Ruby Red

Ruby Red
By Kerstin Gier
Henry Holt, 2011. 330 pgs. Young Adult

Gwyneth has only had to deal with normal teenage issues and the fact that she can see and talk to ghosts during her sixteen years; her cousin Charlotte has the time-traveling gene in the family. So when Gwen travels back in time unexpectedly, twice in 24 hours, she realizes some mistake has been made. Quickly initiated into the Order, a secret society devoted to the twelve people who time-travel, Gwen is sent on a mission with Gideon, a fellow teen and time-traveler. Their goal is to find the rest of the time travelers whose blood is not in the Order’s special chronograph. When the mission is ambushed, Gwen begins to think that her mother’s forebodings and warnings about the Order might be correct.

This great, fast-paced read has it all—adventure, humor, secrets, mystery, and a little romance. Gwen is an appealing heroine, Gideon is a swoon-worthy love interest, and the twists are intriguing. The time-traveling aspect can be a bit confusing at times, but I have faith that it all works. I eagerly look forward to the next two in the series.

MN