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The Blood Rising #1
Collection of The Negatives
FACT: 15% of the world's population is Rh-negative and the origin of their blood is debated.
In a world with skyrocketing inflation and unemployment, blood has become the new commodity, and the rarer your blood type, the more it’s worth.
After losing her job and watching her savings dwindle, Liri is persuaded by a resourceful friend to sell her blood to ABO Blood Group, where she learns she is O Negative, the most valuable and sought after blood.
Unable to afford living in New York City, Liri reluctantly decides to move back home and live with her parents, but her plan is interrupted when a virus is maliciously unleashed onto the island of Manhattan, resulting in a citywide quarantine. Before being able to devise an alternative plan, she is secretly informed of a covert mission by ABO to evacuate Negatives out of NYC. Although reluctant to trust them, it’s her only viable choice to escape, but unbeknown to Liri, she and the Negatives are vital to activating opposing agendas on Earth and beyond.
In a world with skyrocketing inflation and unemployment, blood has become the new commodity, and the rarer your blood type, the more it’s worth.
After losing her job and watching her savings dwindle, Liri is persuaded by a resourceful friend to sell her blood to ABO Blood Group, where she learns she is O Negative, the most valuable and sought after blood.
Unable to afford living in New York City, Liri reluctantly decides to move back home and live with her parents, but her plan is interrupted when a virus is maliciously unleashed onto the island of Manhattan, resulting in a citywide quarantine. Before being able to devise an alternative plan, she is secretly informed of a covert mission by ABO to evacuate Negatives out of NYC. Although reluctant to trust them, it’s her only viable choice to escape, but unbeknown to Liri, she and the Negatives are vital to activating opposing agendas on Earth and beyond.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 11, 2019
22 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 28, 2021
A great read (though I was concerned at one point that it might devolve into a romance novel, which is something I don't like), but it picked right back up and ended with a bang. I can't wait for book two. I'm especially interested in this series since I'm type 0-.
February 18, 2019
COLLECTION OF THE NEGATIVES
THE BLOOD RISING Book 1
Violet St. Karl
This was a great book. I loved the angle of the story. The character descriptions really brought the people in the story to life. I loved the underlying drama in the story. The twists, and turns the story take make you want to keep reading long past your bedtime. I was up until 2am the first night. It was that good. When they are taken to the Island things get really interesting. I cannot wait for book two. This is amazing!!!
THE BLOOD RISING Book 1
Violet St. Karl
This was a great book. I loved the angle of the story. The character descriptions really brought the people in the story to life. I loved the underlying drama in the story. The twists, and turns the story take make you want to keep reading long past your bedtime. I was up until 2am the first night. It was that good. When they are taken to the Island things get really interesting. I cannot wait for book two. This is amazing!!!
April 23, 2019
Collection of Negatives is SO. GOOD. The premise of the novel is so unique, and it’s unlike anything I’ve read before. I love the idea of separating people by blood types.
I don’t want you to spend a lot of time reading this review. I want you to go pick up this book and experience it for yourself. I love Liri and the rest of the cast. Each character is incredibly diverse and unique.
Violet St. Karl has written one heck of a book. The twists and turns are intriguing and the ending blew me away. I absolutely can’t wait for the next book. Meanwhile, Collection of Negatives is going on my list of favorites for 2019!
*I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour with R&R Book Tours. All opinions are my own.*
I don’t want you to spend a lot of time reading this review. I want you to go pick up this book and experience it for yourself. I love Liri and the rest of the cast. Each character is incredibly diverse and unique.
Violet St. Karl has written one heck of a book. The twists and turns are intriguing and the ending blew me away. I absolutely can’t wait for the next book. Meanwhile, Collection of Negatives is going on my list of favorites for 2019!
*I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour with R&R Book Tours. All opinions are my own.*
May 5, 2019
Oh my, I fell in love with this story and all the characters! I adore dystopian fiction, especially since reading Skeletal from Emma Pullar. From the first moment of reading Collection of the Negatives I truly did fall in love, I love books that are like this. I was really intrigued by the concept of Collection of the Negatives, from that moment reading the blurb, I was hooked. I definitely needed to get my hands on this. Violet has not disappointed.
