Book Sirens Review Impact Calculator
This calculator estimates potential review volume and sales impact based on your Book Sirens campaign parameters. Use this to plan your author strategy.
Campaign Parameters
Estimated Results
Potential Reviews:
Estimated Sales Impact:
How to maximize your results:
- Use clear genre tags and strong hooks in your book description
- Follow up with reviewers after they download your book
- Share reviews on your social media channels
- Focus on quality over quantity - thoughtful reviews generate more engagement
Book Sirens is a platform that connects authors and publishers with readers who want to read and review books before they’re officially released. Think of it as a bridge between new books and the people who love to talk about them. If you’ve ever gotten a free advanced copy of a book in exchange for an honest review, you’ve likely used something like Book Sirens.
How Book Sirens Works
Book Sirens lets authors upload their upcoming books-usually Advance Reader Copies (ARCs)-and set up review campaigns. Readers sign up for free, browse available titles, and request books they’re interested in. Authors pick who gets access based on their review history, genre preferences, and other details. Once approved, readers get a download link for an ebook or PDF. After reading, they leave a review on platforms like Amazon, Goodreads, or their own blog.
It’s not a marketplace. You don’t pay for books. You don’t sell anything. It’s a mutual exchange: authors get honest feedback and early buzz, readers get free books before anyone else.
Who Uses Book Sirens?
There are two main groups: authors and reviewers.
Authors use Book Sirens to build early momentum. A book with 20-50 reviews on launch day looks more trustworthy to new readers. Book Sirens helps indie authors and small presses compete with big publishers who have marketing budgets. Many authors report that their sales jump after a successful Book Sirens campaign.
Reviewers come from all walks of life. Some run popular book blogs. Others post on Instagram or TikTok. Many are just regular readers who enjoy sharing their thoughts. You don’t need a huge following to join. Book Sirens doesn’t require a minimum number of followers. All it asks is that you write honest, thoughtful reviews.
What Kind of Books Are Available?
Book Sirens has a wide mix of genres. You’ll find fantasy, romance, mystery, historical fiction, memoirs, sci-fi, and more. The platform leans heavily toward indie and self-published titles, but some small traditional presses use it too.
Most books are in ebook format-PDF, EPUB, or MOBI. A few offer print copies, but those are rare and usually go to reviewers with strong track records. You can filter by genre, release date, and whether the book is part of a series.
Some books are marked as "High Priority"-these are titles authors really want reviewed quickly. Others are "Low Priority," meaning they’re still looking for reviewers. You’ll often see books with deadlines like "Review by January 15" to help authors meet their launch schedules.
How to Get Started as a Reviewer
Signing up is free and takes less than five minutes. You’ll need:
- An email address
- A profile with your preferred genres
- Links to your review profiles (Goodreads, Amazon, blog, etc.)
You don’t need to link every platform. Just one or two is enough. Book Sirens uses this info to verify you’re a real reviewer. If you don’t have a public review presence, you can still sign up-you’ll just get fewer book offers at first.
Once you’re signed up, you’ll get weekly emails with new book listings. You can also log in and browse the catalog anytime. When you see a book you like, click "Request." The author gets notified and decides whether to approve you. Approval can take a few hours or a few days.
There’s no limit to how many books you can request. But authors often pick reviewers who’ve left thoughtful reviews in the past. So if you want more books, write detailed reviews. Mention what you liked, what didn’t work, and who you’d recommend it to. Authors notice.
Why Reviewers Love It
Reviewers get access to books before they hit shelves. That means you’re often the first person in your circle to read something new. You get to be part of the early conversation.
Many reviewers say they’ve discovered their favorite books through Book Sirens. One reader in Sydney told me she found her 2025 Book of the Year-a quiet historical novel about a woman rebuilding a lighthouse-through a random request on the platform. She didn’t know the author. The book had no advertising. But after her review went up on Goodreads, it slowly started gaining traction.
