Cut Deck

Lone Player #2

Young Adult ✦ Science Fiction ✦ Dystopian

In the aftermath of the broadcast, Eddie lives in hiding with a bounty on her head, and makes a secret deal with an Agent to uncover what happened to Ren.

Meanwhile, an Agent on the hunt for his brother's killer crosses paths with a rebel who might have the answers he's looking for...and another who wants to wear a suit himself.

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“I have no shortage of uncertainties, but there’s one thing I know for a fact: the Vermillion Keep is definitely haunted.”

In the aftermath of the broadcast, Eddie lives in a secluded Unseen community with a bounty on her head, unable to shake the haunting pain of losing Ren. Her life has been sliced to pieces and bandaged with hazy memories.

When a Chaser attack forces Eddie out of hiding, she stumbles into an Agent on a quest for answers. In exchange for her help, he offers something irresistible. Their secret deal could either turn her life around or leave everything she loves in ashes.

But Eddie’s not the only one with a secret. Every step the Unseen takes toward justice makes the Presidency retaliate stronger, and both sides begin to crack from within. Trust wanes on every front, forcing all players to face the consequences of their hidden motives. Can Eddie extinguish the blaze of deception, or will she fan the flames?

In this action-packed, romantic sequel, Julia Rosemary Turk deals another captivating hand in her world of cards. Cut Deck explores the path from trust to uncertainty, safety to terror, and sparks to an all-consuming fire.

What People are Saying

  • “Just like Lone Player, worth 5 stars (more if I could).”

    Seppreads ★★★★★ (Goodreads)

  • “Cut Deck met all of my expectations and more, and I highly recommend this book and its predecessor for anyone looking for an intense read.”

    — Paige Fonte ★★★★★ (Goodreads)

  • “Truly a must read, Julia delivered AGAIN!!!!!!!!!”

    — Rachel Garcia ★★★★★ (Goodreads)

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to frequently asked questions about Cut Deck.

  • Lone Player is a young adult trilogy recommended for ages 13+. The characters are in their late teens.

    • The Lone Player trilogy contains some mature themes, violence, and/or language.

    • The romance in this trilogy is “closed door.” It contains no graphic sexual content.

    • The trilogy explores themes of death, grief, suicide, obsession, anxiety, chronic illness and disability (specifically chronic Lyme disease), and population control.

    • It contains some graphic descriptions of injuries and illness.

    • Expect arson, murder, poison, symbolic animal deaths, and fight scenes.

  • I wrote the first draft of Lone Player in 28 days so I could enter the Lost Island Press 2021 Writing Contest. I didn't expect to win, but I did! I received a publication deal for the entire trilogy (3 books).

    Lost Island Press is an indie publishing house. You can learn more about their publishing model on their website.

    I am extremely grateful for Lost Island Press and couldn't be happier working with them!!

    You can read the full story on my writing blog :)

  • For quick facts and information about Lyme disease, please check out the resource page on the LymeLight foundation's website. They are an excellent organization, and I'm grateful for the support they've provided me with to help me access treatment.

    To learn more about my personal journey with Lyme, check out this page.

Lone Playlist #2

Explore the songs featured in Cut Deck.

Cut Deck Artwork

  • Eddie and Aaron character art for the earbud scene in Cut Deck by Julia Rosemary Turk, illustrated by @kaalogii_

    Eddie and Aaron Earbud Scene by @kaalogii_

  • Eddie and Aaron from Lone Player by Julia Rosemary Turk

    Eddie and Aaron ✦ @gonzais_

  • An illustration of Eddie and Aaron from the book Cut Deck by Julia Rosemary Turk

    Little Fires ✦ @_keikii

  • Aaron ✦ Concept Art

  • Bird Boys ✦ @gonzais_

  • Lighter and Agent ✦ @lasq.draws