maryam162424's review
2.0
I've read books about cults before and this wasn't one of my favourites. The transitions in mindset that happened to Ruby were a bit sudden, but once the 'transition' did happen, I really did like the voice and how affected Ruby was by Daddy. Overall, this was a good read and I wanted to know what was Daddy's goal, main reason why I kept reading, but I wasn't that satisfied with why Daddy did what he did. Although his characterization was spot on, I didn't like the motives proposed...
woozza's review
4.0
a book that actually gave me some gasps due to the plot twists. i read the whole thing in a day, the writing style is fun and addictive; so much so that you don't want to put it down. watching the slow downfall of her sinking into the cult life was starkingly scary and i felt myself growing angry and frustrated at how easily the criminal acts were dismissed when in that mindset. im actually quite glad for a happy ending, although it would've been interesting to see an ending where fox doesn't survive, and she ruby is left to try and escape and save everyone on her own.
humanbookworm's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
fictionalkate's review
5.0
Ruby's family fell apart and she blames herself. When she meets Fox, there's an instant connection. He seems to see her when everyone else sees right though her. He's not like anyone else she knows. He is childlishly naive about so many things and yet has a wisdom beyond his years. He offers Ruby a chance to get to know him better and introduces her to The Institute - a commune of sorts. As Ruby starts to spend more time with Fox's family, she also gets to know more about how he lives. Are things how they seem on the surface or is there something more sinister and dangerous about The Institute?
I've read a few books about cults in the past. Robin Klein's Someone Might Hear You was one of my favourite books as a teen and I more recently read and adored The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes.
The Boundless Sublime blows those other books out of the water.
What sets this book apart is how it shows the entire journey. Where other books show you people desperate to leave these sects, The Boundless Sublime explores why someone might find themselves drawn into such a society.
Ruby is hurting and very angry at the beginning of the book. Her mother has checked out of reality and her family is in pieces. Then she meets Fox. He represents so much of what she wants. He has a family and wants her to join it. And the Institute does appear to have good values on the surface. Clean living, a lack of dependence on possessions and forgiveness for past sins. Ruby isn't entirely naive to what the Institute may be either. Her best friend tries to tell her she thinks the secretive community may be a cult (complete with yoga and "weird sex stuff"). When Ruby makes the decision to spend more time with Fox and his family at the Institute, she knows what she's giving up but she is captivated by the Institute's offer of a better and happier way of living.
The Boundless Sublime is a beguiling and frightening novel. It was scary in just how realistic Ruby's story was. Her seduction by the Institute was believable and made complete sense - which just made it all the more creepy. The choices Ruby made and her journey felt right even with the foreboding sense that something terrible was going to happen to her. There are twists and turns along the way which keep me guessing right up until the end. It's a compelling read you won't want to put down and it will make you look at seemingly harmless things in a completely new light.
I've read a few books about cults in the past. Robin Klein's Someone Might Hear You was one of my favourite books as a teen and I more recently read and adored The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes.
The Boundless Sublime blows those other books out of the water.
What sets this book apart is how it shows the entire journey. Where other books show you people desperate to leave these sects, The Boundless Sublime explores why someone might find themselves drawn into such a society.
Ruby is hurting and very angry at the beginning of the book. Her mother has checked out of reality and her family is in pieces. Then she meets Fox. He represents so much of what she wants. He has a family and wants her to join it. And the Institute does appear to have good values on the surface. Clean living, a lack of dependence on possessions and forgiveness for past sins. Ruby isn't entirely naive to what the Institute may be either. Her best friend tries to tell her she thinks the secretive community may be a cult (complete with yoga and "weird sex stuff"). When Ruby makes the decision to spend more time with Fox and his family at the Institute, she knows what she's giving up but she is captivated by the Institute's offer of a better and happier way of living.
The Boundless Sublime is a beguiling and frightening novel. It was scary in just how realistic Ruby's story was. Her seduction by the Institute was believable and made complete sense - which just made it all the more creepy. The choices Ruby made and her journey felt right even with the foreboding sense that something terrible was going to happen to her. There are twists and turns along the way which keep me guessing right up until the end. It's a compelling read you won't want to put down and it will make you look at seemingly harmless things in a completely new light.
ezandgraces's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I wouldn't have thought to pick up this book had I not been doing a reading challenge, as it is not my usual read. But I am so glad I did. We all think we wouldn't fall for a cult, but as this book portrays the fall is easier than it looks.
chelseacostar's review against another edition
5.0
Wow.
I was lucky enough to listen to Lili Wilkinson at Somerset Storyfest and immediately was enticed by her small background to The Boundless Sublime.
This novel captured me from the beginning, when I began to read on our bus trip home. Evidently, I loved The Boundless Sublime, I read it in about 24 hours.
Ruby’s journey of grieving her brother leads her to Fox, who sees right through her façade and unintentionally pulls her in. A welcoming and naive face brought her to the intriguing Institute of the Boundless Sublime, which from the outside seems like your lovely hippie community who thrive off one another’s labour. Sadly, this is not the case.
