That’s right, you read right.  Someone has plagiarized one of my reviews.  I am sad and highly disappointed to find that my review of Gena Showalter’s Twisted has been plagiarized by a fellow blogger.

To my knowledge, this is the first time that this has happened to me, and I am very stunned, shocked and at a loss of words in how I feel.  I literally cannot describe all the feelings going through me.  I am of course enraged.  We book bloggers put A LOT of work into our sites, especially our reviews. Most of us are reviewing because we love literature and we want to share that with others.  I feel as if I have been robbed – robbed of my creativity, honesty, and so much more. I now have a sense of fear that every time I post a review that someone will do the same.  I should not have to feel this way at all – none of us should.  I understand that we take the risk of these things anytime we post anything online, whether that be reviews, tweets, facebook comments, etc.  But at the same time I honestly believed that there was a very high level of respect between Book Bloggers.  I don’t believe that every Book Blogger does this, in fact I think that very few do this, or at least I hope so. 

Dictionary.com has defined Plagiarism as…

1. the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one’s own original work, as by not crediting the author: It is said that he plagiarized Thoreau’s plagiarism of a line written by Montaigne. Synonyms: appropriation, infringement, piracy, counterfeiting; theft, borrowing, cribbing, passing off.
 

2. something used and represented in this manner: Well-respected publishers are developing a sharper eye for plagiarism in submitted manuscripts.

As you can see plagiarism is not just simply coping and pasting something, but also steeling someone’s ideas and thoughts and passing them off as your own.  

I have been debating of whether to share the site that plagiarized my review and have finally come to the conclusion that because of the situation, and the severity I feel it has, that I am going to….  Gothical’s Book Review.  I have of course politely asked the blogger to take down the review and have expressed my feelings but have yet to hear back.  I can’t help but laugh a bit only because the review was so bluntly copied, WORD FOR WORD, except a few minor changes: 

Here are the comparisons of my review of Gothical’s:
(mine is green and Gothical’s is in red – – what was added or changed is in blue)
Compared to the two previous novels, Twisted is much darker.  At the end of Unraveled the prophecy of Aden’s death has come true, while Victoria attempts to save his life.  Mary Ann has just run away to keep her new Drainer powers from killing her friends, most importantly Riley. In Twisted, we find that Aden is alive, but is greatly changed… he is a vampire with an unquenchable thirst for blood, and not just anyone’s blood, but Victoria’s.  Riley is on the search for Mary Ann while Victoria is experiencing more and more human qualities… 
Compared to the two previous novels, Twisted is much darker, more better but I would say I enjoyed the first two books better. At the end of Unraveled the prophecy of Aden’s death has come true, while Victoria attempts to save his life. Mary Ann has just run away to keep her new Drainer powers from killing her friends, most importantly Riley. In Twisted, we find that Aden is alive, but is greatly changed… he is a vampire with an unquenchable thirst for blood, and not just any one’s blood, but Victoria’s. Riley is on the search for Mary Ann while Victoria is experiencing more and more human qualities…


Most of the book is divided between Aden’s-Victoria’s story and Mary Ann’s-Riley’s story.  With Aden’s new Vampire powers, he finds himself uncaring, unfeeling, mean, and ruthless…. almost too much like Vlad (who is still alive), but at times the real Aden resurfaces… or does it?  Meanwhile, Mary Ann surges forward to find Aden’s parents and the bodies to match Aden’s souls in an attempt to keep her mind off of Riley.  But alas, of course that doesn’t really work. 
Most of the book is divided between Aden’s-Victoria’s story and Mary Ann’s-Riley’s story. With Aden’s new Vampire powers, he finds himself uncaring, unfeeling, mean, and ruthless…. almost too much like Vlad (who is still alive), but at times the real Aden resurfaces… or does it? Meanwhile, Mary Ann surges forward to find Aden’s parents and the bodies to match Aden’s souls in an attempt to keep her mind off of Riley. But [alas, of course that – – this was left out] it doesn’t work. 
There are many unexpected twists and turns.  It is impossible to even come close in guessing what is going to happen next.  New characters are introduced, new conflicts are created, and new emotions are felt.  My heart fell and rose many times – this book is an emotional roller coaster in all the right ways. 
There are many unexpected twists and turns. It is impossible to even come close in guessing what is going to happen next. New characters are introduced, new conflicts are created, and new emotions are felt. My heart fell and rose many times – this book is an emotional roller coaster in all the right ways. 
 
As you can see, only half of a sentence was added and part of another was omitted.  Of course one could say that I plagaired Gothical’s review but my review was posted on August 2nd and Gothical’s was posted on the 12th.  
 
In the end THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING AT ALL.  I should not have to feel robbed, violated, afraid, and every other emotion that is coursing through me right now.  I take great pride in my site and my reviews and feel cheated in so many ways.  Again, I am at a loss of words right now…  I guess that is all I can say.    We shall see if Gothical removes their plagiarized review and creates their own…