Ruby Red
by Kerstin Gier
Ruby Red Trilogy, book one
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. (description from Amazon.com)
I loved this book! With romance, time travel, adventure, betrayal, jealousy, secrets, and humor...this book hit all the right notes for me!
I am a huge fan of well done time travel books and this one was really intriguingly done. I love the science based bloodline of travelers. They are still not fully sure of how everything works...and there's a prophecy. Gier really put lots of little details into both the process and the periods that are visited. I love to delve into the little bits of everyday life that really show a time period...especially through clothing. I am obsessed with picking up tidbits about period dress and this book had some great details. I think what I loved most in that respect was that not only did she focus on Gwyneth's disguises, but how many details she revealed about mens' clothes in past times!!
Every time Gwyneth and Gideon giggled over each other's outfits, every snarky comment back and forth, every...well, I can't reveal it all! Anyway, I loved how believable Gwyneth and Gideon were. Gwyneth, her mother, and her aunt knew about the traveling gene in their family, knew that they did not know it all, and still Gwyneth muddled through her time travels brilliantly. When she first meets Gideon and he disdains her lack of training, but then comes to know her and they become friends, everything felt very natural. This is no starry eyed instant connection. There's even a time twist!
When betrayal, jealousy, and secrets throw them for a loop...a time loop, in fact, some big revelations are made. My only complaint about this book - it ended with such a great cliffhanger, that I want book two, Sapphire Blue, immediately!!
*Side note - I also love the cover. It's beautiful and even more lush in person!*
Full disclosure: Copy received from publisher for review
I was skeptical when I started this book and the prologue actually confused me; however, Gwen and her friend (sidekick) Lesley won me over. They are such a fun duo! Gwen is so snarky and Lesley is the logical one. Gwen is Holmes and Lesley is her Watson. I love that unlike other female protagonists, Gwen and Lesley are strong, funny, stand alone characters who are smart and not push overs. And of course there is a very good looking, charming gentleman character who maybe a bit narcissistic, but wins you over! All of the characters in this novel were well done. They were all well rounded and have full personalities. Even the minor characters stood on their own.
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