Ruby Red Trilogy Summary by Kerstin Gier

The Ruby Red Trilogy by Kerstin Gier is a young adult time-travel fantasy series that revolves around Gwyneth Shepherd, an ordinary teenage girl from modern-day London who discovers she has inherited a rare time-travel gene. This revelation turns her life upside down, throwing her into a centuries-old mystery involving secret societies, dangerous prophecies, and forbidden love. The story unfolds across three books—Ruby Red, Sapphire Blue, and Emerald Green—and follows her transformation from a confused schoolgirl to a key player in the battle against destiny and control.

The Awakening of Gwyneth’s Powers

Gwyneth’s family belongs to a secretive aristocratic society that believes her cousin Charlotte is the time traveler of their generation. Charlotte has spent her life being trained in fencing, dancing, history, and court etiquette in preparation for this role, while Gwyneth has been largely ignored. However, when Gwyneth begins experiencing dizzy spells and involuntarily jumps through time, it becomes apparent that she—not Charlotte—is the true carrier of the gene, the twelfth and final traveler in a prophesied circle known as the Ruby, or the Raven. She is suddenly thrust into the world of the Guardians, a secretive order sworn to monitor and manage time travel, and is introduced to Gideon de Villiers, her time-traveling counterpart from the parallel de Villiers family.

The Mission and the Chronograph

The Guardians use a device called the Chronograph, which controls time jumps and allows travelers to visit specific historical dates. Gwyneth and Gideon are tasked with traveling through time to collect blood samples from all twelve gene carriers in order to complete the circle. The Guardians believe this will unlock a mysterious power foretold in an ancient prophecy. But Gwyneth soon realizes that she is unprepared, both emotionally and intellectually, for this role. She relies on her natural curiosity, humor, and quickly developing instincts to navigate the dangerous and politically charged mission.

Secrets, Ghosts, and Rebellion

As she continues jumping through time, Gwyneth begins encountering ghosts and spirits—including James, a charming ghost of an 18th-century student, and Xemerius, a sarcastic and loyal stone gargoyle demon who becomes her invisible companion and spy. These encounters help Gwyneth uncover secrets hidden from her by the Guardians. She also begins to learn about Lucy Montrose and Paul de Villiers, two time travelers who stole the first Chronograph and disappeared into the past. Although the Guardians portray them as traitors, Lucy and Paul warn Gwyneth that completing the circle will not bestow a blessing, but a curse—specifically, it will grant Count Saint-Germain immortality, enabling him to manipulate history forever.

Love, Manipulation, and the Prophecy

Gwyneth’s relationship with Gideon becomes more emotionally complicated as they are forced to work closely together. Though initially arrogant and dismissive, Gideon begins to show signs of genuine affection, eventually kissing Gwyneth. But she later suspects this may have been a tactic ordered by the Guardians to manipulate her. At the same time, Gwyneth learns more about the ancient prophecy. She discovers that she is not just a passive participant in the mission but might be the key to breaking the cycle altogether. The prophecy describes the Ruby, or Raven, as someone with unique emotional and spiritual gifts who will see through deception and potentially destroy the Guardians’ plan.

Revelations and the Final Confrontation

In Emerald Green, the final installment, all the hidden truths come to light. Gwyneth discovers that Count Saint-Germain is the true villain who has orchestrated events over centuries to ensure the circle is completed and he receives eternal life. More importantly, she learns that her biological parents are Lucy and Paul, and she was born in the past, then brought forward to the present to protect her from the Count. Her entire life was a carefully orchestrated secret. Gideon, now disillusioned with the Guardians and truly in love with Gwyneth, joins her in rebellion. With the help of Xemerius, her best friend Lesley, and allies from the past and present, Gwyneth sabotages the Chronograph and exposes the Count’s true intentions.

Breaking the Circle and Choosing Freedom

In a final act of courage and independence, Gwyneth refuses to complete the circle and instead uses her powers to undermine the Count’s plan, effectively breaking the time-travel cycle and ending the Guardians’ centuries-old manipulation. The prophecy is fulfilled in an unexpected way—not through sacrifice and obedience, but through self-awareness and rebellion. The Count is defeated, the Guardians are exposed, and Gwyneth and Gideon are freed from their predetermined roles. No longer bound by the rules of time travel, they choose their own path forward together.

Timeline of Key Events

• Gwyneth begins time traveling unexpectedly at age 16.

• She learns she is the Ruby, not Charlotte.

• Gideon is assigned as her partner by the Guardians.

• They begin collecting blood samples using the Chronograph.

• Gwyneth meets Lucy and Paul during a time jump, who warn her of the Count.

• She discovers the prophecy and questions its meaning.

• Gideon kisses her, and later she questions his loyalty.

• She finds out Lucy and Paul are her real parents.

• Count Saint-Germain is revealed as the true villain.

• Gwyneth and Gideon sabotage the Chronograph.

• The time travel cycle is broken, and the Count loses his power.

• Gwyneth and Gideon choose freedom and love over duty and manipulation.

Character Guide

Gwyneth Shepherd – The protagonist, initially underestimated but revealed to be the Ruby, the twelfth time traveler with the power to change fate.
Gideon de Villiers – Gwyneth’s time-traveling partner and love interest, originally loyal to the Guardians but eventually joins Gwyneth in rebellion.
Count Saint-Germain – The main antagonist, an ancient time traveler who manipulates others to achieve immortality.
Charlotte Montrose – Gwyneth’s cousin, wrongly believed to be the time traveler, proud and resentful.
Lesley Hay – Gwyneth’s loyal best friend, who helps her research and unravel the truth.
Lucy Montrose and Paul de Villiers – Gwyneth’s real parents, former time travelers who defied the Guardians to protect their daughter.
Xemerius – A ghostly stone gargoyle demon who follows Gwyneth and acts as her invisible spy and comic relief.
James the Ghost – A former student at Gwyneth’s school who gives her advice on historical etiquette

Conclusion:

The Ruby Red Trilogy is a richly woven narrative filled with intrigue, romance, and thrilling twists. It blends fantasy with historical fiction, offering a fast-paced story that explores the burden of destiny and the fight to shape your own path. Gwyneth’s journey is not just through time—but toward self-empowerment and truth.