The idea that a futuristic, shady corporation could be after your blood was novel and interesting. I am one of those people that HAVE to be intrigued from the first moment, aka the first chapter. I can easily get distracted by other things but if you capture me in the first chapter, I am there to stay! Liri is such a loveable character, you feel bad for her in the beginning but then she grows. Violet wrote her character brilliantly, I’m definitely impressed with her.
Read the full review here: https://anoceanglimmer.wordpress.com/...
The idea that a futuristic, shady corporation could be after your blood was novel and interesting. I am one of those people that HAVE to be intrigued from the first moment, aka the first chapter. I can easily get distracted by other things but if you capture me in the first chapter, I am there to stay! Liri is such a loveable character, you feel bad for her in the beginning but then she grows. Violet wrote her character brilliantly, I’m definitely impressed with her.
Read the full review here: https://anoceanglimmer.wordpress.com/...
February 1, 2019
I completely enjoyed reading about Liri’s journey in finding out how special it is to be a negative..... and not just any negative but an O- with a positive purpose.
I will be watching for book #2.
I will be watching for book #2.
April 10, 2019
Review to come with blog tour.
May 29, 2019
"O negatives are truly unique. It’s the only blood type that can give life force back to virtually anyone in the world on the verge of losing it, yet they can only take blood from each other. So, no, we do not all have the same biological makeup, but most of the world does–about 85 percent. You are part of the 15 percent in this world that has a rare blood type, but only about seven percent of the fifteen are O negatives."
The world is becoming a utopian society and people are losing their freedom including Liri whose blood type is rare and in demand by evildoers.
When she is part of a group of negative blood types to leave the country due to a deadly virus, she doesn’t know who to trust including new friends, Alaister and Brigid, or the attractive Dr. Sirus Galani, lead psychiatrist working for the mysterious ABO Blood Group, and Liri’s romantic interest.
I find Liri believable as a strong, and vulnerable woman who is finding out she is not who she thinks she is. When she is asked to describe herself, she answers, “I am a woman who cannot be described in one word.” Little does she know it would be an understatement.
A unique story about blood types, hubots, and unearthly happenings that are a great start to a fascinating series.
Thank you to Ms. St. Karl and R&R Book Tours for letting me be a part of this virtual book tour with no expectation of a positive review given.
More book reviews at The Eclectic Review
The world is becoming a utopian society and people are losing their freedom including Liri whose blood type is rare and in demand by evildoers.
When she is part of a group of negative blood types to leave the country due to a deadly virus, she doesn’t know who to trust including new friends, Alaister and Brigid, or the attractive Dr. Sirus Galani, lead psychiatrist working for the mysterious ABO Blood Group, and Liri’s romantic interest.
I find Liri believable as a strong, and vulnerable woman who is finding out she is not who she thinks she is. When she is asked to describe herself, she answers, “I am a woman who cannot be described in one word.” Little does she know it would be an understatement.
A unique story about blood types, hubots, and unearthly happenings that are a great start to a fascinating series.
Thank you to Ms. St. Karl and R&R Book Tours for letting me be a part of this virtual book tour with no expectation of a positive review given.
More book reviews at The Eclectic Review
May 2, 2019
This one wasn't for me. My expectations were off, I expected a dystopian story, which I seemed to be getting in the first few chapters, which were the chapters I loved and I was really enjoying the story, until the virus mentioned in the blurb breaks out. Because there is little to none background information. What virus? What does it do, what does it make people do, why the quarantine, how does it spread? I had a million questions and I still do. It all seems kinda normal for Liri, the main character who seemed intelligent and quick-witted until that point, to get on a boat to escape. Does she really know why? No. She gets a half-baked explanation from a woman she barely knows and she decides to go with it. But okay, I rolled with it. Until Liri strikes up not one, but two insta-friendships, one of which with a man who seems to become her BFF and gains her loyalty in the blink of eye. Why? I couldn't tell you if I tried. It only gets worse when there is also insta-love. Because sure, the world is doomed by a mysterious virus, you'll never see your family again, you're on a godforsaken island with everyone behaving like it's Club Med, sure the resident psychiatrist makes you feel all the feels the second you lay eyes on him. Remember that Liri is 31, well passed the age of schoolgirl crushes, I'd think. I had totally had it when there was more elaboration on the tantric sex Liri and her insta-lover have than on the actual plot. I mean the virus is mentioned in 2 sentences and the sex gets like 4 pages? I cannot even! The finale feels rushed, a lot of information is crammed into the last chapters (some of which is supposed to explain the insta-love) and to be honest I didn't even know which way was up anymore. This had so much potential, but it didn't work for me at all. Mind, the writing wasn't bad at all. If you don't mind insta-love and you're more into sci-fi than dystopian stories, you may very well enjoy this story.
Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the free e-ARC. I think it's clear that didn't influence my opinion in any way.
Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the free e-ARC. I think it's clear that didn't influence my opinion in any way.
March 26, 2019
I’m not sure what I expected going into this book. The plot sounded very intriguing and the hook did it’s job, but aside from that, I had no pre-conceived ideas about where this story would take me. I certainly did not expect THAT ending, and I was both surprised and thrilled!
Perhaps, it’s Violet’s writing style or her incredible skill at crafting a story, but I was hooked by the first paragraph. This story just grabs you by the teeth and I promise, it does not let go till the last word. In addition to all the unknown and mysterious elements in the story, you know the stuff that you just HAVE to find out, or risk losing sleep, you won’t be able to put it down because the story just flows really well. In fact, I would find myself so deeply immersed in the story, that I would lose time.
This is the first book in what will surely be a wonderful series, and though it is a fantastic read, it barely scratches the surface. It will be a painful wait for the next installment that’s for sure. Now that I have an idea of what is coming next, the anticipation is killing me.
Collection of the Negatives is truly riveting, with fantastic writing, interesting characters, and a unique plot. I can’t recommend it enough!
Perhaps, it’s Violet’s writing style or her incredible skill at crafting a story, but I was hooked by the first paragraph. This story just grabs you by the teeth and I promise, it does not let go till the last word. In addition to all the unknown and mysterious elements in the story, you know the stuff that you just HAVE to find out, or risk losing sleep, you won’t be able to put it down because the story just flows really well. In fact, I would find myself so deeply immersed in the story, that I would lose time.
This is the first book in what will surely be a wonderful series, and though it is a fantastic read, it barely scratches the surface. It will be a painful wait for the next installment that’s for sure. Now that I have an idea of what is coming next, the anticipation is killing me.
Collection of the Negatives is truly riveting, with fantastic writing, interesting characters, and a unique plot. I can’t recommend it enough!
January 25, 2019
When Liri is laid off from her job she hears of a company that will pay money for blood – in particular O- blood types. Then when a virus hits New York she has no choice but to trust this company with her life – but why do they want her blood?
I was really intrigued by the premise of Collection of the Negatives, the idea that a futuristic, shady corporation could be after your blood was novel and interesting. The plot starts off quite realistic and the world it is set in is I think very close to ours - running a parallel timeline rather than miles in the future. The larger world in general is given a lot of backstory which I appreciated, however St.Karl choses to give this to the readers by listing the exposition via a news app which was a bit of a tiring narrative device. When the ‘virus’ is released, things start to get a bit unrealistic. This virus seems to inspire panic in our main character and she immediately assumes this is a death sentence - she leaves her family, sells all her belongings and trusts a shady corporation she only met that week to travel to an unknown location with a bunch of strangers. Having read a lot of dystopian virus thrillers recently this seems very much against the survivalist grain that most plots tend to go for. As the reader is never really told anything about the virus other than it affects the blood and New York is in quarantine it just seems like a massive leap – if we had perhaps seen the virus or met some people affected or the area was beginning to get dangerous with looting etc then it would be a little more understandable.
She then meets some truly odd characters who I didn’t particularly engage with. The first is Alistair who I couldn’t picture at all – he seemed to go from an older, professor-like character to a teenage boy and back again several time throughout the story. He also asks far too many questions and is so nosy about everything Liri is doing – I personally would have punched him if he had treated me like that! There’s also Brigid, who made me question if Violet St.Karl has ever actually met anyone from Ireland before – there’s some very bad stereotyping and the ‘accent’ was terrible! Lastly there’s Sirius who is the love interest with a wooden personality who asks far too many personal questions and made for some truly cringe-worthy young-adult style romance and intimate scenes. The dialogue is stilted and odd throughout which didn’t help me to engage with any of the characters.
