Ruby's Story: A Numbers Game Short

Numbers Game #2.5

by Rebecca Rode

Fighting for justice can be dangerous. Ruby James has finally made it. As an official Rater, she's reached upper class society and all that comes with it--a huge house in a guarded neighborhood, box seats, and an elite client list. She even has the perfect boyfriend to go with it, one she expects to marry as soon as her career settles. Then she uncovers a terrible secret. One her boss will do anything to protect. Now Ruby must decide how much her dreams truly mean to her. Can she remain silent and keep everything she's worked for, or does she dare risk it all to fight for justice? This is the companion story to Numbers Ignite, book two of the best-selling and award-winning Numbers Game saga. However, as a prequel, it can be read at any point in the series. * While PG-rated, this book may be a trigger for victims of sexual assault. "Tactful. Poignant. Emotional. Thoughtful." ~Karen, reviewer "Engaging from beginning to end." ~Geneen, reviewer "A great story. I love seeing more of Ruby's character. I think Numbers Game fans are really going to enjoy it." ~Adrienne Monson, author of Dissension

Genres: Dystopia, Science Fiction, Audiobook, Young Adult

92 pages, Paperback

First published September 19, 2016

About the author

Rebecca is the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of TIDES OF MUTINY (Little, Brown Book for Young Readers). Her previously published work includes the dystopian Numbers Game trilogy and the Ember series for fans of Firefly and The Mandalorian. She has also published an inspirational nonfiction book for moms (How to Have Peace When You're Falling to Pieces) and a number of online newspaper and magazine articles. It's her books about fierce teens smashing societal barriers, however, that she enjoys writing the most.
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Rebecca and her husband are raising their family in the Rocky Mountains. She has two cats, a ridiculous number of books, and an odd assortment of book-related socks. She is represented by Kelly Peterson at Rees Literary.

Reviews

[Emilija · Rating 5 out of 5]

2019 52 Book Challenge - 25) The Name Of A Colour In The Title

This was a fantastic short story. It's been a while since I read a book in this series, but this really made me want to jump back in again.

Ruby was characterized really well. I've read books with four or five times the page count of this short story that have failed to create cohesive character development that Rode managed in 93 pages. This book really made you want to root for Ruby.

[Regina Baker Stidams]

I am voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader copy of this book . I enjoyed reading and knowing the sacrifices ruby made to do what she could even though it wasn't a good turnout for her . looking forward to reading more of her books

[Dee/ bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby's Story by Rebecca Rode is a great short story!! I really liked Ruby. Ms. Rode described this book as a little grittier, but I thought it truly showed the situation that Ruby was in and how she didn't compromise her integrity or her morals to bend to the powers that ran NORA. She showed a lot of moxie and even a lot of heart with all she gave up to ensure that the ones she loved would not be held accountable or their image tarnished for what decisions she made.

Great read!!!

I received a free copy of this book from the author for an honest review.

[Tony Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calvin Richard “Rich” Peak (boss) was very impressed with Ruby James (Official Rater) job performance.
It seems Allison Montgomery (citizen # 1158459 Councilman’s daughter) must be investigated for maybe some wrong doings.

What did Morgan find out about Morgan’s research had confirmed it.?
What did Councilman Montgomery (father) discuss with Ruby?

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written Dystopian (short story) book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great Dystopian movie, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free Diamond Patch Press; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[Lilmissmolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ruby’s Story is a 1 ½ hour audio prequel to the Numbers Game trilogy by Rebecca Rode. In the second book in the series, Numbers Ignite, we are introduced to an old wise woman Ruby James. Ruby assists Treena and introduces her to the life of an outsider – someone who lives outside of NORA and refuses to be classified by their ratings.

In this prequel, we found out how Ruby became an outsider. Ruby is a young ambitious graduate who believes in the integrity of the numbers system. She is rewarded with a prestigious position as an official numbers rater and given an extravagant place to live and an elite client list. However, she soon discovers how the numbers system is corrupted and she wants no part of it.

Stacey Glemboski narrated this prequel, like she did all three books in the trilogy. She is a wonderful narrator, providing distinct voices for all characters throughout the audio. Great job!

