Posts

North to Nara (Crimson Sash Book 1) by Amanda Marin – Review by Katie Matthews

/0 Comments/in /by

North to Nara (Crimson Sash, #1)North to Nara by Amanda Marin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with this story, I liked that the blurb was a little on the vague side as it meant I was going in without any real expectations – it is also a genre that I have read a lot of so that added to the intrigue for me and so I loved that I got such a well written and wonderful story to read. It didn’t take me long at all to become completely absorbed into the authors writing – I was pleasantly surprised to find out that North to Nara is also the authors debut novel. She should definitely be very proud of what she has written. The level of detail enabled me to completely imagine what I was reading. Her characters we well thought out and I really enjoyed reading about them. I think one of the things I liked was that although I knew what I wanted to happen in the story the author wasn’t afraid to take the story in differing directions that constantly kept me guessing about what might happen! She has definitely set the scene for an amazing series and I can’t wait for the next book!!

@katiem
View all my reviews

North to Nara (Crimson Sash Book 1) by Amanda Marin – Review by Kaitlynn Taylor

/0 Comments/in /by

North to Nara (Crimson Sash, #1)North to Nara by Amanda Marin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

North to Nara (Crimson Sash Book 1) by Amanda Marin

5-stars

North to Nara by Amanda Marin is an incredible read from start to finish! This is the first book in the YA dystopian series titled Crimson Sash, and what a great start to a series it is! Amanda wrote with so much detail that I could easily picture everything playing out in my mind and I was able to easily connect with the main characters, Neve and Micah.

This storyline is captivating, intense, addicting and so riveting. I read it in one sitting as I couldn’t bring myself to put it down. I can’t wait to continue with this series with book 2!

View all my reviews

North to Nara (Crimson Sash Book 1) by Amanda Marin – Review by Lisa Helmick

/0 Comments/in /by

North to Nara (Crimson Sash, #1)North to Nara by Amanda Marin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

North to Nara (Crimson Sash #1)
By Amanda Marin
Rated 5 stars

This story enthralled me. I couldnt put it down nor stop thinking about it. It has a dystopian setting and forbidden love. A good combination. I seriously read faster and faster just waiting for the ax to fall. Assuming it would but never really knowing. All I want Is these two star crossed lovers to have a happy ending but it’s so impossible. Arg!!! Frustration!!

My thoughts and emotions ran a gambit while reading. Hope, irritation, scared, love/hate, frustration, and elation and anger are just to name a few. They were for the characters, the world and the situation. Speaking of characters they were all wonderful. Using terms like “lion” to describe the Sufferer really helped me to get a quick idea of his looks and disposition. The friendship between the girls was fun as well as her lovely family. Even the far off secondary characters added some insight and helpfulness. I need to mention them because even though they had little parts the author made their impact large.

This is a wonderful start for a debut book. The author created a world that makes you want to know about it. She invites you in and then dazzles you with characters you can hope for, dialogue you can *sigh* at an intricate society that engages your brain. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes dystopian stories with characters you can love.

I eagerly look forward to the next but sad it’s so far away….

Review @lisahelmick

View all my reviews

North to Nara (Crimson Sash Book 1) by Amanda Marin – Review by Heather Lovelace

/0 Comments/in /by

North to Nara (Crimson Sash, #1)North to Nara by Amanda Marin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a fantastic book! This dystopian work falls into a well-loved genre and somehow manages to treat it a bit differently than its counterparts. The characters are strong, well developed, and relatable. The story has clear direction and I loved the sneak peek at the end. A very enjoyable book that I look forward to seeing developed by its series.

Reviewed by @heatherlovelace

View all my reviews

North to Nara (Crimson Sash Book 1) by Amanda Marin – Review by Emily Walsh

/0 Comments/in /by

North to Nara (Crimson Sash, #1)North to Nara
By: Amanda Marin
My Rating: 4 of 5 stars

North to Nara (Crimson Sash, #1) by Amanda Marin was a hooking, original read that, was full of passion, and told the tale of two star crossed lovers and their fight against the odds.

