Are book reviews subject to peer review?

Not in the same way as academic papers or scholarly articles. Book reviews, especially those in popular publications like newspapers or magazines, are generally not subject to formal peer review. The editor of the publication might have some editorial oversight, but it's not a rigorous process involving multiple experts evaluating the review for accuracy, methodology, or scholarly contribution.

However, some academic book reviews, particularly those appearing in specialized journals, might undergo a level of review that's closer to peer review. The process might involve an editor checking for accuracy and suitability for the publication, and possibly sending it to one or two experts in the relevant field for comment, but this is often less formal than the rigorous process used for academic papers. The standard is generally lower than for academic papers. It’s more about assessing appropriateness for the publication than judging the review's research merit.