Cut Deck

Lone Player #2

by Julia Rosemary Turk

“I have no shortage of uncertainties, but there’s one thing I know for a 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.

Genres: Fantasy, Dystopia

536 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 8, 2024

Reviews

[Vaishnavi · Rating 4 out of 5]

So coming to this book, the writing is good, eventhough i didnt read the 1st part, i was able to understand the different characters, their emotions, and their values, so we can say that the discriptions are well written🫡.
To be frank, i was a bit bored in the start, as I didnt understand what was the book about, but as the book gathered pace it has become a very intersting page turner🫣🤯.

The way the author has portrayed the emotions of various characters of the story is very commendable. The little twists the author has added here and there are correctly placed, and bought some interest to the backdrop story.

There are a lot of quetions to be answered and i am definitely quite interesed with how the things have ended in this part. I am quite eager to read the next installment of this series. I dont want to give out spoilers, as there are a few unexpected shocks and changes in behaviours of few main characters, and few heartfelt love talks, and a few shocking betrayals, so im gonna stop blabbering now.😅

I have recieved this book as an ARC. This is the 2nd book in part of the series ‘Lone Player’. I didnt read the first part so i dont have much knowledge about the character play, and the backdrop story. I just gathered few info so that i have some kind of continuity. Therefore im going to rate this book mostly as a standalone (my rating has nothing to do with the 1st part).

So i am definitely gonna make sure to read the 1st part to get some of my doubts cleared.

Coming to my rating : out of 5 stars
Title :⭐️⭐️⭐️ deceptive
Cover :⭐️⭐️⭐️ the cover definitely piqued my interest
Character development :⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Writing style :⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ definitely a job well done
Originality :⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot :⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall :⭐️⭐️⭐️ I am rating this book a 3.5 stars. And im definitely waiting for the 3rd part.

[Anaïs · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the first hand, this was even more thrilling and would make a great movie series like that of The Hunger Games and of Divergent.
On the second hand, to be completely frank, as a fellow reader,etc etc
I am simply outraged, shocked, and ultimately impressed.
This was a tortuous read in the most positive light of the word.
I appreciated the dive into the depth of the story and exploration of the worldbuilding as we go through this second book of the Lone Player series switching between the perspectives of different pivotal characters!

Now, ever heard the expression "the world is small" it is often used to describe how we are all more interconnected than we could think when looking at the surface of the matter.
Well in this book the plot thickens and advances at a speed almost intended to keep us ever alert and rummaging.

Well, in any case, this was a nice read, and I would recommend it to my book readers friends.
I have read this book doing "ARC reading" and this my honest review of Rosemary Turk's work .

Have a nice day! (I apologize for any grammatical errors)

( Reading time : 7hours)
SPOILER ??
Well I'm pretty sure Milo died so that makes me sad....
Otherwise , I see hope but wow truly is an complex thing...
I appreciate though how the revolution and rebellion is not painted as like this simple thing that only demands a few brave peoples , it's refreshing .
Oh wait , what about Ren's Mom ...
And what will they do now ??
And who really is in control ? Who's the enemy to take down ?
Are they being pawned with ?
First the town , then the region, now will they face this issue globally?

Haha well sorry for the rambling !
Go read "Cut DEck" by Julia RT ;P

[Tiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sequel shortly follows the ending of Lone Player, with Eddie adjusting to her new life as a member of the Unseen. I won’t say much more about the plot itself as they are *major* spoilers for Lone Player 🃏😈

Unlike its predecessor, this story was much more character driven, accompanied by a healthy dose of tortuous action that kept me thoroughly stressed (in the best way possible ofc)! Think road-tripping delinquents burning down the dystopian regime they live under, one arson at a time 🚐🔥🌿🔪🐍

Since a lot of the world-building had been covered in Lone Player, readers were able to really relish in our characters and their chaotic adventures. Julia is PHENOMENAL at creating loveable morally grey characters - I love every single one of these characters with every fibre of my being and am absolutely obsessed with Aaron 😭 I particularly enjoyed the snippets of his backstory and am so excited to embark on it further in Deadwood Burning!!

