How to Write a Book Review

How to Write a Book Review in English (A Simple Step-by-Step Guide for B2 & C1)

Some books entertain us for a weekend. Others stay with us for years. And then there are a few that quietly change the way we think about life. But when it’s time to write a book review in English, many learners suddenly freeze. You know the story. You have opinions. You even have feelings about the book. And yet… when you sit down to write, everything becomes strangely difficult.

• What should you include?
• How do you organise your ideas?
• How do you avoid just retelling the story?
• And how do you make your review sound natural, intelligent, and exam-ready?

In this guide, you will learn exactly how to write a clear, well-structured, and impressive book review — perfect for Cambridge exams (B2 First, C1 Advanced), school or university assignments and your blog, reading journal, or book club.

By the end, you will have a simple structure you can use for any book.

Let’s begin.

The perfect book review structure

A good book review is not a summary. It is a mix of description, analysis, and opinion.

Use this simple 5-paragraph structure:

1. Introduction – What is the book and why should we care?
2. Short summary – What is it about? (No spoilers!)
3. Analysis – What is it really saying? How well is it written?
4. Personal response – What did you think and feel?
5. Conclusion & recommendation – Who should read it?

Let’s look at each part in detail.

The introduction

In your first paragraph, you should mention the title and the author, say what kind of book it is (novel, thriller, classic, etc.), briefly suggest what it is about or what it explores and create interest.  You can also mention the main theme or include a short, intriguing comment or idea.

Useful opening phrases:

• The novel tells the story of…
• In this thought-provoking book, the author explores…
• At first glance, this book seems to be…, but in fact…

Short summary of the plot

Here, you give a brief overview of the story.  You ought to mention the main character(s), the setting and the general situation or conflict. Do NOT reveal the ending or big surprises. Think of this as context, not storytelling.

Useful phrases:

• The story follows…
• The novel is set in…
• Without giving too much away…

Analysis and interpretation

This is where your review becomes more advanced and exam-worthy. You can talk about the main themes (e.g. regret, freedom, ambition, identity), the characters (Are they realistic? Do they change?), the writing style (simple, poetic, humorous, dark, fast-paced, etc.), the mood and atmosphere.

You are answering the question – what is the author trying to say, and how well do they say it?

Useful phrases:

One of the central themes of the book is…

• What makes this novel especially effective is…
• The author succeeds in…
• The characters are convincing because…

Your personal response

Now it’s time to be honest and personal. Did you enjoy it? Why / why not? Did it make you think or feel something? Did it surprise you? Did it remind you of another book?

Examiners love this part because it shows real communication, not just description.

Useful phrases:

• I found the book…
• What I liked most was…
• I was especially impressed by…
• Although the book…, I still felt that…

Conclusion and recommendation

Finally, give your overall opinion and say who you would recommend it to. You can also give a rating and say whether you would read more by this author.

Useful phrases:

• Overall, this is a book that…
• I would definitely recommend it to…
• If you enjoy…, you will probably like this book.

Example book review

Book Review: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Introduction

In The Midnight Library, Matt Haig explores one of the most eternal human questions: What would my life have been like if I had made different choices? The novel introduces us to Nora Seed, a woman who finds herself in a mysterious library between life and death, where each book represents a different version of her life.

Short Summary

Without giving too much away, the narrative follows Nora as she makes her way through these alternative lives, each revealing how a single decision could have changed everything. Some people live glamorous lives, others disappointing, and some deeply moving ones. Little by little, she begins to understand what really makes a life worth living.

Analysis

One of the central themes of the book is guilt and the peril of living in the past. Haig’s writing style is simple yet emotionally powerful, making the novel easy to read while still thought-provoking. The structure of the book mirrors its message: every chapter feels like a new possibility, a new door opening. The author is particularly successful at combining philosophical ideas with very human emotions.

Personal Response

I found this book both comforting and challenging. It made me think about my own choices and reminded me how easy it is to imagine that other lives would have been better. What I liked most was its quiet optimism and its subtle reminder that no life is perfect — but many are meaningful.

Conclusion

Overall, The Midnight Library is a warm, intelligent, and inspiring novel. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys reflective stories about life, choices, and second chances. It is the kind of book that lingers in your mind after you finish the last page.

Useful linking words for reviews

To organise your ideas:

Firstly, Secondly, Finally, In conclusion

To add ideas:

Moreover, In addition, What’s more

To contrast:

However, Nevertheless, On the other hand

To give results or reasons:

Therefore, As a result, Because of this

To summarise:

Overall, To sum up, In the end

Using these words makes your review clear, logical, and easy to follow — exactly what examiners want.

Final tip for Cambridge students

Remember – a good review is not a summary of the story. It is a summary + opinion + evaluation. If you use this framework, you can write a strong review about any book, film, or TV series.

Learn how to write an article for C1 Advanced

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