Breakdown of Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

ONE Sentence summary:
A sixteen year old girl develops time-travelling abilities and is introduced to her family’s secret world of secrets, deception and lies.

TWO Things I would have done differently:
I would have changed some of the sentence structure in some places.  I also would have more things clearer (but I know most of my questions will be explained in the sequels).  

THREE Titles that if you liked...you will like this:
The Time Traveller’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (read it, loved it)
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle (read it, loved it)
Gallagher Girls by Ally Carter (Not read) (Where I Found It)

FOUR Reasons to care:
1.) It’s a huge hit overseas, which means it hasn’t hit America yet. Read it before the rush! (Where I Found It)
2.) Plenty of interesting facts about history. Never miss a chance to learn something.
3.) It’s light reading. Good to take a break from the heavy Dragon Tattoo style now and then.
4.) It’s being classified as “Chick-lit sci-fi.” Tell me with a straight face you aren’t curious. (Where I Found It)  
*Bonus* It has a book trailer...which means it’s only a matter of time before there’s a movie trailer. Ruby Red Book Trailer

Yup. There will be. Interview with Kerstin Gier

FIVE Facts about the author:
1.) This novel was translated from German (Rubin Rot).
2.) Kerstin Gier lives in Germany.
3.) She’s funny.
4.) She likes her husband, son and cat.
5.) She keeps information about herself limited on the internet. But the interview is very insightful into the kind of cool person she is.

SIX Emotions I felt while reading:
Amused, confused, sympathetic, relieved, intrigued, interested.


SEVEN Thoughts:
1.) How can so many adults have no idea what’s going on?
2.) Why is this organization...so unorganized?
3.) Why all the secrecy, even from family?
4.) Who are the real bad guys?
5.) What does the philosopher stone do (in this novel)?
6.) What are the limitations of time travel?
7.) Who would think to make two chronographs?

EIGHT Buzzwords:
time, romance, mystery, family, secrecy, blood, stones, birth.

NINE Plot device/writing techniques/tools/tricks:
1.) First person omniscient point of view
2.) Information characters
3.) Symbology (dreams and in poetry)
4.) Rhyme/poetry as “clues”
5.) Foreshadowing/flashbacks
6.) Emotions as plot devices
7.) Metaphors/Similes
8.) Excerpts from outside source “the Chronicle” written within novel to release more information
9.) half of a narrative arc (forcing reader to continue reading sequels to finish the story)


TEN Point plot summary:
1.) Gwen helps her cousin Charlotte walk home after feeling dizzy in class. Obvious that they don’t get along.
2.) Information character drop clues about time travelling, including that every time traveller has a partner and the stolen chronograph.
3.) Charlotte does not have the gene for time travel. Gwen travels back in time without the instruction or tutoring that Charlotte has had.
5.) Gwen confesses that she has been time travelling to her mother who brings her to the institute. Rivalry between Gwen’s mother and Charlotte’s mother is evident.
6.) Gwen time travels again at the institute, proving their story. Gwen starts instruction and learns about the chronograph which logs each time traveller’s journey into the past.
7.) Gwen meets her partner, Gideon and they clash.  He is frustrated because he’s in love with Charlotte who is terribly disappointed she doesn’t have the gene.
8.) Gwen and Gideon travel back in time to meet the original creator of the chronograph. He threatens her with his telekinetic power.
9.) Gwen and Gideon travel back in time to meet Gwen’s great-great-grandmother. It ends up being a trap by the people who stole the first chronograph.
10.) Gwen and Gideon are stuck in the past, hiding in a church.

Now I have to read the sequels!