Book Reviews – Page 25 – Sassy Reviews

May 14, 2025

Baylie

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Baylie: A Life Shattered. A Promise Kept. A Secret Revealed 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Shawnee Baker ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“Baylie: A Life Shattered. A Promise Kept. A Secret Revealed” by Shawnee Baker is a powerful and emotionally charged read. In this heartfelt memoir, Shawnee shares her real-life journey. A mother to three children—Mickenzie, Tristan, and Baylie—she found herself spiraling into negativity after a painful divorce.

Things began to change when she met Scott, a gentle and steady presence who soon became her safe haven. In her late thirties, Shawnee took a leap of faith, remarried, and began rebuilding her life. With her sons having moved out, Scott often spent time with Baylie while Shawnee worked night shifts. Just as she was starting to envision a new chapter—travel, adventure, and peace—life threw a devastating curveball.

Baylie was in a tragic accident, one so severe that her chances of survival were slim. What unfolded next is a blend of mystery and emotion. Did Baylie share something from beyond? Was there a secret waiting to be uncovered?

This story takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster of love, loss, grief, healing, etc. I was deeply moved by Shawnee’s resilience and the comfort she found in Scott. Baylie’s story is truly heartbreaking. Those who find comfort in reading memoirs should get their hands on this book.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

May 13, 2025

Descend

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Descend 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Jen Lyon ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Fans of epic fantasy won’t want to miss Descend by Jen Lyon. In this imaginative tale, death is not the end—it’s only the beginning. Arrivals was the first place humans returned to after their death. The newly deceased were assisted in their predetermined sections: Lo-Reps, Mid-Reps and High-Reps.

The shift from Earth to Descend is softened by dim lighting, but the reality is harsh—most souls now belong to the High-Reps, individuals who have returned to life over 150 times without successfully Ascending. Once, Ascension was common. Now, humanity is stuck in an endless cycle between Earth and Descend. Those who ascended live for millennia, but humanity’s increasingly self-destructive nature threatens to wipe them out within 3,000 years.

Sarah, the Demon Keeper of Descend, must devise a way to save the human race. ReTraining efforts have failed. Can someone—or something—intervene to break the cycle and save the universe?

Jen Lyon’s vivid world-building is truly impressive. The story is packed with action, the pacing is quick, and the writing is rich with detail. The concept of Ascend and Descend is both original and compelling, and the characters are thoughtfully crafted. A must-read for fantasy lovers.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

May 13, 2025

The Key and the Scythe

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Key and the Scythe 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Charles Bedlam ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Estelle Grigori is the only daughter of Damian Grigori, a powerful and wealthy tycoon who has spent his life building an empire. With retirement on the horizon, Damian hopes to pass on the reins of his business legacy to Estelle. However, she dreams of becoming a dancer or a musician.

Estelle attracts trouble easily. However, tensions rose when she had a fight with a girl named Natasha over a treasured bracelet that once belonged to her late mother. This altercation sparks a public scandal, drawing the attention of investigators and casting a shadow over the Grigori family name.

Damian only wants what’s best for his daughter but Estelle has to prove her worth. Just before leaving for a trip to France, he presents her with a crucial opportunity—a test of trust.

As the plot unfolds, the story takes a fascinating turn. Estelle finds herself far from home, thrust into a realm where the ordinary blends with the extraordinary. She embarks on a quest to locate the keys that will unlock the mysterious Dimension Door—her only way back home. But time is not on her side. Her father’s return is imminent, and Estelle must navigate the unknown quickly and wisely.

This story is a gripping blend of drama and fantasy that immediately drew me in from the very first page. The narrative is both compelling and richly layered, with supernatural elements that add a thrilling depth to the storyline. The book’s cover is thoughtfully designed, and the title perfectly captures the essence of the tale. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this read and am eager to explore more works by the author.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

May 10, 2025

The Power of Balance

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Power of Balance 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Nimia Hossain ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“The Power of Balance: How to Find Success in Life’s Extremes” by Nimia Hossain is a thought-provoking and insightful read. In this book, the author emphasizes the vital role of balance in today’s fast-paced world. She explains that mastering balance involves recognizing when to shift between extremes depending on the context. Success in any area requires a harmonious blend of logic and creativity.

