![]() It is human nature to incorporate what you believe to work in the same designs. One last thing do closing, all of the older worlds were handcrafted, made in the world creation kit. It's one of the reasons that I like Trion and Alder, they pretty much showcase procedural World Generation And yes on specific worlds they are found in specific places, but that is because of what spawns in those chunks and why if you rely on that as they add more worlds you're going to become frustrated, that is all I am saying ![]() If you are prepared to come at it with a bit of an open mind and the knowledge that some events will seem a unlikely, then you will find an unusual and pacey tale featuring action, philosophical debate, love, betrayal, crazy gurus, bald-headed children and a second half that pelts toward the finish.And I'm okay with everybody using altitude to find it, cuz that means that me and my friends will get the rest of itĪll resources are procedurally generated, using very specific rule sets. ![]() This isn't meant to be a factual book about cults - it is fiction, for young adults, with crazy romance, teen angst and all of the other things that typify YA, so in that regard I feel I can cut it some slack in the unbelievability stakes. Add to that the fact that she is a teenager, without fully developed reason centres in her brain, and the thought of a clever, attractive young girl getting caught up in such a community - and then being unable to find a way to leave it - isn't such a stretch. Part of the power of cults is that recruitment relies on individuals who are vulnerable, possibly suffering under mental illness or at least mental stress, and in a social position from which it is easy (or even preferable) to disengage - and Ruby fits the bill on each of these counts. ![]() Even Ruby has her doubts and eye-roll moments at the beginning. On one level, I can certainly see where they are coming from, becuase there were times during the book that I too was thinking, "AS IF!" I think that in order to appreciate it fully, one has to come at the story from the point of view that none of us thinks that we would ever be "dumb" enough to get caught up in a cult. I won't say any more than that because one of the best parts of the book, I felt, is the fact that Ruby goes through so many changes in thought process and personality, that the atmosphere of the story is constantly in flux and we just aren't sure what will happen next.Ī number of reviewers have noted that parts of the story seem so ridiculous and unlikely that they couldn't suspend their disbelief in order to engage with the stories. Then comes doubting Ruby, who questions her new situation yet lacks the will to act in her own best interests. Soon after this we see a bit of insta-love or at least, infatuation, as Ruby becomes consumed with thoughts of Fox and sees him as an almost-saviour from her meaningless existence. Initially, we see the surly, disconnected and generally unlikable Ruby who is so focused on the guilt, grief and chaos of her life that any other viewpoint seems laughably untenable. This book felt to me like it had a few distinctive parts. She sees him as beautiful, in an almost otherworldly way, and is drawn to his naivety and his seemingly solid grip on his world.įrom here, it is only a matter of time - and the painless severing of a few social and familial ties - until Ruby is subsumed into Fox's social circle and into a community of "like-minded" souls, and the "cult" aspect of the story really begins in earnest. It is from this viewpoint that Ruby interprets the unexpected kindness of Fox, a young man handing out free bottles of water on the street. Ruby's mother is practically catatonic, Ruby can't find meaning in doing the everyday things like going to school and life generally seems to be a pointless, meaningless black hole. The book opens on a pretty dour note: Ruby is living in a sort of suspended time with her mother after a tragic accident that caused the permanent separation of their family. I didn't realise until I'd seen some reviews of this one that it featured cultish content, but once I did know, I was a bit sceptical as to how the author was going to make this an engaging story without it becoming cheesy and unrealistic. Having sat on the shelf of a university undergrad completing a major in Studies of Religion, many moons ago, I have already had an interesting taste of the research that has gone into cults, or new religious movements, as they are sometimes called. When Ruby makes the decision to move in with Fox, her life takes a turn she couldn't possibly have imagined. Ruby is mired in guilt and depression from a recent family loss when she bumps into Fox, a charismatic but strangely naive young man handing out water on the street. I received a print copy of this title from Allen & Unwin for review.
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