My main problem was the fact that everyone just accepted that this island they had all been shipped off to was fine. No one really asks about home or if the virus has gone, no one questions why they need fitness tests or psychological sessions or what the company actually want with their blood. Everyone just takes everything at face value and accepts their fate but the underlying menace of the corporation wasn’t explored enough to make it feel like they were all just scared or lying. Then the story takes a sharp left turn into alien territory and I lost interest. The story ends on a complete cliff-hanger but even that won’t be enough to inspire me to pick up the next one I’m afraid.
Overall Collection of The Negatives intrigued me from its concept but turned out to be a bit of a mess. Thank you to NetGalley and Galactic Press for a copy of the ARC in exchange for a (very) honest review.
For more of my reviews please go to www.kindig.co.uk
I was really intrigued by the premise of Collection of the Negatives, the idea that a futuristic, shady corporation could be after your blood was novel and interesting. The plot starts off quite realistic and the world it is set in is I think very close to ours - running a parallel timeline rather than miles in the future. The larger world in general is given a lot of backstory which I appreciated, however St.Karl choses to give this to the readers by listing the exposition via a news app which was a bit of a tiring narrative device. When the ‘virus’ is released, things start to get a bit unrealistic. This virus seems to inspire panic in our main character and she immediately assumes this is a death sentence - she leaves her family, sells all her belongings and trusts a shady corporation she only met that week to travel to an unknown location with a bunch of strangers. Having read a lot of dystopian virus thrillers recently this seems very much against the survivalist grain that most plots tend to go for. As the reader is never really told anything about the virus other than it affects the blood and New York is in quarantine it just seems like a massive leap – if we had perhaps seen the virus or met some people affected or the area was beginning to get dangerous with looting etc then it would be a little more understandable.
She then meets some truly odd characters who I didn’t particularly engage with. The first is Alistair who I couldn’t picture at all – he seemed to go from an older, professor-like character to a teenage boy and back again several time throughout the story. He also asks far too many questions and is so nosy about everything Liri is doing – I personally would have punched him if he had treated me like that! There’s also Brigid, who made me question if Violet St.Karl has ever actually met anyone from Ireland before – there’s some very bad stereotyping and the ‘accent’ was terrible! Lastly there’s Sirius who is the love interest with a wooden personality who asks far too many personal questions and made for some truly cringe-worthy young-adult style romance and intimate scenes. The dialogue is stilted and odd throughout which didn’t help me to engage with any of the characters.
My main problem was the fact that everyone just accepted that this island they had all been shipped off to was fine. No one really asks about home or if the virus has gone, no one questions why they need fitness tests or psychological sessions or what the company actually want with their blood. Everyone just takes everything at face value and accepts their fate but the underlying menace of the corporation wasn’t explored enough to make it feel like they were all just scared or lying. Then the story takes a sharp left turn into alien territory and I lost interest. The story ends on a complete cliff-hanger but even that won’t be enough to inspire me to pick up the next one I’m afraid.
Overall Collection of The Negatives intrigued me from its concept but turned out to be a bit of a mess. Thank you to NetGalley and Galactic Press for a copy of the ARC in exchange for a (very) honest review.
For more of my reviews please go to www.kindig.co.uk
March 10, 2019
Collection of The Negatives (The Blood Rising Book #1)
B: Violet St. Karl
This was an interesting read for me, it picked up my interest in the first couple of chapters. We follow Liri a New Yorker who has just been let go of her decade old job into a world that is in economic downfall. There is this part I enjoyed a lot where she is listening to current news through Magellan, which is like “Alexa” 2.0, It showed how much the world is going downhill, wars, turmoil, giant corporations taking advantage of unemployment for their own benefit, sounds familiar it’s like we are living in that world today. All this really piped my interest. Liri hears that a company will pay money for blood and she discovers she is O Negative, very rare and special. When a virus is released and New York quarantined said company gathers all the people with negative blood types to “escape”. Liri sees this as an opportunity of survival and decides to go along with said company that she hasn’t researched, doesn’t know anything about them, so it doesn’t surprise me when she finds herself a “prisoner” Albeit she is in an island resort with a complete wardrobe. She is constantly monitored, recorded, and fed a specific diet due to her blood type. I will be honest I had no idea what was going on throughout the book until the last couple of chapters. I felt that there was a lot going on with the side characters but Liri spent her days with her secret romantic relationship with her psychiatrist Sirus, the second half of the story just dragged on. The story picked up in the last couple of chapters then I felt like it ended abruptly with a huge cliffhanger. I still have so many questions and that is what kept me reading from the end, to know what was so special about Liri and the Negative blood type people. Overall I liked the plot of the story, I just was not a fan of the execution during the middle part of the book.