This debut novel was truly something, as a lover of dystopian type books, I always love how each author develops the world and how they see it, if something were to happen to our way of life. This one wasn’t as loud, you could say, as some other dystopian books. The world that this is book is set in seems pretty comfortable, and at peace. So this story isn’t about one girl toppling an empire, no, it’s about a forbidden love, and the their choice to put love before Nation.

The only thing that bothered me about this book, was the pockets of info dumping, and I hate to say it cause I really enjoyed this book, but it did fall into this trend of the first book being a “setup book”. A complex world like this should have been present at the beginning, with some back story, or a prologue, to help with the worldbuilding. Especially when this world is not at war and is in a pretty tame and civil state.

Now the two MC’s, love them to bits. Micah really stole the show. Yes Neve is the main MC, but hell, Micah was written so well, and so full of emotions that I couldn’t help but fall for him. I would have like to see the world from his POV, I think that would have added that extra layer to not only help with the characters development, but with world building.

That middle to ending though, for a book that started out all sweet and heart melty, it sure kicked up into high gear. I was on the edge of my seat, and flipping the pages like a mad person. Man oh man, talk about going from 0-60. And that sneak peek at the end.. way to tease a girl.. I need the next book now!

Overall this book gets my super high recommendation and my stamp of approval.

Happy Reading

-Review by @eawalsh

View all my reviews

North to Nara (Crimson Sash Book 1) by Amanda Marin – Review by Kerry Baker

/0 Comments/in /by

North to Nara (Crimson Sash, #1)North to Nara by Amanda Marin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

North to Nara by Amanda Marin is the first book in the Crimson Sash series. This is a unique and interesting YA novel that everyone should try.
This story isn’t like one I have read before. The idea of having our emotions taken away to enable us to continue is intriguing if a little scary. The author does a great job of creating this world where everything appears to be perfect and yet hidden away are plenty of dark secrets.
This was a new author for me and I really enjoyed her writing style. It was engaging and knew how to keep the story going. This was a brilliant book and one I would recommend.

View all my reviews

North to Nara (Crimson Sash Book 1) by Amanda Marin – Review by Bobbi Wagner

/0 Comments/in /by

North to Nara (Crimson Sash, #1)North to Nara by Amanda Marin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book from cover to cover. This is a young adult story that I feel is in the future. It is creative and well written. I found it to be engaging and fast paced. It is about Neve who lives in a country who demands loyalty above all else in form of a pledge. What will happen when Neve is given a choice of loyalty or love, happiness? The characters are well written characters that you can sympathize with as well as relate too. I highly recommend this book.

Review by @bjwagner
View all my reviews

North to Nara (Crimson Sash Book 1) by Amanda Marin – Review by Angela Hayes

/0 Comments/in /by

North to Nara (Crimson Sash, #1)North to Nara by Amanda Marin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

“The Suffering helps build compassion and unity among our people…. By transferring pain and sadness into the souls of those with the greatest aptitude for empathy, we ensure the happiness and prosperity of the .”

 

North to Nara is the first book in the Crimson Sash Series and debut novel by Amanda Marin. It is quite an original YA dystopian romance, with sci-fi elements, fantasy, suspense, action, adventure, and clever world building.
Neve Hall lives in a seemingly Utopian society where civil servants keep the society prosperous and united. “Nation First” is every citizens pledge, and they are expected to put the nations ‘needs’ even ahead of their own. Citizens in good standing have the privilege of attending The Centre for Compassion every week, where a Sufferer (a professional empath) will ‘take’ the pain and sadness from the individual, replacing it with strength- the whole process is done anonymously. But what happens when her ‘regular’ Sufferer is replaced? What happens when Neve discovers the identity of her new Sufferer? What happens when she begins to understand what he endures in the name of the nation? And what happens when feelings get involved- especially in a society where love isn’t allowed for all citizens? So, what happens when she begins questioning everything she thought she knew/believed? This story is well worth the read to find out.
This was a great debut novel, with an intriguing storyline and interesting characters. The cover is beautiful and immediately drew me to the book. It was a little slow in parts, and there were places that felt like a bit of an info dump. But this didn’t detract to much from my overall enjoyment of the story. I did enjoy the story and will definitely read the rest of the series. I look forward to seeing what else Ms. Marin can do.

