I received this book at no cost from the publisher
The Diabolic by S.J. KincaidISBN: 1481472674
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers on November 1st 2016
Pages: 416
Goodreads
Synopsis Red Queen meets The Hunger Games in this epic novel about what happens when thegalaxy’s most deadly weapon masquerades as a senator’s daughter and a hostage of thegalactic court.
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.
AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY
MY THOUGHTS
Nemesis is a diabolic, a humanoid, specifically engineered to defend a human counterpart. She is a fighter and would rather kill at first sight than reason. She is bonded to Sidonia, the daughter of an area ruler who is being groomed for her father’s position in the galaxy. When the emperor decides that no one can have a personal diabolic, the remaining must be killed. Nemesis is hidden and replaces Sidonia when she is called to court to answer for her father’s crimes of supporting scientific research. This is really a nice commentary on our own current political environment with science being pushed to the back in favor of religion. The religion here worships a sun god and strives to push any research and scientific endeavors to being illegal. The problem is that their existence is fated because humanity can no longer maintain their machines or repair them.
The story follows Nemesis through her time at court where she draws the attention of the nephew, Tyrus, of the emperor who is slated to be the next in line. Think Game of Thrones mixed with a bit of Star Wars and filled with intelligent dialogue, a bit of humor and wonderful action taking place in outer space. Tyrus has played the idiot to protect his life and he sees Nemesis as his path to a true takeover of his family. His grandmother makes Cersei seem like a wimp. There are also stunning descriptions that weren’t overwhelming so you felt an easy entrance to this world.
This book should really be on everyone’s to-read list for fall. Here is the part I hate doing: if you enjoyed The Red Queen, The Hungar Games or any sci-fi dystopian tales, you should enjoy this one. Parents: there is a bit of romance, violence, and language. Most of it is PG13 in my opinion. I really loved reading this one and it went by super quickly. Of course, there is an opening at the end for a follow-up.
Insignia, came out in July of 2012. The second book in the series, Vortex was released in July of 2013. The final book in the trilogy, Catalyst, came out October 28, 2014. Her standalone novel The Diabolic will be released in fall 2016.
http://sjkincaid.com/TWITTER:
@SJKincaidBooksGOODREADS:
https://www.FACEBOOK:
https://www.
– Five Winners will receive a Copy of Diabolic +Swags by S.J. Kincaid.
Looks intriguing!
I’m always interested in machine v human tales.