A Bookaholic Swede: Blog Tour North of Here by Laurel Saville + Giveaway

Wednesday, 9 March 2016

Blog Tour North of Here by Laurel Saville + Giveaway

About the book

Many may dream of a simpler life in the north woods, far away from the complications of the modern world. But in her absorbing and uncompromising second novel, North of Here Laurel Saville reveals the dark side of such a life for four young people living in the Adirondack Mountains. This story of misguided decisions, a dangerous back-to-nature cult, and the universal search for meaning and love intertwines these troubled lives into a riveting blend of penetrating love story and persuasive page-turner. Saville, author of the #1 Kindle bestseller Henry and Rachel, once again taps her astute narrative powers in a tale of tragedy, survival, and love.

At the heart of the drama are four unforgettable, strikingly-drawn characters:
Miranda: A young “heiress” who discovers that the mountain property she has inherited is encumbered by her father’s debts and misdealing.

Dix: A self-assured “mountain man” who is really an educated, financially secure son of two accomplished professionals.

Darius: A preppy trust fund refugee who turns his own quest for meaning into a dangerous back-to-nature cult bent on healing lost souls

Sally: A brassy, street-smart social worker who, despite being perpetually unlucky in love, ultimately has the foresight to see the perils of loving Darius.

As this masterful novel unfolds, these four will become inextricably entwined in troubles that far exceed simple crimes of the heart.

Review

This book took me by surprise. At first, I didn't find the story more than an OK reading, had a bit of a problem connection to both the story and Miranda. The story wasn't bad, it just felt like perhaps this would be not my kind of book, but somewhere along the way I got hooked.

I think after the intro with Miranda losing pretty much everything that had some meaning to her is over the book's story really take off. Miranda is a very vulnerable young girl, and she isn't ready to be thrown into a life of responsibility when she is left to standing on her two feet. So, it's pretty understandable that she clings to Dix who she has known for years, and they would probably have been very happy if Darius, a charismatic "guru" shows up and she feels the need to leave her old life behind to life after his "philosophy".

To be honest, I think that it was unavoidable if it hadn't been Darius would it had been someone or something else. I got the impressions that Miranda was so lost that in the end the relationship with Dix probably wasn't enough for her. And, that's the tragic part because he is such a perfect guy and yet still she is drawn to this rich boy turned guru that everyone with the expedition of delusional women see is bad news. But, Miranda has always wanted to help lost youths and here she thinks will she get the chance. It's both frustrating and sad to read it.

The book is tragic, but amidst the darkness, there is always light. What I like about this book is how human the characters are, some are gullible and are taken advantage of, and some like Dix and Sally see through the charade and can do nothing but watch. I think personally the thing that makes this book so poignant is that it mirror the real world so tragically well.

North By Here is a very good book. I felt sadness and concern for Miranda throughout the book and the book's story surprised me with its twists. And, I loved that ending. So perfect!

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

About Laurel Saville

Laurel Saville is the award-winning author of the memoir Unraveling Anne, the novel Henry and Rachel, and the four-part short story “How Much Living Can You Buy,” as well as numerous essays, short stories, and articles. She has an MFA in Creative Writing and Literature from the Writing Seminars at Bennington College.

Once again, Laurel Saville applies her “poetic, lyrical voice” (Booklist) to a story that captures the complications of the lives we live—or wish to live.

Connect with Laurel

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Laurel Saville’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:

Tuesday, March 1st: Musings of a Bookish Kitty

Wednesday, March 2nd: Bibliotica

Thursday, March 3rd: Just Commonly

Monday, March 7th: Reading is My Superpower

Tuesday, March 8th: Thoughts on This ‘n That

Wednesday, March 9th: A Bookaholic Swede

Friday, March 11th: From the TBR Pile

Monday, March 14th: Kahakai Kitchen

Tuesday, March 15th: Book Dilettante

Wednesday, March 16th: Kritter’s Ramblings