Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier (English Version) Review

"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."

Anthea Bell did a great job of translating. Other than a few errors (didn't bother me very much. She did a much better job than Google Translate) Sapphire Blue is next to perfect.  

Sapphire Blue wasn't as great as Ruby Red. Maybe it's because there's less whining and more action. Besides, those scenes with Gideon and Gwen back in Ruby Red were hot. But Sapphire Blue...eh...there's a lot more distrust and suspicion. However, I did enjoy the story the author created. 

The action in Sapphire Blue wasn't very much. There wasn't anything like that huge explosion in the background of the cover. Sadly, it seems that the biggest explosions only take place in human emotions along with reader's emotions. Gwen's whining may be explosions from her tone. It's quite obvious that Gideon has greatly affected her in many ways and not just romantically. 

The plot is boring. Mostly, Gwen and Gideon spend most of their time tossing remarks at each other and accusing one another of doing something so...horrible. They did all of that while traveling through time, with eyes on one another. Even though the plot is quite confusing even after finishing the book, I have high hopes that Kerstin Gier will change the book and trilogy around. If she doesn't, I hope the translator, Anthea Bell, make up a random but also excellent and witty and beautiful plot. Everything in the story is still hidden beneath the veil and all has yet to be revealed to the readers. 

Gwen is getting annoying. I'm nearly begging her to stop whining because she's always complaining about something like how perfect her cousin is. Or something about Gideon and his weird behavior. It's always something along these lines. (Her best moment: Her drunkenness and her sobriety being mashed together at the party long ago). 

The ending of Sapphire Blue made me say, "Is that it?" Whenever I read ecopies of these books, I can never tell the difference between the middle and the end. Well, I reluctantly and eagerly wait for the English version of the sequel, Emerald Green. 

Rating: Three out of Five (Lot's of translation points).