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Gwyneth has grown up aware of time travel, for her annoying cousin Charlotte is destined to inherit a gene for the trait. Charlotte spends her time learning how to duel, play the pianoforte, and studying the “mysteries” of the Guardians, the secret society surrounding time travel. Gwyneth spends her time watching movies, eating chips, and spending time with her best friend Lesley. So when Gwyneth inherits the gene instead of ever so perfect Charlotte, she is thrown wholly unprepared into a world of secrets and intrigue. With the handsome Gideon at her side, what will Gwyneth discover as she explores the past and present?

I really liked this book, and how it creates a whole new world inside of London. In the book, the Guardians have been around for centuries, yet no one outside of the society knows of their existence. Although Gwyneth knew about it growing up, she was unprepared for the trials she would face. Gwyneth’s friend Lesley helps her navigate both the secret society and the secrets she discovers.

Ruby Red was originally published in German, but that doesn’t stop it from being hilarious and relatable. Kerstin Gier and the translator did a great job of creating Gwyneth’s life in England. The book stays consistent with references that make sense for where Gwyneth lives. I loved that the book was set in London, because it allows Gwyneth to travel back in time in one of the most important cities in history. Gwyneth’s time traveling powers have her location in modern day become where she travels to in the past.

A theme in Ruby Red is to not underestimate yourself. Gwyneth is thrown into a world full of old men who don’t appreciate that she has the time traveling gene instead of her cousin. Everyone in the Guardians including Gideon are condescending to Gwyneth, underestimating the power she has. Gwyneth doesn’t do anything against the Guardians in this book, but she slowly realizes that she could change the course of history in her actions.

One of my favorite parts of this book was Gwyneth’s ability to talk to ghosts. She was able to interact with people that no one else could see, and learn things from them. One of the ghosts that Gwyneth deals with is James, the heir to an Earl who used to live in the building that is now Gwyneth’s school. James refuses to believe he is dead, which is funny because he believes every modern things he sees is something his mind created in a fever dream. Gwyneth no longer tries to argue with James, and instead accepts his crazy explanations.

My only dislikes of this book were how awful the Guardians are to Gwyneth. They tell her the bare minimum of what she needs to know, not letting her control her trips to the past. She lacks the freedom Gideon, the other time traveler, has.

I would give this book a rating of nine out of ten stars. It is a fun book and I would highly recommend to other readers.