Thank You to Netgalley and Galactic Press for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review
B: Violet St. Karl
This was an interesting read for me, it picked up my interest in the first couple of chapters. We follow Liri a New Yorker who has just been let go of her decade old job into a world that is in economic downfall. There is this part I enjoyed a lot where she is listening to current news through Magellan, which is like “Alexa” 2.0, It showed how much the world is going downhill, wars, turmoil, giant corporations taking advantage of unemployment for their own benefit, sounds familiar it’s like we are living in that world today. All this really piped my interest. Liri hears that a company will pay money for blood and she discovers she is O Negative, very rare and special. When a virus is released and New York quarantined said company gathers all the people with negative blood types to “escape”. Liri sees this as an opportunity of survival and decides to go along with said company that she hasn’t researched, doesn’t know anything about them, so it doesn’t surprise me when she finds herself a “prisoner” Albeit she is in an island resort with a complete wardrobe. She is constantly monitored, recorded, and fed a specific diet due to her blood type. I will be honest I had no idea what was going on throughout the book until the last couple of chapters. I felt that there was a lot going on with the side characters but Liri spent her days with her secret romantic relationship with her psychiatrist Sirus, the second half of the story just dragged on. The story picked up in the last couple of chapters then I felt like it ended abruptly with a huge cliffhanger. I still have so many questions and that is what kept me reading from the end, to know what was so special about Liri and the Negative blood type people. Overall I liked the plot of the story, I just was not a fan of the execution during the middle part of the book.
Thank You to Netgalley and Galactic Press for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review
April 26, 2019
Liri has recently lost her job and has no money. A friend tells her about a company that is buying blood from people with O- blood. Then she hears that I virus has been released in New York City and she goes with the ABO company to a secure island. The question is if she is really safe or is there more in the works than what is originally known.
This is an interesting read and I have mixed feelings about it. My heart goes out to Liri with her loss of job and money. I really felt for her but was skeptical about ABO. Then you get news notes about a virus being released without much information. I felt confused at what the emergency was since nothing really gave it that feel.
Then on the island we go from panic to a romance with Sirius in a controlling environment. If things were so horrible you think that Liri would be more worried about the virus on the island or why she was being controlled like she was in a science experiment.
I was really curious about the O- blood type since that is my blood type. But there really wasn’t a lot of information about how important that was. And the twist at the ending? The book ended at a super fast pace, not really fully explaining everything with an unexpected twist.
This was an interesting story. I really thought it would be a dystopian story and didn’t expect the ending. I really think that this book needs a good review and some fine tuning to make it a better story. I may or may not read the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
This is an interesting read and I have mixed feelings about it. My heart goes out to Liri with her loss of job and money. I really felt for her but was skeptical about ABO. Then you get news notes about a virus being released without much information. I felt confused at what the emergency was since nothing really gave it that feel.
Then on the island we go from panic to a romance with Sirius in a controlling environment. If things were so horrible you think that Liri would be more worried about the virus on the island or why she was being controlled like she was in a science experiment.
I was really curious about the O- blood type since that is my blood type. But there really wasn’t a lot of information about how important that was. And the twist at the ending? The book ended at a super fast pace, not really fully explaining everything with an unexpected twist.
This was an interesting story. I really thought it would be a dystopian story and didn’t expect the ending. I really think that this book needs a good review and some fine tuning to make it a better story. I may or may not read the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
January 31, 2019
This book started out pretty good. Liri is a quirky, smart woman who is persuaded by a friend to give blood and finds out she's O negative. Then a virus breaks out and all of the people with rare blood types are swept off to this random island where they are closely monitored, fed and controlled. This is where the story gets weird for me because instead of discovering why they are there and trying to escape, Liri begins this unexpected intensely sexual relationship with her psychologist Sirus. Half of the novel is about their love story and everything else takes a back seat.
