Fiction – Page 2 – Jill's Book Blog

Review: Leave No Trace

Title: Leave No Trace
Author: Randee Dawn
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: CAEZIK SF and Fantasy
Source: Bookinfluencers.com
Format: Paperback
Release Date: September 23, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Lexi has been living in a remote stretch of the Rocky Mountain woods since her father dragged her there ten years ago, after her mother and baby brother were afflicted with a magical sickness. Her paranoid father thinks they’ve escaped the magic, and that as long as they never leave the woods, they’ll be safe.So Lexi never tells him about her friend Gil, who turns up sometimes in a birch copse that travels with him, and who is definitely not human. She especially doesn’t mention the magic he taught her, which can open a path to wherever she needs to go. After all, she’s been in the woods for most of her she can find her way without magic.

But when pop star TJ Furey hires them to help him hunt down a bear, Lexi’s secret is threatened. The bear he wants to kill is under Gil’s protection, and if Lexi doesn’t prevent its death, she’ll never see Gil again. But she can’t do so without risking her father’s wrath – and when it turns out that TJ’s manager is harboring a similar grudge of his own, Lexi feels trapped. If she wants her own life, she’ll have to find a way to break all their expectations.

Leave No Trace plays the clash of worlds – magic and technology, future and past, rural and urban – against the backdrop of a bear hunt.

Review:

This story is an intense magical realism story. Though the characters are teenagers and young adults, this is not a YA story. There were some graphic scenes, including scenes involving hunting animals. I liked the magic, or unseen, powers that the characters developed. This book would be a great book club read because there is a lot to discuss.

Leave No Trace is a thrilling magical story.

Thank you Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Content warnings: death, death of parent, hunting animals, death of animals, blood

Have you read Leave No Trace? What did you think of it?

Review: Taming the Perilous Skies

Title: Taming the Perilous Skies
Author: Phil Marshall
Genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: Self-Published
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Paperback
Release Date: September 12, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Anti-gravity could never fail. Until it does.

In the year 2076, humanity’s reliance on Brian Medlock’s anti-gravity technology, powered by Medlock’s unified Theory of Persistence, has brought forth a utopian society. Roads have vanished; energy flows from the very particles around us; and the world thrives under the guidance of a physics-based framework called The Fabric, a theory uniting quantum mechanics and gravity … and possibly divine order.

But on an otherwise ordinary morning, the impossible happens: aerial vehicles worldwide begin plummeting from the sky. Panic spreads. Caught in the catastrophe is Jack Woods – a mild-mannered bureaucrat, single father, and reluctant hero. When Jack’s young son is airborne at the moment of the disaster, Jack is thrust into a race against collapsing infrastructures, hostile government factions, and clashes of faith. Meanwhile, Olivia Martorana, leader of Transportation Technology, uncovers clues pointing toward a secret experiment that may have tampered with the Fabric itself.

As the quantum encryption grid destabilizes, the truth emerges: someone has been using Medlock’s theory to peer into the future – and possibly rewrite it.

Taming the Perilous Skies is a fast-paced hard science fiction thriller that weaves scientific discovery, aerial disaster, philosophical stakes, and deep moral dilemmas into a gripping story of survival and hope. As Jack, Olivia, and Medlock confront questions of free will, faith, and the ethics of technological power, they’re forced to navigate a world where quantum physics, divine prophecy, and political corruption collide.

With a cast of vivid, often wryly flamboyant characters, and a tone that moves effortlessly between suspense, heartbreak, and scientific wonder, Taming the Perilous Skies is perfect for fans of Andy Weir, Dan Brown, and Arrival (Ted Chiang). This is science fiction at its sharpest – smart, subversive, and, at times, disturbingly prophetic.

Review:

This story is an intense sci-fi story set in the year 2076. Everyone travels in aerials in the sky, however, one day they all stop moving at the same time. Then they start falling from the sky. There were scientific and religious implications behind the tragic incident on that day. This story was intense and thrilling, and it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.

Taming the Perilous Skies is a thrilling sci-fi novel!

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Content warnings: death, death of parent, suicide

Have you read Taming the Perilous Skies? What did you think of it?

