Book Reviews – Page 9 – Sassy Reviews

September 10, 2025

Defending the Eagle

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Defending the Eagle 📚

𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Frank Demith ✍️

🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:

Defending the Eagle is an engaging story that had me hooked from the very first page. It follows two central characters: Abdulaziz Mahmoud and SGT Abdullah.

Abdulaziz Mahmoud, a ruthless insurgent leader, shows no hesitation in ordering executions for those who defy him. He gathers new recruits, giving even those without military experience just two weeks of training. Anyone refusing the training is subject to execution by his security officer. Mahmoud’s mission is to rid the country of infidels.

On the other hand, SGT Abdullah is the most skilled mechanic under SFC Broadmoor. Recognizing his potential, Broadmoor entrusted Abdullah with greater responsibility, appointing him as lead vehicle inspector. During his inspections, Abdullah uncovers a dangerous act of sabotage—someone has been cutting fuel lines. Determined, he sets out to expose the culprit.

Readers who enjoy stories of conflict between allies and enemies will find this book thoroughly gripping. The author’s descriptive writing brings the tension to life, keeping the suspense high throughout. For me, SGT Abdullah stood out as the most compelling character. This book kept me on edge until the very last page—I highly recommend it without hesitation.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Kobo

September 7, 2025

No Safe Place

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: No Safe Place 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Megan Cianfaglione ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“No Safe Place” by Megan Cianfaglione is a gripping and intense read. The story centers around Rayna, who has suffered through a toxic relationship for three long years. One day, she finally decides she’s had enough of Ryan’s abuse and makes her escape—but not before he warns her that he will eventually track her down.

Rayna finds refuge in a quaint little town, where she begins working at a bookstore. With the support of Joel, whose kindness allows her to start over under the name Anna Reed, she begins to feel a sense of safety. But one evening, she notices a man lingering across the street, staring into the shop window. Fear grips her once again. For a month, she manages to keep her cover while working at Ink and Ivy, but the looming question remains—will she be forced to confront her abuser again?

This novel is a real page-turner. I found myself on edge, eager to uncover what would happen next. Rayna’s character is compelling and relatable, and Megan Cianfaglione has crafted her story with skill. The setting is beautifully described, adding depth to the suspenseful plot. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

September 7, 2025

The Sacred Awakening

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Sacred Awakening 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Sami Awad ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“The Sacred Awakening” by Sami Awad is a remarkable and thought-provoking read. In this book, the author shares his personal journey of moving from traditional faith to a deeper awakening. The more he immersed himself in the Gospels, the more he perceived a striking difference between the Jesus he encountered in scripture and the one he was taught to worship. In search of truth, Sami stepped beyond the boundaries of Christianity and experienced Christ Consciousness.

Awakening, as he describes, is a return to the original invitation: to live from love rather than fear, to see one another beyond division, and to participate in healing the world through radical compassion.

This work also invites readers to rediscover the Sacred language. Sami presents The Lord’s Prayer as a Daily Beatitude Practice, offering a way to align daily with the consciousness of the Kingdom. The call to move from fear into love is extended to all who are willing to step into the unknown with faith in the Kingdom.

It is a truly distinctive book—one I am deeply grateful for. A powerful guide to awakening our true humanity. Go ahead with it without any second thoughts.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

September 4, 2025

The Value in what we see

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Value in what we see 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Prof John Dishman ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
This is an engaging and adventurous read in which the author takes readers along on his personal journey. He shares the roads he has traveled, the lessons life has taught him, and the unexpected moments of love he has discovered along the way.

Through his story, the author encourages readers to recognize their own worth, regardless of how others may treat them. His experiences with childhood bullying sharpened his ability to read people and environments, and he highlights the beauty of experiencing rather than owning.

I found his reflections on raising children who can thrive anywhere in the world truly insightful. His French adventures, in particular, stirred my own desire to visit Paris. For him, travel has not just been about destinations—it has been a gift of wisdom and perspective.

This book has shifted the way I see things. I now feel more excited about collecting experiences than possessions. I’m grateful to have read about his journey, which is rich with meaningful lessons lived firsthand. John’s adventures were both inspiring and tempting. A beautifully written book!

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

September 4, 2025

The Pivot

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Pivot 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: James Snow ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
The Pivot: A Guide to Moving Forward When the Mission Changes by James Snow is a thought-provoking and practical read. Snow redefines excellence as more than just achievement—it’s about being fully present in the moment. True excellence, he explains, also requires rest, healthy boundaries, and the ability to say no to things that don’t align with our mission.

A central theme of the book is that “how we do anything is how we do everything.” Snow emphasizes that the first pivot is always the most difficult, as it challenges our assumptions and direction. He also offers valuable guidance on recognizing the right time to make a pivot. The section ‘Building an Identity Beyond the Job’ is particularly insightful and empowering.

The inclusion of Reflection & Action questions at the end of each chapter makes the reading experience interactive and engaging. Overall, this book equips readers with the confidence to face uncertainty, embrace change, and move forward with clarity. Its practical tips are useful not only in one’s career but also in personal growth and relationships. A highly recommended read—pick it up without hesitation.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

September 4, 2025

The Truth Half Naked

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Truth Half Naked 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Zeyad Kareem ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
The Truth Half Naked by Zeyad Kareem is a powerful and captivating read. The story follows Amar, who grows up hearing that boys should never cry and must never be soft. Things take a darker turn when Amar’s father discovers his closeness with Walid. In Baghdad, love between two boys was not accepted, and Walid’s family was forced to leave. When his father realizes that Amar is too gentle, he turns to a carpenter named Khalid to “make him a man.”

Heartbroken by his father’s cruelty, Amar pleads with his mother not to let him be sent to Khalid’s shop. When she finally takes a stand for him, it marks a turning point in his life. Later, Amar meets Ahmed, with whom he feels warmth, safety, and a chance at love. But will this connection bring him the light and meaning he longs for?

This novel is both gripping and thought-provoking. From the first page, it held me captive, and I couldn’t set it aside until I reached the end. Zeyad Kareem crafts his characters with depth and sensitivity, weaving a story that is not only emotionally stirring but also eye-opening. It’s a tale about forbidden love, resilience, and the power of truth once it breaks through silence.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

September 3, 2025September 3, 2025

Blind Drunk

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Blind Drunk 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Veronica Woodruff ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Veronica Woodruff’s Blind Drunk is part memoir, part cultural study, and entirely compelling. She charts her journey from a childhood surrounded by luxury and instability, through years in the hospitality industry, to a hard-earned life of sobriety. Along the way, she paints a striking portrait of how alcohol permeates nearly every aspect of modern life—from corporate boardrooms to family dinners, from religious events to neighborhood barbecues.

Alcohol is presented as destructive and enabling, glamorous and toxic, liberating and imprisoning. Woodruff does not offer easy answers but rather situates her experience within a web of history, advertising, and social norms. By layering research with personal anecdotes, she demonstrates that drinking culture cannot be reduced to willpower or weakness; it is a collective inheritance that shapes choices and consequences.

The book deserves high praise for its accessibility and impact. Despite tackling weighty topics like addiction, mental health, and family trauma, Woodruff writes with clarity and compassion. Her prose is engaging, her narrative structure inventive, and her insights strikingly relevant in an age where many are reconsidering their relationship with alcohol. Blind Drunk is both a sobering reflection and a hopeful guide, offering readers the tools to question, evaluate, and perhaps even change their own habits.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

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

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