Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Review - Emerald Green by Kerstin Gier (Precious Stone Trilogy #3)

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Time Traveling
Format: Paperback (450 pages)
Publisher: Square Fish
Publication Date:  October 7, 2014
Rating: 3/5
Source: Bought
Get a Copy at: Chapters | Amazon 









Summary from Goodreads: 
Gwen has a destiny to fulfill, but no one will tell her what it is. She’s only recently learned that she is the Ruby, the final member of the time-traveling Circle of Twelve, and since then nothing has been going right. She suspects the founder of the Circle, Count Saint-German, is up to something nefarious, but nobody will believe her. And she’s just learned that her charming time-traveling partner, Gideon, has probably been using her all along. Emerald Green is the stunning conclusion to Kerstin Gier's Ruby Red Trilogy, picking up where Sapphire Blue left off, reaching new heights of intrigue and romance as Gwen finally uncovers the secrets of the time-traveling society and learns her fate.


What I Think:




Emerald Green is longer than the preceding books: Ruby Red and Sapphire Blue, and I had high hopes that the author would try to tie up most of the loose ends from the previous book. Emerald Green continued where Sapphire Blue has left off – the mini twist in Gwen and Gideon’s relationship. So I combed through pages to see how the two main characters resolved their conflict. However, to my surprise, it was not what I hope. It seems the author has rushed in the conflict solving situation between Gwen and Gideon – I mean, no girl would forgive such guy by merely a simple one sentence explanation/apology.

I felt that the character development was rather rushed and Gideon is still pretty one dimensional and a jerk from book one till now. I don’t know how Gwen can stand that kind of treatment. I just think the relationship built up between the main characters was a disappointment. In addition, the side character that has been introduced does not play much of a role in the main character’s life but more of a nuisance, for example: Charlotte (who is an annoying Ms Little Perfect), Aunt Glenda, etc etc. Moreover, two new characters have been introduced in Sapphire Blue and the author did not mentioned or drop any hint what role they play in Gwenyth’s life (Raphael and Xemerius). Lesley was the only side character that supports the main character throughout the Trilogy.

I guess I only read this trilogy was because the plot was interesting and have potential. There was a big twist in the story that makes me give this book a higher rating than the previous two books. However, how it was accomplished was such a disappointment. The whole thing with Lucy and Paul and their true motives was explained well, but I thought the reunion should be more in-depth, but sadly, the author had cut out the important part and left the reader’s imagination run wild.
I felt that this book have more filler than substance which is a disappointment because it has so many potential. There are MANY instances where the author can elaborate instead of cutting the scenes. It seems like she doesn’t want to write such emotional scenes. 

One thing I don't understand - if they can go back in time to save James, which they didn't go back in time to save Lucas?! Like Priority much?!?!??!

The movie: So I watched Rubinrot (Ruby Red) and Saphirblau (Sapphire Blue) and was surprised at how well the screen adaptations were. In fact they are EVEN BETTER THAN THE NOVELS which was very shocking because normally, the screen adaptation does not do the book justice. Yes, the movies are way different in a sense that they do not follow the book exactly. There are events from the second book that is in the first movie and the MAJOR PLOT TWIST from Emerald Green was portrayed in the second movies. However, I thought that the movie did a good job at tying up everything and made the events to have senses AND each scene have a meaning to it.
Overall, Just watch the movie. I only bought the last two books because I already have the first one on my shelves and I am OCD that my trilogy should not be incomplete on my bookshelf.

。・:*:・゚`☆、。・:*:・゚`★*。・:*:・゚`☆、。・:*:・゚`★*。



About Kerstin Gier
Website | Goodreads

Review - Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier (Precious Stone Trilogy #2)

 Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Time Traveling
Format: Paperback (354 pages)
Publisher: Square Fish
Publication Date:  May 28, 2013
Rating: 2.5/5
Source: Bought
Get a Copy at: Chapters | Amazon 











Summary from Goodreads:

Gwen’s life has been a rollercoaster since she discovered she was the Ruby, the final member of the secret time-traveling Circle of Twelve. In between searching through history for the other time-travelers and asking for a bit of their blood (gross!), she’s been trying to figure out what all the mysteries and prophecies surrounding the Circle really mean.

At least Gwen has plenty of help. Her best friend Lesley follows every lead diligently on the Internet. James the ghost teaches Gwen how to fit in at an eighteenth century party. And Xemerius, the gargoyle demon who has been following Gwen since he caught her kissing Gideon in a church, offers advice on everything. Oh, yes. And of course there is Gideon, the Diamond. One minute he’s very warm indeed; the next he’s freezing cold. Gwen’s not sure what’s going on there, but she’s pretty much destined to find out.


What I Think:


I decided to give this Trilogy another chance after I saw this book on sale at the local bookstore. Like many of the second books in a trilogy series, Sapphire Blue's was rather slow, yet eventful. There are lots of questions raised while reading this book and I was looking forward to have those questions answered.

Sapphire Blue started off where Ruby Red left off, sort off. The relationship between Gwenyth and Gideon (the male lead) was still unclear at this point. There was not a build up of characters relationship and in terms of character development, there were close to none. Gwenyth's character did grow and developed a little bit as the reader can relate to the things she was going through and sympathized with her, but it was mostly her motives that kept me wanting to read more. Gideon's character on the other hand, was still flat as ever. I wasn't sure of his motives till the very end where there was a slight twist of his characters which I HOPE the author will explained it more in the last book in the trilogy, Emerald Green. Otherwse, I think Gwenyth's character was poorly developed - I mean do girls that age act that way? Love and hate relationship between the lead female and the lead male is rather cliche don't you all think?

As for Lucy and Paul, I enjoyed how the book started with them and also ended with them. It keeps the readers wondering what is going to happen to them and I hope there will  be more explanations about them once I read Emerald Green, cause their mysteries are still unsolved to the characters at this moment.

Although the plot has potentials, which is solely the reasons why I am even reading this book, I felt that I would have enjoyed it more if the author described and put more effort into character development. I mean the side characters are flat as ever. There was an introduction to new characters which I felt was important to the story and to the main character, Gwenyth, there were much explanations as to why they are there.

Since I already read the second book, I might as well read the last book. Although the rating is still the same as what I gave Ruby Red, 2/5, I will add 0.5 for slight character development and I hope the author explains and don't let out any loose ends on the last book.

SIDE NOTES:
I watched the movie, Sapphire Blue, although a lot of things were change to make the movie adaptation, I enjoyed the movie much more because the character isn't THAT flat. So i recommend people to watch it.

。・:*:・゚`☆、。・:*:・゚`★*。・:*:・゚`☆、。・:*:・゚`★*。

 Quotes:
  • “The raven red, on ruby pinions winging its way between the worlds, hears dead men singing. It scarce knows it strength, the price it scarce knows, but its power will arise and the Circle will close.
  • “The lion-as proud as the diamond bright,
    Though the spell may be clouding that radiant light-in the death of the sun what's amiss will then mend, while the raven is dying discloses the end.”


。・:*:・゚`☆、。・:*:・゚`★*。・:*:・゚`☆、。・:*:・゚`★*。


About Kerstin Gier
Website | Goodreads