Book Review: Worlds with Ruby

shattered glass - giphy.com

This is what Ruby asks herself when she ends up on the edge of a cliff, waiting her turn to climb up into a huge Ferris wheel, after dying.

Instead of finding her final rest like normal people, Ruby is met by a gorgeous angel of darkness by the name of Damen, and whisked off to a beautiful glass city that she is supposedly meant to save.
This is how that glass city looks to me:

Temple of Corellion Myth Drannor - saved by Karol Parysek - pinterest.com

"Our city is fractured and you can repair it. It is your destiny. ... The prophecies said you would come, falling through a shower of glass. And you did." That is what everyone in the glass city tells Ruby, calling her their Glass Rose.

Except that Ruby is only the dead girl from the land of magical amusement parks and all the Glass Rose stuff was beginning to reek like the stuff of fairy tales.
Ruby hated fairy tales; there was always a prince or a knight in shining armor, to come and take all the credit after the girl had done all the work. Or, even worse, to rescue the girl because she was incapable of doing so herself. Ruby didn't need rescuing, or for anyone to steal the credit for her effort. Then again, she didn't want to do the work this time either.
Maybe because she didn't know how to do the work needed, but nobody needed to know that part.

In a world where nothing seems to make sense and everything seems to defy logic, Ruby needs to make a choice. Embrace the challenge and try to heal the fractured city, or simply stand aside and let it crumble down. And that is only the beginning.

In a downright unconventional and absolutely imaginative manner, C.P. Cabaniss gives us here a unique take on the afterlife that will leave you wanting to know more.

"The Wheel gives everyone a chance to face whatever held them back in life, to be at peace with what they left behind. Some take only moments, others years. We are all different, just as our challenges are different."
If Ruby will be able to face hers, you're gonna have to read this to find out. :) What I can tell you though is that they are among the most original ones I have ever encountered.

A stunning read with a strong impact, this is one of those short stories that manage to excellently blend fantasy and "life lessons everyone should think upon".
Written in an elegant prose that makes reading a pleasure, Worlds with Ruby is the perfect read for anyone searching for something truly unique. My only complaint is that it was a tiny bit too short. I wish it had been a bit longer and am now looking forward to the next adventure in the world of the Ferris Wheel Stories.

Check out this book and more of C.P. Cabaniss here.