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jmbibliolater's review against another edition
4.0
North to Nara by Amanda Marin is a classic tale of forbidden love. Neve and Micah are doomed from the start; their love is forbidden by a society that chooses loyalty / duty to the Nation over love. Neve and Micah's love for each other is forced to thrive off stolen moments and extreme sacrifices. Yet, as intense as it may be....there is such an aura of innocence woven throughout their story that you just can't help falling a little in love along with them too.
I enjoyed this novel. It is a good story that will keep you engaged. Amanda Marin writes some of the most beautiful lines. North to Nara is the first book in the Crimson Sash series. I'm interested to see what happens to Neve and Micah next. Whatever it is, I will be rooting for them.
I received this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this novel. It is a good story that will keep you engaged. Amanda Marin writes some of the most beautiful lines. North to Nara is the first book in the Crimson Sash series. I'm interested to see what happens to Neve and Micah next. Whatever it is, I will be rooting for them.
I received this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
aliciareadsit's review against another edition
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
4.5 STARS
First can I just say... WOW! What a phenomenal debut novel by Amanda Marin 🙌🏼
I am a big lover of dystopian novels and romance stories and this did a beautiful job of combining the two. This wasn’t your usual dystopian—MC toppling an empire—No, this was a beautiful novel of forbidden love, and the choice to put love above Nation.
The MC’s were wonderfully written. Neve May have been the voice and main MC, but Micah was the true star of this book. A brilliant character, so full of emotions and compassion. You can’t help but fall in love with him! Neve is brave, kind and so full of heart.
As for the story—it was a great story! It started off at a slower pace for the first few chapters (even slow the story was captivating), and then the story went from 0-60 and I could not put the book down! I always know I’ve found a great story when I stay up a few hours past bedtime to read the whole book! 🙈😂
The only problem I had with the book was the info dumping at the beginning of some of the chapters. I usually like it more when an author “shows” instead of “tells”. This is the only reason I bumped it down 1/2 a star. Otherwise, it is such a wonderful story, and I’m going to have a hard time waiting for the rest of the series to come out!
I voluntarily received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 STARS
First can I just say... WOW! What a phenomenal debut novel by Amanda Marin 🙌🏼
I am a big lover of dystopian novels and romance stories and this did a beautiful job of combining the two. This wasn’t your usual dystopian—MC toppling an empire—No, this was a beautiful novel of forbidden love, and the choice to put love above Nation.
The MC’s were wonderfully written. Neve May have been the voice and main MC, but Micah was the true star of this book. A brilliant character, so full of emotions and compassion. You can’t help but fall in love with him! Neve is brave, kind and so full of heart.
As for the story—it was a great story! It started off at a slower pace for the first few chapters (even slow the story was captivating), and then the story went from 0-60 and I could not put the book down! I always know I’ve found a great story when I stay up a few hours past bedtime to read the whole book! 🙈😂
The only problem I had with the book was the info dumping at the beginning of some of the chapters. I usually like it more when an author “shows” instead of “tells”. This is the only reason I bumped it down 1/2 a star. Otherwise, it is such a wonderful story, and I’m going to have a hard time waiting for the rest of the series to come out!
I voluntarily received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
thehamsterreads's review against another edition
4.0
North to Nara is the intriguing first book in the Crimson Sash series. It’s set in a dystopian world where empaths, called the Sufferers, bear the pain of others for the good of society. But something goes wrong and Neve finds out the identity of her Sufferer. Micah is a kind soul, well suited to being a Sufferer. I absolutely loved him and Neve and I just want things to work out for them! I enjoyed the story and the characters and the world is very well defined. I definitely want to find out what happens next!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
lacyduckie's review against another edition
4.0
I don't remember how I originally ran across North to Nara, but I remember seeing the beautiful cover and liking the dystopian description so I added it to my tbr where it sat for awhile. I would look at my tbr randomly, see it, look it up on Amazon, contemplate buying it for awhile and then repeating the process.
Finally, I gave in when I saw it super cheap on kindle. I think I paid like a dollar for it? Now, I'm upset it took me so long to read it. It's really good. I've stayed awake the last few nights reading it.
The closest thing I can compare North to Nara to is probably [b:Delirium|11614718|Delirium (Delirium, #1)|Lauren Oliver|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327890411l/11614718._SX50_.jpg|10342808]. I will be buying the physical copy and hoping that the sequel holds up to the amazing first installment. Dystopia is alive and well, thank you.
Finally, I gave in when I saw it super cheap on kindle. I think I paid like a dollar for it? Now, I'm upset it took me so long to read it. It's really good. I've stayed awake the last few nights reading it.
The closest thing I can compare North to Nara to is probably [b:Delirium|11614718|Delirium (Delirium, #1)|Lauren Oliver|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327890411l/11614718._SX50_.jpg|10342808]. I will be buying the physical copy and hoping that the sequel holds up to the amazing first installment. Dystopia is alive and well, thank you.
arthistorygirl's review against another edition
5.0
North to Nara by Amanda Marin is the first book in the Crimson Sash series. This is a great start for a new series. Set in a dystopian world the story follows Neve and Micah. The two are not supposed to be forging a relationship but cannot resist one another. I really liked the characters and the relationships between the primary and secondary characters. Between the building of a world, story and characters I did not want to put this story down. I am looking forward to where the series goes and hope to see some of the secondary characters be featured more. There seems to be many interesting stories to come.
katie_83's review against another edition
4.0
North to Nara
By Amanda Marin
4 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!!
By Amanda Marin
4 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!!
lisa01's review against another edition
5.0
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….
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….
bwagner's review against another edition
4.0
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.
angelahayes's review against another edition
4.0
4 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!
“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!