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Review: Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
Layered, complex, awesome!Kerstin Gier is a German author who wrote Ruby Red and sequels Sapphire Blue and Emerald Green in 2009/2010, which are now being released in the U.S.
Gwyneth comes from a family of time travelers. Certain females in her family are born with a time travel gene that allows them, with the help of a chronograph, to travel to specific places in time. Without the chronograph, they experience uncontrolled travel which could cause some risks - imagine being on the third floor of a building that didn’t exist 50 years ago. Gwyneth’s cousin, Charlotte, has this gene and has been preparing for her first travel for many years. However, Gwyneth is the one who travels through time and this causes a lot of issues for all parties involved - most notably, Gideon, the male time-traveler of her generation.
Ruby Red is a complex time-travel novel with a big appeal. It has a slow start where the reader waits for Gwen to travel the first time, and then waits for her to reveal her time travel to her family. Even though this part is a bit slow in pacing there are a number of humorous experiences that Gwen finds herself in that kept me enteretained. Once the story picks up it is fast (though not overwhelming) paced. We’re introduced to different time travelers, different times and a mysterious Count who seems very shady.
Gwen is a likeable character whose witty commentary allowed for much amusement. Gwen’s best friend - Leslie - is a clever girl who helps Gwen along the way, researching different aspects of time-travel. I found Gwen confiding in Leslie to be refreshing especially when many protagonists seem to distant themselves from their best friends when they are faced with a crisis, creating unnecessary angst. However, Gwen’s attitute towards Leslie seems more genuine and organic. They are best friends who are there for each other when they are in need. Of course, this could cause issues in the future, but I digress.
This book is not for the faint of heart, sure, it’s about time travel but it’s very layered. On top of the mystery of the missing chronograph, Gwen can also see ghosts - which I’m assuming will be used in the future books - and it seems as though someone doesn’t want Gwen and Gideon traveling back time. I loved the different aspects that were presented and am very curious to see how they will be resolved.
With a healthy balance of action, intrigue and romance, Ruby Red quickly became a new favourite.
[This is an ARC review]
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. || Details →
Get the book on → Ruby Red
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