Books and Swoons: Kerstin Gier

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Mini Review: Emerald Green by Kerstin Gier

Emerald Green
Author: Kerstin Gier
Release Date: Oct. 7, 2014
Publisher: Square fish
Source: Library
Review by: Nahomi

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.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars

I was so anxious to start Emerald Green after the ending in Sapphire Blue; so much so that if it weren't for my book buying band I would have bought it on the spot just to find out how the story continued. Emerald Green continued in the same manner as the previous stories; full of adventure and mystery. Although in this installment I finally got some of the answers I was looking for.

There were some very funny scenes in this story; particularly one with Charlotte at a party (jejeje). I enjoyed imagining the dresses Gwyn would wear on her time traveling adventures. My heart raced as the book was coming to an end and everything was unraveling and I couldn’t figure out how everything would turn out.

The ending was a little anticlimactic. Everything was wrapped up a little too nicely and open ended for my taste. Otherwise I really enjoyed Emerald Green.

Mini Review: Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier

Sapphire Blue (The Ruby Red #2)
Author: Kerstin Gier
Release Date: October 30, 2012
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co
Source: Library
Review by: Nahomi

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.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars

It was great getting back into this world again! Sapphire Blue picks up right where Ruby Red leaves off. Sapphire Blue is literally the middle section of the trilogy there isn’t a solid beginning, middle or ending. Gwynn learns a lot of information about what is going on but there are still a lot of unanswered questions.

There are a lot of wonderful character additions this time around. Xemurius is hilarious, his comment are sarcastic and made me laugh. I also felt like someone was actually on Gwynn’s side; although it still not clear who she can trust. Gideon’s brother is also an interesting addition to the story.

Gwynn’s relationship with Gideon is hot for a millisecond then cold like a blizzard for the rest of the time. Her relationships with the other characters are all suspect. I still don’t like Charlotte any better. The mysteries continue and keeping track of the different meetings in the past certainly kept me entertained. I’m dying to get my hands on Emerald Green to see how this story ends!

Mini Review: Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

Ruby Red
(The Ruby Red #1)
Author: Kerstin Gier
Release Date: May 10, 2011
Publisher: Square Fish
Source: Library
Review by: Nahomi

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.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars

Kerstin Gier creates a world that is easy to get lost in. Ruby Red is so entertaining that I felt like I couldn’t get enough of this story. There is so much going on throughout the story that at times it is difficult to keep all of the details straight. The historical and time travel aspects of this novel keep the story really interesting. I kept trying to wrap my brain around the different outcomes of past and present and the time continuum. This was really one of my favorite aspects of the story.

I will say though that the plot is predictable in respect to certain aspects of the story. I had a love hate relationship with Gwyneth, because she can be so dense sometimes. On occasion she was really self-deprecating which is really annoying. I felt bad for her because she was thrust into this strange situation with no preparation or warning what so ever.

Overall the Ruby Red is really interesting and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next installment.

Stacking the Shelves (#29)

Stacking the Shelves, which is hosted by Team Tynga's Reviews, is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This mean you can include books you buy in a physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course, ebooks.

In the month of February these were the books that we added to our shelves.

Gifted/Bought: