The Diabolic

Hello again!

I hope you all enjoyed my previous book reviews and are ready for a completely new adventure! I first read this book about a year ago and have recently reread it just to give you guys the inside scoop. I love, love, love this book! The best part is that I randomly picked it up at a FOL (Friends of the Library) sale for a buck and it has quickly moved up on my list of favorites. Even if fantasy fiction is not normally your cup of tea, I would highly recommend you give this one a shot. It’s totally worth it!

The Diabolic (Book 1 of 2)

By S. J. Kincaid

YA Fantasy Fiction – Dystopian future

Synopsis

A Diabolic is ruthless. A Diabolic is powerful. A Diabolic has a single task: Kill in order to protect the person you’ve been created for. Nothing else.

For Nemesis, that person is Sidonia, heir to the galactic Senate. The two grew up side by side, and there’s no one Nemesis wouldn’t kill to keep her safe. But when the power-mad Emperor summons Sidonia to the Imperial Court as a hostage, there is only one way for Nemesis to protect Sidonia.

She must become her.

Now one of the galaxy’s most dangerous weapons is masquerading in a world of corrupt politicians and two-faced Senators’ children, and Nemesis must find within herself the one thing she’s been told she doesn’t have—humanity. With the Empire beginning to fracture and rebellion looming, that could be the one thing that saves her and the Empire itself.

My Thoughts

No Spoilers!

Let’s begin with the setting. It is the world as we know it but many years into the future. Earth has been abandoned or destroyed and all living beings make their home in space, on ships, or distant planets. Technology has evolved to the point of sustaining life in controlled circumstances on spaceships, and the ability to modify humanoid beings for particular tasks.  At this time any new scientific development is prohibited and punishable by death. Religion is used to keep the low-class poor and dependent on the Empire. The ruler is an Emperor; however, there are also lesser Grandiloquy, who are basically rich noble families that oversee their own part of the Empire.

The main character is Nemesis, an 18 year old modified humanoid called a Diabolic, whose sole purpose is to protect a single human, for their entire life. The story is told through her eyes in first person starting from her childhood. The person she is bonded to is Sidonia, also 18 years old, and the daughter of a Senator. Sidonia is portrayed as innocent and naïve, and she treats Nemesis as a real human instead of a possession. I absolutely love Nemesis’ character. She is ruthless, fiercely loyal and has no regrets. Her character development throughout the book is almost tangible as she allows herself to experience human emotions and reasoning beyond the black and white she has been programed for.

Sidonia’s father is a Senator who believes in the rebirth of scientific learning and seeks to educate the Excess, the poor working class people. Nemesis goes to the Imperial Court disguised as Sidonia to protect her from the Emperors punishment.

It is there we meet Tyrus, the insane nephew of the Emperor and heir to the throne. His character seems very one dimensional, but as the true motive behind his actions become clear, a bigger picture unfolds for the reader and you will be just as swept up in it as Nemesis.

This book has a great story, a fantastic world and a few surprises! It keeps your attention right up until the last page. The story continues with its sequel, The Empress. Read my review on The Empress, here.

Trust me, you’ll love it! Happy reading!