Review: Ruby Red

Hey guys! It's been a while! So, the past few weeks, I have been spending a ton of time on a bus; I've been traveling home and then back to school again almost every weekend. I don't know about you, but one of my favorite things to do on super long bus rides is to listen to an audiobook. Usually, I turn on an audiobook and then proceed to take a nice, long nap. I got this one because I thought "Well, it'll be fine if I fall asleep. I doubt much will happen." I WAS SO WRONG! I kept on getting mad at myself for nodding off because this book was really good! (Not to mention that the narrator of the audiobook was FLAWLESS! So much personality!)

THIS REVIEW IS SPOILER FREE!!!!!!

So, let's start off with a summary!

Gwyneth Shepherd is a nobody, forever doomed to be living in her perfect cousin's shadow. Charlotte, Gwyneth's cousin, has been trained her entire life for a secret mission. You see, Charlotte is the member in her family who has inherited the time-traveling gene. At least, they think she has. But when Gwyneth is suddenly the one who is thrown into another era, things take a wild turn. Now, Gwyneth must brush up on her history because she is the one who must go on this daring mission with Gideon, another person who has inherited the time traveling gene. What with Gwyneth uncover on this mission she knows almost nothing about? What will she learn about who she's working with? And what will she learn about her own family?

Here, we review book based on five categories: plot, characters, description, pace, and extras. The book is able to earn up to one point in each category. This is then added up to determine the final score.

Plot: .9/1 stars

This plot was very intriguing with a lot of mysteries and cliff hangers thrown in! Honestly, the only thing that bugged me about the novel was how they kept yelling about Gwyneth's supposed "magic" (which wasn't explained). There are no other elements of magic in the world (well, besides the time-traveling. But that was described in such a scientific way, that it took on the veil of sci-fi rather than "magic") so it was strange to have that randomly thrown in.

Characters: 1/1 stars

SO MUCH SASS. I LOVED IT! The characters were actually extremely realistic. The main character, Gwyneth was awkward, sassy, and had no clue what she was doing most of the time. She was not your typical strong heroine. Maybe the narrator of the audiobook I listened to added to the utter realism of this character, but I loved it. Every second of it.

Description: .9/1 stars

This novel started out like a sci-fi novel, but then they started talking about magic. It's not impossible nor unheard of to have elements of both, but it kind of confused me. Other than that, Gier's world was complete and drew me in. I just was to keep reading more and I am desperately trying to get my hand's on the sequel, Sapphire Blue.

Pace: 1/1 stars

I didn't have an issue with the pacing of this book. I didn't find it too fast or too slow. Granted, it's a little different listening to an audiobook in one sitting than it is actually sitting down and reading the book, but I think it would still be fine when read. The book is only around 350 pages so my only issue was that I wished it was longer.

Extras: 1/1 stars

This whole world drew me in. The fact that time-traveling is made out to be fascinating, yet extremely dangerous piqued my interest. Gier's attention to detail was incredible throughout her novel. Yes, there were a few blips, but that's to be expected in any novel. Also, it might have just been the translation as this book was originally published in German.

This adds up to a total of 4.8/5 stars!

Overall, a truly incredible novel! I can't wait to dive back into the past with Gwyneth and find all the answers.