Rating books can be a challenge and since all rating systems can be highly subjective. I wanted to find something that was more set in stone. So today Im going to dig in to how I rate fiction books I read.

Originally for Just One More Chapter when I reviewed books I didn’t have a set system, I just based it on how I enjoyed the book on a basic 5 star scale. However when I started Way Up North I wanted to find a better way to rate the books I read, especially I wanted to breakdown how I rate fiction books I read.

As I was contemplating starting this site I started looking at book tube videos and I cam across Book Roast a YouTube channel by G. She has created a system as well as a google sheet and it seemed it was the perfect system for me to adapt for my reviews. So lets dig in deeper and Ill explain what I look at when I rate fiction books.

How I Rate Fiction Books Read

I will be utilising the CAWPILE rating system in order to rate the fiction books I will be reading and reviewing. For non-fiction books, the questions I ask myself as well as the categories I use are different.

The CAWPILE system is comprised of seven different categories. These categories make up the acronym CAWPILE. These categories are Characters, Atmosphere, Writing, Plot, Intrigue, Logic and Enjoyment. When you have the CAWPILE system in the back of your head when you are reading a book, while still easily being able to provide a honest and valuable review.

Let’s look more in depth at each of these categories.

Characters

While reading one of the main things I consider that effects what I think of a book is the characters. When looking at the characters there are numerous questions I ask myself. I ask myself if the characters, especially the main characters are memorable? Whether I am invested in the characters? Do I care what happens to them? Can I relate to them, do they seem real enough for the secondary characters I think about whether the characters add to the story. I also look at character development how the characters grow throughout the story or series.

Atmosphere

While reading the atmosphere and the world within the fiction realm is essential to influencing my thoughts. I also believe its one of the most important aspects that contribute to whether a book is successful or not. There are many questions I ask. The first thing I think about is if the world was immersive, did I feel like I was there? Was I able to perfectly envision the setting and everyone/everything involved like the characters. I also consider the energy that is portrayed is it right for that section, do I feel like I should and is it believable.

Writing

The next part I consider is the writing. I think this category is highly based on personal feelings and preference more so than many other categories.

When looking at the writing category I look at the flow of the story. Does it make sense. Is it too fast or too slow? Do some sections drag on while others move too fast, basically the pacing of the book. I also consider if the chapters end in cliffhanger and if I liked the writing style and finally if I would read other books by the same author.

Plot

The next category that gets thought about is the plot. Without a good plot the story would fall flat so this category is probably the most important that I look at. I want a balance plot, that at the end makes sense. It doesn’t have to make sense throughout the entire story but everything needs to click by the end.

While I do consider the pacing as well as cliffhangers in the writing section this is where I dig deeper into them. I consider if the pacing was appropriate for the actual plot at the time I think about if the overall plot was enjoyable I question the reveals within the plot, did I think they were done at the right time. Was it unique or did it seem too familiar? at the end did it leave me wanting more?

Intrigue

The next category is intrigue. Sometimes I find this category a challenge. However, if I simply don’t want to put the book down than it rates high.

The questions I try to think about is if I wish I could continually be reading instead of doing other things. Do I look forward to putting my nose back in the book or am I not as excited to pick it up again. Did I want to continue reading because I was interested in what was happening and the characters.

Logic

The next category is logic. While I consider the World Building in the atmosphere category I also consider it here. Here I really dig to whether the logic of the world building makes sense. I ask myself is this in line with the characters motives and personality. Do the rules of the world make sense and are they easy to follow. I also look at whether the characters broke any of these rules. The most important thing I ask myself does everything work within the story, the settings, the motives and the background, does it all add to the story or take away from it.

Enjoyment

The final category in the CAWPILE system is enjoyment. This is where my personal opinion truly comes in. My enjoyment of a book or my lack of enjoyment of a book could be higher or even much lower than any other rating. When I do think about my enjoyment I do think about whether my enjoyment stayed consistent throughout the entire book.

Next Steps

When Im done reading a book I hop on over to my google sheet that I am using from G at Book Roast. I put in all the information than head to the CAWPILE section to start putting my ratings in. Each category is given a score of 0-10 and the ratings that I use are inspired by Gs.

0-3 Really Bad

4-6 Average

7-8 Good

9 Really Good

10 Outstanding

Once I put each of the CAWPILE ratings in it generates a star rating. I feel like this is a much better way to get a star rating because it takes all relevant areas into consider and one category can not overwhelm all the others.

The Star Ratings work out by averaging all category ratings>

I rarely rate books two stars or below and typically the only reason a book would receive 0 stars is because it is a DNF, a book I didn’t finish. Although I really try not to post at all about those books, there might be a reason I do, and on occasion I might push through a book I would typically DNF.

If you are an author and would like to know more about how to get in touch with me for book reviews check out my Review Policy.

There you have how I rate the fiction books I read. What do you think about rating books? Are you for it or against it? What do you think of the CAWPILE system?