A few years ago, I read Ruby Red, by Kerstin Gier, and I just fell in love with it! At the time, the third book in the trilogy, Emerald Green, hadn't been released yet, so I decided to wait for it come out, before I started the second book, Sapphire Blue. Sadly, Emerald Green, has LONG since been released, and I did not finish the series until very recently.
Since I am taking part in the Re-Read Challenge, hosted by Hannah, at So Obsessed With, and Kelly over at Belle of the Literati, I decided that a re-read of Ruby Red was long overdue!
Although I had never seen him before, I recognized him immediately. I'd have known his voice anywhere. This was the guy I'd seen on my last journey back in time.
Or more precisely, the one who'd kissed my doppelganger while I was hiding behind the curtain in disbelief.
Sixteen-year-old Gwen lives with her extended - and rather eccentric - family in an exclusive London neighborhood. In spite of her ancestors' peculiar history, she's had a relatively normal life so far. The time-traveling gene that runs like a secret thread through the female half of the family is supposed to have skipped over Gwen, so she hasn't been introduced to "the mysteries," and can spend her time hanging out with her best friend, Lesly. It comes as an unwelcome surprise when she starts taking sudden, uncontrolled leaps into the past.
She's totally unprepared for time travel, not to mention all that comes with it: fancy clothes, archaic manners, a mysterious secret society, and Gideon, her time-traveling counterpart. He's obnoxious, a know-it-all, and possibly the best-looking guy she's seen in any century . . . .
WHEN I First Read
June 15, 2012.
WHAT I Remember
This was my first, Young Adult, time-travel book and I enjoyed it so much! I remember loving Kerstin Gier's writing style and her characters. I really liked Gwen, and totally wished that I could go back in time, too! There was also the beginnings of a sweet romance.
WHY I Wanted to Re-Read
So many of the details were fuzzy! I could not remember names of important people or specific events. (I believe part of this is due to age, not because of the writing.) I also wanted to read the rest of the series and find out what else happened!
HOW I Felt After Re-Reading
I could not believe how much I had forgotten, and I had a lot of, "oh yeahhh" moments. I would say that I enjoyed Ruby Red even more the second time around! I can't explain why, but the characters seemed more vivid, and I had stronger opinions about a couple of the characters this time around. I also had more questions as I read. This is a 5-star book for me. I immediately dived into book two, this time around.
WOULD I Re-Read Again
WOULD I Re-Read Again
ABSOLUTELY. I have a feeling I would catch more things that I missed the first and second time that I read this.
Which leads me to...
The Summer of Series reading challenge is being hosted by Danielle, form Love At First Page, and Lili from Lili's Reflections.
For the month of June, I decided to binge read The Ruby Red Trilogy. Although I really liked the hardback covers, I love the paperback versions even more!