Review: The Gentleman Thief Steals a Blanket

Title: The Gentleman Thief Steals a Blanket
Author: Mark Nutter
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: BookBaby
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: June 3, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Frustrated novelist Danny is resigned to writing material for trade shows, promoting garage doors and non-stick cookware. His ex-wife threatens legal action for non-payment of alimony. Danny never dreamed the answer to his troubles could be larceny.
But then wealthy, charming Packard Hale III reenters his life. He was Danny’s college roommate, and like Lupin and Raffles, he now fancies himself a gentleman thief. Packard hires Danny to write about his capers.
Danny follows Packard as they break into a mansion and steal, among other things, a priceless Chinese vase and a curiously valuable souvenir blanket from Branson, Missouri. However, it’s not Packard who is pursued by the police, but Danny.
Simultaneously, he struggles to please his client, a lawn-and-garden CEO with an erotic attraction to lawnmowers. Danny also endures abuse from Soren, a boozy has-been Vegas magician. He tolerates the mistreatment because of Crystal, the magician’s assistant. He’s falling for her.
When he learns Soren screwed Crystal out of rights to magic tricks she’s created — and in spite of the cops on his tail — Danny plots revenge. He and Packard attempt the daring theft of a state-of-the-art lawnmower—during a live performance in front of 400 people.

Review:

This novel is a funny twist on a heist story. Danny is a writer who is convinced by his college friend to steal things from a mansion, in exchange for Danny writing about his friend’s capers. However, Danny ends up taking the blame for the theft. There were many laugh out loud moments, including with some bumbling detectives who were investigating the theft.

The Gentleman Thief Steals a Blanket is an entertaining story!

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Have you read The Gentleman Thief Steals a Blanket? What did you think of it?

Review: The Artificial Conspiracy

Title: The Artificial Conspiracy
Author: Jesse Muehlbauer
Genre: Thriller
Publisher: Allaire Publishing
Source: Author
Format: Ebook
Release Date: September 2, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

New Year’s Eve in Times Square—an elusive secret society starts the countdown clock on humanity.

365 days until the end of time…

The chilling prediction haunts Mirai McGarry, a young woman who dreams of being a renowned artist even as multiple sclerosis begins to ravage her health.

In the midst of the chaos, a powerful doomsday cult emerges as a safe haven for the masses. Their allure is undeniable, unnatural, and for Mirai, devastatingly personal. Her efforts to thwart them are futile until a mysterious messenger provides the first insights into a dark conspiracy.

When Mirai opens the eyes of a handsome cult member, inspiring him to break free, he joins her odyssey to seek out the one man prophesied to end the madness. With the world around her—and her own body—beginning to crumble, Mirai must confront the mastermind of a nightmare before the countdown is complete.

The Artificial Conspiracy is a philosophical thriller that explores a wide panorama of human nature and challenges the assumptions of our oldest why do we suffer?

Review:

This book is a thrilling dystopian. There were so many twists throughout the story that kept me guessing until the end. The story began with multiple subplots but they were intricately woven to be connected to the main plot. I highly recommend this thriller!

The Artificial Conspiracy is a psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Thank you Bookinfluencers.com and Jesse Muehlbauer for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign.

Content warnings: cult, death, kidnapping, poisoning, multiple sclerosis, suicide

Have you read The Artificial Conspiracy? What did you think of it?

Review: Eat Dessert First

Title: Eat Dessert First
Author: Michelle Paris
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Publisher: Apprentice House
Source: Bookinfluencers.com
Format: Paperback
Release Date: May 7, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Can a plus-sized, big-hearted baker discover the recipe for happiness? Abbey Reilly has heard “you have such a pretty face” enough times to know that it’s code for “if only you’d lose weight.” Giving up her architectural career to care for her ailing mom and working in a bakery to make ends meet, she is convinced no one will ever find her attractive. So she’s stunned when a handsome regular customer not only shows interest but asks her on a date.Devastated when she learns her would-be beau is married, Abbey resigns herself to a lonely future. But the insecure woman can hardly believe her luck when she draws the attention of a dreamy guy at a bachelorette party… until his horrible ex plots revenge. Will Abbey claim the confidence she deserves and find a keeper who recognizes her true beauty?With light humor and loving insight, Michelle Paris weaves a delightful tale of learning to believe in yourself. Juggling elder parent care, tight finances, and hating the image in the mirror, Abbey Reilly will charm any reader fond of rooting for an underdog.Eat Dessert First is a heartwarming work of women’s fiction. If you like relatable heroines, chasing a dream, and finding hope and happiness, then you’ll adore Michelle Paris’ sweet story of fulfillment.

Review:

This is a great romance with a plus-size heroine! I could relate to Abbey’s struggles with her weight and finding a partner who liked her for herself. Abbey was the primary caregiver her mother who had dementia. I helped look after my grandmother who had Alzheimer’s for 9 years, so I could relate to that part of her life too. Abbey was a great baker, so I recommend having some yummy baked goods on hand while reading this book!

