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Bladestay
Be careful who you root for
When a violent, decades-long feud between two powerful men comes to a head in the small settlement of Bladestay, Colorado, cunning resident Theo Creed must use her wits to stay alive. Disguising herself as a young boy, seventeen-year-old Theo bluffs her way into the inner circle of August Gaines, the magnetic leader of the ruthless gang that has descended on her town. But the deeper Theo gets into the con, the more she starts to question her loyalties. Complicating her subterfuge is a mysterious outlaw whose small moments of kindness contradict the blood he has on his hands, making Theo wonder who, exactly, is conning who. To save her town, Theo must parse facade from reality and choose between the barefaced malevolence she’s infiltrated and an evil she didn’t know lurked at home.
For readers who enjoy No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy and Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee.
When a violent, decades-long feud between two powerful men comes to a head in the small settlement of Bladestay, Colorado, cunning resident Theo Creed must use her wits to stay alive. Disguising herself as a young boy, seventeen-year-old Theo bluffs her way into the inner circle of August Gaines, the magnetic leader of the ruthless gang that has descended on her town. But the deeper Theo gets into the con, the more she starts to question her loyalties. Complicating her subterfuge is a mysterious outlaw whose small moments of kindness contradict the blood he has on his hands, making Theo wonder who, exactly, is conning who. To save her town, Theo must parse facade from reality and choose between the barefaced malevolence she’s infiltrated and an evil she didn’t know lurked at home.
For readers who enjoy No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy and Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published November 28, 2023
17 people are currently reading
4231 people want to read
About the author
Jackie Johnson
1 book147 followersJackie Johnson is a San Diego born poet and novelist. With a background as a journalist, a BA in history, and an education in armed defense, Jackie has a uniquely authentic voice within the historical genre. She’s been riding horses for over twenty years and has her own real-life cowboy love story when she fell in love with and married a horse trainer. Together, they established a ranch in Southern California where she spends her days writing, riding, and chasing after their dreams, their two children, four horses, six cats, and two dogs. Bladestay is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
December 29, 2023
A deeply beautiful and unflinching novel about the brutality of the American West that corrals a love story in its center. Theo Creed does not flinch, but you might, dear reader, in all the best ways. One of the most engaging novels I’ve read in a long time.
June 23, 2023
If you were a fan of Elsa Dutton, the 17-year-old skilled survivalist and cowgirl, in the award-winning show 1883, then you’ll love Theodora Creed in Bladestay. In this page turning novel, Theodora assumes the persona of a young boy in order to get closer to August Gaines, the leader of a gang that has come to her town. In doing so, she finds herself in a world of brutality and vengeance. Johnson does an excellent job intertwining a love story within an action packed western. And who doesn’t love a strong female lead?!
July 26, 2023
Using subterfuge, seventeen-year-old Theo fakes her way into the inner circle of a ruthless gang and there, she faces the toughest decisions of her life.
This is such an enjoyable book to read! I really fell into the descriptions of the town, the characters, and the ongoing drama that unfolds. The Old West backdrop is perfectly realised and the action makes you want to keep reading. I found it really hard to put this book down.
This is such an enjoyable book to read! I really fell into the descriptions of the town, the characters, and the ongoing drama that unfolds. The Old West backdrop is perfectly realised and the action makes you want to keep reading. I found it really hard to put this book down.
October 30, 2023
This thrilling book kept my attention until the end with its intensity, intriguing characters, and heart. I love a good old west story and mixed with an adorable love story featuring a strong, talented, badass female lead, consider me hooked! Jackie Johnson did a fantastic job unfolding the story at a perfect pace with beautiful writing.
January 2, 2024
Bladestay is epic! I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I am not normally a lover of westerns but this one got me. It was a gripping tale of a girl on the cusp of women hood who it thrown into the chaos of an old beef between two killers. In fighting for her family, she found love, truth, power and herself. The writing was entrancing and the characters were amazing. Theo is a brilliant, strong and inspiring heroine who you can't help but root for. I highly recommend this book.
May 1, 2024
TITLE: BLADESTAY
AUTHOR: Jackie Johnson
PUB DATE: 11.28.2023
BLADESTAY is an adventure and fierce young adult debut novel about seventeen yo protagonist Theodora, who is serving time after stabbing a boy. In the mean time, her town of Bladestay, CO is infiltrated by a violent man named August Gaines, and to protect her family and home town, she poses as a boy to join August’s crew. The story is not for the faint of heart - but my heart did go out to Theo and her new found friendship with Brody. There are many unexpected twists and turns, as well as a good back story that brought depth to the characters in the novel.
