Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Review: Emerald Green

EMERALD GREEN
The Ruby Red Trilogy #3
Kerstin Gier
Young Adult/Time Travel
464 pages
Henry Holt and Co.
Available now
Source: ARC from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
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.


MY THOUGHTS
Much like its predecessor, Emerald Green wastes very little time tossing us back into the middle of multiple time-travel timelines with almost no recap of previous events, but even though we’re foggy on specifics, it’s as easy as ever to get involved in this last leg of Gwen’s journey. While we certainly have questions about the past and present and how the various events of both relate to one another, we can’t help but find ourselves pushing them to the back of our minds and simply enjoying the humor that’s become a trademark of the series. Gwen’s sly quips combine with an absurdly hilarious gargoyle ghost/demon to keep us smiling through any haze of confusion that temporarily causes us to stumble, ensuring that the crazy train that is the Montrose family takes us for one unforgettable ride.

Gwen has been a joy throughout the series, constantly battling the Guardians' unrelenting incredulity that she’s the one who inherited the time travel gene over her cousin Charlotte, and continuing to endure their snide remarks and their secrecy with a grace we’re quite sure we wouldn’t be able to muster in her place. Though things with Gideon are still far from smooth sailing in this last book, Gwen is not the type of young woman prone to angst or overly emotional reactions, having only minor meltdowns that end in rants to her best friend (as is to be expected based on the situation), charming us with her disgust over her very temporary weepiness rather than frustrating us with an epic emotional unraveling. Minor relationship hiccup aside, Gwen is strong and determined in this final installment, attempting to decipher the numerous prophecies and their ominous predictions to figure out the purpose of all her and Gideon’s misadventures back in time.

Though there are tense moments between Gwen and Gideon in this book, their romance isn’t quite as deeply involving as it has been in the past (with one large exception), the extraordinary number of loose threads in need of tying off rightfully demanding the majority of the spotlight. We might not entirely understand every piece of the puzzle that's uncovered, but many of our questions are answered, additional pieces clicking into place the more we turn events over in our minds after finishing. Things are wrapped up nicely in the end, but there’s certainly room for more should Ms. Gier ever feel the need to follow up with Gwen and give us a look at her life after the dust from the final events settles, and I certainly wouldn’t mind if somewhere along the line these characters called out to her once again.

Rating: 4/5
 

Previous Reviews:


Find Kerstin


This book was sent to me by the publisher free of charge for the purpose of a review
I received no other compensation and the above is my honest opinion.

32 comments:

  1. The library has the translations of book 1 and 2 but....I want them in English. Still they sound so good

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    1. I really enjoyed this series! It could be confusing at times with all the time travel, but the characters were fantastic:)

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  2. I haven't read this trilogy, though it's so well-known among the blogosphere, but I'm glad it ends with a satisfying conclusion. I'll have to check this one out for sure! Great review, Jenny!

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    1. It's just a fun series Keertana! She has a great sense of humor:)

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  3. This reminds me to hunt the translation copy. I read the first two books early this year and a bit frustrated when I found that that the last book, this one isn't translated yet.I even contemplated of learning German at that time which I drop right away. I don't think I can handle it.

    Glad to know that you enjoy this one even there are some loose threads. I wonder if this is because of the translation process. Can't wait to find out it myself.

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    1. I'm really impressed with the translations, I think it would be so tricky, especially given the humor. I just loved all three books though!

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  4. I've been meaning to read Ruby Red for months now, but I've never gotten around to doing so! :( But I'm so glad you loved this as much as the first two books. There's nothing more fulfilling in a series than to have all books as strong as one another. :) Thanks for the review, Jenny!

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    1. I agree, I loved each book equally but for different reasons and this is definitely a series I would read again. Hope you get a chance to start Ruby Red soon Chel!

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  5. I'll be staring at that cover for quite some time now. It's so pretty!! I have never heard of this series (I still have no idea how) but it sounds so good. I'm so happy you enjoyed this one and I'll have to get myself a copy. Great review Jenny :)

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    1. Isn't it? All the covers for this series have been gorgeous. I'm a big fan of time travel stories even though they often confuse me, and this one has such strong characters:)

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  6. This is the first time I'm hearing of this series and I love the cover. It looks like it's an entertaining series with a strong protagonist although I'll admit that I'm not the biggest fan of time travel. Thanks for putting this on my radar, Jenny and I'm glad to hear that the ending was a good one for you. It's always wonderful when a series ending isn't a disappointment.
    Lovely review!

