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Deadwood Burning
Seventeen-year-old Aaron has grown up at the Cut.
Without a tracker, he has no place in society, but the thought of hiding at the rebel base forever feels like torture.
So when the Cut’s spy turns up dead and leadership calls for a replacement, Aaron eagerly volunteers. Armed with a false tracker and a name he can barely recall, he steps into the world he’s long been denied.
His mission: infiltrate the Corps, the very organization hunting his people. Success could change everything for the Cut—but failure could cost everyone he loves.
Without a tracker, he has no place in society, but the thought of hiding at the rebel base forever feels like torture.
So when the Cut’s spy turns up dead and leadership calls for a replacement, Aaron eagerly volunteers. Armed with a false tracker and a name he can barely recall, he steps into the world he’s long been denied.
His mission: infiltrate the Corps, the very organization hunting his people. Success could change everything for the Cut—but failure could cost everyone he loves.
474 pages, Paperback
Published October 10, 2025
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26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 4, 2025
4.75 stars
ARC review
Deadwood Burning is a prequel but it MUST be read after Lone Player and Cut Deck or else spoilers (and you probably won’t know what’s going on)!! It tells the story of our beloved Aaron growing up in the Cut and how he became the standoffish and deadly stranger in the woods. I’m not going to say anything else plot wise because I don’t want to ruin the Cut Deck experience.
Not every character needs a backstory/their own book but AARON DOES and I think Julia had a very clear goal in mind writing this book - to introduce readers to a much more innocent and naive Aaron before answering the question “but what happened??” - and she absolutely nailed it. Aaron already has a disdain for the government and the status quo from being raised by The Cut, but Deadwood Burning shows the you how his own experiences as a young man nurtured the hatred and rage we saw in Lone Player. His journey in this prequel from a boy who just wanted to live a normal life to a man isolating himself in the woods, makes his relationship with Eddie and how she brings him out of his shell so much sweeter. This book brings a lot of context to some of Aaron’s traits and values without being too on the nose. It was also just very bittersweet to see him, at least for a little while, as a relatively carefree kid, and a dedicated son and brother. 😭
Deadwood Burning introduces a whole cast of new characters, including diabolical villains and many more victims to the system. I loved that even in the darkest shadows of a world ruled by the Corps, we find a community of people at their lowest looking out for one another and persevering. I loved that this book didn’t just explain Aaron’s least desirable traits, but his most endearing as well, and they are largely thanks to this community.
ARC review
Deadwood Burning is a prequel but it MUST be read after Lone Player and Cut Deck or else spoilers (and you probably won’t know what’s going on)!! It tells the story of our beloved Aaron growing up in the Cut and how he became the standoffish and deadly stranger in the woods. I’m not going to say anything else plot wise because I don’t want to ruin the Cut Deck experience.
Not every character needs a backstory/their own book but AARON DOES and I think Julia had a very clear goal in mind writing this book - to introduce readers to a much more innocent and naive Aaron before answering the question “but what happened??” - and she absolutely nailed it. Aaron already has a disdain for the government and the status quo from being raised by The Cut, but Deadwood Burning shows the you how his own experiences as a young man nurtured the hatred and rage we saw in Lone Player. His journey in this prequel from a boy who just wanted to live a normal life to a man isolating himself in the woods, makes his relationship with Eddie and how she brings him out of his shell so much sweeter. This book brings a lot of context to some of Aaron’s traits and values without being too on the nose. It was also just very bittersweet to see him, at least for a little while, as a relatively carefree kid, and a dedicated son and brother. 😭
Deadwood Burning introduces a whole cast of new characters, including diabolical villains and many more victims to the system. I loved that even in the darkest shadows of a world ruled by the Corps, we find a community of people at their lowest looking out for one another and persevering. I loved that this book didn’t just explain Aaron’s least desirable traits, but his most endearing as well, and they are largely thanks to this community.
September 24, 2025
Deadwood Burning by Julia Rosemary Turk is a Teen/YA dystopian novel I recently finished. As book 2.5 in the Lone Player series, it serves as a prequel, delving into the backstory of Aaron, a character who is pivotal to the overall series.
Set in a world that has become so overpopulated that the government conducts “The Pick” annually to manage it, this book explores themes of survival, loyalty, and the quest for identity. Turk's vivid descriptions and intricate world-building immerse readers in a landscape where danger is everywhere, and trust is fleeting.
Aaron's story is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. He volunteers to serve as a spy for his group, the Cut, who the government considers to be the largest group of rebels against them. As he navigates the world of the “Chips” (those who are “tagged” by the government and kept track of to ensure compliance to their rules), readers are given a glimpse into the formative experiences that shape his character. Turk masterfully weaves together action, suspense, and emotional depth, making Aaron's journey a compelling read from start to finish.
One of the standout aspects of this installment is Turk's ability to create multi-dimensional characters. Aaron is not just a survivor; he is a young man grappling with his past, his identity, and his place in a world that seems determined to break him. The supporting characters are equally well-developed, even the ones you’re meant to despise, each adding depth and complexity to the narrative.
