I thoroughly enjoyed Kerstin Gier's romantic time traveling book, Red Ruby, and highly recommend it to readers looking for a fun, quick read that encompasses adventure, a sweet romance, humor, and historical trivia. Red Ruby is the first book in the trilogy. Sapphire Blue is the second book and steers clear from middle book syndrome. I found it to be equally enjoyable.
Description (from the Publisher): Gwen's life has been a roller coaster since she discovered she was the Ruby, the final member of the secret time-traveling Circle of Twelve. In between searching through history for the other time-travelers and asking for a bit of their blood (gross!), she's been trying to figure out what all the mysteries and prophecies surrounding the Circle really mean.
Review: Gwyneth is trying to reconcile her role as the Ruby, the final member in the Circle of Twelve, a secret time-travel society, with being a normal London teen. No one takes her seriously and they all think she completely incapable of undertaking a huge project and not to mention dark prophecy that may get her or her loved ones killed. What's the project and prophecy? Well, the Circle of Twelve won't discuss anything thing with her and hush matters between themselves in a locked room. Complicating matters even more are her feelings for handsome Gideon de Villiers, a fellow time traveler who gives Gwyneth mixed signals-wavering between kissing her and ignoring her.
The secrecy surrounding the Circle, whose distrust of Gwyneth is both unfair and frustrating. What I love about Gwyneth though is that she is adaptable, engaging, funny, and sweet. She doesn't waste her time moaning about how no one trusts her, but she uses her intuition and ingenuity to circumvent the authorities who refuse to be honest with her yet send her on dangerous mission in the past. She makes secret trips through time to conspire with her much younger (and living) grandfather or asks a delightful gargoyle ghost, who she can only see and talk to spy for her. I love Xemerius! He is so adorable and funny with his spot-on critiques on people. He definitely was a welcoming addition to this book. Unlike many books where going against the authorities is a stupid and bad idea, I can't blame Gwyneth for taking this route since the authorities are supposed to be looking out for her, but their intentions are murky at best. As Gideon points out to Gwyneth, their lives are dictated by their supernatural genes; they will never be free from the confines of their birth, forced to stay local, so as not to be in constant danger.
Speaking of Gideon, I was so conflicted about him. I found his inability to tell Gwyneth how he feels about her to be sweet. Even though he appears as if he knows all the answers, he really doesn't and he can't seem to think straight with Gwyneth around. There are definitely some sweet moments between them, but their romance does have a few stumbling blocks in this book.
Hilarious and delightful, Sapphire Blue explores new mysteries and raises new questions, which we don't have any answers yet but I'm very hopeful that we will get them in third and final book. Ruby Red isn't necessarily a series that I would read immediately, but it is a series to look out for and enjoy on vacation or if you are in reading slump.
Rating: 4 stars
Words of Caution: Some minor language and a scene of underage drinking. Recommended for strong Grades 6 readers and up.
If you like this book try: Emerald Green by Kerstin Gier (October 2013), Paranormalcy trilogy by Kiersten White, Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda, The Time Traveling Fashionesta by Bianca Turetskey
Description (from the Publisher): Gwen's life has been a roller coaster since she discovered she was the Ruby, the final member of the secret time-traveling Circle of Twelve. In between searching through history for the other time-travelers and asking for a bit of their blood (gross!), she's been trying to figure out what all the mysteries and prophecies surrounding the Circle really mean.
At least Gwen has plenty of help. Her best friend Lesley follows every lead diligently on the Internet. James the ghost teaches Gwen how to fit in at an eighteenth century party. And Xemerius, the gargoyle demon who has been following Gwen since he caught her kissing Gideon in a church, offers advice on everything. Oh, yes. And of course there is Gideon, the Diamond. One minute he's very warm indeed; the next he's freezing cold. Gwen's not sure what's going on there, but she's pretty much destined to find out.
Review: Gwyneth is trying to reconcile her role as the Ruby, the final member in the Circle of Twelve, a secret time-travel society, with being a normal London teen. No one takes her seriously and they all think she completely incapable of undertaking a huge project and not to mention dark prophecy that may get her or her loved ones killed. What's the project and prophecy? Well, the Circle of Twelve won't discuss anything thing with her and hush matters between themselves in a locked room. Complicating matters even more are her feelings for handsome Gideon de Villiers, a fellow time traveler who gives Gwyneth mixed signals-wavering between kissing her and ignoring her.
The secrecy surrounding the Circle, whose distrust of Gwyneth is both unfair and frustrating. What I love about Gwyneth though is that she is adaptable, engaging, funny, and sweet. She doesn't waste her time moaning about how no one trusts her, but she uses her intuition and ingenuity to circumvent the authorities who refuse to be honest with her yet send her on dangerous mission in the past. She makes secret trips through time to conspire with her much younger (and living) grandfather or asks a delightful gargoyle ghost, who she can only see and talk to spy for her. I love Xemerius! He is so adorable and funny with his spot-on critiques on people. He definitely was a welcoming addition to this book. Unlike many books where going against the authorities is a stupid and bad idea, I can't blame Gwyneth for taking this route since the authorities are supposed to be looking out for her, but their intentions are murky at best. As Gideon points out to Gwyneth, their lives are dictated by their supernatural genes; they will never be free from the confines of their birth, forced to stay local, so as not to be in constant danger.
Speaking of Gideon, I was so conflicted about him. I found his inability to tell Gwyneth how he feels about her to be sweet. Even though he appears as if he knows all the answers, he really doesn't and he can't seem to think straight with Gwyneth around. There are definitely some sweet moments between them, but their romance does have a few stumbling blocks in this book.
Hilarious and delightful, Sapphire Blue explores new mysteries and raises new questions, which we don't have any answers yet but I'm very hopeful that we will get them in third and final book. Ruby Red isn't necessarily a series that I would read immediately, but it is a series to look out for and enjoy on vacation or if you are in reading slump.
Rating: 4 stars
Words of Caution: Some minor language and a scene of underage drinking. Recommended for strong Grades 6 readers and up.
If you like this book try: Emerald Green by Kerstin Gier (October 2013), Paranormalcy trilogy by Kiersten White, Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda, The Time Traveling Fashionesta by Bianca Turetskey
Labels:
2013 150+ Challenge,
4 stars,
England,
Historical Fiction,
Romance,
Ruby Red Trilogy,
Time Travel,
YA
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Oh I'm so glad to find someone else that reads this series and enjoys it! I love this one, too! I love Gwyneth! She is so unflappable even when she thinks Gideon is lying to her face, which we aren't sure if he is or isn't. I can't figure out the biggest mystery can you? I don't know what the real puppet master has in store for Gwyneth. I actually think Gwyneth will be the one to save herself in this mess. Don't you want to slap her cousin???
Heather
Oh and I love the gargoyle ghost too!
I didn't really like Red Ruby but I love that the idea of a talking gargoyle who has to comment on everything. Xemerius sounds like such a fun character.