Emerald Green by Kerstin Gier
Reviewed by: Susan A
Young Adult
Title: Emerald Green
By: Kerstin Gier
Published: 2013
Call #: YA Fiction Gier.K
Emerald Green concludes the Ruby Red Trilogy, by Kerstin Gier, three imaginative and romantic novels featuring time travelers, Gwen and Gideon, and a cast rife with villains and heroes. Even though it is, as Xemerius the ghostly gargoyle exclaims, time for a showdown, there is plenty of action on the way to the novel’s final resolution.
For those who have followed the series, the dispute between heroine Gwen and her catty cousin Charlotte, which includes a battle for the affections of the handsome Gideon, is gently resolved. Gideon emerges as not only a swashbuckler, but a gentleman, who shows consideration for both the lovelorn girls. Gwen realizes that where there is a winner, there is also a loser, and she feels compassion for her often adversarial cousin, and yes, a touch of guilt for coming first in Gideon’s affections.
The romantic scenario increases by two, as Gwen’s good friend, Lesley, forms an attachment to Raphael, who seriously rivals his brother, Gideon, in both good looks and charm.
On the sinister side, the true character of the evil Count Saint-Germain resurfaces and with a vengeance. Swordplay ensues, and there are injuries and deaths on both sides of the conflict between time travelers and the Count. The original stolen chronograph (the time machine) is found, the circle is closed (guess by who), and good, after a struggle, prevails over evil, leaving satisfaction in the hearts and minds of devoted readers.
Tags: young adult, time travel