The Diagnosis

by Conor Murray

Olivia Thompson is a seventeen-year-old living a comfortable middle-class life in the Newland Settlers Confederation. After developing unusual symptoms, she receives a horrifying diagnosis. She is V1 positive, slowly turning into a vampire. The ‘Three-day Law’ gives her two options: Present herself within seventy-two hours at the border of the Vampire Union or submit to summary execution. If she fails to do either, the government will hunt her down.

Desperate to survive, Olivia undertakes the arduous journey north by any means necessary--but the government and a ticking clock aren’t the only danger. Religious fanatics with little regard for the ‘Three-day Law’ hunt down and murder anyone they see as corrupted, and they have bead on Olivia. With a once-in-a-decade blizzard bearing down on her, can she evade her pursuers and make it to the border alive?

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Thriller Suspense, Paranormal, Horror, Psychological, Mystery Thriller

336 pages, Paperback

First published December 28, 2021

About the author

Conor Murray is originally from the countryside outside a small town called Navan in Ireland, but he’s called the city of Dublin home for the past fifteen years. He has an MSc in Creative Digital Media from the Technological University of Dublin.

A computer game designer by trade, he’s worked on many major video game releases, creating worlds, characters, and quests.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frist of wow the cover is what made me want to pick it up, second its a new take on vampires ,need I say more. This book was so different then anything I've read on how you can become a vampire, there was one other book series by a mother and daughter that did it but this way was so much more fun to read, the world building, the characters, the belief system, the laws , everything about this book was amazing. Basically it comes down to just one thing and that if your tested and it comes back as V1 positive ,the only person you can trust until you get to the border of the Vampire Union is yourself, No one else, which in its on way is pretty scarey , no family, or friends can help you because it's against the three day law or they're in fact might be working against you to stop you from getting there . So it's all on you. And it makes you wonder are you strong enough todo it, do you believe in yourself 100% or are you just going to give up and let the government win. A must read .

[Winter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Goodreads Giveaways, and to the author, Connor Murray.

#GOODREADSGIVEAWAY
#WINNER!

[Wendy Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be one of the best books I have read so far this year. It was an enjoyable read with plenty of action and tension. It was a book I wanted to keep reading but unfortunately at times I had to put it aside to do other things.

I recommend this book and if there is a follow-on book would love to read and review it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is an easy 5 stars!!

This book was such an adrenaline, heart-bursting roller coaster ride of thrills, action, fun, emotion, angst … the list is endless! I started reading at around 7am, wanting a lazy hour or two before I got started with the day. Suffice it to say, I didn't get started with the day, until I read 'The End' … I think this is the quickest I have EVER finished a book.

Loved Olivia, she was portrayed so well, and I was rooting for her.

Such in interesting plot, with a lot of sub-references here, that I will leave you to discover for yourself.

Such a novel (pun not intended) idea … and so well told.

I look forward to the next instalment of this really unique take on vampires.

Looking at the author's info, I realise that he is from Ireland. Ireland really has some gems on their Isle … I will definitely be keeping a close eyes on this author, and reading anything that I can get my grubby little paws on!! Hopefully the next book in the series is soon, I am already experiencing withdrawals from having finished this book.

As an aside, I must admit, in this case, you cannot judge the book by it's cover ;)

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a thrill ride from start to finish. It really delivers on the suspense and claustrophobia, and the feeling that Olivia can trust absolutely no one. I had knots in my stomach right up until the end.

A well-written book that had me up late reading to finish in one session, because I genuinely couldn’t put it down.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing an advance copy in order for me to give my honest opinion.

[Joanna S Willey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. This was a totally different take on the normal vampire story. I was so hung up in the main character’s journey to survive her diagnosis that I was almost upset when it ended. I wanted to see what happened next. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Petra Wallenmeyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free kindle edition of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
Honestly, I would probably give the book 3.5 stars. It was not bad; I just was not expecting something quite so short, so I went in expecting a little more meat. If I had known it would be a lighter novel (though not quite as short as a novella), I may have given it 4 stars.

This is a vampire story, but it's not heavy on worldbuilding or science. Instead, the story is character-driven. We follow a 17-year-old girl on her journey from her hometown to across the border to a vampire town. It is a coming-of-age story wrapped in a becoming-of-vampire story. I found the character believable as a 17 year old girl, which I don't usually find when adults try to write teens. So that was a pleasant surprise.

If you're looking for a book that can be read in a few short hours that focuses on one character's relationships and maturity arc, with a dash of alternative-reality or post-apocalyptic vibes and a smattering of vampire horror, with a healthy dose of cat-and-mouse-chase adrenaline thrown in, this is a book for you.

[Stevie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow…this has such an interesting twist on the typical vampire idea. Captivated the whole time and coolest put it down! Really had me thinking “sh** what if I was diagnosed with V1?? Or someone I know??”

Only gripe…I wish we could have seen more of VU 🧛🏼‍♀️🖤

[Kristin Rush · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy moly was this book a breath of fresh air!!! Horror, suspense, and a new take on vampires, but no “forbidden love” or cheesy love triangle in sight! I am so intrigued in the world that was created and the history hinted at throughout! I noticed a few editing errors, but the story was too captivating for them to distract or deter me. I can only hope the author has this planned for a series because I need more!!

[Crystan M.]

The Diagnosis follows the plight of the main character, Olivia, who starts as the spoiled popular girl. She contracts vampirism, the mechanism of transmission never being explained, and is then a pariah to her family and community in general as vampirism is looked down upon by the Church-run government. The book follows Olivia through her struggle to reach the vampire state border by the government-issued DEADline. While the story was packed with action and Olivia did change and grow through her challenges, I never felt a connection to the main character and struggled to stay interested in her story. Not for me but based on other's ratings some love it.

Thank you to the author and Goodreads for the giveaway copy of this book.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun young adult book who main character has 3 days after being diagnosed with turning into a vampire to get to the border or be exterminated. Will she make it to safety, and is there anyone from her past she can trust to help? Really liked this book, interesting premise. I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway but the opinions expressed are solely my own.

[Samantha Tarracino Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing I read it in two days .. I was on the edge of my seat with the mail characters journey , the only thing I disliked about the book is that it ended .. we need another book we need to read all about the inside of the VU 🩸 🧛🏻‍♂️