Eat Dessert First is a yummy romance!

Thank you Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Content warnings: bullying, dementia, death of parent, hospital scenes, broken bone

Have you read Eat Dessert First? What did you think of it?

Review: Princess Academy (Princess Academy #1)

Title: Princess Academy (Princess Academy #1)
Author: Shannon Hale
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Publisher: Bloomsbury Books USA
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback
Release Date: July 1, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

This deluxe twentieth anniversary edition of the beloved modern classic, Princess Academy, will feature stunning sprayed edges, a brand new cover, and a letter from the author!

What if you had a chance to become a Princess?

Miri lives high atop a mountain where, for generations, her ancestors have lived a simple life, working in the quarry. But everything changes when word arrives that the prince of the kingdom will choose his princess from among the village girls.

A makeshift academy is set up on the mountain and every eligible girl must attend and learn how to become a proper princess. Soon Miri finds herself confronted with a harsh academy mistress, bitter competition among the girls, and her own conflicting desires. Being chosen could give her everything she ever wanted, but does Miri really want to leave her home and family behind for a royal life?

Review:

I’ve wanted to read this book for years, so I’m excited that I finally had the opportunity to read it! This is a great middle grade book about self-discovery. Miri thought she was going to learn to become a princess and leave her village to live in the palace, but she ended up discovering the secrets of her people and realizing where she belonged. This book has a new special edition to celebrate the 20th anniversary, with beautiful stenciled edges!

Princess Academy is a modern middle grade classic!

Thank you Bookinfluencers.com and Bloomsbury USA for providing a copy of this book for a sponsored campaign!

Content warnings: child abuse, death of parent, kidnapping

Other books in the series:

Palace of Stone (Princess Academy #2)
The Forgotten Sisters (Princess Academy #3)

Have you read Princess Academy? What did you think of it?

Pub Day Review: Difficult Girls

Title: Difficult Girls
Author: Veronica Bane
Genre: Young Adult, Thriller, Contemporary
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: July 8, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A teen girl’s attempt at social reinvention takes a deadly turn when a co-worker disappears—and she learns she may have been the last person to see the missing girl—in this razor-sharp, murderously funny thriller debut.

After the incident last year, Greta Riley Green is looking for reinvention—a fresh start—and a job at Hyper Kid Magic Land, the local amusement park, seems like the perfect way to forge a new path . . . no matter what it takes.

So when fate pulls Greta into Mercy Goodwin’s orbit, it feels like things are looking up. Beautiful and confident, Mercy dazzles audiences daily. And at the first party of the summer, she picks Greta to confide in. Mercy has a secret to share, if Greta will just meet her the next day. It’s a sign that Greta’s truly fitting in.

Only, when the time comes, Mercy is a no-show—as she is everyday after that—and Greta knows something’s wrong. She can’t help thinking back to the night of the party. Did Mercy seem upset? Terrified, even? Could she be in trouble? It wouldn’t be the first time a talented young performer came to a sinister end at Hyper Kid. . . .

Of course, Greta has her own issues with the past, and the more she uncovers Hyper Kid’s secrets, the more her own threaten to surface. This job was meant to be a reboot, a summer without trouble. But trouble, it seems, finds Greta, and her past—and the bloody past of Hyper Kid—is about to catch up with her.

Review:

This was a creepy summer thriller. It had a great summer setting in a theme park. I liked that there was some suspense about what happened in Greta’s past. I couldn’t figure out the mystery of what happened to Mercy. There were some key clues that were held back until the end, but it was a satisfying ending!

Difficult Girls is a great summer thriller!

Thank you Penguin Teen Canada for providing a copy of this book!

Content warnings: divorce, bullying, murder, suicide, knife violence

Have you read Difficult Girls? What did you think of it?

Review: We Are Villains

Title: We Are Villains
Author: Kacen Callender
Genre: Young Adult, Thriller, Contemporary
Publisher: Henry N. Abrams
Source: Manda Group
Format: Paperback arc
Release Date: March 25, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

From bestselling and award-winning author Kacen Callendar comes a thrilling, dark academia YA about murder, blackmail, and the one person determined to discover the truth, no matter the cost

What happened to Arianna Reynolds?

Ari’s death was ruled an accident, but for her best friend Milo, it’s shrouded in mystery. Why was she in the woods on the night of the fire? Had she been alone? Figuring out what happened the night Ari died is the only reason Milo returns to Yates Academy, even knowing he’ll be in constant danger. . .

