{"product_id":"the-ruby-code-9781338859287","title":"The Ruby Code","description":"\u003cb\u003eFrom Jessica Khoury comes a high-action sci-fi adventure about a video game AI come to life. \u003ci\u003eWarcross\u003c\/i\u003e meets \u003ci\u003eReady Player One\u003c\/i\u003e in this thriller set in a high-tech near future.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBullied at school and home, Ash finds respite from his unhappy life in virtual reality games. One night, he spends his meager savings to help a stranger, who thanks him with a copy of an old fantasy game called \u003ci\u003eThe Glass Realm\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile exploring the game, Ash meets a seemingly humble shopkeeper named Ruby. But from the start, Ruby seems different than the other townsfolk--especially when she and Ash stumble across an in-game quest designed not for the player, but for \u003ci\u003eRuby\u003c\/i\u003e to solve. When Ruby begins developing powerful abilities that can rewrite the very code of the game, they realize she is far more than a pre-programmed side character.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFollowing the quest left for her in \u003ci\u003eThe Glass Realm\u003c\/i\u003e, the pair discover that Ruby is actually a sentient AI who's been hidden inside the game. Originally built as a weapon, her developer stole her from his employers and hid her away, hoping to keep her safe.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThat safety vanishes when Ash and Ruby are targeted by the powerful shadow organization who funded Ruby's development, and who would use her to spark a world war to rack up huge profits. Caught in a deadly game that blurs the lines between real and virtual, Ash and Ruby must flee for their lives. If they lose this game--they might just doom the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Scholastic Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 06\/06\/2023\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781338859287\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 304\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e 04\/01\/2023\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Jessica Khoury","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42835593658549,"sku":"9781338859287","price":15.29,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/products\/img_5cdd634d-4664-428e-a3ed-c8c5d202522f.jpg?v=1681223648","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/the-ruby-code-9781338859287","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}