My favorite chapter, “Optimism vs Realism – The Balance of Perspective,” delves into how both mindsets are essential when facing life’s uncertainties. The book offers valuable strategies for time management, effective planning, and staying adaptable—tools that help create stability while remaining open to new possibilities.

The reflective and action-oriented exercises included are particularly useful. Readers will gain practical guidance on how to strike a balance between confidence and humility, individualism and collectivism, and more.

Overall, the book is filled with practical insights delivered in an accessible writing style. It encourages readers to make mindful, consistent choices to achieve lasting balance. A well-balanced life, as the author suggests, can lead to stronger relationships, career growth, and reduced stress. Personally, having worked in the corporate world where stress was constant, I wish I had discovered a book like this earlier to guide me toward a more balanced approach to life.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

May 10, 2025

Shifter

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Shifter 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Michael J. Bowler ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Shifter by Michael J. Bowler is a compelling and fast-paced novel that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end. The narrative revolves around Alex, a teenager with the extraordinary ability to heal others. One of his most remarkable acts was curing a girl named Allison of leukemia. Despite their brief encounter, Allison develops strong feelings for Alex, captivated not only by his powers but by his kindness.

The story takes a more intense turn with the introduction of Alex’s twin brother, Andy. Unlike Alex, Andy has been isolated his entire life, hidden away in a controlled environment with no exposure to the real world. His lack of basic knowledge and social understanding becomes evident as he begins to interact with others for the first time. A mysterious dream haunts Alex, in which his deceased teacher, Ms. G, warns him that Andy already belongs to her—and soon, Alex will too.

As the plot thickens, Alex, Andy, and their group of friends are kidnapped by a man named Mr. Jones and a colonel, both of whom are aware of Alex’s healing abilities. However, they are shocked to discover that Andy possesses a far more dangerous gift—the power to shift death from one person to another, effectively choosing who lives and who dies.

The novel raises high-stakes questions: Will Alex and his companions be able to outsmart their captors? Can they harness their powers to escape and protect each other? The book is filled with unexpected twists and thrilling moments, making it an exhilarating read. With strong character development, emotional depth, and a well-paced plot, Shifter is an engaging blend of science fiction and action.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

May 9, 2025

A Cup of Tea on the Commode

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: A Cup of Tea on the Commode 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Mark Steven Porro ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“A Cup of Tea on the Commode” by Mark Steven Porro is a compelling and heartfelt memoir. In it, the author shares his experience—along with his siblings—of caring for their ailing mother, Genevieve. Mark recounts the daily caregiving routine he followed for his mother—waking her, preparing warm water, changing her diapers, and more.

At one point, the family brought in a mother-daughter duo to assist with meals, household chores, and to provide company for Genevieve. Mark humorously refers to them as Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb, noting that their behavior partially influenced his mother’s wish to pass on. His apprehension grows when he learns they’ll be returning to care for her again.

Mark was running a snack-food business in Los Angeles, he eventually decided to move back into his childhood home to care for his mother full-time. Read this memoir to find out how he’ll cope when the moment finally arrives to say goodbye.

This book is both engaging and laced with humor. Mark’s writing style is warm and accessible. I read it with a cup of coffee and found myself deeply moved, reflecting on the final days I spent with my own grandparents as my family came together to care for them. Readers who’ve experienced similar caregiving roles will find much to relate to in this memoir. I couldn’t put it down. The title, in particular, feels like the perfect reflection of the book’s tone and heart.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

May 8, 2025

The Girls of the Glimmer Factory

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Girls of the Glimmer Factory 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Jennifer Coburn ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Hannah Kaufman’s family was forced to flee Munich in search of safety, eventually settling in Prague. For a time, they found a fragile sense of normalcy—until the Nazis invaded. As the situation worsened, the family arranged to escape to Palestine. However, due to Hannah’s medical condition, her grandfather chose to remain in Prague to care for her.

Their efforts to stay safe were in vain. Hannah and Oskar were eventually deported to the Theresienstadt ghetto, a place of suffering and despair. There, Hannah was assigned various jobs within the camp. The reality she faced—cruel treatment, extreme deprivation, and the horrors hidden behind the camp’s façade—left her heartbroken and deeply shaken.

