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A review by hhamlet
Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
4.0
I'll admit it--I was entirely skeptical of this book once I started reading it. I loved the plot summary (time travel really gets me going), but getting used to the writing style (for some reason, it started out less serious than I had pictured it being) took a little bit of time. But the plot picked up fairly quickly, and out of nowhere I found myself enthralled! Gwyneth is an entirely lovable character, and I found it easy to grow attached to her throughout the course of this first installment in the Ruby Red trilogy. Perhaps my biggest--if not my only--regret was that the book wasn't a bit longer. I think that, given the complex and intense plot of this series, it would have been better if Gier had managed to lengthen the first book by just a bit. In the same sense, however, I did not feel that it was too short for an appropriate book length. There are, however, some things I'm iffy about...and so I have theories/potential theories to discuss!
1. First and foremost is Gideon and his treatment of Lucy. I've tried so hard to remain spoiler free in regards to this series, so I don't really know much about what happens to his character and how he evolves throughout the course of the trilogy. However, his blatant disregard for Gwyneth at the beginning of Ruby Red was...intriguing, to say the least; it was entirely obvious that he thought Charlotte (UGHHHH CHARLOTTE) was more competent for the role of the ruby. But then at the very end, he kisses her out of nowhere? After having only known her for a few days? I have a few possible ideas about this: first and foremost is that the author chose to speed up the romance a little bit, which--if that's the case--I wasn't entirely crazy about. Secondly, I've theorized about the possibility that Gideon has been brainwashed by the count and/or other characters and is attempting to seduce Gwyneth in order to win over her favor and opinion. Maybe Gideon is a good guy through and through; maybe he's a guy who appears to be great but in all actuality is terrible. Or maybe Gideon is a great guy who has simply been led down the wrong path for the first twenty or so years of his life. I suppose reading the rest of the series is the only real way to find out.
2. Okay. In regards to the whole Paul/Lucy vs. The Count ordeal, there are a few possible solutions here. Most obviously, I'm siding with Paul and Lucy--I think the Count is up to no good, and already he's been illustrated as a rather sinister and dark, mysterious character to the audience. However, there's also the possibility that Paul, Lucy, AND the Count have all been corrupted and enticed by the chronograph and the powerful secrets it holds--it could be a bit of a power struggle between all of them. However, my gut feeling goes with the first theory, so for now I'll stick with that.
I can't wait to read the rest of this trilogy! It's great having a time traveling series involving a female time traveler; we just don't get to see enough of them, sadly.
1. First and foremost is Gideon and his treatment of Lucy. I've tried so hard to remain spoiler free in regards to this series, so I don't really know much about what happens to his character and how he evolves throughout the course of the trilogy. However, his blatant disregard for Gwyneth at the beginning of Ruby Red was...intriguing, to say the least; it was entirely obvious that he thought Charlotte (UGHHHH CHARLOTTE) was more competent for the role of the ruby. But then at the very end, he kisses her out of nowhere? After having only known her for a few days? I have a few possible ideas about this: first and foremost is that the author chose to speed up the romance a little bit, which--if that's the case--I wasn't entirely crazy about. Secondly, I've theorized about the possibility that Gideon has been brainwashed by the count and/or other characters and is attempting to seduce Gwyneth in order to win over her favor and opinion. Maybe Gideon is a good guy through and through; maybe he's a guy who appears to be great but in all actuality is terrible. Or maybe Gideon is a great guy who has simply been led down the wrong path for the first twenty or so years of his life. I suppose reading the rest of the series is the only real way to find out.
2. Okay. In regards to the whole Paul/Lucy vs. The Count ordeal, there are a few possible solutions here. Most obviously, I'm siding with Paul and Lucy--I think the Count is up to no good, and already he's been illustrated as a rather sinister and dark, mysterious character to the audience. However, there's also the possibility that Paul, Lucy, AND the Count have all been corrupted and enticed by the chronograph and the powerful secrets it holds--it could be a bit of a power struggle between all of them. However, my gut feeling goes with the first theory, so for now I'll stick with that.
I can't wait to read the rest of this trilogy! It's great having a time traveling series involving a female time traveler; we just don't get to see enough of them, sadly.