Book Reviews – Page 3 – Sassy Reviews

January 21, 2026

Lock Down Protocol

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Lock Down Protocol 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: J.T. Fluhart ✍️
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The novel opens with a chilling premise: a world thrown into chaos as animals once harmless companions mutate into savage predators under the influence of a mysterious supermoon. What makes this setup particularly unsettling is how defenseless humanity feels. Humans are forced into survival mode as civilization begins to fracture. This sense of global vulnerability immediately pulls the reader into the story.

At the heart of the action is CIA agent Benjamin Masters, who collaborated with Rurales, a Mexican law enforcement group. Watching Masters in action throughout the story kept me on the edge of my seat. The fast-paced missions, escalating danger, and relentless attacks by mutated beasts keep the tension high throughout. The author ensures that the stakes never feel small, as every encounter carries life-or-death consequences.

Combined with well-developed characters who each possess unique backstories and voices, this novel is a gripping read. Rob and Mel’s characters are well developed. The storyline kept me on the edge of my seat. The writing style of the author is amazing. The narration is smooth and strong. The story is fast paced and pulled me in immediately.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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January 21, 2026

Super Moon Protocol

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Super Moon Protocol 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: J.T. Fluhart ✍️
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Jonathan Fluhart’s Super Moon Protocol is a chilling thriller. Beginning in 1970, the novel introduces Joe Florchett, a hardworking man whose life has already been destabilized by the unexplained collapse of a major business partner. Just when he seems to be rebuilding his livelihood through poultry farming, an eerie lunar event sets the stage for something far more sinister.

The supermoon, an occurrence said to happen only once every fifty years, becomes a terrifying catalyst. Fluhart skillfully transforms an ordinary farm setting into a place of horror as Joe’s chickens, led by the aggressive rooster Colonel Sanders, turn violent against him and his family. The attack is shocking and unsettling.

The story then shifts to 2020, where Rob Florchett, Joe’s descendant, is unraveling under the weight of recurring nightmares connected to the events of 1970. His academic failure, fractured family relationships, and declining mental health create a deeply human contrast to the supernatural elements of the plot. Rob’s sessions with Dr. Maria Sheltie adds a psychological depth.

The connection between 1970 and 2020 is revealed with careful pacing, making the book difficult to put down. Super Moon Protocol is a true page-turner that delivers suspense, mystery, etc.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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January 20, 2026

The Orb of Destiny: Tome IV

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Orb of Destiny: Tome IV 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Jonni Jordyn ✍️
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The Orb of Destiny: Tome IV by Jonni Jordyn is a great fantasy novel that is set in a world where a long-dormant magical veil has been torn away, the story explores the uneasy coexistence of witches, sorcerers, and an oblivious modern society on the brink of revelation.

At the heart of the novel is Blake, a compelling protagonist whose journey leads him through ancient libraries, secret archives, and supernatural encounters in search of a powerful relic, the Orb of Destiny. Jordyn excels at weaving mythology with suspense.

The novel stands out for its detailed world-building and rich cast of characters. Multiple perspectives, from magical trainees to government operatives add depth and tension.

Jordyn’s writing is vivid. Fans of epic fantasy and prophecy-driven stories will appreciate the complexity and layered storytelling. The Orb of Destiny reads like the opening movement of a much larger saga, leaving readers eager to continue the journey.

Overall, The Orb of Destiny is an engaging and thought-provoking fantasy novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy magic-heavy worlds, secret histories, and slow-burning epic adventures.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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January 19, 2026

The Bratinsky Affair

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Bratinsky Affair 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Jim Loughran ✍️
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At the heart of the novel are two parallel narratives that gradually converge. One follows Tom O’Brien, a young journalist in 1970s County Wicklow, frustrated by the limitations of local reporting but driven by a strong sense of justice. His curiosity about corruption in the antiques and property trade pulls him into a dangerous world of intimidation, buried secrets, and unresolved violence from Ireland’s revolutionary past. Tom is a believable and sympathetic protagonist.

Running alongside this storyline is the haunting life story of Countess Irina Bratinsky, an aristocratic Russian exile whose past stretches back to the chaos of the Russian Revolution. Irina’s journey from privilege to survival captures the trauma of displacement, sexual violence, loss, etc.

Loughran’s background research is evident, particularly in his depiction of the antique trade, and post-independence Ireland.

The Bratinsky Affair is a gripping novel that combines suspense with historical depth. It will appeal to readers of literary crime fiction, historical novels, and anyone interested in how private lives are shaped by the great upheavals of history. The narration is strong and kept me on the edge of my seat until the last page.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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January 18, 2026

Bastymania: Love is Strange

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Bastymania: Love is Strange 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Mary Ganim ✍️
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Bastymania is a lively graphic novel that chronicles the rise of a rock band from its humble beginnings. Two teenagers started a skiffle band in 1950s England. The book then time-travels the reader through the 1960’s and 70’s. Following five, later four young musicians, the story captures not just their musical evolution but also the chaos, career setbacks, ups and downs during their journey.

These characters are far from polished professionals. In fact, their constant misadventures lead to career-threatening setbacks and near failures. Their journey is messy, loud, etc which makes this novel entertaining.

While Bastymania is undeniably funny, it is much more than a comic book. Beneath the satire lies a deep affection for mid-twentieth-century popular music and its pioneers. Legends like W.C. Handy, Carl Perkins, etc are lovingly referenced, creating a rich musical backdrop that will resonate with longtime fans of the era.

Ultimately, this book is a celebration of music, memory, etc. It invites readers to savor not just the laughs, but the history, influences, and passion that shaped a transformative period in popular music.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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January 18, 2026

The Velvet Ghetto

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Velvet Ghetto 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Dustin Grinnell ✍️
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The Velvet Ghetto is a collection of twenty-five interconnected poems that together create a compelling narrative in verse. The book powerfully explores what happens when workplaces prioritize obedience over originality.

Anyone who has worked in a corporate environment will easily connect with the emotions woven into each poem.

“Life Sentence” stands out as a striking piece that captures the feeling of being trapped within a corporation. Dustin vividly portrays how employees often end their days feeling miserable, burned out, and completely exhausted.

The poem “Better Opportunities” highlights how employees live in a state of fearful obedience, lacking the courage to speak up and instead choosing to remain silent while they suffer.

Drawing from his own experience in Corporate America, Dustin brings authenticity to this collection. As someone who has also worked a 9-to-5 job, I found this book deeply relatable. The language is simple and accessible, making the poems easy to follow. I’m truly glad I had the opportunity to read this book.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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January 18, 2026

Shadow Nights: Arc I Into the Shadows

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Shadow Nights: Arc I Into the Shadows 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Seishin ✍️
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Shadow Nights: Arc I Into the Shadows by Seishin, introduces readers to an urban fantasy where grief, crime, and supernatural forces collide. Blending coming-of-age elements with dark fantasy and superhero fiction, the novel lays the groundwork for an ambitious series driven by mystery, emotional stakes, etc.

At the heart of the story is Gavin, a teenage protagonist whose life is already weighed down by responsibility, family tension, and a city drowning in crime. When he unexpectedly gains strange, foxlike powers tied to shadowy creatures, Gavin is thrust into a hidden world operating just beneath everyday reality. The narrative smartly balances his internal conflict with the growing realization that he may be the “miracle” his city desperately needs.

Shadowy monsters, living crystals, cryptic spirits, and surreal environments such as underwater ruins and sealed domes create a vivid sense of danger and wonder.

Gavin’s relationship with his younger brother, Rex, feels genuine. Rex’s kidnapping and forced involvement with morally ambiguous characters raise the stakes significantly and demonstrate the story’s willingness to explore fear, powerlessness, and manipulation.

Shadow Nights: Arc I Into the Shadows will appeal to fans of urban fantasy. The story is fast paced without any dull moments. I am looking forward to getting my hands on the next book by the author.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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January 18, 2026

A Season of Thunder

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: A Season of Thunder 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Alex Gerrick ✍️
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Inspired by real events, Alex Gerrick crafts a deeply personal story that moves between past and present, Europe and Australia, memory and obsession.

At its heart, the book follows a man haunted by a violent childhood mystery and by unanswered questions surrounding his family’s past. When fragments of history resurface through war crimes, buried secrets, and long-silenced witnesses, the narrator embarks on a restless journey across continents to uncover the truth. This quest is not only about justice, but about identity, guilt, and the human need for closure.

The intersections between war, family loyalty, and mental health particularly PTSD are handled with sensitivity and depth.

A Season of Thunder is thoughtful work that will resonate with readers interested in true crime inspired fiction, post-war history, and psychological journeys. It is a powerful reminder that the past never truly disappears and that confronting it, however uncomfortable, may be the only path toward peace.

The language used in the book is easy to follow. I am impressed by Alex’s writing style. The book is well paced and I highly recommend it to my fellow readers.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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January 17, 2026

Writers of the Future, Volume 39

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Writers of the Future, Volume 39 presented by L. Ron Hubbard
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This volume gathers various winning stories from the Writers of the Future contest, alongside additional pieces by established authors such as Kevin J. Anderson, L. Ron Hubbard, and S. M. Stirling. The range is impressive. Readers move effortlessly from intimate, emotionally driven narratives to high-concept science fiction, playful urban fantasy, and dark, morally complex tales.

Stories like “Kitsune” by Devon Bohm stand out for its lyrical prose, blending myth and modern identity with quiet power. Others, such as “Death and the Taxman” by David Hankins, showcase humor and originality, proving the anthology is as entertaining as it is thoughtful.

Each story feels distinct in voice and ambition. Themes of identity, sacrifice, freedom, and consequence recur throughout the volume.

The illustrations, created by winners of the Illustrators of the Future contest and art directed by Echo Chernik, elevate the reading experience. Beyond the fiction itself, the included essays on writing and illustration add practical and inspirational value, particularly for aspiring creators.

Writers of the Future, Volume 39 is an engaging collection that succeeds in its goal of discovering and showcasing new talent.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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January 17, 2026

Writers of the Future, Volume 38

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Writers of the Future, Volume 38 presented by L. Ron Hubbard
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This collection brings together various winning stories by new writers, complemented by works from legendary authors such as Frank Herbert, L. Ron Hubbard, and David Farland himself. This balance between fresh perspectives and established masters gives the volume a rich sense of continuity.

The stories range widely in tone, theme, and setting: from monster-filled worlds that question the morality of hunting and violence, to intimate, emotionally charged tales about family, trauma, and identity; from time travel to myth-infused historical fantasy. This diversity keeps the reading experience engaging, ensuring that nearly every reader will find something that resonates with them.

Several standout stories explore the human cost of power and progress, often through deeply personal lenses. Rather than relying solely on spectacle, many authors focus on character-driven narratives, grounding their speculative concepts in relatable emotions such as grief, fear, hope, and love.

The inclusion of illustrations by winners of the Illustrators of the Future contest adds another layer of depth to the book. The artwork enhances the atmosphere of each story, offering visual interpretations that complement the written word. Under the art direction of Echo Chernik, the illustrations maintain a cohesive quality while still reflecting the unique styles of individual artists.

Overall, Writers of the Future, Volume 38 is a strong and thoughtfully curated anthology.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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