Rubies and Rebels

Gems and Espionage #9

by Lynn Gardner

The only thing Allison wants to do is stay home for a while and prepare a nursery. However, as an agent for Anastasia, Interpol's anti-terrorist organization, it's not that simple. After her mother breaks her leg and can't attend an important symposium, Allison is tagged to fill in. But from the moment she arrives in Armenia, it seems someone is determined to keep her from fulfilling her assignments-permanently.

When Allison's husband Bart telephones to warn her that al Qaeda terrorists are headed her way, all communications are shut down before she can discover who can help her escape. Bart and Allison are plunged into a holy war against a terrorist threat that wants Armenia for its next stronghold. Can Anastasia and the small band of ill-trained rebels prevent the takeover?

Genres: Lds Fiction, Mystery, Lds, Romance, Suspense, Adult, Adventure

356 pages, Paperback

First published August 28, 2003

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you've read other installments in this series, this book is more of the same. I really enjoyed learning a bit about Armenia, though. The author is good at doing her research!

[Kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This may be my favorite in this series! I liked how much I felt like I learned about Armenia while I read. I'm impressed by all the research that must have gone into this! The twists were much less predictable to me than in others of these books. Good read that took me to another place while I read. There were parts that were intense enough to keep me reading fast.

[Charly Troff (JustaReadingMama) · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read these books in middle school, I loved them! I couldn't get enough. Coming back to reread them, I see their flaws, but I still think they're worth the read. They are fast paced, clean, educational, and easy, quick reads.

[Angela Whiteley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read other books in this series as a teenager and remembered I really liked them, so I picked up this one. It was good, but not exceptional. My favorite part of this book is the romance between husband and wife. I'm not sure I've ever found another author who displayed more beautiful interactions between husband and wife.

[Lydia Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definetly not as good as the rest of the series so far. But I am so happy that Alli and Bart will finally have a baby. I think little Alexdria will be a perrfect additiion to their little family. I love the love that Alli and Bart show, even when in the midst of a deadlly terrorist. I qas so happy when the two of them reunite!

[Terrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oops! Read this book before reading book #8 in the series. Didn't make any difference. The author has done her research on the locations and is very good at making you see the exotic locations in your mind.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

See review for E & E. :)

[03NicoleV · Rating 5 out of 5]

October 28, 2012
Rubies and Rebels by: Lynn Gardner
published in 2003
Number of pages: 356
Intended readers: Young adults and Older

The main issue: Armenia is being taken over by the al Queda and Allison needs to get out of that country as soon as possible

Setting: Yerevan, Armenia. The setting contributes to the story by letting e reader know where it is taking place and how they ant get a picture of the place in their mind and what it must be like there.

Allison Allan- green eyes, curly black hair, 5'4", knows a various number of different languages
Bart Allan- blue eyes, blonde hair, 6'4", loves his job and wife very much
Jack Alexander- Allison's father, about 5'7", black hair, head of Anastasia, wanted by many terrorist organizations
Margaret Alexander- Allison's mother, 5'5", black hair, gives speeches at many universities all over the world, former movie star

Summary: Allison's mother, Margaret, gets injured and isn't able to present her speech at the symposium in Armenia, so Allison offers to take her mothers place. In Armenia, Allison has many attempts of her life being taken, found stolen rubies from the famous Echmiadzin cathedral in Yerevan, and reunited with her absent husband. Her husband, Bart, tri to get Allison out of Armenia to protect her from danger, but Allison doesn't listen to him and stays with him instead. They meet up with the rest of the Anastasia (an anti-terrorist group) and they all help prevent the al Queda from taking over Armenia.

What I like about the book: I like how there is so much action, suspense, and mystery. Plus, I like how Allison and I are kind of alike.

The first quote states how Allison is in a tight area and needs to get out: "It was entirely possible someone else suffered claustrophobia and needed to exit this place immediately, but from the history of events, it was possible someone was trying to get me."
The second quote states how Allison should go home but there's no point if there is danger either way: "Going home wouldn't lessen the danger for a member of Anastasia as long as there were still terrorists in the world."

Theme: Those who have hope and would do anything for freedom, will do something about it.
A group of Armenians helped Anastasia to gain freedom for their country.

I recommend this book for whoever likes action, mystery, a little romance, and bit of history facts.

This book series, "Jewels and Espionage", is unique because it includes historical facts about the settings of each book.

Rating: five!

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

It had so much more potential, I thought. There was just soooo much description of EVERYTHING! I mean, yes, it's nice to know a little bit about where they are. But I don't need to know about every little nook and crannie about every single building, street or room! I had to start skipping everytime she started describing something because I was soooo tired of reading about the colors and size and shape and smell and the darkness/lightness of a room and the furniture in the room and the PLACEMENT of the furniture and the... bored yet? Yeah, that was basically the extent of this book in my opinion. I was so bogged down by the description that I didn't feel any of the intense feelings of the book. Very disapointing since I usually really enjoy Gardner's "gem" books.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anastasia is trying to stop al Queda from taking over Armenia--enter the members of the LDS Church who volunteer to work alongside them. They hunger for freedom from oppression and to rebuild their country. I loved Allison's joke: What do you call a person who speaks three or more languages? Multilingual. What do you call a person who speaks two languages? Bilingual. What do you call a person who speaks one language? American.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Allison is preparing for the birth of her first baby when she is called to replace her mother at a conference in Armenia. Once again al Qaeda is the enemy they are trying to stop and Bart shows up to work with her in preventing the bad guys from taking over. Gardner gets a little heavy-handed with the description in this one but it all leads up to an exciting conclusion.

[Liesl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this series. It was very fun, exciting, and romantic. The romance is between a Husband and Wife which makes it even more fun to read. (for us LDS people)

[Jenya · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't get through it!

[Dara · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great read!

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another fun story about Bart and Allison. However, for some reason this book was easier to put down as the others, and therefore wasn't as fast of a read. BUt I still enjoyed it.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this one was really kind of boring. I wasn't able to get into it like I was the first one.

[Michele Nell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading about Armenia. Almost made me want to visit. Another great page turner trying to figure out who the bad guys are.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are fun fast passed good reads. The only problem I had was that the series went on too long.16 and up.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. Nice summer read. Kept me interested with only an occasional skip of credibility.

[Nadine Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fast paced book.

[Athena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Series!!!

[Jill Mcconnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was amazing!!!!!