Liam is the King of Yates, a role he keeps hold of through his family’s old money—and the threat of violence. So when he begins receiving ominous letters from another student accusing him of murdering Ari, the suspect list is long. Desperate to prove his innocence before the accusation ruins his reign, Liam enlists Milo’s help to find the blackmailer. But the more Milo helps Liam, the more he becomes certain that Liam has something to hide.

As Milo comes closer to the truth, he uncovers secrets that everyone wants to keep buried . . . Featuring a cast of queer characters of color, We Are Villains is an electrifying mystery that will keep readers guessing.

Review:

This is a thrilling boarding school story. It followed multiple perspectives of different characters at school. I liked that Ari’s perspective was written in the second person, speaking directly to an unknown person who was important to her. The answer to what happened to Ari was revealed kind of early in the story, but it had a good ending!

We Are Villains is a great boarding school thriller!

Thank you Manda Group for sending me a copy of this book!

Content warnings: sexual assault (off page), murder, fire (off page), bullying

Have you read We Are Villains? What did you think of it?

Review: The Things They Didn’t See

Title: The Things They Didn’t See
Author: Angela Shaeffer
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary
Publisher: Wander Lane Press
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: June 4, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Raised on sunny days at Lake Koda, Jill piloted a speedboat long before driving a car. Her husband and three boys share her love for boating—until a surprise storm and tragic accident change everything.

As grief settles in, Jill and her family are drifting apart. Her relationship with teenage Jake grows strained when everything she says or does seems to be wrong. Her husband, Matt, takes Jake’s side, and even her sweet youngest child doesn’t trust her judgment.

Jake is trying to be a good kid but doesn’t know where to turn when his head and heart are constantly racing, and Matt just wants peace between his wife and son. Tensions build as they bump and bang into one another. There’s too much extra space for a family of four living in a home built for five.

Emotional and ultimately hopeful, The Things They Didn’t See is the story of a family’s love for each other clouded by misunderstandings, guilt and blame as they struggle to overcome unprecedented loss and find connection again.

Review:

This was a tragic story with an uplifting ending. After losing one of their sons in a boating accident, everyone in the family had to figure out how to grieve together. For most of the book I didn’t think the family would ever recover. The story also dealt with teenage rebellion and self harm. It was a heavy read, but it had a positive ending.

The Things They Didn’t See is a tragic family story.

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign.

Content warnings: death of child, boating accident, self-harm, attempted suicide

Have you read The Things They Didn’t See? What did you think of it?

Review: Vampire Jam Sandwich

Title: Vampire Jam Sandwich
Author: Casey Lyall, Nici Gregory
Genre: Picture Book
Publisher: Tundra Books
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: July 1, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Once upon a time a vampire took a bite of a jam sandwich . . . and a legend was born. Now the vampire jam sandwich roams the streets, looking for MORE JAM. Will yours be next?A hilarious spooky picture book featuring a sneaky vampire, for fans of Creepy Carrots and How to Make Friends With a Ghost.You may not have heard of the Vampire Jam Sandwich. But it’s time you learned the truth.Once upon a time, a vampire (maybe his name is Terrence) took a bite of a jam sandwich (maybe he thought the jam was . . . something else).And you know what happens when a vampire bites you . . .That’s right. The jam sandwich has become . . . A VAMPIRE JAM SANDWICH. Terrifying, stalking the streets at night, sneaking into people’s homes in an endless search for MORE JAM.The only thing you can do to protect yourself is box up all your jam and put it outside your home with NO VAMPIRE JAM SANDWICH written on it (here, I’ll show you how to spell T-E-R-R-E-N-C-E).Kids and adults alike will be delighted by this sly jam-loving vampire and his jam sandwich legend, with hilarious tongue-in-cheek art from Nici Gregory. Can you trust your narrator? Is the Vampire Jam Sandwich real? Is your jam safe? Read on to find out . . .

Review:

This picture book is about a jam sandwich that was turned into a vampire jam sandwich after being bitten by a vampire. The narrator is a young boy who tells how to prevent a vampire from stealing the jam to make a sandwich. There was a cute twist at the end that I won’t spoil here. This is a fun picture book, but I hope it doesn’t make kids scared of eating jam!

Vampire Jam Sandwich is a cute picture book!

Thank you Tundra Books for providing a copy of this book!

Have you read Vampire Jam Sandwich? What did you think of it?