When I picked up this trilogy, I didn't expect I'd love it this much. After all, it was yet another YA book with a sixteen-year-old girl who discovers she has special powers, then has to learn about them under the guidance of a reluctant and at first very rude young man her own age who later (view spoiler)[ ends up falling in love with her - and she with him, of course. (hide spoiler)] (Actually, I don't think that's really a spoiler, but let's be careful, shall we?) 
 Still, there is something about Ruby Red that drew me in. Gwyneth is actually a very smart heroine, which is a nice change. Throughout the entire story, I don't think I've even once half-shouted at the book 'No, you stupid cow, what the heck are you doing THAT for?!'. (And trust me, that often happens to me when I'm reading this genre.) She's smart, she's generally cautious but not so much so that she's boring, and she doesn't unnecessarily keep secrets from the people closest to her. I loved her. (view spoiler)[ Even if she did fall in love with Gideon de Villiers. (hide spoiler)] 
 I also loved Lesley, Gwyneth's best friend; her mum, who is so protective and helpful without being patronising - she reminded me a lot of my own mum, actually; and lots of the other characters making an appearance in this first book. I'm very eager to continue reading about them in Sapphire Blue.