She has this super nosey, controlling friend Allister who tells her not to trust anyone but does nothing to investigate why they are there. It's only at the end that we get this rushed explanation about a different dimension and Liris special abilities. And of course just as it's picking up the story ends in a CLIFFHANGER leaving me confused and dissatisfied. Needless to say I won't be picking up the next book. Too many open ended issues.
Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
She has this super nosey, controlling friend Allister who tells her not to trust anyone but does nothing to investigate why they are there. It's only at the end that we get this rushed explanation about a different dimension and Liris special abilities. And of course just as it's picking up the story ends in a CLIFFHANGER leaving me confused and dissatisfied. Needless to say I won't be picking up the next book. Too many open ended issues.
Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 25, 2019
The book started off well and captured my attention, but halfway through the story devolved into a romance-type novel that, I felt, did not move the story forward. So much more could have been done with the storyline to add action and drama without the heaviness of the relationship between Liri and Sirus. The characters seemed to fall flat in the middle of the story and the story plodded along. I found myself skimming a good portion of the Liri/Sirus relationship, and I picked up reading toward the end where more information about the occurrences and the action took place. There were also long paragraphs of exposition that were tiring to read with too much detail that didn’t move the story forward.
I did like the characters of Liri and Brigid. I will probably read book 2 once it is released to give the series another chance. It has promise and potential, so I’m hoping more action and science fiction and less romance will unfold.
I did like the characters of Liri and Brigid. I will probably read book 2 once it is released to give the series another chance. It has promise and potential, so I’m hoping more action and science fiction and less romance will unfold.
September 9, 2021
The Collection of the Negatives is definitely an intriguing novel and the first I have read from this author. It's captivating with interesting characters.
A chance encounter with a charming stranger makes Phoebe dream of a happily-ever-after until she learns that there’s a spell on her that makes her repulsive to men. Luckily her boss, Archibald Kane, and her new landladies are experts on magic. Only this one seems to confound them all.
I quite enjoyed reading this book. It was provided to me in exchange for my honest opinion.
A chance encounter with a charming stranger makes Phoebe dream of a happily-ever-after until she learns that there’s a spell on her that makes her repulsive to men. Luckily her boss, Archibald Kane, and her new landladies are experts on magic. Only this one seems to confound them all.
I quite enjoyed reading this book. It was provided to me in exchange for my honest opinion.
February 22, 2019
Hmmmmm
What a strange read. I thought it was going to be a post apocalyptic book, it is science fiction with aliens. I enjoyed the book. I did not like it stopping and there is no date when book 2 comes out and I will forget and not read it.
Nevertheless, it was an interesting read. It looks like this is the author's first novel. She did a good job editing. I hope book two will give a description of the characters.
What a strange read. I thought it was going to be a post apocalyptic book, it is science fiction with aliens. I enjoyed the book. I did not like it stopping and there is no date when book 2 comes out and I will forget and not read it.
Nevertheless, it was an interesting read. It looks like this is the author's first novel. She did a good job editing. I hope book two will give a description of the characters.
April 22, 2022
I really loved the premise of this book and there were some really promising elements. But the use of constant news updates to help push the world-building really pulled me out of the story and I couldn't connect to it. I'm sad to say that this one wasn't fun to read, I pushed through, but it did take quite a few years.
April 28, 2019
I did like this book, and found it a pleasant read. The characters were interesting, and each was very different to the others. I enjoyed the range of nationalities represented in the book as well as the way it represented the different types of working women (with and without children) without making either one seem lesser.
The protagonist (like the author) is of Albanian descent, and is very strong but also flawed. I felt that she could be based of anyone in the world and I loved that fact. She is a little over polished in terms of flaws but overall is very enjoyable to read about.
I did feel a bit like the plot of this book was badly paced, as the excerpt (above) goes to far into the plot of the book. This left me able to predict what was going to happen until the 80% mark, which was when things start to take a new turn. I think that this should have been the first half of the book and the second half being what will be the first part of book two. Having said that, this series shows a lot of promise and is definitely worth reading.
The protagonist (like the author) is of Albanian descent, and is very strong but also flawed. I felt that she could be based of anyone in the world and I loved that fact. She is a little over polished in terms of flaws but overall is very enjoyable to read about.
