Sapphire Blue (The Ruby Red Trilogy, #2)

by Kerstin Gier

[Amber (The Literary Phoenix)]

I am so so utterly delighted to have finally read book two of the Precious Stones trilogy.

It’s been a couple years since I read Ruby Red, but I LOVED it. Gwen took me completely by surprise and I hadn’t been expecting a time travel book (I love time travel) so it became one of my favorite books of 2017 … et voila! Now Sapphire Blue is here and I am excited.

From a purely sensible and logical point of view, Sapphire Blue is not as good as Ruby Red. And that’s to be expected – middle books in trilogies tend to be a means to an end and that’s fine. I’m okay with the bridge between books, if I like the characters enough. And I do. I adore Gwen – she’s sweet and funny and her personality makes me smile.

But it’s not just Gwen. I like everyone here – even Charlotte, who I suspect has more going on beneath the surface than we’re allowed to see. I’m on again and off again about Gideon, but then again, so is Gwen! And I absolutely adore Lesley and the friendship she and Gwen share. So the characters in this book as top rate likable characters.

Then there’s the time travel. The time travel is genuinely well done. The rules are consistent across both books (I’m looking at you, Vortex) and across all applicable characters. Kerstin Geir picked a set of rules and loyally stuck to them.

Plot-wise… I mean… eh? There’s not a lot of exciting plot happening in Sapphire Blue and like I said, I expect that of a middle book. There’s more time travel to more parties and more hints that Stuff Is Going To Happen in Emerald Green. I did like meeting Gwen’s grandfather during her elapses and there are always scenes that make me chuckle, but as for concrete adventure, I feel like not a whole lot happened here except vague setups for the next book. Which is fine, because the characters carried me through.

I continue to be impressed with both Marisa Calin’s narration – which is bubbly and likable – as well as the translation from its original German (done by Anthea Bell). Both interpreters have done and excellent job of bringing Kerstin Geir’s story to life. Although I still think it’s a bit strange Gwen’s name was changed? But that’s neither here nor there. The English translation is lovely and flows well without losing emotion, and the audiobook is very well read.

All and all, I continue to be pleased with this trilogy, and I look forward to reading Emerald Green… hopefully with less of a lapse this time!