All of her life Gwenyth's cousin has lorded it over her that Charlotte has been inducted into "the mysteries" and Gwen is a normal girl. But Gwen has no idea what the mysteries are and doesn't care. Charlotte has spent her entire childhood in music lessons, etiquette lessons, dancing lessons, and--most importantly--history lessons.
Gwen has enjoyed a normal childhood with her best friend Lesley. When she discovers she has inherited the family time-travel gene. Lesley is there to help her friend. Gwen's eccentric family drags her into the family secret and Charlotte is thrust into normal life and out of the secret society who has been training her for time travel.
Drama breaks out when it is discovered Gwen's mother lied about the facts surrounding her birth. The secret society questions Gwen and her mother, their decisions, and their motives. They refuse to accept Gwen's mother only wanted a normal life for her children.
On every mission, Gwen is shadowed by her counterpart, male time-traveler Gideon. He is overbearing and stuffy--and the hottest guy Gwen, or Lesley, has ever seen. But Gideon seems to be interested only in Charlotte until he kisses Gwen. She doesn't know how to handle the proximity to the guy every girl in her class has a crush on, and she doesn't know how to deal with the sudden time travel, and she doesn't know how to deal with the secret society intent on manipulating and managing her every move.
At first time travel seems like fun, but Gwen and Gideon's mission seems to take on a mind of its own. Gwen learns that the last two travelers to do the Secret Society's bidding veered from their mission and stole the Chronograph which allows travelers to control their travel. Lucy and Paul are Gwen's and Gideon's cousins (respectively) and their rebellion is the basis of the conflict--they stole the artifact before the circle could be closed so now the last two travelers must close the circle.
The Society tries to keep Gwenyth from her cousin and from the secret of their purpose causing her to rely on Lesley's help in solving their riddle. Gwen doesn't trust the society, but she doesn't trust the rogue travelers either.
Ruby Red is the first in a trilogy following Gwen as she learns more about history and travels in time. Readers who enjoyed the Agency quartet will enjoy the ever-questioning protagonist who follows the directions set before her until she decides to make her own way. Originally translated from German Ruby Red is funny and accessible for teen readers.