In Lone Player I some minor issues with pacing but OMG - Lone Player walked so Cut Deck could run 😱 Julia is an extremely talented writer, and the amount of improvement in her writing in such a short period of time was so impressive! I devoured this novel and struggled to put it down as it kept me on the edge of my seat! I also quite liked the introduction of Heron and Stellar through the multiple POVs, especially how their perspectives gave us a ‘behind the scenes’ of how the Chaser Corps operates.

If you’re looking for an indie book that lets you relive your 2010s YA dystopian era, look no further! I honestly can’t believe there isn’t more hype for this 5⭐️ read, and overall sensational series! I cannot wait for Dealer's Grip to be released ♠️

Thank you, Lost Island Press, for my digital copy 💌

[Anonymous Retreat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the series, but the second volume is even better! The plot twists kept me hooked, and I was eager to find out what would happen next.

While I would have loved to see more world-building to better understand the dystopian setting, the overall execution of the story was well done, and answered the doubts that I had reading the first book. The writing is easy to follow, I enjoyed the concise and complex writing that was verbose enough but did not tire the reader.

One issue I found, was that I couldn’t relate much to the FMC, Eddie. Her actions were often unpredictable and mostly the opposite of what I would have done. However, I appreciated how the characters were written and the dynamics between them. The love triangle was important to the story, but it felt natural and subtle—not exaggerated or forced.

It was a very lengthy reading but worth every page, full of suspense and action. It keeps giving me Orwell’s 1948 vibes but this time with a part of the population that fights back. Really recommend this if you like dystopian fantasy with a nice thick plot!

This ARC was provided to me by Long Island Press for an honest review.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was so funnn i loved it so muchhh AND THEN SHE RIPPED MY HEART OUT OF MY CHEST AT THE END

[m.c. pending · Rating 5 out of 5]

heron <3

[Gayle (OutsmartYourShelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eddie (Lavender Voclain) has been living at End Harbor since the events of the first book, but when injured survivors of an Agent attack on another settlement of the 'Unseen' start to pour in, it's decided for a small group to return to 'The Cut' (as the settlement was known) to retrieve vital information & supplies before the Agents destroy it all. Whilst on the outside Eddie is contacted by an Agent who says he has information on where Ren is being kept & that he will help her but only if she helps him. Will the price requested be too high even for Eddie?

Meanwhile Ren is working as a trainee agent alongside Agents Heron & Kingfisher. Both Agents have their own agendas but offer Ren the chance to not only save his life but possibly Eddie's too. Ren sheds his former identity & becomes Agent Steller but how much of his Agent persona is real & how much is smoke & mirrors? Ren is not sure who he can really trust, maybe not even himself.

Book two in this series starts off a little slowly but when Eddie & Aaron leave End Harbor to travel to The Cut, the pace picks up & doesn't really slow until the end. The story is again told via dual narratives from Eddie & Ren/Steller & although Eddie's storyline starts off as the most interesting, once more, Ren's quickly becomes the more compelling. I'm not sure if that's because I find Eddie a little exasperating at times as she makes excuses for keeping her secrets from others but doesn't like it when other people keep secrets from her.

Overall, this is a great follow-up to 'Lone Player' with plenty of twists & turns, & one or two betrayals. This sequel is another lengthy read at over 760 pages for the Kindle version but the pages fly by. It certainly kept my attention & I'm really looking forward to a third book.

TWs: (major) death, violence, torture / (minor) animal death.

My thanks to the author & publishers, Lost Island Press, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.

[Eden Rosewood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! I think it was better than the first, although that might just be because it's fresher in my memory. Everything was so interconnected and the worldbuilding was really good. And the character death at the end stole my heart and ripped it into pieces. The character development in the side characters (like Sparrow) was really good.

I really loved the deeper dive into the Corpse and how it worked, and especially the characters Ren was interacting with (Heron and King have my heart). However, while I enjoyed the things that HAPPENED in Ren's POV, I feel like the weakest link in this book was Ren himself. His character was basically nothing but an Eddie lover for the whole book. It felt like he never had any personality or goals. Maybe that was intentional—that being a Chaser was making him lose his identity—but it just felt flat. I was also slightly put-off by him never thinking about Margot (because ofc he is preoccupied always thinking about Eddie). He thought about her maybe twice, but that's his dead sister that he loved so much he signed his life away for her. And he was hardly ever sad about her?