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is a perfect addition to the numbers trilogy. Ruby is such a fabulous character and I loved getting to see some of her early life and the pivotal events that helped to shape who she became.

While you can love the trilogy without listening to this short story, it adds a lot to it, filling a gap I didn't even realize was there.

I love that the narrator is the same as the series. Stacey did a great job on the books and that only continues here with this short addition.

If you loved the series then I highly recommend listening to this book too.

I received this book free from the narrator/publisher/author in exchange for an honest review.

[Ruby McDemon · Rating 5 out of 5]

While great this story is a bit sadder than the rest of the series so far. (Yes as long as you have read the books in order you get an idea of what happened) Yes it does have it's right moments, but it shows how corrupt the government is long before Trina comes along. I really did like getting a better look into Ruby's life in NORA and how she came to live on the outside. It's also great to get a peak into how everything used to be and some of the big changes made throughout a seemingly short amount of time.

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

*I received a free copy of the Kindle version from the author*

Ruby's family connections get her a job as a Rater, however, her glimpse behind the scenes shows her that all is not as it should be. Another excellent short story addition to the series. It was chilling to see how quickly one's life could go into free-fall in that type of society and it confirms that adage that "absolute power corrupts absolutely."

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

** I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **

I really like this series, and the character of Ruby..this back story is a must listen..its really telling, and I enjoyed it very much..I cant wait to listen of more of this series...so I hope the next book comes out asap!!

[Ashley Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby's Story by Rebecca Rode was another great companion story. Ruby has finally achieved her goal and has become an official Rater. Everything was falling into place until she uncovers a terrible secret among raters. I loved reading about what caused Ruby's fight for justice.

[a collective of books · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not really sure why Ruby's story had to be rewritten as a short story. She already tells Treena what happened in Numbers Ignite. It's just repeating the story, but in a little more detail. Nothing new or out of the ordinary.

[Lucinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Think I may like it better once I read the series from the start.

[Marjolein (UrlPhantomhive) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full review to come!

[Malissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great sci-fi story about government, corruption of power, and a way of life changed. Fascinated and looking forward to reading the whole series.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Rebecca Rode for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for review!

Before I begin my review, I'd like to start this off with saying that Ruby's Story is a companion to the second book in the Numbers Game saga, Numbers Ignite. However, this is a prequel novella and can be read as a stand alone. I have not read either Numbers Game or Numbers Ignite but I thoroughly enjoyed this short story that is set in the world of Numbers Game!

This short story follows Ruby James, the granddaughter of Richard Peak. Peak is the founder of the Rating system that is currently present in NORA. Ruby has been promoted to Rater status- something she has been working for since she was eight years old. As a Rater, she gets all of the perks which include a huge new house in a guarded neighborhood, box seats at all of the hottest events in NORA, and a high profile client list. It seems like the perfect life, until she uncovers an awful secret. Now Ruby has to decide between her status as a Rater and fighting against the wrongs she's discovered.

I really, truly enjoyed this story. It was short, but it really gave a whole new perspective into the Rater side of the Numbers Game series. With Chan's Story, we got the side of someone under pressure of being rated and having to live with his rating. In Ruby's Story, the reader gets to see the other side with the lavish lifestyle that Raters get, but also the amount of corruption and wrongness that happens behind closed doors. I enjoyed that I got to see that the life of a Rater wasn't all that Ruby thought it was. While the reality was awful, it proved that the system that everyone thought was perfect was, in fact, incredibly flawed and in need of fixing. Ruby's reaction was one that I was really hoping for, and I was so proud of her for the decisions that she made. Despite this being a short, stand alone story, I am really hoping for a sequel because I would love to read more about Ruby and find out more about what happens after this story ends!

The main character in this story was Ruby, and she was an absolutely beautiful main character. When confronted with the corruption that was present in her dream job, she refused to stay silent and wanted to help fix things and bring them back to the way that they were originally supposed to be. She was so dedicated to her beliefs that she was willing to give up everything, including her family. The end was kind of heartbreaking, but I was incredibly happy with the way that Ruby decided to go about things. I really am rooting for a sequel because Ruby was one of those really unique characters that I connected with so quickly and am curious to know where her decision has led her.