The pacing of the novel is well-balanced, with moments of intense action interspersed with quieter, reflective scenes. This allowed me to fully engage with Aaron's internal struggles and the external challenges he faces. The plot twists and turns kept me on edge, making this a page-turner that was hard to put down.
Additionally, fans of the Lone Player series will appreciate the appearances of characters introduced in books 1 and 2. Getting some of their backstory in "Deadwood Burning" adds an extra layer of enjoyment and connection to the series.
Overall, this is a must-read for fans of the Lone Player series (I definitely suggest reading the first two books in the series before this one, so you have all the context needed for what happens in this book). Julia Rosemary Turk has crafted a prequel that not only enriches the existing narrative but also stands strong as a powerful story in its own right. In fact, it’s my favorite in the series so far. Aaron's journey is one that will resonate with me for quite some time. I am thankful to have received a free ARC of this book from Lost Island Press, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Set in a world that has become so overpopulated that the government conducts “The Pick” annually to manage it, this book explores themes of survival, loyalty, and the quest for identity. Turk's vivid descriptions and intricate world-building immerse readers in a landscape where danger is everywhere, and trust is fleeting.
Aaron's story is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. He volunteers to serve as a spy for his group, the Cut, who the government considers to be the largest group of rebels against them. As he navigates the world of the “Chips” (those who are “tagged” by the government and kept track of to ensure compliance to their rules), readers are given a glimpse into the formative experiences that shape his character. Turk masterfully weaves together action, suspense, and emotional depth, making Aaron's journey a compelling read from start to finish.
One of the standout aspects of this installment is Turk's ability to create multi-dimensional characters. Aaron is not just a survivor; he is a young man grappling with his past, his identity, and his place in a world that seems determined to break him. The supporting characters are equally well-developed, even the ones you’re meant to despise, each adding depth and complexity to the narrative.
The pacing of the novel is well-balanced, with moments of intense action interspersed with quieter, reflective scenes. This allowed me to fully engage with Aaron's internal struggles and the external challenges he faces. The plot twists and turns kept me on edge, making this a page-turner that was hard to put down.
Additionally, fans of the Lone Player series will appreciate the appearances of characters introduced in books 1 and 2. Getting some of their backstory in "Deadwood Burning" adds an extra layer of enjoyment and connection to the series.
Overall, this is a must-read for fans of the Lone Player series (I definitely suggest reading the first two books in the series before this one, so you have all the context needed for what happens in this book). Julia Rosemary Turk has crafted a prequel that not only enriches the existing narrative but also stands strong as a powerful story in its own right. In fact, it’s my favorite in the series so far. Aaron's journey is one that will resonate with me for quite some time. I am thankful to have received a free ARC of this book from Lost Island Press, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 6, 2025
Firstly, I would like to thank Lost Island Press and Mel Torrefranca for allowing me to receive an advanced reader copy of Deadwood burning.
This book is 2.5 of this series after lone player, and cut deck. It follows a major character from the series before the events of lone player take place.
This is an expertly executed tale of survival in an oppressive dystopian society, in which the government devised "the pick" to determine who is executed based on playing card tattoos to manage overpopulation.
Julia Rosemary Turk creates detailed world building that creates an immersive experience, using characters to capture the complexity of humans and exploring themes of injustice, conflicted loyalties, and survival in a world that would rather have you dead.
This was a fantastic read that gave unique insight into Aaron as a character.
Aaron was such a conflicted and three dimensional protagonist, he was grappling with not one singular problem, but layers of problems which made his character incredibly interesting to follow. The other characters introduced throughout the book had their distinct characteristics that set them all apart from one another. Julia Rosemary Turk masterfully crafts conflicted characters that you can sympathize with, even when their behavior isn't necessarily describable as pleasant.
There is background on other characters we are familiar with throughout deadwood burning too that was very delightful to see.
I particularly enjoyed the new locations we got to explore throughout the book. Julia Rosemary Turk took the opportunity to explore locations we hadn't been before, and were completely different from what we've seen so far in the series, such as Whitestag.
That being said, I also enjoyed revisiting places we had seen before in previous books. It was interesting to hear Aaron's experience of the training program. Having seen this in Ren's perspective throughout a considerable amount of lone player it didn't overtake the narrative and allowed for Aaron's character to delve into the tombs.
The descriptions of the locations were vividly described, it was very easy to imagine what the setting entailed for the events taking place. For example, the moment the tombs were described I had a vivid image from Julia Rosemary Turk's masterful descriptions.
This is an inspiring, powerful addition to the lone player series, that is certainly recommended for any fan of the lone player series. There is so much context added to enrich the world we know from lone player and cut deck.
This book is 2.5 of this series after lone player, and cut deck. It follows a major character from the series before the events of lone player take place.
