{Audiobook} Review: Emerald Green by Kerstin Gier

Title: Emerald Green
Author: Kerstin Gier
Narrator:  Marisa Calin
Series: The Ruby Red Trilogy, book #3
Length:  12 hrs 42 mins
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Publication Date: October 1, 2013
Source: purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Gwen has a destiny to fulfill, but no one will tell her what it is.

She’s only recently learned that she is the Ruby, the final member of the time-traveling Circle of Twelve, and since then nothing has been going right. She suspects the founder of the Circle, Count Saint-German, is up to something nefarious, but nobody will believe her. And she’s just learned that her charming time-traveling partner, Gideon, has probably been using her all along.

This stunning conclusion picks up where Sapphire Blue left off, reaching new heights of intrigue and romance as Gwen finally uncovers the secrets of the time-traveling society and learns her fate.

In a manner of only weeks, Gwen Shepherd has offiicially taken on her annoying cousin's role to complete the Circle of Twelve.  In the beginning, she was chagrined that it was no longer Charlotte's place to do the time-traveling, but despite little to no training, I think she rather likes it now.  Or, she likes spending time with Guideon.  ;0)

Whereas some time travel novels spend an exorbitant amount of time trying to explain how one goes about time traveling (and not usually very well, I might add), a large portion of the Ruby Red trilogy is actually spent traveling back in time.  And it's in a manner that actually makes quite a bit of sense.  There's always the possibility of running into your own person while time-traveling, even as far back as the characters in this story go, simply because of the volume of treks they make back to the past, so it is always well-documented where and when one travels to.  Also, one must dress the part.  I especially loved this aspect, as Gwenny and Guideon got to wear the most wonderful costumes on their adventures back in time so that they did not stand out or alert anyone in the past that they weren't who they were claiming to be while on whatever mission had dispatched them to that time period.

The characters in this series are also a bucketful of fun.  Gwenny is snarky and hilarious, plucky and courageous, and the tangents her mind wanders on are almost as much fun as her adventures back in time.  Her sidekick Leslie is the best kind of friend to have around, the one who's resourceful and dependable and just plain funny.  Gideon is the attractive, older counterpart to Gwenny in this time-traveling duo; he's educated, capable, and has been trained all his life for this moment.  But my most favorite character is still that cheeky gargoyle demon spirit Xemerius.

Even though this series is translated from the original German, it's quite clear that the author had a clear plan for her story from the beginning, the way little tidbits of information were released to the reader, building upon the larger picture. One huge revelation I think, was only vaguely disguised in the last book, though the big reveal doesn't happen until closer to the end of this book.  But there was one shocking discovery that I did not see coming...AT ALL.  I love it when that happens.

I've really grown to love this series, especially after listening to Sapphire Blue on audio.  I decided to grab the audio for Emerald Green, as well.  I thought the narrator did a fabulous job on both, making Gwenny sound as plucky as expected and Xemerius as grouchy as ever.  And though she has an English accent, the narrator's French accent -- for Raphael and Madame what's-her-name, costume designer extraordinaire -- was just as gorgeous.  Marisa Calin's narration almost makes me wish there were more books coming in this series.

Almost.  As much fun as I've had with these books, I'm extremely pleased with the way the series ended, and I feel that the characters all got the ending they deserved.  The romance was a little rushed in the first book, especially considering how little time the entire series spans, but I really like how it played out in the end, too.  Honestly, I don't think there was anything about this series that I didn't like...well, other than Charlotte.  ;0)

About the author:

Kerstin Gier is the bestselling author of the Ruby Red trilogy, as well as several popular novels for adults. This series was translated by Anthea Bell into English.

Find Kerstin:

Website | Goodreads | Facebook

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Labels: audiobooks, edelstein trilogie, gargoyles, ghosts, historical fiction, kerstin gier, macmillan, reviews, ruby red trilogy, sci-fi, time travel

{Audiobook} Review: Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier

Title: Sapphire Blue
Author: Kerstin Gier
Narrator: Marisa Calin
Series: The Ruby Red Trilogy, book #2
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Publication Date: October 30, 2012
Source: purchased audio
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Gwen’s life has been a rollercoaster since she discovered she was the Ruby, the final member of the secret time-traveling Circle of Twelve. In between searching through history for the other time-travelers and asking for a bit of their blood (gross!), she’s been trying to figure out what all the mysteries and prophecies surrounding the Circle really mean.

At least Gwen 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 who has been following Gwen since he caught her kissing Gideon in a church, offers advice on everything. Oh, yes. And of course there is Gideon, the Diamond. One minute he’s very warm indeed; the next he’s freezing cold. Gwen’s not sure what’s going on there, but she’s pretty much destined to find out.

The Ruby Red Trilogy combines two of my favorite subgenres in YA literature:  historical fiction and science fiction, by way of time travel.  And it doesn't hurt that the main character is a plucky little thing who doesn't think twice about speaking her mind.  But my favorite aspect of this series?  That cheeky little Xemerius. Who knew gargoyle spirits could be so much fun?

But that's the thing...these books are fun.  Most time travel books take themselves a little too seriously, and while sometimes time travel warrants that type of gravity, I rather like books like this that add a little levity to the situation.  I mean, if I were time traveling myself, I'd be having a blast!  Even so, there are more serious games afoot in Sapphire Blue.

First and foremost, creepy villain is even creepier. I didn't like him from his initial meeting with Gwen, and I've grown to love him even less with each interaction I've witnessed.  The sad thing is, he almost had me tricked into thinking there was more to him.  Even knowing what he'd already done...and assuming what else he has planned. I just love a sneaky evil-doer!

Gwen and Gideon continue to travel back to the past.  And as they continue on the task set before them, they grow closer, despite how little time they've actually spent together as themselves.  I believe Gideon even makes note of how they've actually only known each other for a week...right before professing his feelings. Okay, kids...I realize you've been through some traumatic events in your week together, but let's take it a little slower. Especially considering you don't even fully trust each other yet.

I read Ruby Red last year, but I think continuing the story in Sapphire Blue was a lot more enjoyable via audiobook, especially considering the English accent of the narrator.  (The books are set in England, after all.) It wasn't an outstanding production, but it was fun and kept me engaged as well as the first book did. I'd definitely consider listening to Emerald Green when it's released later this fall.  Regardless, I will need to know how this story ends.

Rating:  1/2

About the author:

Kerstin Gier is the bestselling author of the Ruby Red trilogy, as well as several popular novels for adults.  This series was translated by Anthea Bell into English.

Find Kerstin:

Website | Goodreads | Facebook

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Labels: audiobooks, edelstein trilogie, gargoyles, ghosts, historical fiction, kerstin gier, macmillan, reviews, ruby red trilogy, sci-fi, time travel

Waiting on Wednesday: Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's WoW selection is...

Title:  Sapphire Blue
Author:  Kerstin Gier
Series:  2nd book in the Edelstein Trilogie
Publisher:  Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication Date:  October 30, 2012

Gwen’s life has been a rollercoaster since she discovered she was the Ruby, the final member of the secret time-traveling Circle of Twelve. In between searching through history for the other time-travelers and asking for a bit of their blood (gross!), she’s been trying to figure out what all the mysteries and prophecies surrounding the Circle really mean.

At least Gwen 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 who has been following Gwen since he caught her kissing Gideon in a church, offers advice on everything. Oh, yes. And of course there is Gideon, the Diamond. One minute he’s very warm indeed; the next he’s freezing cold. Gwen’s not sure what’s going on there, but she’s pretty much destined to find out.

Why I'm waiting:  Oh my goodness, you guys, I actually almost forgot about this one, even though I hounded the woman in Macmillan's booth at ALA mid-winter for a release date.  Oops.  But I love [most] time travel books, and Ruby Red far surpassed all of the ones I've read recently (think Tempest and Hourglass).  With this series, you actually get to do some freaking time travelling!  I know!  :D

I do wish they hadn't changed the covers, though, or had at least incorporated the German/Dutch covers instead of going with the standard girl-in-a-pretty-dress.  (Though, the dress might actually fit into the story in this one since Gwen and Gideon do actually travel back in time and have to dress the part.)  But the German/Dutch covers remind me of the one for Sarah Rees Brennan's Unspoken, which uses cut paper art and looks so mysterious and shadowy.  Oh, well...I'm not supposed to judge a book by its cover and all that.  :(

Super excited that I don't have that much longer to wait!!!  :D 

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Labels: edelstein trilogie, historical fiction, kerstin gier, macmillan, time travel, translated novels, waiting on wednesday (wow)

Review: Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

Title:  Ruby Red
Author:  Kerstin Gier, Anthea Bell (translator)
Series:  Edelstein Trilogie
Publisher:  Henry Holt and Co.
Publication Date:  May 10, 2011
Source:  purchased
Links:  Amazon | Goodreads
Rating: 

From Goodreads:

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:

I’ve read quite a few novels centered around time travel as of late, but I think this one was probably my favorite. In Ruby Red, our time traveling heroine actually gets to go back in history, which is a definite plus, since in other time-traveling novels I’ve read recently, the most the characters travel back to the past is within their own lifetime. And that’s just not as much fun as going back decades or even hundreds of years.

The time travel aspect itself wasn’t overly simplified, nor was the book tedious in its description of how the time traveling process actually worked. And I loved that it was more of a tradition passed down through the families than some freak power that the characters developed and didn’t know how to wield. Though, there is a bit of that since it was expected that Charlotte, not Gwyneth, would be the one to carry the time traveling gene.

Gwyneth takes it in stride, though. She’s thrust into this matter feet-first, and despite any misgivings her time-traveling partner Gideon may have, she handles herself well on their trips back to the past. But Gwen has help from her resourceful best friend Lesley, and Gideon even proves to be more than just an insufferable know-it-all. The cast of characters – good and bad – are fabulous, as were the author’s descriptions of them. I felt like I could pick them out of a line-up if asked.

The pacing was a bit drawn-out, though, and not much really happens for the first half of the book, but what the story lacks in action, it makes up for with character interactions and provides a fair amount of material for reader speculation. No secrets were ever deliberately exposed, but by the end of the novel, you’ll have a good idea of where the story is headed in the next book. It’s always nicer when the author drops a few miniscule breadcrumbs and leaves it up to the reader to develop their own theories. Of course, I read too much into everything, so I created quite a bit of conjecture in my notes for this novel. I can’t wait to read Sapphire Blue to see how much of my speculation pans out.

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Labels: edelstein trilogie, reviews, time travel, translated novels