What makes you give a story a 5-star rating?

[RepresentingWrath]

The original thread slightly derailed from the topic, so I made this one. Shamelessly borrowed(stole) the idea from @Azazel_E

In my opinion, a rating or review that sometimes comes along with a rating is for other readers, not the author. If they should or should not try and read the story. Time is the most precious resource a person can possibly have. If you start reading a novel that isn't to your liking, you lose the time dedicated to reading something you might've liked. It doesn't matter if I liked\disliked the subjective factors, which consist of the theme\genres personalities of the characters, and so forth. I try to look into it objectively, look into the quality of the writing and the logic behind the story. That's why I have never given any story a 5-star rating. I think the only reason to give anyone a 5 star is if the story is 4.5-4.75 while the rating of the said story is somewhat 'low' compared to the other stories.


How about you? What makes you give a story a good rating? How do you feel about 5-star reviews and what deserves them? It's not about what you like in the story, by the way. It's about what criteria you use when rating something a 5 star.

 

[Azazel_E]

Shameless!

A big part of 5-stars for me is the 'wow' factor. There are plenty of good stories online. For the perfect score, you have to give me something jaw-dropping. All the stars for the unexpected, the unique, and the awesome.

Some examples:

Solo Leveling- really, the story itself was a little predictable and the premise of weak-to-strong is completely overdone but the art. THE ART! Five stars all the way (talking about the manhwa which is not a novel but eh).

Katalepsis- pretty sure I mentioned this before. The imagery of Outside and character development is...out of this world (I think I'm funny).

Metaworld Chronicles- author doesn't post to SH (unlike Katalepsis) but the worldbuilding is insane. I can feel the hours Wuto must have spent at a computer doing research.

 

[KoyukiMegumi]

4-5* is for unique stories with great plots no crazy errors. I am a picky reader though.

To me they can have some mistakes but not so many that make me wonder what I am reading. Or make it hard to follow what is going on.

 

[Lloyd]

If I like it I give it a five. If i don't, then I don't rate it. Simple

 

[LordJoyde]

A five star story is one that is brave enough to reject all common forms of already written fiction. Originality is dead in this century as everything has already been written, thought up, used and abused, but managing to write something incredibly unique in spite of this fact? Now that, is deserving of all the thumbs ups, wows, amazings, and 5 star ratings that the world can offer.

... well, so long as its not shit in other ways.

 

[JayDirex]

If I like it I give it a five. If i don't, then I don't rate it. Simple

Exactly ^

Heck, I for real don't even believe in the star system anymore. Just like the story or don't (the same way youtube does it)

 

[The_Everdistant_Utopia]

Spoiler: rant on ratings

Judging whether you should read it or not by the ratings is honestly the biggest bullshit possible for me. I can understand reviews, as it may elucidate some things that may make or break the premise for you, but even then I'd still advise people to read regardless if they found the premise interesting. Letting your reading habits be beholden to numbers on a screen is just such an asinine idea I can't even fathom. That's at least my two cents, to be honest. Yes, time is a precious resource, but basing your opinions in other people's say-so just doesn't vibe with me. That's all. Don't @ me.

I generally only rate things I find enough enjoyment to rate a 5, to be fair. If I have to give any other rating, I usually sit down and ponder whether it would be worth to leave a review, since I don't feel like just dropping a mid~low rating without explaining why.

Ah, and of course. Rate Lewd Poems 1 star.

 

[LordJoyde]

If I like it I give it a five. If i don't, then I don't rate it. Simple

That's the viewpoint of an author if I've ever seen one~

Which I think most of us here will agree with.

 

[BenJepheneT]

Ratings are meaningless, to me, at least. At first, my rating depends on my enjoyment of the media, and whether it abides by my sense of quality in regards to its artistic intentions and medium. Then throughout the years I've read shlock isekai mangas, watched disposable crime action thriller movies and played annually released triple-A bargain bin game titles that I've enjoyed more than other critically-acclaimed works of art and found myself discovering more revelations and philosophies when the art itself never intended so.

After that, it became a game of chance. Of course, not every harem ecchi flavour of the season or Bruce Neeson Wahlberg flick gives something of value to me, but neither does every legendary top 50 MAL manga or >85% Rotten Tomato pick. I've come to realize that there are so many factors at play for discerning a work's quality, and that stretches out beyond the art itself. Expectations, marketing, life experiences, personal opinions; they all play a part in whether I like something or not, or even redefine what I'd have originally think of the work as a whole.

I can't even rate anything as a form of encouragement: who knows if the creator takes it the wrong way and do something in an entirely different direction? I may be praising their excellence in A and they end up with B? It happened with Kojima; everyone praised him so well on his unorthodox yet effective storytelling in MGS 3 that coincided with gameplay that he went full ballistics on the former and straight-up forgot about the latter. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed Death Stranding for what it is, but I can't help but wonder what other more ideal heights would that man reached if everyone was more reserved with their five stars. Would the man be more introspective, or would he still be the same because the ratings never affected him one way or another? I don't know the guy, but it's a possibility. My point is that you don't know what a creator might get from your word of praise, and though unlikely, I don't want to be a potential straw that broke the camel's proverbial back on what I like about said creator's work, just because they took it the wrong way.

