Firstly, I think it is a crying shame how Ruby Red is presented for English-speaking audiences. In that regard, I mean the cover, I know this is an awfully shallow and vain point to begin with, but who would buy this, just looking at the cover? It’s a stereotypical girl in a dress, and doesn’t intrigue me at all. The original German one is so beautiful. Germans know how to make decent books! (Unlike American publishers, where the books are oddly sized and the pages are flimsy). I’ve bought the German trilogy, and each book is hardback, but with no fly cover, and the illustrations are beautiful and when the books line up together, the illustrations line up nicely. The paper is thick and you can tell the book is lovely made and you doubt that it could be easily destroyed, unlike its English language counterpart. Anyway, I’ve spent the last two months wading through the German version – Rubinrot, before moving onto the English. I’ve got to say that it was really fun to do! Considering I’m not fluent by any standards in German, and I’ve just finished my first year of sixth form, I found the translation (of what I could understand!) to be faithful. However, the change of the name Gwendolyn to Gwyneth is something I don’t really understand, Gwendolyn is a far prettier name. I found that Gwen’s personality was really great, she wasn’t a Mary-Sue, she was strong, yet scared of this new world she landed in. I really liked her character despite the occasionally sounding too childish for her age. Again, I loved the relationship between her and Lesley, her best friend. It was realism you don’t often see in YA with regard to female friendships. I also was delighted that this book didn’t just ignore her mother. Despite the fact that her father had died, Gwen’s mother was very believable, and she actually had a role and made an impact on the plot. Again, I find this so rare for YA novels.What I was pleased about in this book is that despite the strapline in the German is ‘Liebe geht durch alle Zeiten’ or ‘Love goes through all the ages’, the romance wasn’t the focal point. There wasn’t that much romance in it to be honest. Instead it was a witty action story that stayed away from some of the worst clichés in the genre.I’ve also watched the film, Rubinrot – and although the plot is completely different from the film it still captures the same humour that’s in the book. In that respect, I really enjoyed it. I read this as part of a BOM read. I liked the world building and the idea behind the story.The characters just fell flat for me. The only one that I really fell in love with is Gwyneth's best friend Lucy. That girl has spunk!I could just punch Gideon in his smug face. He has been training for this 'mission' his whole live. He knows history, geography, fencing and how to be completely superior to the rest of the 'normal' people. I can't stand him and I hope Gwyneth leaves him high and dry somewhere, would serve him right.A fair amount of mystery and intrigue. You don't know who is telling the truth and who is playing games. Each chapter ends with a little riddle or tid bit of information. Most of the information seems to have nothing to do with the over all story, though that could change in the next book.I enjoyed the story. I would even consider listening to the rest of the series. The characters left me wanting more so I am not inspired to read on.
What do You think about Rouge Rubis (2011)?
4.5/5 stars A really fun read! Probably going to read the second book soon :P
—junzuke
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVEThis whole trilogy is just fabulous.
—jenny
A fat 4.5 stars! But I need the second book now!
—chelle
loved.loved.loved.loved. so addicting.
—protegomaxim
