J.J. Marr

The Cards You’re Dealt

“That’s the Game, Dante. That’s called winning.”

“It isn’t a game when the person who is losing can’t eat.”

In the Cassino Region, every adult is assigned their rank through the drawing of a card from a standard deck. The higher the drawn card, the higher the rank, meaning more privileges and prospects in the Game.

Tessa Gamble, a born and raised Elite, was taught to believe in the fairness of this system. However, she soon learns that all is not as it seems. Why do the Elite stay Elite? How do they benefit from a Game of their design?

Determined, Tessa decides to change the system that benefits so few, or die trying, even if the powers that be need her to lose. She learns that you’re not only as good as the cards you’re dealt; you just need to change the Game.

J.J. Marr is a Canadian-born, Scottish writer who travels the world with Cirque du Soleil as a Props Technician. Her debut novel, The Cards You’re Dealt, was inspired by her experiences growing up as a bisexual, working-class woman in an ever-changing world. Now, more than ever, Marr believes in using her voice and creativity to encourage thought and dialogue on the themes of classism and feminine self-discovery.