For now, any voluntary 5-star ratings from me are non-existent. I don't rate, unless someone asks for it. You want a five-star from me? Sure, but just know it's not your work that got a five-star, it's your request that gave you those bling-bling's. If I ever give a five-star, it's gonna be for completed work from prolific creators who's not dependant on reception and knows what they want to do. Praises are shining, but they can also be blinding. I don't want to take the risk of ruining a work I'd probably enjoy in a possible future just because I told a guy "good job". Granted, vice versa may happen, but when it comes down to it, I rather have clean hands. I sleep better at night that way.

 

[KoyukiMegumi]

If I like it I give it a five. If i don't, then I don't rate it. Simple

I think I do this, to be honest. I will implement your system from now on, good sir.
I like 5*, I don't like *back button*

 

[JayDirex]

Bruce Neeson Wahlberg flick

Noooo! I'm done. Don't be disparaging the 90 minute action flick where Bruce has to save: his wife, daughter, and or senator from a villain with a foreign accent!

 

[BenJepheneT]

Noooo! I'm done. Don't be disparaging the 90 minute action flick where Bruce has to save: his wife, daughter, and or senator from a villain with a foreign accent!

not gonna lie tho: they're my guilty enjoyment, like McDonald's fish-o-filet, and picking my nose.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

I'll give any story that's not my own five stars!

 

[Deleted member 45782]

Closest thing I review/rate is apps is on playstore. So let's dive into how would rate it. Sometimes rate well only for game or app turn horrible and have to go back change it again bc my initial review is no longer accurate of what app is now. Sometimes app has a lot of bad reviews/ratings but bc it's uniquely niche and actually works decently for me and the app is not that well known or popular, then would feel maybe want to give it a higher rating boost, and give it a five.

I don't review/rate yet on SH since I'm always on SHF more. Stories can be great but since a lot of works on here are still work in progress I do not want to rate something that starts out good, only for it to end up downward spiraling and have to change review to be more accurate. I prefer where stories are mostly finished or at least most of way so no unexpected turns. If I had to rate a story it would be similar way to above: does it fill a niche or some uniqueness, how story and characters progresses. And that is along with things like is it believable or it goes all over place, plus grammar and how smooth story flows. Does it have any questionable possibly offensive stuff and make light heart of it? Etc.

Unless it's a really good story and/or exceeded expectations of story that it would make me stop being silent reader and sign in comment (if not signed in to create already). Most stories come across are never 5.0* bc most of these stories always have some stuff to improve or some things that don't really make me feel . Either that or stories with 5.0* are usually new and haven't been seen/rate/review a lot; if it's not that then it's a bit of esp since no story is without ppl like and disliking it. Edit: if it's a story that stands out among others on sh, and not as popular, then yes, if feel want give it a boost since think story is good.

I look for high rating and reviews so I don't have to be disappointed by stories when I read. There are good 4.0-4.1 gems on NUF but 4.5-4.7 means it's at least good. I look at reviews and tags bc they tell things I would rather like avoid. Seen quite a bit of others on nuf/shf talk bout certain things they often come across in stories -i rather not read those and then throw hands up in air when come across them when already been warned/hinted story is like that. Takes up too much of time then. There are good stories that have low ratings/reviews, but sometimes as I often find on ratemyprof and playstore, those ratings and reviews do mean something...

 

[TheTrinary]

On an online site like this? Basic competence and one element that I enjoyed.

 

[LilTV1155]

Only if the story's plot and characters really do impress me and only when I get to learn something new about worldbuilding or other cultures I didn't know yet nor understand.

If characters are trashy, abusive, TSTL, rapey, toxic, densey, romantically leading others on purposes (even if they are dense stupid), really annoying, stupid, horrible characters (babies and kids issues), act like Deliberate Stereotypes (Women / Men are all evil ) and treat romantic partners as Pokemon, or other lives like shit (only involves Animals, Children, Babies, Women [Golddiggers, Homewreckers, Rapists, Masochists not included] ).

Automatic -2 stars
-
If obvious plot holes spotted and unlimited power without consequences to abusing power/authority/ability =
Automatic -1 star
-
Bad story progression or no likeable character development = Automatic -1 star
-
If ending done unsatisfying or just so bad = Automatic -3 stars
-
End up learning nothing about the story's culture except for author's social biases, stereotyping, supremacism, nationalistic pride overkill, prejudices, racism, beauty standards, cliches, and hatred blah blah to something or whatnots = Automatic -4 stars
-
If you open pet shops but neglect one pet species for just cats due to Preferences / Favoritism / Biases (YOUR STORE'S A PET SHOP IN THIS SETTING NOT JUST CAT SHOP!) = -4 or -5 stars
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If characters like to act like unnecessary criminals like Rapists / Deadbeats / Cheaters & Homewreckers even in their settings = Automatic -5 stars

 

[EternalSunset0]

If I enjoyed the plot, and the writing itself (prose and stuff) are good.

It's all a personal preference thing, so I don't think I have anything "quantitative" enough to help you.

 

[Southdog]

For some reason, the first two people to rate my story (Mage of Red Clay) gave it five stars. If you're an author, give your story five stars and people will probably follow suit.

 

[KoyukiMegumi]

If you open pet shops but neglect one pet species for just cats due to Preferences / Favoritism / Biases (YOUR STORE'S A PET SHOP IN THIS SETTING NOT JUST CAT SHOP!) = -4 or -5 stars

Kitty finds this offensive! Cats should rule over all!!!!!

 

[skillet]

if it's a story i really enjoyed and would wholeheartedly recommend to other people, I give it a 5 :D