011
Contributor: danellejohns danellejohns
I figure that as long as the reviewer states that it was not a "physical" copy I am okay with it. Not really that it matters to me but to some it might. If I read a review on the book I am looking at what the book is about and such. If I like it I can then go and do my own research on the non-essential details such as covers.
02/16/2011
Contributor: liilii080 liilii080
Just let me know you got it in the e-version so I can too
02/16/2011
Contributor: markeagleone markeagleone
Quote:
Originally posted by namelesschaos
So I was reading a review yesterday and the author noted that they only read the ebook version of the book. Now Eden only sells physical books so I was wondering how people feel about this.

Me, I think it is acceptable but I do feel the author ... more
I believe that you have an obligation to state what you are reviewing. It would be hard to say the book has great covers and is well made if you are looking at a computer screen. Other than that, I find that it would be fine to review it that way.
02/17/2011
Contributor: tigerkate tigerkate
Quote:
Originally posted by liilii080
Just let me know you got it in the e-version so I can too
Agreed, lol.

I mean, if it is stated that it's the e-book, the reviewer CAN review additional things, like formatting and whatnot.
But I feel a review on a book is more about content, not about the format, book binding, etc.

After all, we don't judge a book by its cover, do we?
02/17/2011
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
As long as it is the same edition, I don't see a problem with it.
02/17/2011
Contributor: namelesschaos namelesschaos
it seems we are all in agreement that it is acceptable, good to know I have some book in ebook format i may review someday.

Although i do think it good to say your reviewing an e-book version. Another reason I thought of why it might be relevant is that most e-book readers are black and white a book that is in color with a lot of figures may not translate well in to that format.
02/17/2011
Contributor: ScottA ScottA
I would say to note that it was an e-book, and to try and make sure that you have the same edition. The printing doesn't matter, but for nonfiction books there can be substantial changes between editions, especially if you have a "first edition" published in 1984 and the book is currently in its fourth edition. I know that this is extreme and unlikely, but the concept still holds - some things change, and newer editions can cover different activities or have newer medical research included, and if the edition you review doesn't match the one that is being sold it can be confusing.

I know that ideally the binding/paper/etc. doesn't matter, but I know personally there have been times I've thought that the price was very high on certain books and yet the quality of the paper and binding was very shoddy and wouldn't last.
02/17/2011
Contributor: bunny love bunny love
Well, as a hobbyist bookbinder, the binding and quality of the physical book makes a difference to me. For example, a perfect bound book is going to come apart much sooner than a well sewn book.

I would want to know if someone was reviewing an ebook if they were reviewing a book of art or anther book where the quality of the print is important. However, I'm not particularly concerned about the binding if it's just a paperback book that I won't be referencing frequently, and I wouldn't care if somebody was reviewing a digital copy versus a print copy.
02/18/2011
Contributor: Solar Ray Solar Ray
The story and content are what's important to me so whether it's an e-book or hardcover/softcover doesn't make much difference. Certainly people can make a note of physical features of a book in their review if they like but to say you shouldn't even review an e-book copy because it's not a physical version of a book is silly really.
04/10/2011
Contributor: Diabolical Kitty Diabolical Kitty
I think as long as the reviewer states that they are reviewing the e-book and not the physical version I don't see a problem with it.
04/18/2011
Contributor: kawigrl kawigrl
i don't read book by the cover so yeah ebook shouldn't really vary that much what matters is the actual content not its form
04/19/2011
Contributor: Linga Linga
I think it's perfectly fine, as long as it's the exact same book. Not an abridged version or something
04/19/2011
Contributor: Andrey2052 Andrey2052
It is acceptable, if the author states they are reviewing an ebook version
09/21/2012
Contributor: Sir Sir
Of course. You're reviewing the product, not Edenfantasys itself.
09/21/2012
Contributor: ToyGeek ToyGeek
Quote:
Originally posted by G.L. Morrison
I'm amused and enchanted that the book review form has a section for "binding" etc. I definitely made a note of it in my reviews posted here but I've been reviewing books for years and the idea that the review of a book is or should ... more
I was going to say this. Now I don't have to bother.
09/21/2012
Contributor: Leather & Lace Leather & Lace
If it's the same, then yes, it's fine
09/21/2012
Contributor: namelesschaos namelesschaos
Quote:
Originally posted by Sir
Of course. You're reviewing the product, not Edenfantasys itself.
I don't understand you comment. It don't understand how this constitutes reviewing EF at all. My question is about review two different edition of the same product it has nothing at all to do with EF your could transplant this question to any site that review books.
09/22/2012
Contributor: roskat roskat
I don't think there's an issue with it as long as it's stated.
09/26/2012