Lili Wilkinson has written a brilliant ‘culty’ novel that will enthral you with snippets of romance, deprivation and evil.
I was lucky enough to listen to Lili Wilkinson at Somerset Storyfest and immediately was enticed by her small background to The Boundless Sublime.
This novel captured me from the beginning, when I began to read on our bus trip home. Evidently, I loved The Boundless Sublime, I read it in about 24 hours.
Ruby’s journey of grieving her brother leads her to Fox, who sees right through her façade and unintentionally pulls her in. A welcoming and naive face brought her to the intriguing Institute of the Boundless Sublime, which from the outside seems like your lovely hippie community who thrive off one another’s labour. Sadly, this is not the case.
Lili Wilkinson has written a brilliant ‘culty’ novel that will enthral you with snippets of romance, deprivation and evil.
shanayahreads's review
4.0
Actual rating: 3.5 Stars
Full Review Here
The Boundless Sublime was such a wild ride, it delved deep into the world of cults and was interesting and insightful. It certainly started off strong, jumping right into the action.
Ruby was a relatively strong protagonist, although at times I did get quite annoyed at how she was acting. I felt as if she wasn’t thinking properly and I wanted to grab hold of her and talk some sense into her!! Cults are seriously terrifying things and I really wanted her to think things through. Some of the things that happened sent up serious warning signals and I couldn’t possibly believe that Ruby would go with them. I felt it was kind of hard to empathise with Ruby, as her character felt quite distant.
At some points I felt the story was too out there in the way that everything moved so quickly, like Ruby’s emotions toward the cult and Fox & Ruby’s relationship. I didn’t really like how he was the reason for a majority of Ruby’s decisions. Regardless, Fox was easily the best part of the book, as a character he was so adorable and naive and he must be protected at all costs!! Although I did cringe a little every time he (and everyone else) called the leader “Daddy”. No thank you.
I haven’t really read any other cult books, so I’m not too sure how this would stack up in terms of how believable it all is, but then again, it is a fictional book, so this issue isn’t really a biggie.
There was a lot going on in the book, and I didn’t really know what was going to happen next, so that was quite interesting! I felt so many emotions throughout the story and as the book went on, I actually found myself second-guessing the foods and drinks around me, so serious kudos to Lili!! I was quite surprised at how easily those thoughts snaked their way into my daily life haha.
I was quite curious to see how things would end up working out after the final event, and I did feel a little let down with the ending, as I still had questions unanswered. I do realise this review sounds relatively negative, but honestly I did really enjoy the novel regardless of the minor issues I had.
I received a review copy from the publisher
Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr
Full Review Here
The Boundless Sublime was such a wild ride, it delved deep into the world of cults and was interesting and insightful. It certainly started off strong, jumping right into the action.
Ruby was a relatively strong protagonist, although at times I did get quite annoyed at how she was acting. I felt as if she wasn’t thinking properly and I wanted to grab hold of her and talk some sense into her!! Cults are seriously terrifying things and I really wanted her to think things through. Some of the things that happened sent up serious warning signals and I couldn’t possibly believe that Ruby would go with them. I felt it was kind of hard to empathise with Ruby, as her character felt quite distant.
At some points I felt the story was too out there in the way that everything moved so quickly, like Ruby’s emotions toward the cult and Fox & Ruby’s relationship. I didn’t really like how he was the reason for a majority of Ruby’s decisions. Regardless, Fox was easily the best part of the book, as a character he was so adorable and naive and he must be protected at all costs!! Although I did cringe a little every time he (and everyone else) called the leader “Daddy”. No thank you.
I haven’t really read any other cult books, so I’m not too sure how this would stack up in terms of how believable it all is, but then again, it is a fictional book, so this issue isn’t really a biggie.
There was a lot going on in the book, and I didn’t really know what was going to happen next, so that was quite interesting! I felt so many emotions throughout the story and as the book went on, I actually found myself second-guessing the foods and drinks around me, so serious kudos to Lili!! I was quite surprised at how easily those thoughts snaked their way into my daily life haha.
I was quite curious to see how things would end up working out after the final event, and I did feel a little let down with the ending, as I still had questions unanswered. I do realise this review sounds relatively negative, but honestly I did really enjoy the novel regardless of the minor issues I had.
I received a review copy from the publisher
Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr
_redfox's review
2.0
Interesting look into cults. Parts of it were truly disturbing. I did, however, find myself unconvinced at times - let's just say there were one too many serendipitous occurrences.
merced's review
3.0
Likes:
- Premise. I've always been fascinated with cults.
- That plot twist.
Dislikes:
- Insta-love
- Uh, could Ruby get anymore stupid? Yes, brainwashing is a real thing, especially in cults, but ???? *insert more question marks*
- Too many foreshadowing. Why do authors do this? They're basically spoiling their own book.
- Premise. I've always been fascinated with cults.
- That plot twist.
Dislikes:
- Insta-love
- Uh, could Ruby get anymore stupid? Yes, brainwashing is a real thing, especially in cults, but ???? *insert more question marks*
- Too many foreshadowing. Why do authors do this? They're basically spoiling their own book.