The Diabolic by S. J. Kincaid Book Review
- The Wicked Reader
- Nov 6, 2016
- 3 min read
Author: S.J. Kincaid Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Publication date: November 1st, 2016
Pages: 416 Format: ARC My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Purchase Links: [Chapters/Indigo] [Amazon]
*I received this book from the publisher for an honest review, this does not affect opinion at all*
Goodreads 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. Nemesis is a Diabolic, a humanoid teenager created to protect a galactic senator’s daughter, Sidonia. The two have grown up side by side, but are in no way sisters. Nemesis is expected to give her life for Sidonia, and she would do so gladly. She would also take as many lives as necessary to keep Sidonia safe. When the power-mad Emperor learns Sidonia’s father is participating in a rebellion, he summons Sidonia to the Galactic court. She is to serve as a hostage. Now, there is only one way for Nemesis to protect Sidonia. She must become her. Nemesis travels to the court disguised as Sidonia—a killing machine masquerading in a world of corrupt politicians and two-faced senators’ children. It’s a nest of vipers with threats on every side, but Nemesis must keep her true abilities a secret or risk everything. As the Empire begins to fracture and rebellion looms closer, Nemesis learns there is something more to her than just deadly force. She finds a humanity truer than what she encounters from most humans. Amidst all the danger, action, and intrigue, her humanity just might be the thing that saves her life—and the empire.
Review:
You know, when you get older, you learn to appreciate a good nap in the day, or a good nights sleep. I love resting, especially as a University student. If it’s a long weekend, a life or death exam the next day, I will never sacrifice an opportunity for sleep.
That was until I started reading S.J. Kincaid’s The Diabolic. I could not put this book down. When people say it’s a page turner, you better darn well expect it to be one. I was completely hooked, my entire mind was consumed by the story and for all of it’s characters. As you can see I’ve given this book 5/5 stars. The Diabolic was spectacular! An absolute dream to read. I loved everything about this book from the first line to the last.
Let's start with the book cover. I love this cover for too many reasons. The first one is that it's so pretty! Let’s be real. Most of us do judge a book by its cover. The top half is a regular butterfly. Which at first glance encapsulates the image a Diabolic is given to deceive their enemies. But the bottom half of the butterfly’s beautiful wings become blades. A diabolic is a weapon, they are ruthless and will kill anyone that they believe will harm their master. And the cover captures the right amount of deceitful and deadly.
"Be deceived...or be destroyed."
Nemesis takes Sadonia's place as a hostage for the Emperor. She needs to convince everyone in the Emperor’s court that she is Sadonia.
I loved all the characters. Each character was unique in their own way and they brought so much to the story.
You have Nemesis: a diabolic who believes what she's been programmed to believe since her creation. Nemesis understands that she is not an equal and her life is forfeit.
Sadonia: loves Nemesis deeply. Sadonia argues that Nemesis is an equal and wishes her to see herself as more than just a humanoid.
I really enjoyed how Kincaid didn't sugar coat the violence. This book was supposed to be brutal and brutality is what we got, in all it's glory.
Nemesis takes us with her on her journey to discover the galaxy. And both readers and Nemesis begin to learn maybe there is more in the world than just protecting the one you were created for.
This book is a stand alone which is a double edged sword, to be honest. Pros: You don't have to wait a year or more to see how the story ends. Con: I would love to see more of these character since I love them all so much.
I can see that the setting can be further expanded into other books. This universe is so huge and I think Kincaid only gave us a modest snippet into that brilliant mind of hers.
I guess less is more, and Kincaid has done a wonderful job at leaving her readers wanting more.
Comments