Review: Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

Ruby Red
Edelstein Trilogy #3

Author: Kerstin Gier

Translator: Anthea Bell

Publication Date: May 10, 2011

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

Genre: Fantasy/Science Fiction

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Synopsis:

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.

My Thoughts: I would just like to start off by saying: Oh my God! I loved this book so much! It had an original plot-line, interesting characters and enough back story to span several books on their own. I am so glad I purchased it.

I will admit, at times it was a bit predictable. In fact, I had the ending worked out around the middle of the book - but I am a stickler for grabbing onto foreshadowing and mystery and coming up with ideas of how it will go. However, regardless of that it still kept me drawn in and entertained. Maybe it is because I love history and time-travelling has always been my secret wish, but this book enthralled me from the first pages.

Gideon and Gwyneth both have the X-factor gene that allows them to travel through time. Everyone had predicted that Gwen's cousin Charlotte would be the gene carrier, and thus Charlotte had been trained all of her life to be able to adapt to different time periods she would encounter. The whole family was shocked when they discovered that while they were pampering Charlotte and watching for signs of time-travelling Gwen had already gone to the past more than once. Now Charlotte feels as though her world has been ripped away and Gwen has been thrust into something she is wholly unprepared for.

Gideon was trained for nothing but time-travelling. After school everyday for the past two years he would travel to the past by himself - either to do his homework in 1956 or to complete part of a super secret mission. He was used to doing it on his own. When Gwen joins him he is rude, stuck-up and commanding and it takes him quite some time to warm up to her. After all, he was trained with Charlotte and expected her, not Gwen.

I can't sing the praise for this story enough and can't wait for the next one to be released. Ruby Red is chalk-full of mystery, suspense, secrets and even a little bit of romance. I simply cannot wait to see how the whole thing turns out! It is definitely worth the read.