AUTHOR: Jackie Johnson
PUB DATE: 11.28.2023
BLADESTAY is an adventure and fierce young adult debut novel about seventeen yo protagonist Theodora, who is serving time after stabbing a boy. In the mean time, her town of Bladestay, CO is infiltrated by a violent man named August Gaines, and to protect her family and home town, she poses as a boy to join August’s crew. The story is not for the faint of heart - but my heart did go out to Theo and her new found friendship with Brody. There are many unexpected twists and turns, as well as a good back story that brought depth to the characters in the novel.
February 23, 2024
I never read westerns. It was so good. Everyone is trying to outsmart each other. I was very surprised by the all the twists and turns. I was consistently trying to decide which side I was on.
September 2, 2023
This book kept me riveted from the start. Non stop action, shifting loyalties, and a blossoming romance to boot. I cannot remember the last YA western I read, of if I have actually ever read one before. The shifting timeline might be a bit confusing to some readers, but once I recognized it as part of the authors storytelling style, I was able to follow without issue. Should consider for BoB.
March 15, 2024
This was a great young adult western book. This was outside of my comfort genre since I haven’t read many westerns, but this one was very good. I loved the main character, Theo in this book and this was a very well written story. If you are looking for a western read, you may want to give Bladestay a try.
Thank you CamCat Publishing for this copy.
Thank you CamCat Publishing for this copy.
March 13, 2024
Loved this book! (And I generally hate Westerns…). Complex characters and a suspenseful, twisty plot make this a thought-provoking and gripping read!
February 18, 2024
After her town is attacked by an outlaw gang, Theo disguises herself as a boy to infiltrate them and stop their charismatic leader from harming her family. Overall, I liked the story that was told here, and the language felt pretty authentic to the American southwest. However, sometimes I was confused by what was happening, and I felt like I missed a sentence or noun or verb or something that would have clarified it all. But I didn’t miss anything; the prose was just occasionally muddled up. I did enjoy it though, especially this special edition cover art for Once Upon a Book Club’s YA box.
September 9, 2023
An amazing first book for Jackie Johnson and a must-read for teens and young adults. Bladestay follows a strong and resourceful heroine named Theodora "Theo" Creed who crossdresses and infiltrates a gang led by August Gaines to fight and protect her town and family.
While the story is told from a third point of view focusing on Theo's experiences, the dialogue and prose captured a triad of different voices and perspectives from Theo Creed, August Gaines, and Brody Boone. As a Western novel, the reader can experience how different certain characters operate on their own moral compass, due to their experiences and upbringing, and how they all play-off and play with each other.
The intensity and thrill brought out the wit, heart, and vulnerability of the characters. Personally, for me, my favorite lines were from August Gaines who didn't speak much to the gang, but when he was, he sure was a silver-tongued devil.
To quickly go back to Theo's crossdressing, it really was an amazing aspect to her character as it highlighted duality between genders and showed what life and potential dangers was like for a girl in the Wild West. Most importantly, without trying to spoil anything, she uses her dual identity as a soft power tool in addition to her knife skills to save the day in various points of the novel for herself and other characters who dealt with internal and external pressures.
While the story is told from a third point of view focusing on Theo's experiences, the dialogue and prose captured a triad of different voices and perspectives from Theo Creed, August Gaines, and Brody Boone. As a Western novel, the reader can experience how different certain characters operate on their own moral compass, due to their experiences and upbringing, and how they all play-off and play with each other.
The intensity and thrill brought out the wit, heart, and vulnerability of the characters. Personally, for me, my favorite lines were from August Gaines who didn't speak much to the gang, but when he was, he sure was a silver-tongued devil.
To quickly go back to Theo's crossdressing, it really was an amazing aspect to her character as it highlighted duality between genders and showed what life and potential dangers was like for a girl in the Wild West. Most importantly, without trying to spoil anything, she uses her dual identity as a soft power tool in addition to her knife skills to save the day in various points of the novel for herself and other characters who dealt with internal and external pressures.
October 2, 2023
True Grit was / is my jam. I loved the focus on a younger female, and the west from her perspective.
This book is for True Grit fans, but dial it up a notch in terms of human psyche and blood. Our main character is a bit of a tomboy, gets put in jail for stabbing her crush in the shoulder with a knife. She didn't really care much for him, honest! He ended up being an abusive shit-bag who deserved it through and through.
