Review: Ruby Red ~ Sapphire Blue ~ Emerald Green (Books #1-3)

This is a review of German author Kerstin Gier's young adult science fiction novel series, The Ruby Red Trilogy.

Ruby Red is the first novel in the Ruby Red Trilogy. Gwyneth Shepherd has always admired her beautiful, sophisticated cousin Charlotte, who has been preparing her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth who inherited the time-traveling ability. At one moment, Gwen, sitting in class, finds herself spinning to a different era! Gwen must now uncover the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her time-traveling ability. Suddenly, Gwen is introduced to a secret society where she must brush up on her history and work with a partner named Gideon―the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust.

Sapphire Blue is the second novel in the Ruby Red Trilogy. Gwen's life has turned upside down ever since she discovered that she was the Ruby, the final member of the secret time-traveling Circle of Twelve. Of course there is Gideon, the Diamond, whom she has not figured out completely. He praises and criticizes her ways. In between searching through history for the other time-travelers and asking for a bit of their blood, she's been trying to figure out what all the mysteries and prophecies surrounding the Circle really mean. Fortunately, she 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 offers advice in a humorous manner.

Emerald Green is the third and final novel in the Ruby Red Trilogy. Gwen realizes that she has a destiny to fulfill but she has no clue what it is. Additionally, the secret of her birth start to unravel at the most stunning She has only recently learned that she is the Ruby, the final member of the time-traveling Circle of Twelve. But she has a bad feeling on what she will discover. She suspects the founder of the Circle, Count Saint-German, is up to something nefarious, but nobody will believe her. The secret of her birth also begin to unravel in this stunning finale. Confused about her feelings for Gideon and the dangers that lie ahead in her journey to the past, Gwen must learn the truth about her fate before she is lost forever in time.

This was a remarkable and adventurous series! After hearing rave views about these novels, I made the decision to check out these books from the local library. It is not often that authors can write a good time-traveling tale that combines romance, mystery, and suspense. The last time I've read a time-traveling book was the Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (another series I highly recommend and a review is available on this blog). Gier exceeded my expectations. While the chemistry between Gideon and Gwen seemed a bit rush, it felt more natural in the second half of Emerald Green. I hope that Gier decides to publish short stories (translated in English of course) on the two lovebirds' adventures after the Circle of Twelve.