Novel Ink: What Do You Consider Spoilers?

What Do You Consider Spoilers?

Posted on Sunday, March 22, 2015 12:00 AM

Christy: Spoilers...it's a subject that I'm sure everyone knows about. I'm also sure that everyone knows how easy it is to come across a spoiler that wasn't marked and I don't know about everyone else, but that can absolutely ruin a book or movie or TV show for me. I always try to watch what I say on social media or on the blog because I know how bad I hate when someone spoils something for me.

Personally, I think revealing a major plot point or saying who a character ends up with is a spoiler. I don't necessary think that stating that a book has a cliffhanger is one, nor do I think that mentioning something that happens within the first couple of chapters is a spoiler.

While I don't mind knowing whether a book has a cliffhanger or not, if I'm reading a heartbreaking book, I DO NOT want to know if it ends with a HEA, I think that would just take away some of the heartbreaking feels, and I love my heartbreaking feels.

As for me, when I'm writing my reviews, I always reference the summary and I'm very hesitant to mention something that isn't revealed in it. Most of the time if I see something that isn't mentioned in the summary, I won't bring it up in my reviews.

Now that I've shared the things I consider spoilers, I really want to get everyone's opinion on what exactly they consider a spoiler. Do you think saying whether or not a book has a happy ending or a cliffhanger is a spoiler? How about mentioning something that happens very early on in a book? Be sure to let us know in the comments!

Erica: Okay, I agree with Christy I hate spoilers. Before when I had my other blog (should I even call it mine because I had it for only a week or so, but whatever) I added spoilers to my review -- not sure why, but I did. Now, after seeing Christy's reviews and the way she writes them I'm glad I leave out any inkling of a spoiler.

So, you ask me what I think is a spoiler? I basically agree with Christy for the most part, but for the first time ever, I think I may disagree with Christy (say whaaaa?).

I hate when I know how the ending is. The whole if it's a happy ending isn't as bad, but when I know that there is a cliffhanger...NO! I don't like knowing that there is a second book or whatever. I want to think that the book is ending. If I know that it isn't I will start guessing where it will end, I will just make myself go insane.

But, just because I go insane doesn't mean it will make others go insane with me. Some people actually like to know whether or not the book will continue on. But, for me that is a spoiler and I hate knowing. So, if any of you recommend me a book - don't tell me how awesome or sad or happy the ending is (hehe).

I want to feel all the feels. I do not want one ounce of my feelings to be torn away because someone says it's good or bad. I want to cry all the tears and eat all the chocolates.

If I find out something at the beginning of the book, that's not bad. I like knowing a little about what others think of the characters before going in so hearing stuff from the beginning actually makes me happy.

So, my fellow book lovers, what do you consider a spoiler?

Christy

Christy is a 27 year old wife, mother, nursing student and self proclaimed book addict. When she's not busy spending time with her family or learning to save lives, you can find her with a book in her hands, and a smile on her face.

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Alex · 520 weeks ago

When I told my friend that a book had a huge cliffhanger at the end, she totally hated me for about a week! I did not think that it was a spoiler and just was trying to be a good friend to get her mentally prepared for the end. I guess I am kind of guilty for saying it but I don't really think that it is a spoiler.

What do I consider a spoiler? ...
When someone reveals something that happens to a character or the story that I don't expect to happen. That's a spoiler for me because if someone spoils me over something I 100% predicted, I'll just be like, "meh, I knew it was going to happen soon."
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YA Indulgences 55p · 520 weeks ago

I agree with Erica about the ending. I don't want to hear if a book made you cry or if you liked the (happy) ending or (worst of all) if it ends in a cliffhanger and so many people lately are talking about books (on Twitter) ending in cliffhangers and I'm just like "ugh..." or if they're like "I want/need a sequel to this". The cliffhanger part drives me insane too, I'll try to guess what happens or toss out what I know won't happen or figure out when it ends. It's upsetting.