As she sits in jail with her ex (yep, he's in there too), a gang of thieves come to town looking for someone. Disguised in her ex's clothes, she takes on the persona of a boy and meets... another boy who is intrigued by her (thinks something is up) and meets the leader of the gang. This leader is looking for someone and he is charismatic, sly, dangerous, and out for blood. Soon she finds herself wanting to save her life, the life of her family, all the while succumbing to the dark pull of the leader and what he believes in... and what he makes her feel.
This story could be a movie and I'd love every bit of it. I loved the main character and how absolutely changed she becomes. Or, shall I say, how more open and free she becomes? The romance on the side was good too.
This is also a story with no fine lines of good and bad, sometimes you have to become your true self to be free. Even if it means killing a few people to get there.
This book is for True Grit fans, but dial it up a notch in terms of human psyche and blood. Our main character is a bit of a tomboy, gets put in jail for stabbing her crush in the shoulder with a knife. She didn't really care much for him, honest! He ended up being an abusive shit-bag who deserved it through and through.
As she sits in jail with her ex (yep, he's in there too), a gang of thieves come to town looking for someone. Disguised in her ex's clothes, she takes on the persona of a boy and meets... another boy who is intrigued by her (thinks something is up) and meets the leader of the gang. This leader is looking for someone and he is charismatic, sly, dangerous, and out for blood. Soon she finds herself wanting to save her life, the life of her family, all the while succumbing to the dark pull of the leader and what he believes in... and what he makes her feel.
This story could be a movie and I'd love every bit of it. I loved the main character and how absolutely changed she becomes. Or, shall I say, how more open and free she becomes? The romance on the side was good too.
This is also a story with no fine lines of good and bad, sometimes you have to become your true self to be free. Even if it means killing a few people to get there.
November 2, 2023
“That’s the hardest thing about closure: you have to choose it, you have to want it, but hardest of all, you have to believe you deserve it.”
Bladestay is a fantastic western style tale about what you would do to survive, and what ends you would go to for your family. Seventeen year old Theo is a captivating character, who’s thoughts and actions held my attention through to the very end. All the characters are perfectly flawed and human, this comes across in Johnson’s writing beautifully, and it makes them relatable. I also want to say this is one of those stories where you can’t tell the good guys from the bad. Every character is morally gray, it’s genius, and executed impeccably.
The pacing of this book was just right. The way that bits and pieces were revealed to the reader made the twists and turns exciting. Every time I had to set the book down I was still thinking about what was going to happen next, and looked forward to getting back to reading. I definitely did not see that ending coming, and there was a point where I wasn’t sure if we were getting some sort of happily ever after or just what we deserved. While I still have questions, I loved the ending and adored this book.
Overall I am completely impressed with this debut novel and look forward to Johnson’s future works.
Bladestay is a fantastic western style tale about what you would do to survive, and what ends you would go to for your family. Seventeen year old Theo is a captivating character, who’s thoughts and actions held my attention through to the very end. All the characters are perfectly flawed and human, this comes across in Johnson’s writing beautifully, and it makes them relatable. I also want to say this is one of those stories where you can’t tell the good guys from the bad. Every character is morally gray, it’s genius, and executed impeccably.
The pacing of this book was just right. The way that bits and pieces were revealed to the reader made the twists and turns exciting. Every time I had to set the book down I was still thinking about what was going to happen next, and looked forward to getting back to reading. I definitely did not see that ending coming, and there was a point where I wasn’t sure if we were getting some sort of happily ever after or just what we deserved. While I still have questions, I loved the ending and adored this book.
Overall I am completely impressed with this debut novel and look forward to Johnson’s future works.
October 3, 2024
"It's rare to find a soul that sees yours in a profound way, to see the world the same way so you don't feel so crazy..."
This was such an amazing read! It had wild west adventures, with gunslinging outlaws and of course some great romance!
"If you're evil, and you know you are, but you direct it for the greater good, does that make you, ultimately, good?"
This story was such an emotional roller coaster! There is a lot of sweetness and a lot of heartache packed into this under 300 page novel. I laughed, cringed, and cried!
"... she also supposed that when you sleep with the enemy, you're bound to discover something redeemable about them."
The story was short but had some deep messages about loyalty, right and wrong, good vs evil, family and what's most important in life!
This was such an amazing read! It had wild west adventures, with gunslinging outlaws and of course some great romance!
"If you're evil, and you know you are, but you direct it for the greater good, does that make you, ultimately, good?"
