Book Reviews – Sassy Reviews

February 19, 2026

After the Lake

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: After the Lake 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Mara Mansour ✍️
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The main character of the story is Emma. She is tired, guarded, and practical but she is unforgettable. Her emotional restraint is not coldness; it is survival. Mara writes with a clarity that never softens the harsh realities of Emma’s home life. Alcoholism, neglect, and emotional labor are presented without sensationalism, making the story feel honest. Emma’s devotion to her siblings is moving.

Teddy’s internal conflict adds nuance to the story, revealing how pressure and expectation can become their own kind of cage. The connection between Emma and Teddy grows slowly, built on conversation, observation, and mutual curiosity.

What makes After the Lake powerful is its refusal to offer easy answers. Love does not erase circumstance, and hope does not arrive without fear. I had a great time reading this novel. I strongly recommend it to my fellow readers.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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February 18, 2026

Interval

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Interval 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Jason Kristopher ✍️
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In this book, Kristopher explores what survival really means once humanity has retreated underground, behind fortified bunkers and military protocols. The novel opens with unsettling intensity and never quite releases its grip. Rather than simply portraying zombies as external threats, the story positions them as catalysts for moral collapse, secrecy, and power struggles among the living.

Kristopher moves between military operations, scientific research, and civilian governance, creating a multi-dimensional portrait of a world trying to reorganize itself under impossible conditions. The bunker setting is claustrophobic, tense, etc. The conflicts that arise are not merely about survival but about authority, resources, and the future of the human race.

Leaders are forced to make decisions that test loyalty, ethics, and personal relationships. Overall, Interval is a gripping and intelligent continuation of a dystopian saga. Readers who appreciate morally complex storytelling and detailed world-building will find much to admire here.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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February 18, 2026

The Lost Demigod

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Lost Demigod 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Alex Dove ✍️
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On her sixteenth birthday, Hanna Steele’s ordinary life, school trouble, sibling bonds, and complicated friendships collide with strange artifacts, unexplained markings, and voices that refuse to be ignored. The story wastes no time pulling the reader into its world, establishing intrigue from the very first chapter.

Hanna is an amazing protagonist. She is unsure of herself, emotionally conflicted, and struggling to find her place both socially and within the larger mystery surrounding her identity. The relationships between Hanna, Michael, and Patrick add emotional depth.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its gradual world-building. Rings, symbols, portals, and shadowy figures hint at a much larger universe while keeping the reader grounded in Hanna’s perspective. This slow unraveling builds suspense and keeps curiosity high.

Readers who enjoy stories about hidden powers, ancient secrets, and emotionally driven characters will have a great time reading this book.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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February 16, 2026

Fugitive Rifts

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Fugitive Rifts 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: A-M Mawhiney ✍️
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This is a story about four teenagers: Grace, Drew, Ollie, and Dottie who come together as part of a debate team and form an unlikely bond. Each of them carries personal wounds: family pressures, displacement, trauma, neurodivergence, and the quiet ache of not belonging. Their debates about climate change, responsibility, and survival mirror the deeper emotional rifts in their own lives. The novel’s near-future setting, shaped by environmental instability and “fugitive rifts” in the land makes it a great read.

The teenagers feel real. They are flawed, defensive, passionate, and vulnerable in ways that ring true. Dottie, in particular, stands out as a compelling portrayal of a highly intelligent but socially anxious teen, while Grace’s struggle between ambition and loyalty adds emotional weight to the story. Drew’s bravado masking deeper family dysfunction, and Ollie’s quiet wisdom shaped by displacement and loss, round out a cast that feels authentically human.

The environmental elements are woven into the characters’ lives and conversations in a way that feels organic. The debate scenes are especially engaging, offering a smart way to explore differing perspectives on climate change, profit, and responsibility without flattening the complexity of the issues.

Fugitive Rifts is well worth your time. I had a great time reading this book. I strongly recommend it to my fellow readers.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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February 16, 2026

Rune Seeker

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Rune Seeker 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: J.M. Clarke and C.J. Thompson ✍️
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Rune Seeker is a binge-worthy LitRPG that delivers exactly what fans of progression fantasy love: clear power systems, meaningful upgrades, and dangerous dungeon runs. The rune mechanic adds a smart layer of strategy to combat, making each encounter feel more like a puzzle than just a numbers game.

Hiral adds an interesting dynamic to the narrative, grounding the protagonist at key moments and bringing in a different perspective during critical decisions.

The pacing is tight, and the sense of progression feels earned. You can clearly see the protagonist learning from mistakes and becoming more efficient over time. If you’re a fan of LitRPGs with dungeon-focused challenges, evolving abilities, and a touch of emotional grounding, this book is a great pick.

Overall, Rune Seeker is an addictive start with a strong system, fun action, and characters that add flavor beyond just stats and skills.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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February 16, 2026

Muppit Boy and the Allergies of Evil

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Muppit Boy and the Allergies of Evil 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Michael J. Bowler ✍️
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Muppit Boy and the Allergies of Evil is an intriguing middle-grade fiction. The story follows Elmo “Mo” Fitzroy, aka the internet-famous “Muppit Boy,” as he stumbles into a mystery involving a break-in at his school, strange government agents, and something far more bizarre than any ordinary crime. From the beginning, the book hooks readers with Mo’s funny, self-deprecating voice and the instant tension of something strange lurking beneath everyday life.