Meanwhile, Hilde, a German woman with unshakable belief in Hitler’s promises, was entrusted with overseeing a propaganda film meant to portray the ghetto in a falsely positive light. In a twist of fate, she encountered Hannah, her childhood friend, now a slave. Blinded by ambition and an overwhelming desire for recognition, Hilde was willing to cross any line to prove her worth—even if it meant turning a blind eye to the suffering around her.

The author’s descriptive writing immerses the reader in both the emotional and historical depth of the story. The level of research that went into this novel is clearly evident, and I was particularly moved by the “A Conversation with the Author” section at the end—it added even more context to an already powerful narrative. The storytelling is clear and accessible, making this an eye-opening and unforgettable read.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

May 8, 2025

Spinner

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Spinner 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Michael J. Bowler ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Spinner by Michael J. Bowler is the first book in The Healer Chronicles series. The story centers around Alex, a fifteen-year-old boy who uses a wheelchair and possesses a mysterious ability known as “spinning.” Because of this unusual gift, his friends refer to him as a “spinner.”

Alex is an orphan living in the foster care system. When people discover his strange powers, they often react with fear and distance themselves from him. One day, Alex dreams that Ms. Ashley—one of the most beloved teachers at his school was killed. The dream becomes reality when a replacement teacher arrives, confirming Ms. Ashley’s death.

Soon after, Alex has another troubling dream—this time about his friend Roy dying. Fearing the worst, Alex and his friends realize they must uncover the truth about his origins if they want to prevent more deaths.

This is a fast-paced, gripping story that kept me hooked from start to finish. The writing is vivid, the characters are compelling, and the plot is well crafted. Michael J. Bowler has created an intriguing world, and I’m eager to dive into the next book in the series.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

May 8, 2025

Dear Isaac Barnes

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Dear Isaac Barnes 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: River Hathaway ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Dear Isaac Barnes is a short and engaging read by River Hathaway. The story centers around fifteen-year-old Roy Tilson, whose curiosity about the mysterious Isaac Barnes grows stronger by the hour. Isaac is a puzzle Roy is eager to solve—he wants to truly understand him.

Isaac, a talented musician around Roy’s age, creates beautiful guitar music that captivates Roy. After sending countless emails, Roy is stunned when Isaac finally replies. And when Isaac invites him to meet in person, Roy can hardly believe it’s real. Their meeting is unforgettable—especially when Isaac gives Roy a hoodie that would make thousands of fangirls envious.

During their time together, Isaac opens up to Roy, sharing how misunderstood he feels. Everyone seems to want Isaac Barnes the pop star, but not Isaac the person. This story takes you on the journey of how Roy begins to uncover the real Isaac behind the fame.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book in one sitting. I especially loved Roy’s sister’s nosy personality—it reminds me of how I tease my own brother! Roy is a wonderfully written character, and I found him easy to relate to. The narration flows effortlessly, making it hard to put down until the very last page.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

May 8, 2025May 12, 2025

1629: Mutiny on the Batavia

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: 1629: Mutiny on the Batavia 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Henry Van Zanden ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
1629: Mutiny on the Batavia spans four continents—Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia—and introduces readers to the tragic and gripping tale of the Batavia, one of the most magnificent and heavily armed merchant ships of its time.

Francisco Pelsaert, the Commander of the fleet that included the Batavia, quickly rose through the ranks. During the voyage, he publicly disciplined the ship’s skipper, Jacobsz, in the Great Cabin—a scene witnessed by Jeronimus and several others. The humiliation left Jacobsz bitter and resentful.

While Jeronimus was secretly plotting a mutiny, Jacobsz’s sharp tongue and unruly behavior led many to suspect him of planning a rebellion.

The author skillfully weaves fact with fiction, adding imaginative elements that enhance the historical narrative. Learning about this dark chapter of history was both fascinating and chilling. Jeronimus stands out as a sinister manipulator with wicked intentions toward the survivors of Batavia’s wreck.

This book is a must-read for those who enjoy a compelling mix of drama, romance, adventure, mystery, history, murder, and mayhem. The narration is seamless, and the fictional additions enrich the story, making it even more engaging.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon