Review: Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier

Sapphire Blue
Edelstein Trilogy #2

Author: Kerstin Gier

Translator: Anthea Bell

Publication Date: October 30, 2012

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

Genre: Fantasy/Sci Fi

---

Synopsis:

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 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.

My Thoughts: Sapphire Blue is the continuation of the first book, Ruby Red, in the Edelstein Trilogy. Gwen Shepherd grew up her whole life thinking that her cousin, Charlotte, inherited the time-travelling gene that ran in their family. In fact, everyone believed that until the time came and Charlotte couldn't elapse. Instead, Gwen had elapsed several times without the aid she needed to do so safely. So, unprepared and surprised, Gwen is launched into the world of secret societies, time travelling and paired with her time-travelling partner - Gideon de Villiers.

I really, really like Gwen. She wanted to be normal and never wanted Charlotte’s life. She didn’t want to time travel or do anything that came with it. However, she had to learn to deal and she did so rather reluctantly. Despite how people put her down and constantly question her ability, she proves them wrong and always manages to come out on top. Although, she hates all the secret in the secret society she has to deal with and the fact that Gideon, even Charlotte, seems to know more about it than her. So, of course, she looks for her own answers while everyone around her questions whether she could be a traitor.

Gideon de Villiers, the time traveller from the other family, is two years older than Gwen and had always expected Charlotte to be his partner. Gideon is gorgeous and everyone knows it. He is always hot and cold though. One minute he is all about Gwen and the next he is giving her the cold shoulder. It is enough to give the reader (and Gwen) whiplash - even though he seems to want to protect her. The truth (I think) about his true feelings comes out at the end of Sapphire Blue though, so hang in there!

I love the concept of time travelling and just how funny it is when they talk about visits. You’ll know what I mean when/if you read the book. The rules aren’t as stiff as some of the other time travelling theories around and I enjoy watching them interact with people from the past. I especially like her new gargoyle friend, even though I was expecting not to. Overall, I enjoyed this one probably more than the first one (if possible). I would recommend it to anyone!

Waiting on Wednesday (31)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly awaiting.

***

Sapphire Blue

by Kerstin Gier

Expected Publication: October 30, 2012

Summary: Gwen’s life has been a roller-coaster since she discovered she was the Ruby, the final member of the secret time-travelling Circle of Twelve. In between searching through history for the other time-travellers 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.

***

I loved the first in this series (Ruby Red) and can't wait for October so I can pick up Sapphire Blue! I love time-travelling :)

***

What are you waiting on?

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

---

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.