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    1. So true Nick! It's always nerve-wracking to pick up the last book in a series because you so want it to be good. This one didn't disappoint though and I loved Gwen as much as ever:)

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  7. Heh--I like that she gets frustrated with her own weepiness! Gwen sounds like a character I need to check out, considering I haven't read any of this series yet.

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    1. Gwen is awesome. She was disgusted with how upset she was about Gideon, but it was all done with humor instead of angst:) Loved.

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  8. Gwen sounds like a truly wonderful character Jenny, and I like how she's not know for emotional outbursts either! Once again this is another series that I hadn't heard of before your review, but it seems like Gier has created a very entertaining series! Gorgeous review as always! :)

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    1. Definitely an entertaining series Jasprit! I like knowing these are not books that are going to rip my heart out, I need a break from those sometimes. There are dark, tense moments, but not ones that emotionally cripple you:)

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  9. Oh gosh I didn't realize this was the last book already! I guess it is time to start this series for sure!
    I am so glad you were happy with how it all ended and would read it again Jenny.

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  10. You know, I started this series and never followed it. But your review makes me want to go back and continue reading it. It sounds awesome. Love it!

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  11. I need to pick up this series, it sounds like there is so much more to this series then I originally thought..wonderful review!

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  12. I just got this and I can't WAIT to read it! I'm concerned that there's not going to be enough conclusion, but it sounds like it's not a big issue to you, that you feel like it worked how it ended, so hopefully I'm okay with it.

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  13. I can either love or hate a time travel book. If I can suspend belief I do enjoy it! I do think I have the second one (yea, I'm so organized) but have been wanting to see if I can get the first book. Oh this does sound delish though. However, all your reviews make the books sound delish!!

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  14. I skimmed your review because I have a copy of the book and can't wait to read it. Your rating of a 4 means it's got your approval and I'm bound to enjoy it. I love Gwen. She's such as lovely character. I hope the romance is better in this one too. Gideon frustrated me so much in book 2.

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  15. I know Candace is a big fan of this series. It sounds like this was a good read for you but it wasn't quite the ending you expected. Still I want to give this series a go sometime especially since it is by a German author, something we don't get too oftten.

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  16. So glad to hear you enjoyed this and that most of your questions were answered! It's a shame there wasn't more focus on the romance, but I understand that taking a backseat to wrapping up the plot. Hopefully she'll revisit the characters and give you more satisfying Gideon/Gwen moments! Lovely review :-)

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  17. I'm usually okay when a book doesn't focus too heavily on the romance, as you probably know ;) I'm glad that this book managed to answer those prying questions despite the fact that it didn't end quite as you'd expected. i might just have to give this series a go. Lovely review, Jenny - but who'd expect anything less?! ;)

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  18. I haven't read the books yet, but did you know the author was German and that these books actually were first published in German. and... stupid me had to figure this out from her US Book Blogger Friends LOL!!!
    Oh and they are making a Movie..

    Fazit: I must read this book!

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  19. That is one gorgeous cover! Glad it jumpes right into action. Gwen seems like a lovely protagonist to spend time with. I'm glad you enjoyed this pretty title:) Btw, the author's name Kerstin--lol! Kerstin is one of my closest friends from uni who loves books, movies and is just a fun girl to hang out with and always makes people laugh. So, in honor of her, I should really read a book that's written by her namesake ;) Heh.

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  20. I can't believe I still haven't read this series, Jenny! You know how much I love time travel and other sci-fi themed books, what in the world have I been doing?! *pulls hair* I even have all three books on my shelf.. bad, bad blogger! ;/
    The covers are gorgeous and the premise sounds right up my alley and I wish I could just stop the time and read all the books I want to read, cause there are SO MANY of them and SO LITTLE TIME! gaaaah!
    Beautiful review - as always! :) So happy you enjoyed this series so much!

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  21. I think this is the type of series that would read best back to back, because the plots run so into each other and they are a bit complicated. You're also right that with all the details that need to be wrapped up, the romance got shuffled to the side a bit. BUT I still love Gideon and Gwen and the way everything played out. Gwen is really who makes this series for me. She is such a normal flighty, silly girl, but she's also so strong and determined and awesome. I love the play of how complex she is. And I wish Lesley was my best friend! Great review.

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  22. Nice, I'm glad this seems to be a pretty solid series. I own the first book, but of course I haven't found the time to read it yet. But I'm excited to get into it because I just love time travel and snarky MCs! Sounds like it would be better if I could read each book back-to-back, or at least not leave a long time between reading each one - thanks for pointing that out! And thanks for the well written review of course!

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  23. I thought Ruby Red was okay even if I did get confused by the timelines. I still need to read Sapphire Blue but the gargoyle ghost sounds so cute and funny.

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