Mo is a lovable, relatable hero whose insecurities about bullying and unwanted fame feel painfully real, especially for young readers navigating social pressure. His friendships with Kash and Barn provide laugh-out-loud moments. The dialogue feels natural, making the story easy to follow.

Beyond the humor and action, the book also explores deeper themes like self-worth, courage, and what it means to be seen for who you truly are. The mix of mystery, light horror, and comedy makes this a perfect pick for readers who enjoy adventure. Go ahead with this book without any second thoughts.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

February 14, 2026

Blessings Abound: Awaken to the Gifts at Hand

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Blessings Abound: Awaken to the Gifts at Hand 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Katherine Scherer and Eileen Bodoh ✍️
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Blessings Abound: Awaken to the Gifts at Hand by Katherine Scherer and Eileen Bodoh is a deeply insightful and uplifting read. The book gently reveals how truly blessed we already are. It opens our eyes to the many forms blessings can take: those we receive, those we often take for granted, and even those that arrive disguised as challenges.

I especially loved the daily blessings highlighted in the book, simple things we frequently forget to feel grateful for. The message is a beautiful reminder that happiness comes from within and that each of us is responsible for cultivating our own joy. It also emphasizes the importance of being there for one another and choosing kindness, love, and a sense of fun in how we treat others.

I happened to pick up this book at just the right time. Recently, I made a conscious decision to live more intentionally with a positive outlook on life. For anyone experiencing temporary setbacks, this book offers gentle reassurance that failures, too, can be blessings in disguise. By the end of this read, readers are likely to feel inspired to embrace a more grateful way of living. The authors have done a wonderful job, and I’m truly glad I found this book when I did.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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February 14, 2026

Ranger’s Oath

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Ranger’s Oath 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Blake Arthur Peel ✍️
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Ranger’s Oath pulls readers into a gritty, fast-moving fantasy world where loyalty is as dangerous as betrayal. From the opening chapters, the story establishes a harsh landscape shaped by conflict, survival, and hard choices. The central theme of honor, what it means to swear an oath and live by it, grounds the narrative and gives emotional weight to every decision the protagonist makes.

The protagonist’s journey balances the skills of a trained ranger with the vulnerability of someone who has already lost too much. The author does a strong job of portraying internal conflict.

World-building is one of the novel’s strengths. The environments feel lived-in, with danger lurking beyond every forest trail and political tension simmering beneath the surface. The author avoids long, heavy exposition, instead letting the world unfold naturally through action and dialogue. This makes the setting immersive without slowing down the pacing.

Overall, Ranger’s Oath is an excellent pick for fans of action-driven fantasy with emotional depth. I enjoyed every bit of this book. I highly recommend it to my fellow readers.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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February 13, 2026

Year of the What?

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Year of the What? 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Jennifer Lieberman✍️
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Year of the What? is a raw coming-of-age story about heartbreak, sexual awakening, and the awkward journey of learning who you are when the relationship you built your identity around falls apart.

The novel follows Dana in the aftermath of a long-term breakup that leaves her emotionally wrecked and questioning everything she thought she knew about love, sex, and herself. What begins as a desperate attempt to heal turns into a year of misadventures: romantic, sexual, and personal. Dana’s voice is candid and vulnerable, and her internal monologue feels refreshingly unfiltered.

Lieberman’s writing shines in its emotional honesty. The book shows the confusion, the bad decisions, the late-night spirals, and the small, hard-earned moments of growth. The supporting characters, especially Dana’s unapologetically bold best friend, bring humor and contrast, highlighting the different ways people cope with pain and desire.

If you enjoy emotionally raw contemporary fiction with a strong female perspective, this book will hit home.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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February 11, 2026

The Prodigal’s Son

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Prodigal’s Son: Crackhead to Jesus Freak 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: S.E. Tschritter ✍️
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The Prodigal’s Son: Crackhead to Jesus Freak is a memoir that walks readers through the wreckage of addiction and the slow, painful work of redemption. Told through the intertwined perspectives of Clint, a pastor battling alcoholism, relapse, and devastating consequences and Samantha, the wife who loves him through the chaos, this book refuses to sanitize suffering.

Tschritter doesn’t present a neat, inspirational arc where faith magically fixes everything. Instead, she shows the long road: the lies we believe about ourselves, the collateral damage addiction causes to families, and the exhausting cycle of hope, failure, and trying again. The writing is vivid. It pulls you into hospital rooms, jail cells, late-night phone calls, and the quiet moments of fear and shame that often go unseen.

Even readers who don’t identify as Christian will likely connect with its central themes: brokenness, love that refuses to give up, and the human longing to be seen as worthy despite our worst mistakes. The portrayal of Samantha’s resilience and complicated love adds emotional depth, reminding us that addiction is never a solo battle, it ripples outward into every relationship.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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