*Review* Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

Release Date: May 10, 2011

Published By: Henry Holt

Length:  322 pages

Review Copy:  Hardcover, Purchased

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Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era!

Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon--the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust.

A unique combination of time travel and historical fiction!

  Ruby Red is a prime example of a book that sat on my book shelf simply for too long.  Honestly I bought it because of its pretty red cover (I seem to have a thing for covers with red in them) and the fact that it was a bargain book on Chapters shelves.  Sadly it was something I had to have but didn't have the time for so it sat there, not unloved but unread.  When I made the decision to pick it up because I had all three books on my shelves and knew that I should really start the series that I had to have and yet neglected, I had no idea I was picking up a read that would only take me a day to read.  I was swept away by Gier's writing and the fantastic story.

  I believe that this book was so easy to fall into and stick to because there was constant movement and progress.  Though this did make the book a tad bit predictable in the start, that changed just before the half way mark and I found it much more fun not to know what was happening.  Upon finding out that Gwen was not groomed to be a traveler, but her cousin Charlotte's I found myself realizing it was obvious that it was to be Gwen.  It wasn't until later when Gwen proved that she could travel (unplanned) and a few of the secrets that have been hidden from anyone that is not part of the inner circle that I realized I did not have a clue what was coming next.  I also realized that I am just as confused as Gwen is, in who I should trust.  

  When it comes to Gwen I didn't love her but I did like her.  She was exactly a sixteen (and a half) year old girl that behaved as such.  Well, I guess that is if you don't include the fact that she can see ghosts and talk to them.  Nothing to do with her time travel ability I am sure you are thinking but I think that it has everything to do with it.  Gwen is used to not being the star of the family and honestly she was okay with that, the thought of time travel scared the crap out of her.  However, when it happens she handles it mostly well and I will admit with far more calm than I would have met the situation with.  I think in the end it was her curiosity that kept her going and doing things that her mother warned her against.  Gwen has a lot of potential to become a great character and I hope that her judgment and ability to hold her own keeps up and doesn't fall back onto Gideon.

  This is not a horribly romantic book.  Normally when a book is some form of historical fiction, it is basically a given that there will be romance.  With Ruby Red I was slightly disappointed that there wasn't.  Romance doesn't make a book the writing and the story does but I was looking forward to a little romance.  Not that I was expecting Gideon to fall instantly in love with Gwen but I did not expect the resistance and boarder line resentment towards her.  There was a definite attraction from Gwen's side though, but she was also not desperate enough to throw herself at him.  Admittedly I do hope for something to develop between the two over the next couple of books.

  Kerstin Gier has created something that is quick to read and wonderfully creative.  There is so much more to this book than my words can explain.  It may not be complex but it is a fun and quick read that I believe almost anyone could enjoy.  Not to mention the zero love triangle... Did I forget to mention that.  Well there is only ever one guy!  Not even a best friend fighting for the attention over the new love interest.  Pick this book up if you are looking for something that is lighter and has some time travel/historical fiction in it!!

  I found myself back on the doormat outside our house again, jumped up, and looked around.  Everything seemed the same as when I'd left just a little while ago to go and buy Great-aunt Maddy's sherbet lemons.  The buildings, the parked cars, even the rain.
  The man in black at the entrance of number 18 was staring across the road at me.
  "And you're not the only one to be surprised," I muttered

  I reached for the plate, although it was sudden;y going all blurred before my eyes and I felt as if someone was going to pull the sofa away from under me.

  "What will happen when the Circle of Blood closes?"  Good heavens.  I heard myself talking just like one of them.  Circle of Blood.  Next thing I knew, I'd start speaking in verse.