Thursday, February 17, 2011

Ruby Red::A Bookanista Review

I had the pleasure of reading Ruby Red, by Kerstin Gier, this week. If you are only going to read one book this May, this is the one you should pick (release date: May 10).

IT ROCKED!

Seriously. I could not put it down! I can see why it is already an international bestseller, and why it has been translated from its original German to English.

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.

What I liked about this book: The entire story! From the beginning to the end, the pacing was perfect. There's humor. Mystery. Romance. Gorgeous costumes.

The main character: Gwyneth is awesome because she's an ordinary girl with an extraordinary, unwanted ability to time travel dropped unexpectedly into her lap. You like her from her first scene. And she's always being compared to her perfect, gorgeous cousin, so you have a lot of sympathy for her.

The other thing: The costumes! They are divine! Traveling back in time, the characters all have to dress the part. It was like I was the one stepping into a semi-comfortable corset, hoop skirt and eighteenth century gown.

And one more other thing: This book had content suitable for younger teens--no graphic sex and no graphic violence (there is violence, but handled very tastefully).

For more Bookanista reviews, check out the links below.

Corrine Jackson delights in DIVERGENT

Stasia Ward Kehoe celebrates THE LIAR SOCIETY

Matt Blackstone is loving THE HATE LIST

Rosemary Clement-Moore revisits HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE

Sarah Frances Hardy is nuts for THE NINTH WARD

Gretchen McNeil gushes over BLOOD AND FLOWERS

Jen Hayley raves about RAISED BY WOLVES

Shana Silver gets psyched about WITHER

Megan Miranda leaps and shouts for THE LIAR SOCIETY

Carolina Valdez Miller uncovers WORDS IN THE DUST

Beth Revis finds amazing MAGIC UNDER GLASS

Shannon Messenger spotlights the cover of SO SILVER BRIGHT

Michelle Hodkin toasts DEMONGLASS

Scott Tracey is inspired by ANGELFIRE

Christine Fonseca shares her Guestanista Post: The Lost Hero

LiLa Roecker hosts a sunny tour stop for POSSUM SUMMER

8 comments:

Stina said...

Eek! My TRB list just got longer. ;)

Hardygirl said...

Perfect!! I'm having trouble finding things for my twelve-year-old. She likes YA but isn't quite ready for the gritty stuff.

And, a MC named Gwyneth? wearing corsets and hoop skirts? Perfection.

sf

Christine Fonseca said...

okay, so I am having a tough time getting to EVERY book I want to read...but this is NOW ON THE LIST

Stasia said...

Time travel goodness. Adding to my t-r list. Thanks for the fun review!

Tere Kirkland said...

LOVE time-travel novels, so I'll have to check this one out!

Thanks for the review, Bethany.

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

Ohhhh, time travel!! Gotta read it!! Love how it mixes historical with contemporary and SF/F! Thanks for the review!

Bethany Wiggins said...

It's really good, guys! Don't let it pass you by.

Shana Silver said...

I hadn't heard of this one before. It sounds amazing!!! Thanks for the review.