There’s also a sense of community. Book Sirens has a small but active Facebook group where reviewers share tips, ask for feedback on reviews, and celebrate when their favorite books get published. It’s not a big social media machine. It’s quiet, real, and focused on books.
What Authors Should Know
Authors pay to use Book Sirens. There are different pricing tiers based on how many books you want to promote and how long the campaign runs. A basic campaign starts around $30. It includes up to 50 reviewer requests and a featured listing on the site for 30 days.
It’s not a guarantee of reviews. Some authors get 10 reviews. Others get 80. It depends on the book’s appeal, cover design, and blurb. Books with strong hooks and clear genres tend to get more requests.
Authors who do well on Book Sirens don’t just send out books and wait. They follow up. They thank reviewers. They reply to comments. They share reviews on social media. That extra effort turns one-time reviewers into long-term fans.
Common Misconceptions
Some people think Book Sirens is a scam. It’s not. It’s a legitimate tool used by thousands of authors and reviewers. But there are a few myths worth clearing up:
- Myth: You’ll get every book you request. Truth: Authors pick who they want. You won’t get everything.
- Myth: You have to write a 5-star review. Truth: Honest reviews-even mixed ones-are valued. Authors want real feedback.
- Myth: It’s only for big bloggers. Truth: A single honest review on Goodreads counts just as much as a 2,000-word blog post.
- Myth: You have to pay to join. Truth: Reviewers never pay. Only authors do.
Alternatives to Book Sirens
There are other platforms like NetGalley, Edelweiss, and ARC Team. But they’re different. NetGalley, for example, is mostly for publishers with big budgets. It’s harder to get approved. Edelweiss is used by librarians and booksellers more than readers. ARC Team is smaller and less organized.
Book Sirens stands out because it’s simple, affordable for authors, and open to anyone who wants to read and review. You don’t need credentials. You don’t need a website. Just a love of books and the willingness to share your thoughts.
Final Thoughts
Book Sirens isn’t magic. It won’t make your book a bestseller overnight. But it’s one of the most reliable ways for new books to find their first readers. For reviewers, it’s a steady stream of fresh titles without spending a cent. For authors, it’s a low-cost way to build early credibility.
If you’re someone who reads a lot and likes to talk about books, Book Sirens is worth trying. If you’re an author with a new release, it’s one of the smartest ways to start building buzz. No gimmicks. No hype. Just books, readers, and honest reviews.
Is Book Sirens free for reviewers?
Yes, Book Sirens is completely free for reviewers. You never pay to request or download books. Only authors pay to run campaigns and promote their titles.
Do I have to write a positive review?
No. Book Sirens encourages honest reviews. Authors want to know what works and what doesn’t. A thoughtful 3-star review with clear reasons is often more helpful than a glowing 5-star one with no detail.
How long do I have to review a book?
Each book listing includes a review deadline, usually 2 to 6 weeks after you download it. Authors set these deadlines to match their launch schedule. Missing the deadline doesn’t ban you, but it may reduce your chances of getting future requests.
Can I review on platforms other than Amazon or Goodreads?
Yes. You can post your review on your blog, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, or any public platform. Just make sure to link it in your Book Sirens review submission. Authors appreciate reviews across different channels because it helps reach more readers.
What if I don’t like the book?
That’s okay. You’re not required to give a positive review. If you didn’t enjoy the book, explain why. Was the pacing slow? Were the characters underdeveloped? Authors value this kind of feedback. It helps them improve future books.
Are print copies available?
Very rarely. Most books on Book Sirens are digital. Print copies are usually only offered to reviewers with a long history of consistent, high-quality reviews. If you’re interested in print, focus on building your review record over time.
Can I use Book Sirens to promote my own book?
Yes. Authors and publishers can create campaigns to promote their upcoming releases. You’ll need to pay a fee to run a campaign, but it’s one of the most affordable ways for indie authors to get early reviews and visibility.