I did feel a bit like the plot of this book was badly paced, as the excerpt (above) goes to far into the plot of the book. This left me able to predict what was going to happen until the 80% mark, which was when things start to take a new turn. I think that this should have been the first half of the book and the second half being what will be the first part of book two. Having said that, this series shows a lot of promise and is definitely worth reading.
March 15, 2020
The Positive Side of Negatives
I Loved this book. It was so interesting and kept you in suspence . I'm an O Negative. We are in a panic now with the Corono virus. Should I worry?
I Loved this book. It was so interesting and kept you in suspence . I'm an O Negative. We are in a panic now with the Corono virus. Should I worry?
December 23, 2021
Well, this book took some unexpected turns... I mean, it was dystopian but it was also sci-fi? It's about people getting sick and quarantining and then blood being used as currency. It was an interesting concept and maybe a bit too bloated at parts but definitely a fun and unique book.
October 22, 2019
The Collection of the Negatives is the first book in the Blood Rising series by Violet St. Karl. As a first book in a series, one of the main concepts to build up the foundation of the characters and the scenario at hand. On that level, it does a great job. The world here is reminiscent of futuristic worlds where the world has been technologically advanced and yet when the apocalypse arrives, only selected people are chosen to escape to hopefully find a way to survive and keep the humankind going on and in this premise, it is specially selected for those with negative blood types. It is a creative angle for the foundation of the story and where the key sci-fi elements are and where the story is the most strong. The new adult elements particularly the romance bits here were a bit over despite the fact that they used that angle to give the story its turning point and unravel some of the mystery as well. However, it felt like it could have been executed better.
One of the strengths of the novel is the characters. While there are some flaws further down in the novel specifically with the main character, the basis of the characters have a good balance and distinct characteristics that help give them their own edge and place in the story as a whole. Plus, there is a good basis of building up different relationships especially friendships and alliances. As I mentioned before, the romantic part is the bit that I think wasn’t done quite as well but it also has to do with the fact that its part of the “new adult” genre style which I’m not a big fan of but that is a more personal preference. Its just by the last act, there is something about it that binds together a lot of weird shift in events but then it is a good way to set up for the next book.
Overall, The Collection of the Negatives is a decent way to start up a series. It sets up its characters well enough. There are some flaws and some little execution issues but it delivers on the suspense and the sci-fi elements are very strong and also has a lot of good ideas even if its a little weird.
One of the strengths of the novel is the characters. While there are some flaws further down in the novel specifically with the main character, the basis of the characters have a good balance and distinct characteristics that help give them their own edge and place in the story as a whole. Plus, there is a good basis of building up different relationships especially friendships and alliances. As I mentioned before, the romantic part is the bit that I think wasn’t done quite as well but it also has to do with the fact that its part of the “new adult” genre style which I’m not a big fan of but that is a more personal preference. Its just by the last act, there is something about it that binds together a lot of weird shift in events but then it is a good way to set up for the next book.
Overall, The Collection of the Negatives is a decent way to start up a series. It sets up its characters well enough. There are some flaws and some little execution issues but it delivers on the suspense and the sci-fi elements are very strong and also has a lot of good ideas even if its a little weird.
March 29, 2019
I absolutely loved the premise of this book. It was something that promised a kind of dystopian view of our world which seemed totally plausible in our not too distant future. Liri is a highly relatable if a bit quirky character, but her quirkiness makes her lovable. The other characters are also likable, although the male characters can be a bit stilted at times. Brigid is a hoot and provides some insight into the powers of the ABO (the evil corporation) and how they could impact the daily lives of normal citizens. However, the post-apocalyptic type story takes a turn during an extensive love diversion between two of the characters, which is at times quite awkward and honestly made me laugh out loud. This section provides no real drive forward of the plot, and its awkwardness detracts from what seems to be the main plot. After this, the story changes again from an awkward love story to interdimensional aliens. The three parts of the story are a little disjointed and almost seem to be completely different genre types. The characters are likable enough that I will probably pick up the next book to find out what happened, but only for the sake of resolution. I was disappointed that the post-apocalyptic/evil corporation main thread seemed to take a back seat in the final section. There is potential here, and if you love both post-apocalyptic and aliens, give it a go.
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