This is an expertly executed tale of survival in an oppressive dystopian society, in which the government devised "the pick" to determine who is executed based on playing card tattoos to manage overpopulation.
Julia Rosemary Turk creates detailed world building that creates an immersive experience, using characters to capture the complexity of humans and exploring themes of injustice, conflicted loyalties, and survival in a world that would rather have you dead.
This was a fantastic read that gave unique insight into Aaron as a character.
Aaron was such a conflicted and three dimensional protagonist, he was grappling with not one singular problem, but layers of problems which made his character incredibly interesting to follow. The other characters introduced throughout the book had their distinct characteristics that set them all apart from one another. Julia Rosemary Turk masterfully crafts conflicted characters that you can sympathize with, even when their behavior isn't necessarily describable as pleasant.
There is background on other characters we are familiar with throughout deadwood burning too that was very delightful to see.
I particularly enjoyed the new locations we got to explore throughout the book. Julia Rosemary Turk took the opportunity to explore locations we hadn't been before, and were completely different from what we've seen so far in the series, such as Whitestag.
That being said, I also enjoyed revisiting places we had seen before in previous books. It was interesting to hear Aaron's experience of the training program. Having seen this in Ren's perspective throughout a considerable amount of lone player it didn't overtake the narrative and allowed for Aaron's character to delve into the tombs.
The descriptions of the locations were vividly described, it was very easy to imagine what the setting entailed for the events taking place. For example, the moment the tombs were described I had a vivid image from Julia Rosemary Turk's masterful descriptions.
This is an inspiring, powerful addition to the lone player series, that is certainly recommended for any fan of the lone player series. There is so much context added to enrich the world we know from lone player and cut deck.
October 24, 2025
First off thank you to Lost Island Press for giving me an eARC version of this book to review. Deadwood Burning by Julia Rosemary Turk is available now!
I really enjoyed returning to this world and learning the backstory of Aaron and how he got to where he is and all the things that he has done to get to where we saw him in the first two novels.
The prison camp was a really interesting setting for me, Turk did an amazing job at setting the scene and being able to paint that picture in my mind of what this camp looks like and the people that are there.
The rebel characters were really interesting and I enjoyed the relationships of all of them, particularly how they all were there for each other and really invested in making this escape plan of theirs become a reality.
The chaos at the end of the book was really well done, I could picture the flames and the chaos and shouting of hundreds of people just fighting everywhere for survival.
The epilogue was particularly sweet, showing how you can start with this book and then jump right into book one (Lone Player) and understand Aaron's backstory and maybe see why he makes some of the choices that he does.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and I really love this series and can't wait for book 3 to come out soon! Thank you again to Lost Island Press and congrats Julia on another great release!
8.00 on CAWPILE
I really enjoyed returning to this world and learning the backstory of Aaron and how he got to where he is and all the things that he has done to get to where we saw him in the first two novels.
The prison camp was a really interesting setting for me, Turk did an amazing job at setting the scene and being able to paint that picture in my mind of what this camp looks like and the people that are there.
The rebel characters were really interesting and I enjoyed the relationships of all of them, particularly how they all were there for each other and really invested in making this escape plan of theirs become a reality.
The chaos at the end of the book was really well done, I could picture the flames and the chaos and shouting of hundreds of people just fighting everywhere for survival.
The epilogue was particularly sweet, showing how you can start with this book and then jump right into book one (Lone Player) and understand Aaron's backstory and maybe see why he makes some of the choices that he does.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and I really love this series and can't wait for book 3 to come out soon! Thank you again to Lost Island Press and congrats Julia on another great release!
8.00 on CAWPILE
October 10, 2025
I was fortunate enough to beta read Deadwood Burning back in February. Eight months later, the story and its vibrant cast of characters still sticks with me. As a huge fan of the Lone Player series, this was such a treat to read. I love Aaron’s character and Julia does a wonderful job telling his backstory. The novel is long, but very action packed and compelling, and it addresses all the questions left unanswered regarding Aaron’s personality and past! I think anyone would enjoy this book, but especially fans of the series!
December 15, 2025
I literally believe that Julia Rosemary Turk is one of the most exceptional teen author and has so much talent.
About this book; I loved getting to know Aaron muchhh better (literally poor baby).
I loved how he carried his father in his heart throughout the book, it made me. cry:((
I love the lone player series and will hold it dear to my heart.
I can't wait for the next book.
About this book; I loved getting to know Aaron muchhh better (literally poor baby).
I loved how he carried his father in his heart throughout the book, it made me. cry:((
I love the lone player series and will hold it dear to my heart.
I can't wait for the next book.
November 9, 2025
Every time a book from this series comes out I get the itch to go back and read the whole series again. The characters and stories so interwoven it's addictive. I cried at the beginning and at the end. (PS Julia Rosemary Turk I think I would die for you and your books)
December 6, 2025
Like every other book you write, Deadwood Burning is absolutely amazing. If I could choose, I'd give it more than 5 stars!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews