My first (and currently only) review is a 3-star...good, bad, or neither?

[CharlieVenkman]

So I just received my first review: it's a three-star, so it's obviously better than the two alternatives, and I actually like a lot of the things the reviewer said.  I only hope that other readers seeing that it has (one) three star review is better than seeing no reviews at all.  Anyone have any experience with this?

[Judi Coltman]

I say celebrate it!  Someone read your book and felt enough to review it.  I think a 3 star is, in fact, something to be proud of.

[Krista D. Ball]

The reviewer called it "not bad." Well, I think that means not bad 

I have some really awesome 3 star reviews. Like, the 3 stars are better than some of my 5 stars 

[scslawin]

Charlie:

If you want another review to add to your reviews, I'd be happy to read your book and post an honest, unbiased review post haste.

[D a l y a]

First of all, Charlie, may I say you have a REALLY COOL AUTHOR NAME.  (look at the first book in my signature)

Secondly, I had a look at the review, and I think it does sell the book.  It would not discourage me from reading it at all!  I'd encourage you to keep submitting it to book bloggers, etc., and hope for a 5-star with the next one.

[EthanRussellErway]

Every reviewer rates differently, it seems like some people give 4 or 5 stars if they bother rating at all, I guess they are too nice to rate any lower.  Other people won't give a 5 star unless they really, really love the book.

Personally, I usually don't rate anything unless I'm passionate about either loving or greatly disliking a book or product.  To me, a three star rating means indifference, and I won't usually bother if I'm indifferent.  I don't want to bring someone's rating down just because a certain book isn't my cup of tea.

The more ratings you get the better idea you'll have, as it balances out all the different types of raters.

One way to get a larger sample of ratings is to join LibraryThing and do a book giveaway.  If you do just brace yourself for people giving you their honest (and sometimes hurtful) opinions.

[Emma Daniels]

From what I can gather is that readers are more likely to take a three star review seriously than glowing five star ones, which some of them seem to think have been drummed up by the auther to make him/herself look good. True in some cases too.
I've received everything ranging from a one to a five, and all of them from readers. Personally I think a three star review with some positive comments is pretty good. Unfortunately very few readers leave reviews. I still have a book that's been up for over 12 months without a single review, and it's been free as well as had quite a few people buy it.