Amazon is rolling out a new “Recaps” feature for Kindle users in the United States, designed to help readers refresh their memory on plot points and character arcs before diving into the next book in a series.
“We use technology, including GenAI and Amazon moderators, to create short recaps of books that accurately reflect book content,” said Amazon spokesperson Ale Iraheta in a statement.
The feature is currently available for thousands of best-selling English-language e-books in a series, but only on Kindle devices. An update for the Kindle iOS app is expected soon.
To access a recap, users must update to the latest Kindle software. Eligible titles will display a “View Recaps” button either on the series page in the Kindle Library or in the three-dot menu for grouped series. Before viewing, readers are alerted that the summary contains spoilers for major plot points and characters.
Online, the announcement has sparked debate, with some Reddit users questioning the reliability of AI-generated content. While Amazon insists the recaps are carefully reviewed for accuracy, the company has yet to provide full details on the moderation and fact-checking process behind the feature.
In a blog post, Amazon described the tool as a way to enhance continuity for readers navigating complex or long-running series. “The Recaps feature enables readers to dive deeper into complex worlds and characters without losing the joy of discovery,” the company said.
Recaps will cover a wide range of genres, from epic fantasy sagas and mystery thrillers to trending titles and classic series, aiming to keep readers engaged without having to reread earlier books.