This story was such an emotional roller coaster! There is a lot of sweetness and a lot of heartache packed into this under 300 page novel. I laughed, cringed, and cried!
"... she also supposed that when you sleep with the enemy, you're bound to discover something redeemable about them."
The story was short but had some deep messages about loyalty, right and wrong, good vs evil, family and what's most important in life!
November 13, 2023
Westerns have always interested me, but the few I’ve read were lacking in plot, female representation, and general literary merit. Bladestay had all that and more.
While maintaining the rawness and grit of a Western, Johnson was able to lace in complex philosophical dilemmas that I’m still thinking about days after turning the last page. No matter who I rooted for, I felt bad about it which is a testament to her ability to write morally gray characters.
I can’t believe this is the author’s first book. I’ll be the first in line for whatever she writes next!
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
While maintaining the rawness and grit of a Western, Johnson was able to lace in complex philosophical dilemmas that I’m still thinking about days after turning the last page. No matter who I rooted for, I felt bad about it which is a testament to her ability to write morally gray characters.
I can’t believe this is the author’s first book. I’ll be the first in line for whatever she writes next!
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 29, 2024
This book is a perfect testament to the gunslinger way of life. Its dark and engaging twists and turns left me unable to tear myself away. Theo is courageous and cunning; and never fails to surprise. At the end, I was left with a lingering sorrow paired with hope anew. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes their heroes to be a bit daring and devilish.
May 1, 2025
This was a very engaging Western adventure. I loved having a scrappy young woman in the center of everything as she unexpectedly gets thrown into a complicated situation and has to figure out how to make her way.
It was a strong depiction of the costs of deep seated grudges and revenge as well as the moral complexities when situations and people’s intentions aren’t black and white.
I was especially drawn in during the first half. Some elements in the middle/second half started to feel a little too back and forth and dramatic. But overall it definitely satisfied what I was looking for in a Western adventure.
Trigger/content warnings: death and murder are prevelant themes and it contains related violence. Vague references to sexual assault. Some strong language throughout (I think 3 f words and a handful of other words throughout. It was not super prevalent.) Spice level is kissing and vague references.
It was a strong depiction of the costs of deep seated grudges and revenge as well as the moral complexities when situations and people’s intentions aren’t black and white.
I was especially drawn in during the first half. Some elements in the middle/second half started to feel a little too back and forth and dramatic. But overall it definitely satisfied what I was looking for in a Western adventure.
Trigger/content warnings: death and murder are prevelant themes and it contains related violence. Vague references to sexual assault. Some strong language throughout (I think 3 f words and a handful of other words throughout. It was not super prevalent.) Spice level is kissing and vague references.
January 20, 2025
This was reaaaaally good. I can’t decide between 4 stars and 4.5. So 4.25? Idk. I wish I decided to read this when I was less busy, because the spacing between the days I read took me out of the story, and I think I would’ve loved it if I was more focused. So, that’s my b, and I wanna read this again. That being said, I really enjoyed this. Impeccable characters, exciting setting, and beautiful writing. This falls into the same category as the show The English, being a gritty, dark Western, that’s also filled to the brim with love. There’s a lot to take in with this one, so I think if I ever see this in stores, I’ll buy it and give it a reread. Yee-haw!!!
July 7, 2024
This book gave me chills and absolutely should be a movie. The pace is blistering, the characters are top notch and the writing gets you ‘right there’. This book is Butch Cassidy meets Kalifornia and I am here for it.
March 22, 2025
Yikes. Well that was way more violent then I expected out of a teen western. (Pat, don't read this... there is human and animal death)
February 28, 2024
I loved this book! I thought it was so fun and was such a page turner. It kept me on my toes with twist after twist up till the very end. I loved Brody and Theo. I’m so happy I got the Once Upon a Book Club edition that was fully Old Western themed and really did a great job helping immerse you.
March 4, 2025
Billy and Theo are so brave and really turned the tides on the whole "this town ain't big enough for the both of us" vibes.
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December 27, 2023DNF - If you enjoy westerns, then you will enjoy this book. It's very well written, but I've realized this genre is not one of my favorites.
May 14, 2025
When I tell you I DEVOURED this book, I mean I read it in one sitting and can feel the characters imprinted on my bones. This was an impeccable read all around.
I don’t really write reviews because they come out as blabbering nonsense but I cannot NOT write a review for what might be one of my favorite books of all time.
