Book Reviews – Page 8 – Sassy Reviews

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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January 17, 2026

Of Witches and Vampires

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Of Witches and Vampires 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Tricia Copeland ✍️
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Told primarily through Lilith’s perspective, the story reimagines her not as a demon, but as a powerful, sensitive, and fiercely independent being who longs for companionship, creativity, and purpose. Her exile from Eden is not born of evil, but of emotional neglect and the refusal to live a life devoid of passion and connection.

Lilith’s loneliness, love, grief, and resilience are portrayed well. Her relationships with Eve, with her children, and with Lucious are complex, revealing the cost of immortality.

The origin story of vampires is handled with creativity. Copeland focuses less on horror and more on identity, survival, etc, making the supernatural elements feel meaningful.

Readers who enjoy immersive mythology and character-driven fantasy will find the journey rewarding. The language used in the book is easy to follow. It is a short read that one could read in a single sitting. The world building is impressive with a smooth narration.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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January 16, 2026

North of Broken & Furever Home

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: North of Broken & Furever Home 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Holly B. Gutwillinger ✍️
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The story alternates between Renley, a middle-aged woman navigating loss, identity, and a shifting family dynamic, and Sully, a young dog struggling to survive in a harsh, unforgiving world. This dual perspective is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. Renley’s chapters are deeply relatable, filled with the exhaustion of caregiving, the ache of unfulfilled purpose, and the longing to belong to something meaningful. Sully’s voice, on the other hand, is raw, innocent, and heartbreaking, offering a powerful reminder of resilience and loyalty in the face of fear and abandonment.

The parallels between Renley’s internal struggles and Sully’s fight for survival are handled with care, reinforcing the novel’s central theme: healing often begins when we open ourselves to love again, especially the kind that asks for nothing in return.

Animal lovers will find this book especially moving, but the story resonates far beyond that audience. Anyone who has felt lost, unseen, or “north of broken” will recognize themselves in these pages.

North of Broken & Furever Home is a heartfelt, soul-soothing read about second chances, chosen family, and the profound ways humans and animals save one another. This book is a beautiful reminder that sometimes, finding a forever home starts with finding yourself.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

January 16, 2026

Nearly Departed in Deadwood

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Nearly Departed in Deadwood 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Ann Charles ✍️
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Nearly Departed in Deadwood is a fast-paced story set in the historic town of Deadwood, South Dakota. The novel introduces readers to Violet Parker, a single mom and a struggling real estate agent.

As young girls begin disappearing from Deadwood, Violet is already under pressure to sell a house within three weeks or risk losing her job. Just when things couldn’t get worse, she lands a listing for a crumbling Victorian home with secrets of its own.

Between a trigger-happy property owner, a sabotaging coworker, creepy anonymous messages, and a dangerously attractive stranger, Violet’s life quickly spirals into chaos. The storyline is so intriguing that it kept me on the edge of my seat.

Deadwood feels vivid and alive, almost like a character itself. Violet Parker is a standout protagonist making it easy for readers to root for her from the very first chapter.

Fans of cozy mysteries with a darker edge, strong female leads, and small-town secrets will find this book a great read. By the final page, you’ll be eager to get your hands on the next book by the author.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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January 16, 2026

The Rescue of Minnie Engel

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Rescue of Minnie Engel 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: William Tirre ✍️
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The Rescue of Minnie Engel tells a powerful story of a family torn apart by war and hatred, and the desperate journey to reclaim what remains.

Minnie’s capture is horrifying and emotional, setting the tone for a story that does not romanticize the Old West. Instead, it presents a raw portrait of survival from Minnie’s terror and resilience to her brother Matthias’s struggle to balance duty, grief, and faith. The ideological divide between the Engel brothers adds depth, showing how the Civil War fractured not just a nation, but families themselves.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its diverse cast. From former soldiers and outlaws to cowboys, freed Black frontiersmen, etc, the rescue party feels authentic. Each character brings a unique background and motivation.

The storyline asks difficult questions about morality, justice, and cultural conflict, while reminding the reader that courage and compassion can exist even in the darkest circumstances. This is a thoughtful historical novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven stories.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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