BookSirens
The budget-smart alternative to NetGalley — an ARC distribution platform with high reviewer follow-through rates and a fraction of the cost.
booksirens.comQuick Stats
| Founded | 2017 |
| Platform type | ARC distribution (not a traditional review service) |
| Cost | Free to list (commission or subscription model) |
| Audience | Book bloggers, avid readers, ARC reviewers |
| Review type | Reader reviews (reviewers self-select) |
| Follow-through rate | High compared to NetGalley (claimed ~80%+) |
| Accepts self-pub | Yes |
| Accepts ARC/digital | ARC delivery IS the product |
Best Use Case
BookSirens is the best option for indie authors who want to build Amazon and Goodreads review counts before or around launch, without paying NetGalley's $450+ listing fee. The reviewer follow-through rate — meaning reviewers who request a book actually read and review it — is significantly higher than NetGalley's average for indie titles.
It's also useful for building an ARC reviewer list you can return to with future books. Reviewers who engage positively with your first title become a relationship asset, not a one-time transaction.
Pricing
| Option | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic listing | Free | Limited features; commission on reviews |
| Author subscription | $9 - $25/month | Multiple titles, additional features |
Pricing model has evolved; check their current site for exact plans. The free entry point is genuine — you can list and receive reviews without upfront cost.
What You Get
Your book listed in BookSirens' ARC catalog, where book bloggers and avid readers can request access. Reviewers who accept must commit to leaving a review on their platform of choice (Amazon, Goodreads, their blog, etc.) within a set timeframe. BookSirens tracks these commitments and nudges reviewers toward following through.
This accountability structure is the main reason follow-through rates are higher than NetGalley. You build a list of actual reviews across consumer platforms, which is the primary goal for most indie authors pre-launch.
Voice and Style
BookSirens reviews come from reader-enthusiasts and book bloggers, not professional critics. Quality and depth vary considerably, but the self-selection mechanism (reviewers choose books they actually want to read) tends to produce more genuine engagement than assigned-critic models.
You'll get a range: some reviews are two paragraphs on Goodreads, some are long-form blog posts with analysis. The platform doesn't standardize review format, so what you receive depends on your reviewer pool.
Analysis based on publicly available sample reviews.
The Honest Take
BookSirens is genuinely undervalued relative to NetGalley in the indie author community. For most indie authors whose primary need is consumer review counts (Amazon, Goodreads) rather than librarian and bookseller exposure, BookSirens delivers better results per dollar by a significant margin.
The limitation is audience. BookSirens reviewers are enthusiastic consumers, not library acquisition staff or bookstore buyers. If your goal is library collection development or bookseller relationships, NetGalley's professional audience justifies the price premium. If your goal is pre-launch Amazon and Goodreads review counts, BookSirens typically outperforms.
The low cost also means it's a low-stakes test for authors new to ARC distribution — you can learn what works with your genre without betting $450 on the outcome.
Pros
- Significantly cheaper than NetGalley
- High reviewer follow-through rate vs. NetGalley for indie titles
- Self-selecting reviewers produce more genuine engagement
- Free entry point with no upfront commitment
- Builds a recurring reviewer relationship with your audience
- Best tool for pre-launch Amazon and Goodreads review building
Cons
- Reader reviewers, not professional critics or trade buyers
- No librarian or bookseller audience (unlike NetGalley)
- Review quality varies widely
- Not useful for agent queries or trade pitches
- Reviews spread across external platforms, not centralized