On Eddie's side, I really liked getting to know Aaron better, and the politics at the different rebel bases. Some of the minor characters were also fun, like Alice. I also really liked her communication with Heron, and how she struggled with the guilt of it. Honestly, I found her choosing Aaron really refreshing. Ren thinking about nothing except for Eddie was a little exhausting, so it was nice to see her not only ever thinking about Ren. Of course, she thought about him a lot in the beginning, (which I thought was completely reasonable, given the circumstances), but he wasn't the ONLY thing on her mind.

My one big issue was how long and slow paced the book was. I feel like some scenes definitely could have been cut or shortened. Over a hundred pages were spent on a mission Eddie goes on that was framed as the opening event and really not that important to the plot (of course some important character moments with her and Aaron were there, but it really didn't need to be THAT long).

All in all, I really enjoyed the book. I'm talking a lot about the negatives, but that's because it's easier to go in depth about a negative than a positive. There were a lot of positives! I'm excited to read the third book.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, thank you to Julia and Lost Island Press for letting me read Cut Deck! I was asked to give feedback in exchange for an ARC, so here it is!

I was a beta reader for Cut Deck, and this book has transformed so much from when I read it last. You should be so proud Julia! 😄

I loved Lone Player, and Cut Deck honestly went way beyond my expectations.

It was so interesting to see deeper into the world of the Corps in this book. I realized that many of the characters who are Agents didn’t necessarily choose it. They feel they roped into it and then trapped, just like everyone else.

With this book, the character dynamics grew even stronger. I was so excited to see more of Aaron and Eddie and I was not disappointed! And, to my surprise, Heron actually ended up being one of my favorites too.
And then, there’s Ren. I loved him once, like Eddie. Seeing what he has become over the course of the books has just torn my heart out. 😭

Here are some more thoughts on characters:
All of the characters in Cut Deck feel real and multi-dimensional. And like I’ve seen Julia say on her socials, there definitely are some morally gray characters, but this is what makes them interesting and more importantly, believable! Each one has conflict within themselves, with the world, and each other.

Needless to say, the arcs of the characters are clear and all characters experience some sort of change. Well done!

The descriptions in this book really set the tone for each scene. It helped immerse me so much as a reader, it was like I was watching a movie (but make it HD!) 🤣 All descriptions felt purposeful and unique.

Cut Deck is balanced, both in pacing and descriptions. There are many moments of page-turning suspense, but there are also sweet and peaceful moments that attach you to the characters.

And don’t get me started on the twists and turns in this book! Right when I was starting to make sense of things, there would be another twist. They just kept coming, even within the final one hundred pages! Cut Deck kept me engaged until the very end!

Thanks for making it to the end of my review! I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did!
Last but not least, thank you for putting your heart out there and publishing these books Julia!

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5/5
I received a eARC for my honest opinion.

This book had everything that I wanted and more. It has more action, drama, betrayal, action, secrets and of course still a love triangle.

This book takes place right where book one leaves off and it doesn’t slow down. You will be taken on an adventure with characters from the first book and you will meet new characters that become close like the original characters. I thought the pace of the book was steady and will soon pick up that you will be turning those pages so fast just to find out what will happen next. I thought the plot was clear and understandable without any confusing parts in there. I know that if you read the first book you will not be lost in what is happening and why. I found the twists and turns that the author took in the plot to be great, and added a little bit more mystery to the plot and characters. The characters were easy to connect with and understand. I found that in this book their emotions felt more real to me and I was able to relate to Eddie more.

Eddie, she was stronger in this book, still a little indecisive and unsure of things but when you see her set her mind to a plan, even knowing that she might not come out of it, it will show you the growth that she has made. She doesn’t know all the answers but she is willing to see things through and at the end of the book you finally see her do what is right for herself without thinking about Ren or Aaron. She needs to see something through and she will not let anything or anyone get in her way. I do have to say to the author how could you do that to Eddie… I wanted to cry for her and just wrap her up in a huge hug.