I should start by clarifying: I don’t like westerns and I find the “girl disguises herself as a boy” trope to be a bit overdone and always executed the same way.
For a story that *seemed* pretty cookie cutter and (appeared) to follow these trips, I want to stress that at no point did I EVER guess where this book was going. Characters were never what they seemed, down to the very last interaction with them, Theo included. The twists that Miss Jackie Johnson was able to take me on had my mouth open. I was flabbergasted.
There is just the right amount of romance and it’s written so well it had me squealing and kicking my feet. Just. Like. Read this book. Because I will be reading it again.
If you never recovered from the tragic love story in Louis Sachar’s *Holes* and thought that Kissin’ Kate Barlow and Sam deserved a happy ending where they got revenge on the townspeople together: this is the book for you.
Bladestay is the story of Theodora (Theo) who happens to be in jail when a group of outlaws come through town, led by a man on a quest for revenge. With her quick wit, Theo disguises herself as a young boy and infiltrates the gang with the goal of driving them out of her hometown and freeing her family and neighbors from this terror. And absolutely everything and nothing go as planned.
And it was fan-fucking-tastic and there’s no way in hell I’m not rereading this beautiful piece of art many times again.
***
For the more spoiler-y take:
Just—you know a book was good when you can’t articulate *why* it was so good when trying to write a review or tell people about it.
Ugh I’m unwell. This book wrecked me for the better.
I don’t really write reviews because they come out as blabbering nonsense but I cannot NOT write a review for what might be one of my favorite books of all time.
I should start by clarifying: I don’t like westerns and I find the “girl disguises herself as a boy” trope to be a bit overdone and always executed the same way.
For a story that *seemed* pretty cookie cutter and (appeared) to follow these trips, I want to stress that at no point did I EVER guess where this book was going. Characters were never what they seemed, down to the very last interaction with them, Theo included. The twists that Miss Jackie Johnson was able to take me on had my mouth open. I was flabbergasted.
There is just the right amount of romance and it’s written so well it had me squealing and kicking my feet. Just. Like. Read this book. Because I will be reading it again.
If you never recovered from the tragic love story in Louis Sachar’s *Holes* and thought that Kissin’ Kate Barlow and Sam deserved a happy ending where they got revenge on the townspeople together: this is the book for you.
Bladestay is the story of Theodora (Theo) who happens to be in jail when a group of outlaws come through town, led by a man on a quest for revenge. With her quick wit, Theo disguises herself as a young boy and infiltrates the gang with the goal of driving them out of her hometown and freeing her family and neighbors from this terror. And absolutely everything and nothing go as planned.
And it was fan-fucking-tastic and there’s no way in hell I’m not rereading this beautiful piece of art many times again.
***
For the more spoiler-y take:
Just—you know a book was good when you can’t articulate *why* it was so good when trying to write a review or tell people about it.
Ugh I’m unwell. This book wrecked me for the better.
February 11, 2024
I'm just not a Western reader. If you love Westerns and female leads that shoot first & ask questions later, you'll enjoy this. 😉
February 16, 2024
This story had me wondering which direction we were going the entire time. It was a lot of the main character flying by the seat of her pants.
January 18, 2024
This book is actually insane like I don't even know how to describe it. Every twist had me shell shocked and greyness of the whole situation was perfect. Needs a (ACCURATE) movie asap!!
January 12, 2024
Brilliant writing, the story was incredibly cinematic, the dialogue between the characters comes to life on the page. The main characters are strong, complex, and highly intelligent. This book kept me reading for two days straight. It has a ton of thrilling moments, violence, cunning and drama. It’s unexpected, I felt I had not read anything like it before, the traditional tropes were thrown out, it was so refreshing. The heroine, Theo, she’s worth writing about, worth reading about. I’d recommend this to anyone who loves reading, especially anyone who loves shows like Yellowstone, or The Departed. I would not be surprised if this shows up as a movie or series in the near future.
April 11, 2024
I really liked this one. It was quick and to the point. It didn’t feel like scenes were dragging on and on. I did find it funny the parts that seemed modern for this book. For example: It’s based in the 1800s and one of the scenes has a character doing air quotes. I mean…. Mayyyybe they did air quotes in the 1800s. I don’t personally know lol but I thought that was funny to put that in there. It was predictable that Brody and Theo would get together at the end but I didn’t hate the ending by any means. I was thinking of how this could be a movie. Just imagining the violence and then put it on film… yikes. Some of the scenes would be shocking in a movie.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews