Ruby Red

Ruby Red Trilogy, Book 1

By: Kerstin Gier, Anthea Bell - translator

Narrated by: Marisa Calin

Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2011 Kerstin Gier, with a translation copyright of 2011 by Anthea Bell (P)2011 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Humorous, romantic and suspenseful, the plot is fast-paced and impossible to put down.... The final romantic cliffhanger will leave you thirsty for the next book in this ‘jewel’ of a series." ( Justine magazine)

great story, wonderful reader

It's a well written interesting story that was a joy to listen to. I
look forward to the next two books.

Charming series

I've finished the whole series and can say that they are all quite fun, well written, and interesting. The author handles time travel in a very intelligent and unique way so you're not spending too much time in your head working out the paradoxes. The rest of the plot isn't groundbreaking, but its sense of humor and well-balanced romance make it a worthwhile listen. It's very British and the romance scenes are fairly chaste so it's a good listen for most ages.

Love it!

I read the trilogy and liked it so well, I am getting the audio collection for traveling. Listening to it was like experiencing it all over again. Can't wait to get Sapphire Blue and Emerald Green! looking to see what else I can find by this author/reader combo.

One of my favorite series!

I’m listening to this series a second time. Yes, it’s that good! Interesting and full of adventure. This series has it all including an amazing narrator, a plot that keeps you on your toes, magic, characters who seem good (but who are actually not). The only thing that frustrated me this time was that the main character does not realize her “magic.”

One of My Absolute Favorite Series

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I absolutely love this entire series! It's so well written and acted that you can listen again and again. There's mystery, action, comedy and romance, it has a everything to make it completely enjoyable. I love the time traveling aspect to the story, it definitely makes it intriguing and the mystery side trickier to figure out. Be prepared to get all the books for this series, they leave you hanging and needing the next book right away.

Which character – as performed by Marisa Calin – was your favorite?

It's hard to pick one, I really loved all the characters, but the little gargoyle demon was a ton of fun throughout the series.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely!

Any additional comments?

Marissa Calin does a fantastic job with all the voices and acting in this audio book! I have listener numerous times and have listener to some of her other books too.

Pulled me in!

What did you love best about Ruby Red?

I loved how this story was different! It was a new idea that I haven't read already multiple times! It took a few chapters to get into, but was worth hanging in there!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mr George, he was sweet and understanding, a nice balance to the crazy men of the group!

What about Marisa Calin’s performance did you like?

Her voice was nice. If I don't like a narrator, I have a hard time hanging in there. She did a great job.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was laughing quite a bit. The main character is quite silly in her "new" role!

Any additional comments?

The story got better as the books went on!

Nice story. I really enjoyed

Would you listen to Ruby Red again? Why?

I liked the charters and the way they interact with each other. The story was fun and each book kept me interested

What other book might you compare Ruby Red to and why?

Time Travelers Wife

Which character – as performed by Marisa Calin – was your favorite?

The main character of course

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes but I never have the time for that

Any additional comments?

I purchased the rest of the series after listening to the first book.

Awesome!!

This is a great book! I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was slightly predictable, but I can't wait 'till the next two! The narration did sound like it was recorded in a tunnel, though.

Born to (Time) Travel

Gwyneth and her entire family has always believed that her much more beautiful, better poised and much better educated cousin Charlotte had inherited the time travel gene, as Isaac Newton had foretold. The onset of the symptoms first appear during the gene-carrier's teens; headaches and dizziness and then out of the blue he or she is transported sometime in the past (never the future since it hasn't happened yet) for no longer than a couple of hours. Charlotte has been meticulously prepared all her life for this, but when Gwen suddenly discovers the hard way her mother has held back secrets from her and she lands in another century much to her surprise, the family is forced to accept this reversal of fortune.

There's some allusion to an alchemical secret and a circle of 12 which Gwyneth completes with the confirmation of her genetic capabilities which I guess gets worked out in the course of the next two books. Of course, she has a love interest, in the shape of a fellow time traveler and distant cousin, Gideon de Villiers, who at first seems to despise her and to show a marked admiration for the ravishing Charlotte, but soon comes to appreciate Gwen's spunk and ability to handle situations on the fly.

I don't always appreciate YA literature, often finding it too fluffy and predictable to my liking, but this summer my teen self seems to be enjoying the diversions I'm offering it, and this first book in the trilogy was so much fun that I'll be looking for the next two books soon to find out how Gwen fares in the end and what the 'ultimate secret', which one of her cousins is working hard to kept hushed up—supposedly for the good of all—is.

Captivating and Breathtaking

This book takes you on an enthralling journey with romance and adventure. It keeps you on the edge of your seat and wanting more.