Ren and Aaron… I can understand why they each did what they thought was best for Eddie and everyone else that they care about but at the same time shame on you guys. I can’t really say more without giving away spoilers in the book so I will leave it at that.

I can’t wait for the next book, because I do still have answers and I know that I will get them all answered. I just have to wait for them. Hopefully for not too long.

I want to thank Lost Island Press for the opportunity to review this book.

[Hannah Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

7.57 on CAWPILE

I received this book as an eARC from Lost Island Press!

After rereading Lone Player, I was very ready to get into the sequel. I needed to know what was going to happen with these characters so badly because they have begun to feel like real people. Thats a really good sign from a book for me.

I felt like I was watching a movie play out in front of me and I haven't had a book do that in a really long time. I loved the development all of the characters had. They felt like they were actually changing and adapting to the situations around them and no character stayed the same throughout the entire book.

Eddie and Aaron in my opinion are way better than Eddie and Ren. Aaron just cares so much and its so obvious to everyone but Eddie I feel like. I hope that they figure out their stuff and make it work because they both deserve to be happy so much.

Ren had an interesting story arc, I was interested in learning more about how the Corps worked and all of the things that came with it. Compared to Lone Player, Cut Deck had a way better improvement on the world building and making sure that everything made sense.

I loved how all the storylines finally interconnected and were interconnected the entire time. The ending was fast paced and great and I am excited to read the third book.

The only reason I didn't give Cut Deck a five star was because I thought that the pacing was still a little off, there were moments of really faced paced action and a lot of slower moments that I personally felt like could've been shortened. A really great read overall and I highly recommend this series!!

[Melanie Deal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Lost Island Press in exchange for an honest review.

In this second installment of the Lone Player trilogy, we pick up right where we left off at the end of the first book. We continue following the stories of Eddie and Ren. Eddie is trying to find Ren, as she is convinced he is still alive. And Ren is cooperating with the Corps, willing to do whatever he needs to do in order to keep Eddie safe.

Turk continues building out her dystopian world in this one, and we learn a lot more about the Unseen. It was cool to have two new Unseen groups introduced who do things differently from The Cut group in book #1. We also learn more about the Agents division of the Corps in this installment, who are the next level up from the Officers...as in Book #1, there is no shortage of the most vile of villains coming out of the Corps.

The new characters introduced in this installment were fantastic. In addition to Eddie and Ren, some other major players are introduced. Aaron (from book #1) is given a much larger role in this installment, and so is Milo (Eddie's brother). Some other characters from the first book are here as well, but still more minor. However, Mal, Ian and Jade are new to this installment and I really enjoyed these characters a LOT.

As in book #1, I had the whole gamut of emotions throughout the book. However, the pacing wasn't as good as in book #1. I feel like this one dragged on and on in a few places, and Eddie's inability to think before she acts got annoying after it happening over and over. However, I still couldn't put this down and I am very much looking forward to the final installment.

[Paige Fonte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Lost Island Press for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!

THIS. BOOK.

I loved Lone Player and its characters so much, and I was more than excited to get into its sequel. 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.
The characters really bring this story together. Eddie is so inspiring, and I genuinely love her and how she changes and develops through the course of the book (although, the end... Julia, I'll never forgive you). Aaron is another one of my favorites; he's just as witty and sarcastic as ever and I LOVE HIM. The way his and Eddie's dynamic progressed and evolved over the course of Cut Deck made my heart so dang happy.

The three "bird boys" (Steller, Heron, and Kingfisher) also grew on me immensely, as well as all the new characters introduced in this book. Julia did an exceptional job developing each new character, fleshing out their motivations, friendships, and secrets.

The plot moved at a great pace in my opinion -- there was just enough action to make it exciting, but it also had its necessary lulls where the characters got to connect and figure more out about each other. I think there are some phrases and sentences that are repeated excessively ("I hugged my abdomen/torso" , "the wind toyed with her/my hair") but that might be fixed with the book's release now.

Overall, I enjoyed Cut Deck SO MUCH and I can't wait for the third one!

[Varsha Maurya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the book & I'm numb. No book took toll on my mental health like this. Ren, I love him so much, I can never love any character I ever read like him. That poor soul deserves a world. The story was so interesting. I loved Eddie but not now, the way she her love changed in the absence of Ren. I thought love grows in absence & longing. The man took bullet for her, always saved her & she too told him she loved him. But the moment, he's gone, she started feeling for someone else not knowing whether Ren is dead or alive. And there, the man who could easily chose to death but kept himself alive & is going through tortures, helping her secretly, bearing shock tortures, making himself look bad to keep her love safe who is busy loving someone else. It feels like Eddie is just jumping from Ren to Aaron. Does she know what love is?? Or just she starts feeling which anyine's intimate touch. Ren breathes for her only & still if Eddie doesn't chooses Ren, it will so much injustice to his character & all the pain he went. My heart bleeds for him😭😭.
How can she deny all the things she said she felt for Ren???? She said she found hone in him & now in someone else? I don't like her
So many books I read, but I never felt this much for any character. I wish I could jump in the book & give him hug & tell him he deserves to be loved💔.

[Tiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Julia Rosemary Turk’s Cut Deck picks up with Eddie in hiding, mourning the loss of Ren. A Chaser attack forces her to team up with an Agent, offering her a chance at redemption. As the Unseen fight for justice, Eddie navigates a world of deception and secrets.

While I found the story to drag a little in parts, the overall experience was engaging. The book explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption. Eddie’s character development is strong, and the dynamic between the characters is complex and well-written. Throughout the novel, Eddie grapples with guilt, trust, and the consequences of her choices. The theme of redemption is evident through Eddie’s internal struggles, her quest for forgiveness, and her journey toward making amends for past mistakes. The presence of secrets, hidden agendas, betrayals, and unexpected twists adds layers of suspense and tension, keeping readers engaged and guessing. The world-building is richer and more detailed than in the first book, vividly portraying the Unseen community and the dark workings of the Corps. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a gripping dystopian read with deep emotional layers.

[Kalani · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book from Lost Island Press in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, I DNFed this book a little over halfway because I don't think the story was for me. The pacing felt too slow at times and there were some moments where I think the wording could have been cut down to make it a bit easier to read. The writing is beautiful, I just think it needs a little simplification. People who love dystopian, adventure and romance could find themselves loving this story. Despite not finishing it, I think the story crafts a complicated and vast system of deception and false trust deep within its society. Very interesting read and I hope whoever reads it has an enjoyable time following the characters.

[Elisabeth Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I even begin? This book was PHENOMENAL! The characters have such realistic reactions to the dark, dystopian world already then. As much as it was a dystopian book, I enjoyed the “downtime” these characters went through. The twists had me at the edge of my seat. And the love interest was…interesting. I wasn’t happy at first but like it honestly made sense for the story. I’m ready for Book 3!

Eyes all around 👀

Sensitivity warning: there is some cursing, lots of violence, and a little bit of romance (but no explicit content or descriptions of physical intimacy). There’s also a lot of vomiting, which I complained about in the last book too! But that doesn’t reflect my rating of the book.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a worthy follow-up to Lone Player. Once again, I was fully engaged and invested in the story the more I read. The characters are true to life, with flaws and uncertainties that make them more realistic. If you're a fan of dystopian books, I recommend this series. I'm looking forward to what's to come next.

I received an ARC from Lost Island Press and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sadie Canaday · Rating 3 out of 5]

So tasty. A little slow in the beginning (okay, very slow) but after about 25% I was hooked. A great road trip book. Again, overly long, but easy enough to read that it’s fine. The characters are still a little flat because they essentially only have one motivation. However, these motivations are interesting enough to keep the reader entertained.

[Rachel Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly a must read, Julia delivered AGAIN!!!!!!!!!

[Seppreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like Lone Player, worth 5 stars (more if I could) the banter again, the tension between Aaron and Eddie 👀 and the QUOTESSSSS?!