Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
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.
Review:
Gwyneth is a humble, sympathetic character who I really wanted to stand up to her brat of a cousin Charlotte. Instead, Gwyneth is railroaded by everyone in her life, including her new companion Gideon who treats her horribly at first. Thankfully, it’s not until after Gideon starts looking at Gwyneth in a new light that she begins falling for him as well. The time travel aspect is interesting and reminiscent of the Time Traveler’s Wife. But there’s a big secretive mystery surrounding the time traveling missions that slowly develops throughout the trilogy.
I’m a sucker for a good time travel story, and this was a surprisingly well-formed and complex story that spans centuries. Full of adventure, mystery, suspense, conspiracy, and just a bit of romance – teens and adults alike should enjoy this blend of science fiction and fantasy. Ruby Red is a charming and engrossing start to a promising trilogy.