I really like Nemesis but I can't continue with the huge plot holes. I have way too many questions about the basic world building and technology. If science and learning are outlawed, then how were Diabolics created? It makes them seem like a new creation, but isn't new science outlawed? And where do you draw the line on blasphemy? Is learning to sew a crime? What is considered BAD learning? 

Again, Nemesis is cool. But I take too many issues with the plot.

"The Diabolic" was intense, sophisticated YA Science Fiction that gripped my imagination, engaged my emotions and kept surprising me.

“The Diabolic” was one of those rare books that I slid right into. It lit up my imagination and pulled on my emotions as if it had been tailor-made to feed my hungers. It grabbed me the same way “The Hunger Games” did. It has the same intense focus on the difficult choices imposed on the main character by a brutally violent power structure. Keeping the story personal avoids the world-building from getting lost in either science or sociology and amplifies the emotional impact of the story.

But, Nemesis, the main character in this book, is no Katniss Everdeen. She is a Diabolic, a genetically engineered creature, conditioned from birth to be capable of great violence and to give her complete loyalty to a single person. Owned by a powerful family, she exists to keep the daughter of the House safe from all threats.e

Nemesis is the creation of the elite of a ruthless far-distant future galactic empire. The power of the elite comes from owning and controlling ancient space travel technologies that allow them to dominant planet-bound populations. The elite, who have held their power for centuries, have convinced themselves that they entitled to what they have, not because of the technology they control but because the practice of their Helios religion has won them the favour of the universe. The Helios religion has in turn interdicted as heretical the study of the technology that keeps the elite in power.

The plot follows the development of Nemesis from someone who sees herself as a soulless creature whose only purpose is to protect a young woman who lives on the edge of the Empire, through to someone whose circumstances have changed radically and who now must struggle to survive and to keep her true nature secretin the Emperor's Court and finally, into an independent person with an agenda and ethics of her own.

The plot moves at a good pace with more than a few surprises along the way. Although the age of the main characters leads me to classify this book as Young Adult it pulls no punches when it comes to describing the violence, cruelty and brutality of the people who rule the Empire. Nemesis is a killer and is untroubled by that fact. Those around her value no life other than their own. This is a book where the environment of the is soaked in threat.

I enjoyed the originality of this book and its main character. It is tense and pulls hard on the emotions but remains rooted in an entirely plausible political pragmatism. It also explores some interesting questions about what really makes us human and whether we can be both human and ruthlessly powerful.

My enjoyment was added to by Candace Thaxton's narration. I strongly recommend listening to the audiobook version, although, in the year since I bought my copy, this book no longer seems to be available on audible in the UK.

I haven't slid into a book like this in ages. It's grabbed me the same way "Hunger Games", "Divergent" and "The Scorpion Rules" did. 

When YA SF is done well, it enables an intense focus that is seldom equalled elsewhere.

"The Diabolic" is set in a ruthless far-distant future, with a galactic empire ruled by a new technology denying elite that nevertheless owes its power to the total control of existing technology that their society depends on. 

We see this world through the eyes of a Diabolic, a creature bred to be capable of great violence and great loyalty to a single person.

The plot moves at a good pace. The main character is engaging and the environment is soaked in threat.

I may not get much else done until I've finished this. It's a good job it's the Easter Week-end-

~~~~DNF~~~~

I tried...The fact that a slew of you LOVED this book kept me going as far as I did but I just can't do it. I made it to 56% but I couldn't scrounge up enough interest in all things Diabolic AND since there are so many yummmy books out there I'm moving on. There was nothing horribly wrong but there also wasn't anything terribly right either. The one character that did pique my interest was Tyrus. He was supposed to be crazy/eccentric but turned out to be mildly Mad-adjacent. It felt like he suffered from poorly crafted character persona instead of slowly percolating character development of Awesomeness. All of the other characters felt flat and I couldn't care less what happened to them. Even the world building was bland....OOOOORRRRRR maybe I am just itching to move onto some of the tasties out on the market right now. Either way I'm calling it... it flatlined for me BUT I still look forward to reading all of your reviews...especially reviews that praise the books I couldn't get into or vice versa.

Title: The Diabolic
Author: S. J. Kincaid
Narrator: Candace Thaxton
Published: 2016
Listen Time: 12:31
Page Count: 403
Read Date: August 28 - September 1, 2017
Description: 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.

My Rating: 5 of 5 stars
My Review: First off, let me start by saying I went back and forth between reading and listening.  The narrator had a voice that was very easy to listen to, and I could somehow truly picture Nemesis.

Second let me say that this book is told in first person, which can be very off-putting, especially if not done well.  This was done very well.  I don't want to give too much away, but the story is about Nemesis, who is a Diabolic, or a biologically engineered being.  Her sole purpose is to live (or die) to protect Sidonia.  When the only way to keep her safe means posing as her at court, Nemesis does so without hesitation.

Nemesis has been told for her entire existence that she is a thing.  Property.  She has no soul, she cannot feel or laugh or love.  Sidonia doesn't believe that and tells Nemesis so, but Nemesis just chalks it up to Sidonia's affection for her.  She has been her only and most loyal friend for most of her life, even if she is considered Sidonia's possession.

Nemesis' whole world gets turned on its head when she is at court pretending to be the heir of a high senator.  And that's all I'll say for fear of spoilers.  This book is filled with anguish and intrigue and so many feelings.  There were a few spots that were triggering for me, but only because of recent incidences in my life.  Had I read this book 6-7 months ago, certain scenes would not have been an issue.  I'm just mentioning it as my personal issue, I do not believe the book has anything so harsh that others should fear reading it.  There were so many ups and downs and plot twists!  Some you can almost anticipate, and some just take you completely off guard.  I'm very impressed with how the author weaved the plot to lead you in one direction and then take you by surprise.  It's not easy to do these days because everything has been done--in some cases overdone!

I am truly looking forward to the sequel!