ruby red – GoodeyReads

Rating: 3/5
Audience: Juvenile/YA, very very little language, some kissing, some violence
Length: 451 pages
Author: Kerstin Gier
Publisher: Henry Holt
Release Date: December 8th, 2010
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Gwen has a destiny to fulfill, but no one will tell her what it is. She’s only recently learned that she is the Ruby, the final member of the time-traveling Circle of Twelve, and since then nothing has been going right. She suspects the founder of the Circle, Count Saint-German, is up to something nefarious, but nobody will believe her. And she’s just learned that her charming time-traveling partner, Gideon, has probably been using her all along. Emerald Green is the stunning conclusion to Kerstin Gier’s Ruby Red Trilogy, picking up where Sapphire Blue left off, reaching new heights of intrigue and romance as Gwen finally uncovers the secrets of the time-traveling society and learns her fate.

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LACKING.

That’s what I finally realized upon finishing this series. It was altogether…lacking.

I never got a big enough back story on any character so my feelings for them remained superficial. There was also SO MANY characters. And any plot twists really only occurred in the epilogues. While things like, high school romances are “relatable,” the writing was so naive that it felt silly most of the time.

The story was there. Brimming under the surface but never breaching. I enjoyed at times where things were going. Yet, I’m sitting here writing this review only hours after finishing and I can’t even remember some pieces. It’s that forgettable.

While these are solely my opinions…you may enjoy this book! It’s all about time traveling and stopping the evil by circumventing history. Can be confusing to follow where each person is when. It is at least unique in this regard.

I think it may be more suitable for younger (than myself) audiences. With only maybe a curse word or two its a clean book. There’s some kissing, some I love you proclamations, and only an instance of innuendo. Some minor violence as well.

Book Review

Review: Sapphire Blue (Precious Stones Trilogy #2) by Kerstin Gier

September 5, 2018 GoodeyReads

Rating: 3.5/5
Audience: YA, very little language, a kiss scene or two, a little violence
Length: 357 pages
Author: Kerstin Gier
Publisher: Henry Holt
Release Date: January 5th, 2010
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Gwen’s life has been a rollercoaster 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 fora 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, 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.

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BETTER THAN THE FIRST.

I have figured out some issues I have with this book, which the book comments on itself. Go figure. INSTA-LOVE. How are you this madly in love with someone in a day? You even think you’re crazy?! So while that’s silly, there was more intrigue between the two.

In my heart of hearts, I know Gideon cares, even if he didn’t mean to originally. This helps, because boy, he is MEAN. Gwen needs to put him in his place if you ask me. Maybe that’ll be rectified in the next installment.

We all know the Count is evil, but can SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT THE SECRET IS? I figured I’d find out in this book, but I didn’t. So now I’m waiting for the third book so I can understand. You only get the basest idea about where it’s all going.

Xemerius is arguably the best part of the book. While Lesley is annoying and seems to know-it-all, Xemerius makes you love his sassy self.

My other big issue is you really don’t get a feel for any characters. There’s not enough back story that helps you love or hate them. Everyone is rather neutral, and rather vague, about everything.

True YA, with very very little language. No romantic scenes, just some kissing here and there. Minor violence.

Book Review

Review: Ruby Red (Precious Stones Trilogy #1) by Kerstin Gier

September 1, 2018September 5, 2018 GoodeyReads

Rating: 3.5/5
Audience: YA, no language, a kiss scene or two, a little violence
Length: 324 pages
Author: Kerstin Gier
Publisher: Henry Holt
Release Date: January 6th, 2009
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK 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.

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A TAD NAIVE.

I had multiple people recommend this to me, but it also had the unfortunate luck of following after reading my favorite series, so it lacked a bit. It’s an interesting story line enough that I will be reading the second book.

Gwyneth, while almost 17, acts closer to 14 most of the time. All of the time travel must truly be scattering her brain because she could definitely be more intelligent in some scenes. Her character does get better though. Towards the end as she understood what was happening she acted more mature about it all. I don’t love this narrative style where she comments on her own thoughts too often.

Since I personally haven’t figured out the ending, I’m going to keep reading them. I think the second book has the chance to build upon a unique world. As Gideon and Gwyneth have the chance to explore their friendship, I hope we get more of them.

There are A LOT of side characters with the time travel. It’s a bit to keep up with, but luckily there is a glossary of names at the back if you occasionally forgot who was who (whoops!).

The evil hasn’t fully presented itself either. There’s hints as to who the bad group is, yet have no way of knowing if that’s true or not. I hope I’m wrong, because I’m always down for a good plot twist.

The action picks up about half-way through and is a super quick read. There is no language, and only a kiss scene. Some violence (rather unexpected, go team for throwing me a little!).