I am such a huge fan of Rebecca Rode and the world of Numbers Game and Numbers Ignite. I have only read the two short stories that are set in the world, but I am so incredibly impressed with the writing and world building that has gone into these two stories. Ruby's Story is by far my favorite, and I am so excited to get into Numbers Game with some of the base knowledge of the series that has been given in this novella. The writing is fantastic and descriptive, and you really get a sense of how things are in NORA, and I believe that reading this will give the reader a bit of a taste and leave them wanting more!

If you're wanting to get into Numbers Game but are unsure if you're ready to take the plunge, or even if you're waiting to pick up Numbers Ignite, grab Ruby's Story and prepare to get sucked in! This novella will leave you with so many questions that only Numbers Game and Numbers Ignite will be able to answer, and it's definitely worth a read to learn about how the world is from a Rater's point of view! With an incredibly strong main character, beautiful writing, and a cliffhanger ending, Ruby's Game is one fantastic short story that is sure to hook you from page one!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

At some point in the future, America faces some sort of major governmental upheaval. The result is a complete overhaul of how society works. Part of that is that people are given a numerical rating, which then determines everything about their life, including where they are allowed to live and what kind of jobs will be available to them.
Our main character in this story is Ruby, who has a rating that places her in high green. Ruby has a great job, a good apartment with plans to move into an even better home, and a wonderful boyfriend whom she hopes to marry in the future. Not only that, but Rudy is the granddaughter of the man who created the rating system that society uses. As such, she has a deep and abiding belief that the rating system is the way to help society move forward and be successful.
Promoted to the job of Rater, Ruby is excited to be in a position to ensure that the system is maintained in the future. Unfortunately, one of her early assignments challenges her beliefs, challenges the very system that her grandfather set up. As she begins to investigate further, she realizes that she has pulled on a thread that could lead to the unraveling of everything she thought she knew. Suddenly, Ruby is faced with a choice to bury what she knows and maintain the status quo, or to reveal the information and risk everything she has. What will she choose? What will the consequences be? Can she live with those consequences? All are questions that Ruby wrestles with.

Despite being a novella, Ruby is a well-thought-out character that is easy to identify with. While the other characters in the story are slightly more one-sided, that is a function of the length of the story rather than a failing of the author, as there simply isn't enough time to flesh out every character. However, the author does provide enough world-building that, while not revealing all the secrets of the society, does give enough information to draw you in and create a desire to learn more by reading the main series. At the same time, I am also curious about the other novellas, each of which focusing on a different character.
Finally, I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook version of this story, and I thought the narrator did a wonderful job. To that end, I recommend listening to the audiobook, should you happen to prefer listening to reading.
Still, however you decide to consume the story, I recommend that you do so. The nice thing about this novella is that it serves as a stand-alone novel set within the universe. I can say this confidently as I have not read any of the novels in the main series. Thanks to this story, though, I now plan to.

[Brian's Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

See the original review here.

Another great novella in this world

4.5 out of 5 stars

Ruby's Story was really enjoyable. It made me realize that I'm going to have to read the two full-length books in the series soon because I enjoyed the two short stories as much as I did.

The narration was done by Stacey Glemboski who does a really great job voicing Ruby and the world around her. She made this already short story feel even more compact and easy to digest. The perfect narrator for Ruby's Story.

I don't know who Ruby is in relation to the rest of the story (if she's in it at all), but I can tell you this -- Rode does a great job making it so that people who have never read the other two books can still jump into this with no problem. I had a little knowledge of the Numbers world from the other short story I read, but this still made perfect sense to me.

The story itself is based on a premise that I really liked. I liked the fact that she did exactly what she wanted instead of what the people in power above her thought that she would do.

Honestly, I really liked the length of the short story/novella too. It made for a quick read and I feel like I gained something from it too. Sometimes you don't need 400 pages to tell a story (though this one could definitely be continued easily -- and it very well might be in one of the Numbers Game series's other books).

Overall, Ruby's Story was a really enjoyable novella. The perfect length for a late night read without keeping me up all night!