For me, I think anything is a spoiler that you find out later in the book than the first chapter.
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Nara 99p · 520 weeks ago

I agree with Christy on this one: I don't think it's a spoiler to say that a book ends on a cliffhanger. On the contrary, that might actually help in terms of whether or not I want to read a book straight away or wait until the sequel comes out (because, damn, I hate cliffhangers).
But of course, basically any other detail about anything that happens past the first couple of chapters of the book is what I'd consider a spoiler. Unless it's something really obvious- although people's definition of obvious varies, so it's often just safer not to mention too many plot details in a review haha
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chucklesthescot · 520 weeks ago

Most reviews I write have a blurb style plot summary and I mention things like writing style, character development, plot speed etc. Sometimes I talk about why I like or hate characters ie kickass or whiny. There are a few reviews where I have to reveal plot spoilers to get my point across but I always try to put a warning on my blog and selected the spoilers option for Goodreads reviews to warn people not to read certain bits!
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Lily · 520 weeks ago

I hate spoilers but it's weird for me because I consider spoilers to be when someone says 'someone dies' or 'something bad happens' or 'I wasn't expecting that' because even though they don't say what happens, it means that when I come to read what they're talking about, I won't be surprised or shocked because I'll have seen it coming even if I didn't know what it was (did that make any sense?) When I was reading All The Bright Places, someone told me that the ending was really sad and I was totally anticipated what was going to happen so when it did happen I didn't feel sad or satisfied!
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Tessa · 520 weeks ago

Spoilers are one of my biggest pet peeves. I try my best to keep spoilers out of my reviews, but I guess what I consider a spoiler could be different than what other people think. Anything major, like which character dies, which character ends up with another character, and the end of mysteries are all spoilers. But, I think that if something happens within the first third of the book, then it cannot be considered a spoiler. I am okay with knowing that a book has a cliffhanger, but I do not want to know what kind of ending it has. I like to be surprised by the ending of books.
Great discussion!
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kimbacaffeinate 80p · 520 weeks ago

If it isn't in the summary I don't reveal it. I may hint that there were twists etc, but nope. I am sometimes amazed at what people post in their reviews.
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Eileen @ BookCatPin 51p · 520 weeks ago

I'm the same as Christy! I don't mind knowing if a book ends in a cliffhanger but knowing a book ends HEA? NO! In my opinion, that pretty much gives the book away. Any conflict or heartbreak that comes up in the book will not mean anything cause you know...........IT'S A HEA! Sorry for the shouty caps but ya.... I look at the story ending, not the book ending. Cliffhangers aren't exactly endings to me since there will be more to the story. Do I make sense? Haha :P
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bluekaren 41p · 520 weeks ago

I think that describing a plot twist or too much beyond the fist 1/3 is a spoiler. I read a bunch of reviews before I read a book. Unlike Erica, I don't mind knowing about a cliffhanger. I think at some point spoiler type discussions/reviews should only be for folks that have already read the book. Like for a discussion. It is not really a review if only people that have read the book should be reading the review. I try to stay away from writing spoilers (I am only guilty of writing them a few times ,and felt really bad about it). I don't subscribe to blogs that blast spoilers, so I am usually safe from them.
Great topic!
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Kristin Belter · 520 weeks ago

I absolutely hate spoilers! but sometimes I find it hard to think what other people think of as a spoiler, and then when I write a review I constantly worry if its spoilery or not! http://simplybookishthings.blogspot.com
Kristin @ Simply Bookish Things
XOXO

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Lucia 94p · 520 weeks ago

Great post! I personally don't mind knowing if book ends with cliffy. On contrary, I require to know whether book is standalone or part of series. But knowing whether book ends with HEA or not, that can be a spoiler for me. Also knowing who dies, that is huge spoiler for me.

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Lovin' Los Libros · 520 weeks ago

HAHA. I love this. See, I am the complete opposite. I find I enjoy a book more when I KNOW what happens in the end. Otherwise, I end up reading too fast because I'm in such a state to find out what happens. It also amps up my nerves and actually ruins the book for me. I don't spoil every book I read, but most of them I do. LOL. I do not like spoiling for others though. Just because I want to know, doesn't mean others do, so if I want to know something I'll DM on Twitter, or find them on my own.

You guys raise a good point about endings though. I need to watch myself a bit closer on that. Sometimes I'll mention the ending, but I do try to be vague. I might need to examine that even more closely now though...
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kirstymstudio 102p · 520 weeks ago

I do the same, I came across some spoilers for Sleepy Hollow and Revenge by accident when I was googling to see the airdate for the UK. Was not impressed. :( Haha, the heartbreaking feels are everything, but sometimes I do like to know if it ends with a HEA (not in a review or anything, I just spoil it myself by look at the end. I have been getting better at that, but I uhm, did cheat for I'll Meet You There and Things We Know By Heart, because of obvious reasons.)

I don't mind knowing (and don't really classify it as a spoiler) if it has a cliffhanger, because I mean, most series always have cliffhangers, so that's a given. I don't mind knowing about twists either, you know, as long as it doesn't tell you about the twist, just that it was clever or blew your mind, etc.

This isn't really a spoiler, and I know I do put it in my reviews, but I hate knowing beforehand if there's a love triangle, since it usually turns me off the book, especially if it's a bad love triangle.

I think the 'for fans of ____ ____) sometimes can be a spoiler too, which is why I hate them in the synopsis, especially when it's say, Dangerous Girls, because you have a sense of what the story is going to be like, and the twists. :(

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Gabs · 520 weeks ago

I use the 'if it isn't in the summary' rule most of the time, buuut if it's mentioned within, maybe, the first 10% of the novel and isn't of huge importance, I don't think that's a spoiler. So, anything that doesn't follow those guidelines is a spoiler in my opinion. Though I'm sure there might be a few exceptions to those rules as well. :)
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shannonmiz 83p · 520 weeks ago

YES, I agree with this! I HATE when people tell me it is a happy ending- well now you've ruined it! Because um, I know what the outcomes COULD be, and you have just told me it! I am the same as Christy- I try to stick with the Goodreads synopsis, and if it doesn't say something, I try to steer clear. Sometimes it's easy, sometimes, not so much!

Now, I don't mind knowing about a cliffhanger, especially if I know the book is a series. Because if it is a known series, I knew everything wasn't going to be wrapped up going into it, I guess.

I don't see spoilers AS much on blogs, but I see SO MANY on Goodreads and Amazon and things like that, when I am not even necessarily looking for a review even, and BOOM, spoiler. And social media, don't even get me started on that ;) Love this topic!

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Pam@YA Escape · 520 weeks ago

The fact that it ends in a cliffhanger I don't consider a spoiler, but knowing whether the book ends in a happy or sad way, that's a spoiler. Major plot points not mentioned in the summary, yes, spoiler. If it happens early on in the book, I guess it depends on how early. I was reading a review recently and it told me stuff that happened 30-40% of the way in and while I don't know if that's a spoiler, per se, I was surprised that it mentioned a big plot point, even though it was fairly early on. Great topic!
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Amy M. · 520 weeks ago

I'm not a huge fan of spoilers. My biggest issues are major plot points that aren't revealed in the first few chapters. So which characters end up with who, if someone dies, etc. etc. Personally, I don't mind if someone says there's a cliffhanger, and I don't really think of it as a spoiler. That's mainly because I feel as if cliffhangers are more common place recently, especially when you're discussing non-contemporary genres.

I generally try to not put spoilers in my reviews or at least put a notice that it will contain spoilers if there's something major I have to discuss; however, it is difficult to avoid completely when everyone has different opinions on what a spoiler is. It's like how some people love going in blind to a book, where I can't. I have to read the synopsis at least.

Great discussion!
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Laura Plus Books 59p · 519 weeks ago

Oooh such an interesting discussion! For me, a spoiler is anything that isn't in the blurb, can't be made out from the blurb or isn't strikingly obvious from the first 10 or so pages. Anything other than that is a spoiler and I hate it!
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Amanda//Butterflies · 519 weeks ago

I think if the summary has the information, then it's fair game to talk about, especially if it's on Goodreads, and I will never specify specific things like plot points or anything by it's actual name, it's always the 'consequences' of the 'actions in the previous novel' and things, I always always try, and if I can't, I point out that it might be a tad spoilery, so, I think I do that right? I've got to admit, I'm much less bothered by spoilers than some people, take or leave, I'll still read the book if I want to. Great post though Christy! Oh, and I'm a new follower, found you from Oh, the Books!<3

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Natalie · 519 weeks ago

I hate spoilers! They can definitely stop me from reading a book for example I was spoiled for the ending of Allegiant and I still haven't gotten around to picking it up because I'm so bitter about being spoiled.

For me spoilers are deaths, who the person ends up with and cliffhangers (not knowing there's a cliffhanger, but the actual cliffhanger) or basically anything that happens after the first half of the book and isn't in the summary. Sometimes I'll ask my friends to spoil me if they've read the book and I'm currently reading it. For example when I was reading Heir of Fire I BEGGED my friend to tell me if anything happened to Rowan and she wouldn't let up but sometimes I just need to know. It's always better to be left un-spoiled though.

Found your blog from Oh, The Books! and now I'm following :)
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