The Diabolic

S. J. Kincaid

Nov 2016 · Simon and Schuster · Narrated by Candace Thaxton

About this audiobook

“The perfect kind of high-pressure adventure.” —TeenVogue.com
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.

Ratings and reviews

Pretty decent read. It did feel a little bit more like reading a descriptive diary. Plus, I hate to say this. The characters are kinda bland and basic. Why we are even sometimes told of what the characters do we are rarely shown the characters engaging in their hobbies. The bad dialogue is the main character killer. I can't help it, the stories so well written and the dialogue seems to come from a fifth graders Wattpad fanfic. Which makes the characters feel like empty pawns you don't really care about. The whole romance plot becomes a bit cringey later on, as it's clear the writer doesn't have much experience in social interactions. Despite my long rambling complaint the plot and writing is quite intriguing. With Nemesis views on the world being quite fun to listen too as she learns how to experience the world around her. Honestly it's a good story with a solid idea with a good ending that leaves you quite satisfied. Yes baby! No cliffhangers for you!

I was unsure about this genre, but I loved every clever second!

About the author

S.J. Kincaid is the New York Times bestselling author of The Diabolic trilogy. She originally wanted to be an astronaut, but a dearth of mathematical skills made her turn her interest to science fiction instead. Her debut novel, Insignia, was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. Its sequels, Vortex and Catalyst, have received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and Booklist. She’s chronically restless and has lived in California, Alabama, New Hampshire, Oregon, Illinois, and Scotland with no signs of staying in one place anytime soon. Find out more at SJKincaid.com.