Book Reviews – Page 17 – Sassy Reviews

September 3, 2025

Time’s Whispered Echo

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Time’s Whispered Echo 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Jeremey Irelan ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“Time’s Whispered Echo” by Jeremey Irelan is a captivating choice for sci-fi fans. The story follows three friends—Ijaat, Xavistan, and Nikki—whose bond has always been a source of joy and inspiration.

Their shared fascination with a mysterious device sets them on an extraordinary journey. When Ijaat activates symbols he once saw in a dream, the trio is unexpectedly chosen to assist the Lux-Ari Guardians. Guided by the device’s instructions, they soon find themselves transported to Vienna in 1905, where they have the remarkable chance to meet Sigmund Freud.

As they navigate this strange new reality, the friends must rely on one another to confront daunting challenges, foil the Xeridians’ sinister schemes, and embrace their roles in a much larger conflict. Watching them wrestle with the puzzles of temporal mechanics kept me hooked throughout the story. But the question lingers—will they ever return to their own time?

The inclusion of a Gen Z slang guide added a fun and modern twist, while the author’s imagination shines in crafting a vivid and engaging sci-fi universe. The setting is well-drawn, and I found Ijaat’s mix of curiosity and bravery particularly compelling. The trio’s courage and friendship made this book an enjoyable read from start to finish. This was my first experience reading Jeremey Irelan’s work, and I’m eager to explore more of his books in the future.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

September 2, 2025

Consumed with Fire

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Consumed with Fire 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Theresa Gage ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
This story is a deeply emotional journey into Cassie’s grief, strength, and resilience. Having lost her brother Rory and many from her clan, Cassie’s pain feels raw and relatable. Her bond with her nephew is particularly poignant — a constant reminder of the brother she lost, but also a symbol of hope for the future. The author beautifully captures the conflict between mourning and responsibility, showing how Cassie channels her sorrow into preparing the next generation for survival.

Her trust in Aidan and Varick, contrasted with her disdain for Mori, adds layers of tension that keep the reader hooked. The subplot about her thoughts of marrying Jarlath — only to lose him as well — further deepens her character, making her one of the most memorable heroines in recent fantasy writing.

This book is a stirring blend of sorrow and strength, where grief fuels purpose. The author’s portrayal of Cassie’s leadership is inspiring and unforgettable.

This book is not only a gripping fantasy filled with courage, and survival but also a poignant exploration of healing and the power of trust.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

September 1, 2025

Colonial Artist S.T. Gill

🔷 BOOK: Colonial Artist S.T. Gill
🔷 AUTHOR: Doug Limbrick

🔷 REVIEW:
Colonial Artist S.T. Gill is both a biography and a social history, told with an eye for detail and respect for its subject. Limbrick does an excellent job highlighting Gill’s role as a chronicler of the Australian colonies—from his early sketches of Adelaide’s streets to his iconic depictions of the goldfields.

The narrative makes clear why Gill’s work was so essential: he didn’t just paint landscapes, he captured people, culture, and community at a pivotal time in Australia’s development.

That said, the book leans more toward academics. The combination of Gill’s art and Limbrick’s research creates a lasting impression of a man whose work helped define how we see Australia’s colonial era today. A thoughtful, rewarding read for history buffs and art lovers alike.

This book has increased my curiosity to read more books by Limbrick.

🔷 RATING: 5/5

Buy book

August 31, 2025

The Dressing Drink

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Dressing Drink 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Thomas King Flagg ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
The Dressing Drink by Thomas King Flagg is not simply a memoir—it’s a psychological excavation of family trauma across generations. Flagg paints his parents, Dorothy Mary and Irwin, with striking detail, bringing their inner lives to the forefront through shifting perspectives and layered narrative devices. The book leans heavily into the dysfunction that defined their lives, offering the reader both empathy for their struggles and frustration at their destructive choices.

The contrast between Dorothy Mary’s privileged Philadelphia upbringing and Irwin’s hard-won self-reliance sets the stage for a volatile love story that was destined to collapse. Flagg does not idealize his parents; instead, he frames them as fragile performers—both literally and emotionally—who could not maintain stability in love or family. His mother’s rebellion, his father’s ambition, and their eventual unraveling explain why his own childhood was marked by abandonment, instability, and pain.

What makes the memoir stand out is its unflinching honesty. Flagg does not shy away from the darker aspects of his parents’ lives—addiction, infidelity, etc and nor from the ripple effects these had on his own sense of belonging. The memoir’s greatest strength lies in its refusal to tidy up or soften the truth. It’s a book that resonates with anyone who has lived through family dysfunction, illuminating how personal histories can both empower and imprison the generations that follow.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 31, 2025

The Inevitable Lie

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Inevitable Lie 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Corinne Arrowood ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Babe Vicarelli is trying to adjust to civilian life, but the transition isn’t easy. Haunted by his past, he feels out of place, thinking civilian life isn’t meant for someone trained to be a weapon. His greatest challenge, however, comes in the form of love and responsibility—Trinity, the woman he loves, is pregnant. Unsure of how to be a father or even how to handle babies, Babe is filled with doubt. Yet Trinity reassures him, reminding him that he is her superhero and that she believes he’ll make a wonderful dad.

At first, Trinity wonders how Babe truly feels about the pregnancy, but he comforts her by expressing his happiness. He even has a heartfelt conversation with her father, showing his commitment to their future. With a wedding on the horizon and his best man already chosen, Babe is trying to balance his perfect outward image with the inner struggles that make him question what he really wants in life.