Thank you, Ms. Marin!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

View all my reviews

North to Nara (Crimson Sash Book 1) By Amanda Marin – Review by Laura Furuta

/0 Comments/in /by

North to Nara (Crimson Sash Book 1)North to Nara by Amanda Marin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

North to Nara (Crimson Sash Book 1)
By: Amanda Marin
5 out of 5 stars

The story North to Nara (Crimson Sash Book 1) by Amanda Marin is an amazing book that I loved reading. It takes place in a dystopian world. I found that the author does a wonderful job of describing this world and how those in society live. The story had me feeling like I was right there with the characters, feeling and experiencing what they did. The book had me turning pages and wondering what is going to happen next. My emotions went up and down while reading this story. There are both heartbreaking and heartwarming moments. I loved reading about the characters of Neve Hall and Micah Ward. They are characters that you can’t help but grow to care about and want them to be happy. There is a choice that has to be made. Will Neve choose loyalty to the Nation or to her heart? What does the future hold for Neve and Micah? Read this book to find out. This is a story that had me thinking about it even after I had finished the last page. It will hook you in from the beginning. This is a book that I would recommend reading. It is the first story in a series and I look forward to reading the next one.

View all my reviews

North to Nara (Crimson Sash Book 1) by Amanda Marin 

/1 Comment/in , , , , /by

~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ BOOK SPOTLIGHT ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~
North to Nara (Crimson Sash Book 1) by Amanda Marin
BUY NOW – https://amzn.to/2XiKBOa
#NorthToNara #NeveAndMicah #dystopian #YA #NewRelease
Hosted by Itsy Bitsy Book Bits
Genre – Young adult, romance, dystopian, futuristic/sci fi
Page Count – 201 pages
CoverDesigner – Najla Qamber https://www.najlaqamberdesigns.com/
Publishing Company – Inkspell Publishing http://www.inkspellpublishing.com/
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43800241-north-to-nara…

Behind the beauty is heartache… unless their love can save them.
Neve Hall has always admired the good works of the civil servants who brought prosperity back to the Nation. She especially respects the Sufferers—empaths who, with the help of technology, anonymously bear others’ troubles for them. But when her assigned empath is abruptly retired, she uncovers certain secrets. Like the identity of her new Sufferer, Micah Ward… and the fact that behind his kind smile is a life filled with loneliness and pain.
The closer Neve grows to Micah, the more desperate she becomes to protect him from a cruel and gruesome fate. But in a world where only a few are allowed the luxury of love, saving Micah comes with a price: Neve must choose between her loyalty to the Nation or her heart—a decision that will take them both on a race for their freedom, and their lives.

~ AMAZON ~ KOBO ~ BARNES AND NOBLE ~ ITUNES ~

When Amanda was a child, her father traveled frequently for business, always bringing her back a book as a present. Whether she was getting lost in the pages of a tale about far-away knights, girls with supernatural powers, or kindly giants, she was quickly hooked on stories.

Over the years, Amanda has followed her own yellow brick road of reading and writing, and although her adventures haven’t involved sword fights or saving the planet from certain annihilation, they have involved jobs in scholarly publishing and marketing, a modest amount of travel, and a lifelong love of novels.

Amanda holds degrees in English from Salve Regina University and Boston College. She lives in southern New Hampshire with her family and a precocious pet poodle named Snickers.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH AMANDA MARIN

Live March 27th & 28th Click HERE for Giveaway

~ WEBSITE ~ FACEBOOK ~ INSTAGRAM ~

WEBSITE ~ FACEBOOK ~ TWITTER ~ PINTEREST ~ YOUTUBE ~ INSTAGRAM~ FACEBOOK GROUP