Ruby Red - Book Review

Title ~ Ruby Red
Series ~ Edelstein Trilogy #1
Author ~ Kerstin Gier
Release Date ~ May 10, 2011
Age Group ~ Young Adult
Publisher ~ Henry Holt and Co.
Source ~ Kerstin Gier

GOODREADS SUMMARY

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.

REVIEW

Time travel stories are delicious. I love reading about characters taking trips back in time and then returning to the present. I especially like when they travel back to the Victorian Era, so you can bet that Ruby Red shot to the top of my books to read!

Gwyneth is an average London teen who just blends in with the crowd. In fact, she even fades into the background a bit when she is around her cousin, Charlotte. You see, Charlotte has long been hailed as the family’s next time traveler.

Not so fast. Out of nowhere, Gwyneth finds that, in fact, she is the chosen one. SHE is the family time traveler and her life will forever be changed. Gwyneth is the twelfth and final time traveler in her family. Her magical time travel gem is the ruby and she has a hidden talent called the power of the raven. It’s so enticing and I love how Kerstin Gier works it all in.

Gwyneth has a partner to travel through time with. He is from another family of time travelers and his name is Gideon. At first, these two barely tolerate each other. I enjoyed watching them transform and learn to work together.

The plot is pretty complicated and rich with mystery. I still have many questions that are unanswered and I am anxious to read more. Ruby Red is the first book in a trilogy that was first released in Germany. The books are being translated to English and released here. I look forward to the second book, Sapphire Blue. Hopefully the power of the raven will be revealed.

RATING

5 Loved

COVER COMMENTS

This cover is more beautiful in person. The red dots are raised and feel like actual jewels. The rich red color and the old-fashioned photo of Gwyneth fit nicely with the story.