The author’s storytelling is captivating, with a narration that feels smooth, strong, and heartfelt. The cover photo is striking—especially the tall, commanding presence of Babe—and it beautifully complements the story. Each character is well written, but it’s Babe’s “work-in-progress” nature that makes the book truly engaging. His flaws and growth made me connect with the story on a deeper level, and I enjoyed it all the more because of that.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 31, 2025

The Impossible Lie

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Impossible Lie 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Corinne Arrowood ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
The Impossible Lie, written by Corinne Arrowood, is the third installment in the Fit the Crime series. The story follows Babe Vicarelli, a former Marine now adjusting to civilian life. Deeply in love with Trinity, Babe is still recovering from a recent gunshot wound, with Javier by his side.

Meanwhile, Trinity misses Babe intensely. Her heart aches when she realizes they don’t even have a single photograph together. Determined, she vows to take one with him when he returns to New Orleans. But before he can reunite with her, Babe has unfinished business—an investigation at Casa Garcia. If Javier has been hiding abducted children on his property while others live there in comfort, Babe knows he cannot and will not stand by.

The narrative is gripping, and Arrowood has crafted the plot with skill. Her writing keeps readers hooked, encouraging them to binge-read her books. Babe’s character, in particular, is well-developed and leaves a lasting impression.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 30, 2025August 30, 2025

Cupboard Love

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Cupboard Love: A Dictionary of Culinary Curiosities 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Mark Morton ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Cupboard Love: A Dictionary of Culinary Curiosities by Mark Morton is truly a distinctive read. This delightful book serves up a feast of fascinating stories behind both familiar and obscure gastronomic terms.

I was especially intrigued by the history of the word cook. The occupational title actually originated from the Latin verb coquere, meaning “to cook.” From coquere came the Latin noun cocus, which eventually evolved, by the eleventh century, into the English noun cook. The book also delves into the origins of words such as cookie, course, liquor, martini, and many more.

Morton takes readers on a journey across cultures and centuries to uncover the roots of some of our most beloved culinary words and phrases. Along the way, he answers those quirky food-related questions we’ve all wondered about but never quite asked.

Overall, this book is both insightful and engaging, packed with rich historical detail. I thoroughly enjoyed discovering the hidden stories behind culinary language. Morton has done a fantastic job in this book.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 30, 2025

A Fifth of the Story

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: A Fifth of the Story 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“A Fifth of the Story” by Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes is a gripping CIA thriller that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. The story follows Brock O’Reilly, a dedicated CIA agent who has worked tirelessly alongside his two best friends to rise through the ranks. But upon returning from a major mission, Brock’s loyalty and friendships are put to the ultimate test.

As the plot unfolds, Brock uncovers a dangerous infiltration by a white supremacist organization. The security breach not only endangers national safety but also places Brock’s own life on the line. Determined to survive and protect his loved ones, he pushes forward despite the deadly stakes.

Fans of fast-paced, suspense-filled thrillers will find this book hard to put down. The narrative keeps readers on edge, with blurred lines between friend and foe making trust nearly impossible. Dr. Hutchinson-Hayes’s sharp attention to detail and deep understanding of espionage lend authenticity to the story, while the constant twists and turns heighten the tension and excitement.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 30, 2025

Death at a Wedding

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Death at a Wedding 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Marc Watson ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“Death at a Wedding” by Marc Watson is an engaging and intriguing read. The title itself piqued my curiosity and drew me in. The story follows Ethan Dessier, who has been Death for nearly two years in his own time. His most recent task is to guide Derek into the afterlife. When Ethan arrives, Derek’s family is in the middle of a crisis. Instead of simply taking him away, Ethan helps Derek realize that his wife is strong enough to endure and carry on, even though the road ahead will not be easy.

As Ethan settles into his unusual role, he discovers a troubling truth: his predecessor left out one crucial detail—how to quit being Death. At times, Ethan suspects that his longing to stay alive may have disrupted the natural order, trapping him in a strange and endless cycle. But everything takes an unexpected turn when he receives a wedding invitation and encounters a woman named Victoria.

For readers who enjoy dark romantic comedies, this book is sure to entertain. Despite being a sequel, it works well as a standalone novel. The storyline feels fresh and original, the language is accessible, and the backdrop is vividly crafted. Marc Watson’s creativity truly shines in this work.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 30, 2025

Transgression of Magic

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Transgression of Magic 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: S.A. Schneider ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Transgression of Magic by S.A. Schneider is the second installment in the Town Magician series. The story follows Samual, the youngest Town Magician, accompanied by his trusted advisor, Rory. Together, their reputation continues to grow with every performance. Yet, despite the applause, Samual often struggles with self-doubt, wishing he could perfect his craft.

Recently, the duo thrilled audiences with a daring, death-defying table act. While the crowd was amazed, Samual remained discouraged, frustrated that he stumbled over even the simplest tricks. Rory reassures him not to be so critical of himself, but Samual is determined to master his magic, knowing the weight of responsibility that comes with being the Town Magician.

Readers who enjoy middle-grade fantasy will find this book an absolute treat. I thoroughly enjoyed it—S.A. Schneider has done a remarkable job. The cover is appealing, the title fitting, and the storyline engaging from start to finish. Of all the characters, Samual stood out to me the most. This is a captivating read that young fantasy fans will surely love.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon