Book Review - My Take on Ruby Red

Okay, so you might know that the mail faerie delivered Ruby Red by Kersten Gier to me last week, and I promised to let you know what I thought.

So here goes. Over all, I loved it. It was the only book I've ever read where as soon as I finished the last page, I immediately went back to the beginning and started reading it all over again. Strange? Yes, but here's why.

Ms Gier does an amazing job of creating full bodied characters, terrific dialogue, a well established setting and creating mystery. There are a lot of characters to get to know and many times in the front end of the book characters are revealing key information, and important names are being dropped, but you don't know that you're being given keys and info and so, if you're like me, the details don't stay with you. When I started re-reading, I recognized these clues. Again, if you're like me, you'll forget entirely about the prologue that didn't make any sense, until you read it again after reading the epilogue.

If I were giving the book a starred review I would give this a strong 4.5 out of 5. The reason I can't give it a five, is because it never really ended. I have the feeling this manuscript started out being much longer, and the editor said, let's make it three books, and we'll end the first book right here. What the hay?

Now that I'm re-reading it, I'm floored by all the threads that were left untied by the end of the first book. I understand that, when writing a series it's common to leave a couple threads loose for the second and third book, but all the threads are loose here. I least that's what it feels like. I can't think of one main question raised that was answered satisfactorily.

For example, and I'll be vague so as to not spoil for those who haven't read, but if you have read, you'll know what I'm talking about.  What's the significance to the item Gwyneth took from the dark room in the past to give to her friend Lesley in the present? Nothing ever came of that. What about James and the little boy Robert? Are they more than just elaborate set pieces? And why didn't Gwyneth pass the message from Robert on to Dr. White--he was with her at the time? Or Mr. George's mention of the mute man? (I bet you don't remember that one unless you've read it twice). After all the talk about finding the midwife, she's never found. And what gives with the scene mentioned on the jacket flap where Gwyneth witnesses her doppelganger kissing a boy in the past she's soon to meet in the future? There is no other connection to that scene in this book!!

But still, you have to read this--it's just that good. I can't wait until Sapphire Blue is out. Honestly.

Have you read it? What did you think? (Please no spoilers in the comments).