The Diabolic

We have a guest post from my student Ariana B.!

From Amazon:

A New York Times bestseller!

Red Queen meets The Hunger Games in this epic novel about what happens when a senator’s daughter is summoned to the galactic court as a hostage, but she’s really the galaxy’s most dangerous weapon in disguise.

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.

Ariana’s Commentary:

The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid was a lovely read.  The book starts with the creation and purchase of Nemesis. Nemesis is a Diabolic, a genetically engineered creation that is made and bred to protect and kill. She, and Diabolics like her, are created and bonded to people; they are used as protectors and bodyguards.  Nemesis is bonded to Sidonia von Impyrean, the sole heir to the seat of a Galactic Senator. Nemesis does not possess the mindset to feel anything but protectiveness for Sidonia, and Sidonia alone.  But when Sidonia’s father, the current Senator von Impyrean, puts the life of his daughter in danger with his heretic ways, Nemesis will go to great lengths to keep her safe. Nemesis must take Sidonia’s place among a sea of deadly nobles on one of the empire’s greatest ships, the Chrysanthemum, and learn to navigate a world of treachery, betrayal, and emotion.  She must make new “friends” and forge new alliances. Her whole existence is in question when she starts to develop the very thing she was genetically engineered to never possess: feelings. Her feelings for Sidonia shift; her feelings for the empire’s “madman” arise. She has to learn to navigate a world where she is a little more human than she has ever been.

This book is not something that you often see and it is not like every other book you see on the science fiction shelf at the library.  This book does a fantastic job of showing its “personality” in every aspect of it. This book is, by far, one of the greatest works of science fiction I have ever read.  When I was younger, I did not really read science fiction. As of late, I have not read very many science fiction books either, but after reading The Diabolic that is sure to change.  This truly is a magnificent book that is sure to make anyone who reads it fall in love with it and its characters. In my personal opinion, this is a book that has something for everyone.  In all honesty, The Diabolic is a book that I would recommend to anyone who asks because it truly is a magnificent work of fiction and literature.

I have read similar books to The Diabolic, including ones such as Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard and The Selection by Kiera Cass.  Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard was very similar to The Diabolic. This book is much like that one in the aspect that it has a strong and empowering female main character.  These characters work for causes that inspire and drive them. The Diabolic and Red Queen alike do a fabulous job of showing the power of love and the things a female can do.  They serve as good examples of female empowerment and dedication. The Selection by Kiera Cass is another book that holds similarities to The Diabolic. The Selection is actually a series that revolves around the life of a young girl and her journey to becoming a queen.  In that book, much like this one, the main character is a strong, independent young woman that works hard for her future and the future of those she cares for. In The Selection, the main character falls in love with the prince, much like in this book. They marry and start a new age in their kingdom.  That is very similar to how Tyrus and Nemesis overthrow his uncle and start a new era in their Empire.

Everything about this book screams flawlessness, and I have not read anything as wonderful as this in a long time.  That is saying something because I go through dozens of books a year. In my overall opinion, this is one of the greatest books I have ever read.  As a recommendation: if you see this book on a shelf, pick it up and check it out. I guarantee you that in the end you will not regret it.