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very dark book but still a very good one. Ruby lives in a future United States that has gone through some kind of possibly civil war. It's referred to as the Old America and a new one has arisen which is headed by an Emperor. Citizens are rated according to various factors and those ratings will determine what kind of life they will have including job and where they live.

Reds have the lowest ratings and basically live in poverty conditions. Yellows are a little high and Greens are the highest. Ruby is a Green and has a job as a Rater, meaning she will be assigning people a level (which seems to be somehow stamped onto their foreheads). It's a system which she thinks works. Her grandfather was actually the person that came up with it.

She finds out, though, that the high-level people have forgotten Spiderman's saying “With great power comes great responsibility.” The rulers are not at all what she expected them to be. She even finds out the penalty for crossing them.


The more things change, the more things stay the same.

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
""Keeping the system pure and efficient.""
Ruby was born into an elite family and had known since she was eight that she wanted to be a rater. Her dream fulfilled unexpectedly early, she had all she ever wanted: a big house, prestige and a boyfriend she loves - until she discovers that not all is as it should be in the perfect society she believed her grandfather had created.
Ms. Glembosci's reading of this story is excellent. Told from Ruby's point of view, the narration is expressive and well paced, increasing the already good picture of Ruby and her inner feelings as she agonises over what to do - hold her tongue and retain all that she has worked for, or risk throwing it all away?
I am grateful to the right's holder who gifted me, via Audiobook Boom, this insightful individual story from the NORA world of the Numbers Game series. Easy to listen to,, it is a stand alone tale which further enhances the longer novels. A recommended YA short

[Lelouch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com.

I have not read the other books in the series. I came into the story without knowing what to expect and I didn't have any problems. The dystopia follows Ruby, who expects that her entire life is settled for her in a great way. Unfortunately, her life quickly falls apart and her self-righteousness gets the better of her. I'm a little surprised Ruby managed to cause so much trouble. The author dropped hints there might be more going on (kendrick never giving out cards; kendrick looking at the client after Ruby's comments), so I was expecting a twist to the story. However, the story was exactly its face value.

I really like the narrator. Her natural voice is very pleasant to listen to, and she portrays ruby's excitement and anguish very well without going over the top. I'm definitely going to listen to more of her stories.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining and engaging. Another interesting insight into the world of the numbers game. I have enjoyed this series from the beginning and can't wait for the next installment.

Ruby James should be on top of the world. But not even her family legacy can help her now. Her grandfather actually created the system they now use. Those in positions of authority have been abusing their power. Ruby has to decide whether to follow the status quo like so many others do or stick to her morals and do the right thing. Something that can affect her whole family.

Stacey Glemboski does a great job with the narration. She is the voice of the series. Pleasant voice. Perfect for narrating audiobooks. Clearly spoken with a smooth even pace. Great character voices. Very enjoyable.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator or publisher.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grandpa’s Daughter (Audiobook)

[[[Spoiler Alert if you have not read the first two books in the Numbers Game by Rebecca Rode]]]

What do you do when you realize the system your grandfather created to bring peace to a warring, disorganized nation is flawed? That is the question a young Ruby James faces in this Numbers Game prequel short story.

I definitely enjoyed this Ruby prequel. It is nice to know that she stays true to herself from the start through the time we meet up with her in the series. I adore the Ruby even more now.

Stacey Glemboski’s narration is again wonderful. Her female and male voices are unique in sound and emotions.

I most definitely appreciate the opportunity to read and review this ongoing series and I want to pre-order the next installment now, but sadly it is not listed, yet.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this series!!! I loved this glimpse into what life had been like for Ruby trying to do the right thing! Ruby was one of my favourite people met in the underground colony and it was great to read her story! Anxiously awaiting more from NORA and Treen.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story. Ruby has finally gotten to where she wants to be. A great job, a perfect boyfriend, or is everything so nice. She finds out a secret that might cost her everything, if she tells. Great read to the end, sorry when it ends.

[Matthew Clarkson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great world building and a wonderfully written piece. Gripping throughout.

[Z.A. Mackic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story. The type I like, fight against corrupt system.

[Burn After Reading]

Who would bother to read this trash?

[Michelle N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby is such a fun character both as a teenager and an adult. I loved that she did what she thought was right no matter the consequences.